Communication method, apparatus and device, and medium and program product

Abstract

The present application belongs to the field of wireless communications. Disclosed are a communication method, apparatus and device, and a medium and a program product. The method is executed by a first station. The method comprises: sending a first frame, wherein the first frame is used for indicating one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; and updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

Description

Communication method, apparatus, device, medium and program product TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication, in particular to a communication method, apparatus, device, medium and program product. BACKGROUND

[0002] Coexistence operation refers to that a station supporting IEEE 802.11 protocol specification can share its radio resources with other wireless communication technologies or other stations attached to the same Multi-Link Device (MLD), so that the station can be unavailable at certain time and / or certain frequency, or the station can operate at limited operation capability.

[0003] Improving coexistence operation is very important for improving the efficiency of wireless resource utilization, and if there is a lack of coexistence processing mechanism, it will cause problems such as data loss, delay increase, reliability reduction, and frequency utilization efficiency reduction of the STA.

[0004] SUMMARY

[0005] The present application provides a communication method, apparatus, device, medium and program product, which at least includes:

[0006] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a first station, and the method includes:

[0007] sending a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0008] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication method is provided, the method is performed by a second station, and the method includes:

[0009] receiving a first frame sent by a first station, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0010] According to an aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus includes:

[0011] a sending module, configured to send a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0012] According to another aspect of an embodiment of the present application, a communication apparatus is provided, the apparatus includes:

[0013] The receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by the first station, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling the first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0014] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, which 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 communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0015] According to another aspect of some embodiments of the present application, a communication device is provided, which comprises: a receiver; and the communication device is configured to implement the communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0016] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which stores at least one program, and the at least one program is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0017] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present application, a computer program product or a computer program is provided, the computer program product or the computer program comprises computer instructions, the computer instructions are stored in a computer readable storage medium, a processor acquires the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, and the processor executes the computer instructions to implement the communication method according to any of the above aspects.

[0018] According to an aspect of some embodiments of the present application, a chip is provided, which comprises a programmable logic circuit and / or at least one program, and the chip is used to implement the communication method according to any of the above aspects based on the programmable logic circuit and / or the at least one program.

[0019] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application can have the following beneficial effects:

[0020] The first station can use the first frame to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the enabling / disabling of the first operation mode, and can also use the first frame to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the updating of the parameter of the first operation mode, which helps the second station at the other end to interact with the first station in a timely manner to update the resource and / or capability information, and improves the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0021] In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the drawings needed to be used in the embodiments description will be briefly introduced. Obviously, the drawings in the following description are only some embodiments of the present application, and for those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without any creative effort.

[0022] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0023] FIG. 2 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0024] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0025] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0026] FIG. 5 shows a frame exchange diagram of a first operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0027] FIG. 6 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0028] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0029] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0030] FIG. 9 shows a frame exchange diagram of a first type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0031] FIG. 10 shows a frame exchange diagram of a second type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0032] FIG. 11 shows a frame exchange diagram of a third type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0033] FIG. 12 shows a frame exchange diagram of a fourth type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0034] FIG. 13 shows a frame exchange diagram of a fourth type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0035] FIG. 14 shows a diagram of a first station sending a coexistence operation mode notification frame according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0036] Figure 15 shows a format of a coexistence operation mode control field according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0037] Figure 16 shows a format of a coexistence operation mode latency parameter field according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0038] Figure 17 shows a format of a capability operation parameter field according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0039] Figure 18 shows a coexistence operation mode request frame sent by a first station according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0040] Figure 19 shows a format of a coexistence operation mode indication control subfield according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0041] Figure 20 shows a format of a capability operation mode indication control subfield according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0042] Figure 21 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0043] Figure 22 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus according to an example embodiment of the present application;

[0044] Figure 23 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an example embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0045] For the purpose of clarity, technical and scientific terms used in this application are intended to have the meanings commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains, unless otherwise explicitly provided. Unless otherwise defined, all technical and scientific terms used herein have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which this application pertains. Furthermore, the description and drawings are to be regarded as illustrative in nature and definitions should be understood to embrace modifications and variations thereof as would be occur to those familiar with the art.

[0046] The terminology used in the description of the application herein is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the application. As used in the description of the application and the appended claims, the singular forms "a", "an" and "the" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. It also will be understood that the term "and / or" as used herein refers to and encompasses any and all possible combinations of one or more of the associated listed items.

[0047] It should be understood that, although the terms first, second, third, etc. can be used herein to describe various information, the information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to differentiate one piece of information from another piece of information. For example, without departing from the scope of the present application, the first information can also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information can also be referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, the word "if" as used herein can be interpreted as "when" or "upon" or "in response to determining". In the present specification, when the meaning expressed by the Boolean value is expressed as "0" represents "the first meaning", "1" represents "the second meaning", without loss of generality, those skilled in the art can understand that the representative meaning can be reversed, i.e. "1" represents "the first meaning", "0" represents "the second meaning".

[0048] It should be understood that the format, name and value of the frames / elements / fields involved in various embodiments of the present application are only examples and do not mean to limit the format, name and value of the frames / elements / fields. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the name of the above-mentioned elements / fields, the position in the frame, the arrangement order between the other elements / fields, the number of bytes occupied, the number of bits occupied can be changed. In different embodiments or different designs, one or more of the name of the above-mentioned frame, the elements / fields contained, the number of bytes occupied, the number of bits occupied can be changed.

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system 100 provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The wireless communication system 100 includes stations (STAs) and stations. In the present application, the STA includes an access point station (Access Point STA, AP STA) and / or a non-access point station (non-AP STA), wherein the AP STA can be referred to as an AP. The communication between the STA and the STA can be implemented as the communication between the AP and the non-AP STA, or the communication between the non-AP STA and the non-AP STA, or the communication between the STA and the peer STA. The peer STA refers to a device communicating with the STA at the opposite end, and the peer STA can be an AP or a non-AP STA. FIG. 1 takes the example of the wireless communication system 100 including an AP 110 and a non-AP STA 120.

[0050] The AP 110 is a device deployed in a wireless local area network (WLAN) / wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system to provide wireless communication functions for STAs. The AP 110 is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network, and mainly functions to connect various wireless network clients together and then access the wireless network to an Ethernet. The AP 110 can be a terminal device or a network device (such as a router) with a WLAN / Wi-Fi chip.

[0051] In some embodiments, the AP 110 can be a device supporting multiple current and future Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 family WLAN standards, such as 802.11be, 802.11bn, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The AP 110 can also be applied to a network environment supporting a next-generation WLAN system / next-generation Wi-Fi communication.

[0052] The non-AP STA 120 can be a wireless communication device supporting WLAN / Wi-Fi technology, such as a wireless communication device with a WLAN / Wi-Fi chip.

[0053] In some embodiments, the non-AP STA 120 can be a device supporting multiple current and future IEEE 802.11 family WLAN standards, such as 802.11be, 802.11bn, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. The non-AP STA 120 can also be applied to a network environment supporting a next-generation WLAN system / next-generation Wi-Fi communication.

[0054] In the embodiments of the present application, the next-generation WLAN system is a WLAN system evolved from the 802.11be system and can meet the backward compatibility with the 802.11be system. The next-generation Wi-Fi communication is any new generation of Wi-Fi communication after Wi-Fi 7 based on the 802.11be specification, such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR) communication, etc.

[0055] In some embodiments, the AP 110 and the non-AP STA 120 both support IEEE 802.11 protocol, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11 protocol.

[0056] It can be understood that the role of the STA in wireless communication is not absolute. For example, when the mobile phone A connects to the router, the mobile phone A is a non-AP STA, and when the mobile phone A acts as a hotspot for the mobile phone B, the mobile phone A acts as an AP.

[0057] The STA in the embodiments of the present application can be a device with wireless transceiving function, for example, can support 802.11 series protocol, and can communicate with an AP or other STA. For example, the STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. The STA is, for example, a user equipment (UE), a mobile station (MS), a mobile terminal (MT), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile terminal, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user apparatus, etc.

[0058] The STA in the embodiments of the present application can also be a device providing voice / data / image connectivity to a user, for example, a handheld device, a vehicle-mounted device, a home device, a household appliance, a game device, etc. with wireless connection function or equipped with a wireless communication module. For example, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a palm computer, a mobile internet device (MID), a wearable device, a virtual reality (VR) device, an augmented reality (AR) device, a wireless terminal in industrial control, a wireless terminal in self driving, a drone or aerial photography device, a wireless terminal in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal in smart grid, a wireless terminal in transportation safety, a wireless terminal in smart city, a wireless terminal in smart home, 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 function, a computing device with wireless communication function, other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a beyond 5G (B5G) network, a terminal device in a 6G network, a terminal device in a future evolved public land mobile network (PLMN), etc. The present embodiments are not limited thereto, and the STA can also be a television, a refrigerator, a washing machine, a kitchen appliance, a door lock, a fish tank, a sweeping robot, a game machine, a camera / camcorder, a sensor, etc. with wireless connection function.

[0059] As an example but not limitation, the STA in the embodiments of the present application can also be a wearable device. The wearable device can also be referred to as a wearable smart device, which is a general term for devices that are designed and developed by applying wearable technology to daily wear, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. For example, a smart watch or smart glasses, etc., and only focus on a certain type of application function, need to be used with other devices such as smart phones, such as various types of smart wristbands, smart jewelry, etc.

[0060] In addition, the STA in the embodiments of the present application can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. The IoT is an important part of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is to connect objects through communication technology and network, so as to realize the intelligent network of man-machine interconnection and object-object interconnection. In the embodiments of the present application, the IoT technology can achieve mass connection, deep coverage and terminal power saving through, for example, Narrow Band (NB) technology.

[0061] In addition, the STA in the embodiments of the present application can also be a vehicle-mounted communication device or a vehicle itself in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The communication mode in the V2X system is collectively referred to as V2X (X represents anything). For example, the V2X communication includes Vehicle to Vehicle (V2V) communication, Vehicle to Infrastructure (V2I) communication, Vehicle to Pedestrian (V2P) communication or Vehicle to Network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0062] In some embodiments, the frequency bands that the wireless communication system 100 can support include, but are not limited to, millimeter wave (mmWave) frequency bands (such as 45 GHz, 60 GHz, etc. belonging to the frequency bands in the range of 30-300 GHz), low frequency frequency bands. The low frequency frequency band includes a Sub-7GHz frequency band (such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, etc. belonging to the frequency band in the range of 1-7.25 GHz).

[0063] In some embodiments, there is one or more links between the AP 110 and the non-AP STA 120.

[0064] In some embodiments, multi-band communication is supported between the AP 110 and the non-AP STA 120. For example, communication is simultaneously performed in one or more of the 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, 45 GHz, 60 GHz, etc. frequency bands. For another example, communication is simultaneously performed on different channels of the same frequency band or different channels of different frequency bands. Multi-band communication can improve the communication throughput and / or reliability between devices. Such a device supporting multi-band communication can be considered to have Multi-Link Operation (MLO) capability, and is usually referred to as a multi-band device or a multi-link device (MLD), and is sometimes also referred to as a multi-band entity or a multi-link entity. In other words, the MLD is an entity or device that supports communication with other MLD entities using multiple wireless links.

[0065] An AP MLD can include one or more APs, i.e., the affiliated STAs of an AP MLD include one or more APs. A non-AP MLD can include one or more non-AP STAs, i.e., the affiliated STAs of a non-AP MLD include one or more non-AP STAs. An AP MLD and a non-AP MLD can form one or more links between them, and each AP affiliated to the AP MLD and each non-AP STA affiliated to the non-AP MLD can communicate through the corresponding link. A non-AP MLD and a non-AP MLD can also form one or more Peer-to-Peer (P2P) links between them, and each non-AP STA affiliated to the two non-AP MLDs respectively can communicate through the corresponding P2P link. An AP MLD and an AP MLD can also form one or more P2P links between them, and each AP affiliated to the two AP MLDs respectively can communicate through the corresponding P2P link.

[0066] A Basic Service Set (BSS) is a basic topology structure in WLAN / Wi-Fi communication. The communication devices constituting a BSS include one AP and a plurality of non-AP STAs. After joining the wireless domain of the AP, each non-AP STA establishes association with the AP, and the associated non-AP STA and the AP can perform data transmission, and non-AP STAs in the same BSS can exchange data through the AP.

[0067] • Regarding coexistence operation:

[0068] Coexistence operation refers to that a STA supporting the IEEE 802.11 protocol specification can share radio resources with other wireless communication technologies, such as In-Device Coexistence (IDC), or refers to that a STA supporting the IEEE 802.11 protocol specification shares its radio resources with other STAs affiliated to the same MLD. Coexistence operation makes the STA possibly unavailable at certain specific time and / or specific frequency, or makes the STA possibly operate at limited operation capability. Improving IDC coexistence operation is very important for improving the utilization efficiency of wireless resources, and if there is a lack of IDC coexistence processing mechanism, it will lead to data loss, increased delay, reduced reliability, reduced frequency utilization efficiency, etc. of the STA.

[0069] • Operating Mode Indication (OMI):

[0070] OMI is a procedure used between an OMI initiator and an OMI responder. The OMI initiator is the STA that sends a frame containing an Operating Mode (OM) control subfield. The OMI responder is the STA that receives a frame containing an OM control subfield.

[0071] After association, the OMI initiator can send a separately addressed Quality of Service Data Frame (Qos Data Frame), Quality of Service Null Frame (Qos Null Frame), or Class 3 management frame to the OMI responder, the Qos Data Frame or Qos Null Frame or Class 3 management frame sent by the OMI initiator contains an OM control subfield and requests an immediate acknowledgement frame to indicate a change in Receive Operating Mode (ROM) parameters and / or Transmit Operating Mode (TOM) parameters. The OMI responder receives a separately addressed QoS Data Frame, QoS Null, or Class 3 management frame containing an OM control subfield indicating a change in ROM parameters and / or TOM parameters.

[0072] According to the requirements of the ROM indication, the OMI initiator shall indicate a change in its ROM parameters by including an OM control subfield in a QoS Data Frame, QoS Null Frame, or Class 3 management frame that requests an immediate acknowledgement frame, while the target receive address of the QoS Data Frame, QoS Null Frame, or Class 3 management frame is the OMI responder. The ROM indication allows the OMI initiator to adapt to the maximum operating channel width and / or the maximum Number of Spatial Streams (NSS) that can be received from the OMI responder. The OMI initiator that sends a frame containing an OM control subfield shall change its OMI parameters, Receive NSS (Rx NSS), and channel bandwidth as follows: when the OMI initiator changes the ROM parameters from higher to lower, it shall only make the change after receiving an immediate acknowledgement from the OMI responder in a TXOP; when the OMI initiator changes the ROM parameters from lower to higher, it shall only make the change after expecting an acknowledgement from the OMI responder in a TXOP.

[0073] According to the requirement indicated by the TOM, the OMI initiator shall indicate the change of its TOM parameters by including the OM Control subfield in a QoS Data frame, a QoS Null frame, or a Class 3 management frame requesting an immediate acknowledgement frame, while the target receiving address of the frame is the OMI responder. Among them, the TOM indication allows the OMI initiator to suspend and resume responding to the trigger frame and the Triggered Response Scheduling (TRS) control subfield responding to different variants based on the Uplink Multi User Disable (UL MU Disable) subfield and the Uplink Multi User Data Disable (UL MU Data Disable) subfield settings, or adapt to the maximum operating channel width and / or the maximum NSS it can transmit, to respond to the trigger frame sent by the OMI responder.

[0074] In particular, the frame requesting immediate acknowledgement includes QoS null frame and QoS data frame carrying Normal Acknowledgment (Normal Ack) or Block Ack Request (BAR) Ack policy and action frame.

[0075] · Regarding Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio (EMLSR) operation:

[0076] The EMLSR operation allows a non-AP MLD with multiple receive links to listen on one or more EMLSR links, where a non-AP STA affiliated with the non-AP MLD is in an awake state to receive an initial control frame transmitted by an AP affiliated with an AP MLD in a non-High Throughput (non-HT) Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) format or a non-HT duplicate PPDU format, and participate in frame exchange on the link on which the initial control frame is received.

[0077] A non-AP MLD can specify a set of enabled links between the non-AP MLD and the AP MLDs with which it is associated to operate in EMLSR mode. The enabled links on which EMLSR mode is applied are referred to as EMLSR links. If a non-AP STA affiliated to a non-AP MLD and operating on an EMLSR link is in an awake state, then non-AP STAs affiliated to the non-AP MLD and not operating on an enabled link in EMLSR mode should be in a sleep state.

[0078] When a non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode on an EMLSR link, non-AP STAs operating on the EMLSR link and affiliated to the non-AP MLD cannot operate in dynamic spatial multiplexing (SM) power save mode on the EMLSR link.

[0079] When a non-AP MLD operates in EMLSR mode with an AP MLD that supports EMLSR mode, the following rules apply:

[0080] The non-AP MLD should be able to listen to the EMLSR link by having its affiliated non-AP STA corresponding to the EMLSR link in an awake state. The listening operation includes clear channel assessment (CCA) and reception of the initial control frame of the frame exchange initiated by the AP MLD. A non-AP STA operating on the EMLSR link can change its power management mode; the non-AP STA can listen to the EMLSR link in active mode or in power save (PS) mode in an awake state.

[0081] — When an affiliated AP of an AP MLD initiates a frame exchange with a non-AP MLD on one EMLSR link that is neither a group addressed data frame nor a group addressed management frame, the affiliated AP of the AP MLD shall initiate the frame exchange by sending an initial control frame to the non-AP MLD and with the following restrictions: the initial control frame of the frame exchange shall be sent in non-HT PPDU or non-HT duplicate PPDU format at a rate of 6 Mb / s, 12 Mb / s, or 24 Mb / s; the affiliated AP of the AP MLD sets the padding field length of the initial control frame according to the rules defined in Trigger frame stuffing and ensures that the Media Access Control (MAC) padding duration of the initial control frame is greater than or equal to the EMLSR Padding Delay; the initial control frame shall be a Multi User Request-To-Send (MU-RTS) trigger frame or a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger frame, and the number of spatial streams responding to the BSRP trigger frame shall be limited to one and shall be indicated in the BSRP trigger frame.

[0082] — Upon receiving the frame exchange of the initial control frame and transmitting an immediate response frame as a response to the initial control frame, a non-AP STA affiliated to the non-AP MLD listening on the corresponding link shall be able to transmit or receive frames on the link on which the initial control frame was received and shall not transmit or receive frames on other EMLSR links; and subject to its spatial stream capabilities, operating mode, and the minimum MAC frame padding duration of the padding field of the initial control frame, the non-AP STA affiliated to the non-AP MLD corresponding to the link on which the initial control frame was received shall be able to receive a PPDU sent using multiple spatial streams after a Short Interframe Space (SIFS) from the end of the response frame transmission requested by the initial control frame. During the frame exchange, other APs affiliated to the AP MLD shall not transmit frames to other non-AP STAs affiliated to the non-AP MLD on other EMLSR links.

[0083] — The non-AP MLD shall switch back to listening operation on the EMLSR link after the EMLSR Transition Delay Time from the end of the frame exchange.

[0084] Improving coexistence operation is very important for improving wireless resource utilization efficiency, and lack of coexistence processing mechanism will lead to data loss, increased delay, reduced reliability, reduced frequency utilization efficiency, etc. of the STA. The current OMI mechanism is suitable for adjusting the transmission operation mode parameters and / or reception operation mode parameters used for a long time. In particular, the parameter adjustment indicated by the OMI takes effect after the transmission opportunity (TXOP) in which the OMI is indicated. Therefore, the current OMI mechanism cannot adjust the transmission and reception parameters in real time or immediately at the TXOP level.

[0085] Moreover, when the STA is in the coexistence operation mode, due to the burstiness of the trigger to change the available transmission and reception resources of the STA itself and the difficulty to predict in advance, if the opposite STA of the STA does not know in advance the coexistence mode or state in which the STA is and the available transmission and reception resources, the opposite STA directly sends a data frame to the STA to initiate frame exchange according to the transmission and reception capabilities of the STA indicated when the STA is associated or through the OMI. This may cause the STA to be unable to correctly decode the data frame due to the change of the available resources and the transmission and reception capabilities of the STA.

[0086] Therefore, the present application proposes a communication method, which supports the STA to notify or negotiate in advance with the opposite STA the coexistence operation mode to be enabled by the STA, so that the opposite STA can obtain the change of the available resources and the transmission and reception capabilities of the STA in time, reduce or even avoid the problems such as data packet loss, increased delay, reduced frequency utilization efficiency, etc. caused by the change of the available resources and the transmission and reception capabilities, and improve the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the STA and the opposite STA.

[0087] FIG. 2 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first station. The method includes at least part of the following steps:

[0088] Step 220: sending a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0089] In some embodiments, enabling the first operation mode can also be understood as entering the first operation mode, or starting the first operation mode.

[0090] In some embodiments, disabling the first operation mode can also be understood as exiting the first operation mode, or stopping the first operation mode.

[0091] In some embodiments, the first station updates the parameter of the first operation mode, which can also be understood as modifying the parameter of the first operation mode, or resetting the parameter of the first operation mode.

[0092] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate enabling the first operation mode, which means that the first station informs or requests or negotiates or suggests enabling the first operation mode.

[0093] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate disabling the first operation mode, which means that the first station informs or requests or negotiates or suggests disabling the first operation mode.

[0094] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate updating the parameter of the first operation mode, which means that the first station informs or requests or negotiates or suggests updating the parameter of the first operation mode.

[0095] In some embodiments, in the first operation mode, the first station shares the radio resource based on the WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the first station shares the radio resource with other stations affiliated to the same MLD. The other wireless communication technology may, for example, include one or more of the following: Bluetooth (BT) technology, cellular communication technology, Non-Terrestrial Network (NTN) technology, etc.

[0096] In some embodiments, the first operation mode can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific name of the first operation mode, and the first operation mode can also have other names, such as an interference operation mode, etc. The following may appear the first operation mode, the coexistence operation mode, and the operation mode mixed content, which can be understood that the first operation mode, the coexistence operation mode, and the operation mode have the same meaning, and the name can be replaced.

[0097] In some embodiments, the first frame can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode management frame. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific name of the first frame, and the first frame can also have other names, such as an operation mode management frame, an operation mode notification frame, an operation mode request frame, an operation mode negotiation frame, a coexistence operation mode notification frame, a coexistence operation mode request frame, a coexistence operation mode negotiation frame, etc.

[0098] In the present application, the first station includes one or more APs, or the first station includes one or more non-AP STAs. Optionally, the first station can also be one or more APs affiliated to an AP MLD, or one or more non-AP STAs affiliated to a non-AP MLD. That is, the first station can be an MLD device or not.

[0099] In some embodiments, the second station is a peer station of the first station, and the first station transmits the first frame to the second station. The second station comprises one or more APs, or the second station comprises one or more non-AP STAs. Optionally, the second station can also be one or more APs affiliated to an AP MLD, or one or more non-AP STAs affiliated to a non-AP MLD. That is, the second station can be an MLD device or not.

[0100] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first station to use the first frame to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the enabling / disabling of the first operation mode, and also supports the first station to use the first frame to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the update of the parameters of the first operation mode, which helps the second station to interact with the first station in a timely manner to update the resource and / or capability information, and improves the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0101] In some embodiments, on the basis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, step 220 can also be implemented as step 310, as shown in FIG. 3. Optionally, the first station can also perform one or more optional steps: step 320, step 330, and step 340.

[0102] FIG. 3 shows a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first station. The method comprises at least part of the following steps:

[0103] Step 310: transmitting a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling the first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating the parameters of the first operation mode.

[0104] In some embodiments, in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD.

[0105] In some embodiments, during the period when the first operation mode is enabled, the first station satisfies one or more of the following: the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated; the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; the receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are updated; the receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are not updated.

[0106] In some embodiments, during the first operation mode, the first station satisfies one or more of the following: the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated at TXOP level; the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated at TXOP level; the reception and / or transmission capabilities of the first station are updated at TXOP level; the reception and / or transmission capabilities of the first station are not updated at TXOP level.

[0107] In some embodiments, the parameters of the first operation mode include one or more of the following: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, maximum number of spatial streams for reception, maximum number of spatial streams for transmission, PPDU format.

[0108] In some embodiments, the first frame is a coexistence operation mode management frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode announcement frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode request frame, or the first frame is a QoS data frame, or the first frame is a QoS null frame, or the first frame is a management frame, or the first frame is a frame containing an A-Control field.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first frame includes one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode control field, a coexistence operation mode latency parameter field, a low capability operation parameter field, a high capability operation parameter field.

[0110] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode control field includes one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode enable field, for indicating whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; a coexistence operation mode type field, for indicating the type of coexistence operation mode to be adopted; a default low capability operation indication field, for indicating whether to adopt the default low capability operation; a default high capability operation indication field, for indicating whether to adopt the default high capability operation; a coexistence operation mode latency parameter control field, for indicating whether the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field is present; a low capability operation parameter control field, for indicating whether the low capability operation parameter field is present; a reserved field.

[0111] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: a first latency subfield, for indicating the minimum MAC padding duration of the second frame; a second latency subfield, for indicating the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the first low capability operation; a third latency subfield, for indicating the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the second low capability operation.

[0112] In some embodiments, the low capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, maximum spatial streams received, maximum spatial streams transmitted, PPDU format. The PPDU format field included in the low capability operation parameter field can be used to indicate one or more of the following PPDU formats: non-HT PPDU, High-Efficiency (HE) PPDU, Extremely High Throughput (EHT) PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0113] In some embodiments, the high capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, maximum spatial streams received, maximum spatial streams transmitted, PPDU format. The PPDU format field included in the high capability operation parameter field can be used to indicate one or more of the following PPDU formats: non-HT PPDU, HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0114] Other content can refer to step 220, which will not be described here.

[0115] Step 320: receiving a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0116] In some embodiments, the first PPDU carries immediate acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first PPDU carries an ACK for the first frame, indicating that the first frame is received successfully. Alternatively, the first PPDU carries a Negative Acknowledgment (NACK) for the first frame, indicating that the first frame is received unsuccessfully.

[0118] In some embodiments, the indication of the first frame takes effect after a TXOP in which the first PPDU is located.

[0119] Step 330: receiving a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0120] In some embodiments, the fourth frame includes one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control field, coexistence operation mode delay parameter field, low capability operation parameter field, high capability operation parameter field, status code field, coexistence operation mode delay parameter field required by the responder.

[0121] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode control field includes one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode enable field to indicate whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; a coexistence operation mode type field to indicate the type of coexistence operation mode to be adopted; a default low capability operation indication field to indicate whether to adopt the default low capability operation; a default high capability operation indication field to indicate whether to adopt the default high capability operation; a coexistence operation mode latency parameter control field to indicate whether the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field exists; a low capability operation parameter control field to indicate whether the low capability operation parameter field exists; a reserved field.

[0122] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: a first latency subfield to indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of the second frame; a second latency subfield to indicate the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the first low capability operation; a third latency subfield to indicate the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the second low capability operation.

[0123] In some embodiments, the low capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a highest order modulation supported corresponding MCS index, a maximum spatial stream received, a maximum spatial stream transmitted, a PPDU format.

[0124] In some embodiments, the high capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a highest order modulation supported corresponding MCS index, a maximum spatial stream received, a maximum spatial stream transmitted, a PPDU format.

[0125] In some embodiments, the status code field is used to indicate any of the following status: to accept the indicated content of the first frame; to reject the indicated content of the first frame; to recommend other operation modes.

[0126] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field required by the responder is used to indicate the padding latency of the minimum MAC padding duration of the control frame (such as the BA frame) requested by the first station to adjust the transceiving capability and parameters of the frame exchange between the first station (i.e. the sender of the first frame) and the second station (i.e. the responder of the first frame).

[0127] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode management frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode notification frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode response frame.

[0128] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is sent within a transition timeout interval.

[0129] In some embodiments, the transition super interval starts from the end of the first PPDU, or the transition super interval starts from the end of a signal extension portion after the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU carries an immediate acknowledgement for the first frame.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first station enables the first operation mode at the end of the transition super interval. Alternatively, the first station enables the first operation mode before the end of the transition super interval and after transmitting the second PPDU. Alternatively, the first station disables the first operation mode at the end of the transition super interval. Alternatively, the first station disables the first operation mode before the end of the transition super interval and after transmitting the second PPDU.

[0131] In some embodiments, the first operation mode allows the first station to perform a listening operation or a transceiving operation in a low-capability operation mode or a high-capability operation mode in the wake-up state. Optionally, in the low-capability operation mode, the first station uses one or more of the following parameters: a low operation bandwidth, fewer receive chains, fewer spatial streams, a lower data rate, a low-order MCS, and a low-processing-overhead PPDU format. Optionally, in the high-capability operation mode, the first station uses one or more of the following parameters: a high operation bandwidth, more receive chains, more spatial streams, a higher data rate, a high-order MCS, and a high-processing-overhead PPDU format. It is noted that the parameters used by the first station in the low-capability operation mode are lower than the parameters used by the first station in the high-capability operation mode, and the parameters used by the first station in either the low-capability operation mode or the high-capability operation mode should be within the capability supported by the first station.

[0132] It is emphasized that step 330 is an optional step, and the first station can not receive the fourth frame.

[0133] Step 340: transmitting a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0134] In some embodiments, the second PPDU carries immediate acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0135] In some embodiments, the second PPDU carries an ACK for the fourth frame, indicating that the fourth frame is successfully received. Alternatively, the second PPDU carries a NACK for the fourth frame, indicating that the fourth frame is unsuccessfully received.

[0136] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first station to enable / disable the first operation mode through the first frame, and supports the first station to update the parameters of the first operation mode through the first frame. In addition, the first station receives the fourth frame fed back by the second station, which further guarantees the reliability of the notification or negotiation process between the first station and the second station, and helps the first station and the second station to learn the update information of the resources and / or capabilities of the other party in time, thereby improving the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0137] In some embodiments, on the basis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, step 220 can also be implemented as step 410, as shown in FIG. 4. Optionally, the first station can further perform one or more optional steps: step 420, step 430, step 440, step 450, and step 460.

[0138] FIG. 4 shows a flow diagram of a communication method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a first station. The method includes at least part of the following steps:

[0139] Step 410: sending a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling the first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; and updating the parameters of the first operation mode.

[0140] For related content, please refer to step 310 and step 220, which are not described here again.

[0141] Step 420: receiving a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0142] For related content, please refer to step 320, which is not described here again. It is emphasized that step 420 is an optional step.

[0143] Step 430: receiving a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0144] For related content, please refer to step 330, which is not described here again. It is emphasized that step 430 is an optional step.

[0145] Step 440: sending a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0146] For related content, please refer to step 340, which is not described here again. It is emphasized that step 440 is an optional step.

[0147] Step 450: receiving a second frame.

[0148] In some embodiments, the second frame is used for one or more of: initiating a frame exchange with the first station in the first operation mode; triggering the first station to report update information of the first operation mode; requesting the first station to report update information of the first operation mode.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first station receives the second frame during a period when the first station is in the first operation mode.

[0150] In some embodiments, the first station does not receive the second frame during a period when the first station is not in the first operation mode.

[0151] In some embodiments, the second frame is further used to indicate update information of the first operation mode of the second station. The update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of: available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are updated; available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are not updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are not updated. Wherein, the resources comprise one or more of: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources.

[0152] In some embodiments, the update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of: available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are updated at TXOP level; available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are not updated at TXOP level; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are updated at TXOP level; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are not updated at TXOP level.

[0153] In some embodiments, the second frame is further used to trigger or request the first station to report one or more of: a start time of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the high capability operation mode. Wherein, the high capability operation mode can also be referred to as full capability operation mode.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second frame is further used to trigger or request the first station to report one or more of: a start time of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the target operation mode; parameters of the target operation mode.

[0155] In some embodiments, the second frame is further used to trigger or request the first station to report: parameters of the target operation mode.

[0156] In some embodiments, the second frame is further used to trigger or request the first station to report one or more of: parameters of the first target operation mode; parameters of the second target operation mode; a duration of the first target operation mode; a duration of the second target operation mode; a switching time of the operation mode.

[0157] In some embodiments, the second frame carries padding information.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first operation mode allows the first station to perform a listening operation or a transceiving operation in a low-capability operation mode or a high-capability operation mode when the first station is in the wake-up state. When the first station receives the second frame, the first station can report mode state information of the first station in real time according to the first operation mode and / or the first operation mode type and / or the current IDC coexistence state. The mode state information includes one or more of the following: a capability operation mode in which the first station will be (i.e., a capability operation mode into which the first station will enter or a capability operation mode that will be started), a duration for which the first station will be in the high-capability operation mode, a future possible operation mode switch, a duration for which the first station will be in the low-capability operation mode, and a duration for which the first station will be in the no-capability operation mode. The first station adopts a corresponding capability operation mode to exchange frames with the second station during the TXOP based on the reported information.

[0159] In some embodiments, the second frame is an initial frame, or an initial control frame (ICF), or a dynamic control frame, or a MU-RTS trigger frame, or the second frame is another frame agreed by a communication protocol and available for mode switching.

[0160] In some embodiments, the future possible operation mode switch refers to a switch from a current operation mode to a target operation mode. For example, a switch from the high-capability operation mode to the low-capability operation mode, or a switch from the high-capability operation mode to the no-capability operation mode (i.e., an unavailable state), or a switch from the low-capability operation mode to the high-capability operation mode, or a switch from the low-capability operation mode to the no-capability operation mode, or a switch from the no-capability operation mode to the high-capability operation mode, or a switch from the no-capability operation mode to the low-capability operation mode.

[0161] In some embodiments, the first station adopts one or more of the following parameters in the low-capability operation mode: a low operation bandwidth, fewer receive chains, fewer spatial streams, a low data rate, a low-order MCS, and a low processing overhead PPDU format. Alternatively, the first station adopts one or more of the following parameters in the high-capability operation mode: a high operation bandwidth, more receive chains, more spatial streams, a high data rate, a high-order MCS, and a high processing overhead PPDU format. It should be noted that the parameters adopted by the first station in the low-capability operation mode are lower than the parameters adopted by the first station in the high-capability operation mode, and the parameters adopted by the first station in either the low-capability operation mode or the high-capability operation mode should be within the capability range supported by the first station.

[0162] It is emphasized that step 450 is an optional step.

[0163] Step 460: sending a third frame.

[0164] In some embodiments, the third frame is used to indicate update information of the first operation mode of the first station. The update information of the first operation mode of the first station comprises one or more of the following: the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated; the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station are updated; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station are not updated. Wherein, the resources comprise one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources.

[0165] In some embodiments, the update information of the first operation mode of the first station comprises one or more of the following: the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated at TXOP level; the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated at TXOP level; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station are updated at TXOP level; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station are not updated at TXOP level.

[0166] In some embodiments, the third frame is an initial frame, or an Initial Control Response (ICR) frame, or a Clear-to-Send (CTS) frame, or the third frame is another frame agreed by a communication protocol for mode switching.

[0167] In some embodiments, the third frame is used to indicate one or more of the following information: the operation mode to be entered, the type of the operation mode to be entered, the parameters of the operation mode to be entered, the duration of the operation mode to be entered, the future possible operation mode switching time point (such as the next possible operation mode switching time point), the duration of the target operation mode to be switched to in the future.

[0168] In some embodiments, the third frame is also used to indicate one or more of the following information: the start time of the resource unavailable state; the duration of the resource unavailable state; the duration of the high capability operation mode. Wherein, the high capability operation mode can also be referred to as the full capability operation mode.

[0169] In some embodiments, the first station is in a first type operation mode, and the first type operation mode is a first operation mode based on time sharing.

[0170] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following information: a start time of the resource-unavailable state; a duration of the resource-unavailable state; a parameter of the target operation mode.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first station is in a second type of operation mode, the second type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing.

[0172] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate a parameter of the target operation mode.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first station is in a third type of operation mode, the third type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

[0174] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following information: a parameter of the first target operation mode; a parameter of the second target operation mode; a duration of the first target operation mode; a duration of the second target operation mode; a switching time of the operation mode.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first station is in a fourth type of operation mode, the fourth type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

[0176] In some embodiments, the first station performs one or more of the following operations based on the information reported on the third frame: frame exchange with the second station in the corresponding operation mode during the TXOP; frame exchange with the second station based on the resource-available information and / or the resource-unavailable information indicated on the third frame during the TXOP; termination of the frame exchange before the start time of the resource-unavailable state; termination of the frame exchange before the start time of the resource-unavailable state; frame exchange with the second station in the switched operation mode after the switching time of the operation mode.

[0177] It is emphasized that the step 460 is an optional step.

[0178] It is emphasized that the step 460 is an optional step.

[0179] Figure 5 shows a frame exchange diagram in the first operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application. It is assumed that the first station is currently in the IDC coexistence mode, and the first station receives a second frame (e.g. ICF) sent by the second station. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. Optionally, the first station listens in the low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame.

[0180] After the first station receives the second frame and a SIFS, the first station sends a third frame (e.g. ICR) to the second station, which carries: a parameter of the operation mode that the first station will enter, and / or, a duration of the operation mode that the first station will enter, and / or, a next possible operation mode switching time point, and / or, a duration of the target operation mode that the first station will switch to.

[0181] After the first station sends the third frame and a SIFS, the second station sends an MPDU. After the first station receives the MPDU sent by the second station and a SIFS, the first station sends a Block Acknowledgment (BA) frame to the second station, which optionally carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station will enter the high capability operation mode (or the specific capability operation mode), and the transmission and reception of the third frame, the MPDU and the BA frame are all in the high capability operation mode (or the specific capability operation mode), i.e. the first station transmits and receives in the high capability operation mode (or the specific capability operation mode) after receiving the second frame. Moreover, the transmission and reception of the second frame, the third frame, the MPDU and the BA frame are all within the same TXOP.

[0182] Optionally, it is assumed that the next operation mode switching time point is after the BA frame, and the first station switches to the low capability operation mode or the no capability operation mode. In the low capability operation mode, the first station and the second station transmit and receive the MPDU and / or the BA frame in the low capability operation mode. In the no capability operation mode, the first station and the second station do not exchange frames.

[0183] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first station to enable / disable the first operation mode through the first frame advance notification or advance negotiation, and also supports the first station to update the parameters of the first operation mode through the first frame advance notification or advance negotiation, which is especially suitable for the scenario that the burstiness of the trigger to change the available transceiving resources of the station itself and the characteristics that are difficult to predict in advance may exist when the station is in the coexistence operation mode. Moreover, the first station also receives the fourth frame fed back by the second station, further guaranteeing the reliability of the notification or negotiation process between the first station and the second station. Moreover, after the first station enables the coexistence operation mode through the first frame advance notification or negotiation, the second frame and the third frame are further supported to be exchanged, so that the first station and the second station can timely learn the updated information of the resources and / or capabilities of the other party, which helps the first station and the second station to communicate according to the available resources and / or unavailable resources and / or supported capabilities and / or unsupported capabilities of the station in the subsequent frame exchange, reduces or even avoids the problems such as packet loss, increased delay, and reduced frequency utilization efficiency caused by the change of the resources and capabilities of the station, and effectively improves the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0184] FIG. 6 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by the second station. The method includes at least part of the following steps:

[0185] Step 620: receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling the first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating the parameters of the first operation mode.

[0186] In some embodiments, enabling the first operation mode can also be understood as entering the first operation mode, or can also be understood as starting the first operation mode.

[0187] In some embodiments, disabling the first operation mode can also be understood as exiting the first operation mode, or can also be understood as stopping the first operation mode.

[0188] In some embodiments, updating the parameters of the first operation mode can also be understood as modifying the parameters of the first operation mode, or can also be understood as resetting the parameters of the first operation mode.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate the enabling of the first operation mode, indicating that the first station notifies or requests or negotiates or suggests to enable the first operation mode.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate the disabling of the first operation mode, indicating that the first station notifies or requests or negotiates or suggests to disable the first operation mode.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first frame sent by the first station is used to indicate updating the parameters of the first operation mode, indicating that the first station notifies or requests or negotiates or suggests updating the parameters of the first operation mode.

[0192] In some embodiments, in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD. Wherein, the other wireless communication technology includes one or more of the following, such as: Bluetooth technology, cellular communication technology, NTN technology, etc.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first operation mode can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode. It should be understood that the specific name of the first operation mode is not limited in the present application, and the first operation mode can also have other names, such as an interference operation mode, etc.

[0194] In some embodiments, the first frame can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode management frame. It should be understood that the specific name of the first frame is not limited in the present application, and the first frame can also have other names, such as an operation mode management frame, an operation mode notification frame, an operation mode request frame, an operation mode negotiation frame, a coexistence operation mode notification frame, a coexistence operation mode request frame, a coexistence operation mode negotiation frame, etc.

[0195] In the present application, the second station includes one or more APs, or the second station includes one or more non-AP STAs. Optionally, the second station can also be one or more APs affiliated to an AP MLD, or one or more non-AP STAs affiliated to a non-AP MLD. That is, the second station can be an MLD device or not.

[0196] In some embodiments, the second station is a peer station of the first station, and the first frame is sent by the first station to the second station. The first station includes one or more APs, or the first station includes one or more non-AP STAs. Optionally, the first station can also be one or more APs affiliated to an AP MLD, or one or more non-AP STAs affiliated to a non-AP MLD. That is, the first station can be an MLD device or not.

[0197] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the first station to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the enable / disable of the first operation mode through the first frame, and also supports the first station to pre-notify or pre-negotiate the updating of the parameters of the first operation mode through the first frame, which helps the second station to interact with the first station in a timely manner to update the resource and / or capability information, and improves the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0198] In some embodiments, on the basis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, step 620 can also be implemented as step 710, as shown in FIG. 7. Optionally, the second station can further perform one or more optional steps: step 720, step 730, and step 740.

[0199] FIG. 7 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a second station. The method comprises at least part of the following steps:

[0200] Step 710: receiving a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0201] For related content, please refer to step 310 and step 620, which will not be repeated here.

[0202] Step 720: sending a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0203] For related content, please refer to step 320, which will not be repeated here.

[0204] Step 730: sending a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0205] For related content, please refer to step 330, which will not be repeated here. It is emphasized that step 730 is an optional step, and the second station can not send the fourth frame.

[0206] Step 740: receiving a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0207] For related content, please refer to step 340, which will not be repeated here.

[0208] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the second station to know or negotiate in advance, through the first frame, to enable / disable the first operation mode, and also supports the second station to know or negotiate in advance, through the first frame, to update the parameter of the first operation mode. Furthermore, the second station is also supported to feed back the fourth frame, further guaranteeing the reliability of the notification or negotiation process between the first station and the second station, and helping the first station and the second station to know in time the update information of the resources and / or capabilities of the other party, and improving the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0209] In some embodiments, on the basis of the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, step 620 can also be implemented as step 810, as shown in FIG. 8. Optionally, the second station can further perform one or more of the following optional steps: step 820, step 830, step 840, step 850, step 860.

[0210] FIG. 8 shows a flow diagram of a communication method according to an example embodiment of the present application. The method is performed by a second station. The method comprises at least part of the following steps:

[0211] Step 810: receiving a first frame, the first frame being configured to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0212] For more information, please refer to step 310 and step 620, which are not repeated here.

[0213] Step 820: transmitting a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0214] For more information, please refer to step 320, which is not repeated here. It is emphasized that step 820 is an optional step.

[0215] Step 830: transmitting a fourth frame, the fourth frame being configured to respond to the first frame.

[0216] For more information, please refer to step 330, which is not repeated here. It is emphasized that step 830 is an optional step, and the second station can not transmit the fourth frame.

[0217] Step 840: receiving a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0218] For more information, please refer to step 340, which is not repeated here. It is emphasized that step 840 is an optional step.

[0219] Step 850: transmitting a second frame.

[0220] For more information, please refer to step 450, which is not repeated here. It is emphasized that step 850 is an optional step.

[0221] Step 860: receiving a third frame.

[0222] In some embodiments, the second station performs one or more of the following operations based on the information reported in the third frame: performing frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP using operation parameters corresponding to the operation mode indicated by the third frame; performing frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP based on the resource available information and / or the resource unavailable information indicated by the third frame; terminating frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; suspending frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; performing frame exchange with the first station after the switching time of the operation mode using the switched operation mode.

[0223] The related content can be referred to step 460, which will not be repeated here. It should be emphasized that step 860 is an optional step.

[0224] The frame exchange process between the first station in the first operation mode and the second station can be referred to Fig. 5.

[0225] In summary, the method provided by the embodiments of the present application supports the second station to learn or negotiate in advance through the first frame whether the first operation mode is enabled or disabled, and also supports the second station to learn or negotiate in advance through the first frame to update the parameters of the first operation mode, which is especially suitable for scenarios where the first operation mode of the station may have a burst and is difficult to predict in advance. In addition, the second station also supports feedback of the fourth frame, which further guarantees the reliability of the notification or negotiation process between the first station and the second station. Furthermore, after the first station is notified or negotiated in advance through the first frame that the coexistence operation mode will be enabled, the second frame and the third frame are also supported to enable the first station and the second station to learn the updated information of the resources and / or capabilities of the other party in time, which helps the first station and the second station to communicate according to the available resources and / or unavailable resources and / or supported capabilities and / or unsupported capabilities of the station in the subsequent frame interaction, thereby reducing or even avoiding the problems of packet loss, increased latency, and reduced frequency utilization efficiency caused by changes in the resources and capabilities of the station, and effectively improving the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the second station and the first station.

[0226] Further, considering the types of coexistence operation modes that the first station may enter, based on the frame exchange process shown in Fig. 5, the present application exemplarily provides four types of frame exchange diagrams in the first operation mode, which are respectively shown in the embodiments of Figs. 9 to 13.

[0227] Fig. 9 shows a frame exchange diagram of a first type operation mode provided by an exemplary embodiment of the present application. The first type operation mode or type 1 coexistence operation mode is a time-sharing based first operation mode.

[0228] The first station is in a first coexistence operation mode based on time sharing, and needs to report to the second station a start time of a next resource unavailable state and / or a duration of the resource unavailable state when exchanging frames with the second station.

[0229] For example, the first station receives a second frame (such as ICF) for triggering the first station to send a third frame. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station is in a low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame. It is assumed that the first station switches from the low capability operation mode to a default high capability operation mode after receiving the second frame.

[0230] After receiving the second frame, the first station sends a third frame (such as ICR) to the second station. The third frame carries one or more of the following information: a start time of a resource unavailable state, a duration of the resource unavailable state, and a duration of the high capability operation. The third frame is also used to indicate updated information of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, including one or more of the following: the available resource and / or the unavailable resource of the first station is updated; the available resource and / or the unavailable resource of the first station is not updated; the receiving capability and / or the sending capability of the first station is updated; the receiving capability and / or the sending capability of the first station is not updated.

[0231] After receiving the third frame fed back by the first station, the second station coordinates and controls the frame exchange duration with the first station according to the unavailable information of the first station. The second station can carry padding delay information in the second frame for the first station to process the unavailable information and / or the delay required for switching from the low capability operation mode to the high capability operation mode.

[0232] It is assumed that the first station enters a no capability operation mode after sending the BA frame to the second station, i.e., enters a resource unavailable state. During the duration of the resource unavailable state, the first station does not exchange frames with the second station.

[0233] Optionally, the first station and the second station pre-negotiate one or more of the following: the coexistence operation mode of the first station, the type of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, the delay of the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, and the switching delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0234] Optionally, one or more of the following is determined by default: the coexistence operation mode of the first station, the type of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, the delay of the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, and the switching delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0235] Figure 10 shows a frame exchange diagram of a second type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application. The second type of operation mode, or Type 2 coexistence operation mode, is a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing, or can be understood as a first operation mode combined with time sharing and partial resource sharing.

[0236] The first station is in the first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing, and needs to report to the second station a start time of a next resource unavailable state and / or a duration of the resource unavailable state and / or a duration of a specific capability operation mode (or target operation mode) and / or parameters of the specific capability operation mode when performing frame exchange with the second station.

[0237] For example, the first station receives a second frame (such as ICF), which is used to trigger the first station to send a third frame. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station is in a low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame. It is assumed that the first station switches from the low capability operation mode to a specific capability operation mode after receiving the second frame, which can be based on an indication.

[0238] After receiving the second frame, the first station sends a third frame (such as ICR) to the second station. The third frame carries one or more of the following information: a start time of a resource unavailable state, a duration of the resource unavailable state, a duration of a target operation mode (or a duration of a specific capability operation mode), parameters of the target operation mode (or parameters of the specific capability operation mode). The third frame is also used to indicate update information of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, including one or more of the following: the available resources and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated; the available resources and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; the receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are updated; the receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are not updated.

[0239] After receiving the third frame fed back by the first station, the second station coordinates and controls frame exchange with the first station according to the time sharing and partial resource sharing information (or the information reported by the first station) and based on the capability operation information indicated by the first station, and coordinates and controls the duration of the frame exchange with the first station. The second station can carry padding delay information in the second frame to indicate the delay required by the first station to process the time sharing and partial resource sharing information and / or to switch from the low capability operation mode to the specific capability operation mode.

[0240] It is assumed that the first station enters a no capability operation mode after sending the BA frame to the second station, i.e., enters a resource unavailable state. During the duration of the resource unavailable state, the first station does not perform frame exchange with the second station.

[0241] Optionally, the first station and the second station pre-negotiate one or more of the following: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the time delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching time delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0242] Optionally, one or more of the following is determined by default: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the time delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching time delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0243] FIG. 11 shows a frame exchange diagram of a third type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application. The third type of operation mode, or Type 3 coexistence operation mode, is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

[0244] The first station is in the first operation mode based on partial resource sharing, and needs to report the parameters of a specific capability operation mode (which can also be referred to as a target operation mode) to the second station when performing frame exchange with the second station.

[0245] For example, the first station receives a second frame (such as an ICF), which is used to trigger the first station to send a third frame. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station is in a low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame. It is assumed that the first station switches from the low capability operation mode to a specific capability operation mode after receiving the second frame, and the specific capability operation mode can be based on an indication.

[0246] After receiving the second frame, the first station sends a third frame (such as an ICR) to the second station. The third frame carries the target operation mode parameters (i.e., the specific capability operation mode parameters). The third frame is also used to indicate the update information of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, including one or more of the following: the available resources and / or the unavailable resources of the first station are updated; the available resources and / or the unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; the reception capability and / or the transmission capability of the first station are updated; the reception capability and / or the transmission capability of the first station are not updated.

[0247] After receiving the third frame fed back by the first station, the second station coordinates and controls the frame exchange with the first station based on the partial resource sharing information of the first station (i.e., the information reported by the first station) and the capability operation information indicated by the first station. The second station can carry padding time delay information in the second frame to indicate the time delay required by the first station to process the partial resource sharing information and / or to switch from the low capability operation mode to the specific capability operation mode.

[0248] Optionally, the first station and the second station pre-negotiate one or more of the following: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the time delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching time delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0249] Optionally, one or more of the following is determined by default: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is in, the time delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching time delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0250] FIG. 12 shows a frame exchange diagram of a fourth type of operation mode according to an example embodiment of the present application. The fourth type of operation mode, or Type 4 coexistence operation mode, is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

[0251] When the first station is in the coexistence operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching, the first station needs to report to the second station the parameters of the specific capability operation mode 1 and / or the parameters of the specific capability operation mode 2 and / or the mode switching time point and / or the duration of the specific capability operation mode 1 and / or the duration of the specific capability operation mode 2 when performing frame exchange with the second station.

[0252] For example, the first station receives a second frame (such as ICF) for triggering the first station to send a third frame. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station is in a low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame. It is assumed that the first station switches from the low capability operation mode to a default high capability operation mode after receiving the second frame.

[0253] After receiving the second frame, the first station sends a third frame (such as ICR) to the second station. The third frame carries one or more of the following information: the parameters of the first target operation mode (i.e., the specific capability operation mode 1), the parameters of the second target operation mode (i.e., the specific capability operation mode 2), the duration of the first target operation mode, the duration of the second target operation mode, the switching time of the coexistence operation mode. The third frame is also used to indicate the update information of the coexistence operation mode of the first station, including one or more of the following: the available resource and / or the unavailable resource of the first station is updated; the available resource and / or the unavailable resource of the first station is not updated; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is updated; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is not updated.

[0254] After the second station receives the third frame of the feedback from the first station, the second station coordinates and controls the frame exchange between the second station and the first station according to the information reported by the first station and based on the specific capability operation mode indicated by the first station. Optionally, the second station can carry padding delay information in the second frame for the first station to share the information of the processing time and the partial resource sharing and / or the delay required for switching from the low capability operation mode to the specific capability operation mode.

[0255] It is assumed that after the first station sends the BA frame to the second station, the first station enters a state in which the partial resource (such as partial bandwidth) is unavailable. It can also be understood that the first station switches from the default high capability operation mode to the specific capability operation mode in which the partial resource is unavailable. During the duration of the state in which the partial resource is unavailable, the first station and the second station perform frame exchange based on the available resource. Optionally, the first station can carry padding delay information in the BA frame before the time point at which the partial resource is unavailable, for the second station to adjust the delay required for the transceiving capability and parameters of the frame exchange with the first station.

[0256] Optionally, the first station and the second station pre-negotiate one or more of the following: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is located, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is located, the delay of the first station processing the available or unavailable resource information, and the switching delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0257] Optionally, one or more of the following is determined by default: the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is located, the type of the coexistence operation mode in which the first station is located, the delay of the first station processing the available or unavailable resource information, and the switching delay of the coexistence operation mode.

[0258] FIG. 13 shows a frame exchange schematic diagram of a fourth type operation mode provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The fourth type operation mode or type 4 coexistence operation mode is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

[0259] When the first station is in the first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching, the first station needs to report the parameters of the specific capability operation mode 1 and / or the parameters of the specific capability operation mode 2 and / or the mode switching time point and / or the duration of the specific capability operation mode 1 and / or the duration of the specific capability operation mode 2 to the second station when performing frame exchange with the second station.

[0260] For example, the first station receives a second frame (such as ICF) for triggering the first station to send a third frame. Optionally, the second frame carries padding information. It is assumed that the first station listens in the low capability operation mode before receiving the second frame. It is assumed that the first station switches from the low capability operation mode to the specific capability operation mode 1 after receiving the second frame, and the specific capability operation mode 1 is based on the indication.

[0261] After receiving the second frame, the first station replies to the second station with a third frame (e.g. ICR). The third frame carries one or more of the following information: the first target operating mode (i.e. specific capability operating mode 1) parameters, the second target operating mode (i.e. specific capability operating mode 2) parameters, the duration of the first target operating mode, the duration of the second target operating mode, the switching time of the coexistence operating mode. The third frame is also used to indicate the update information of the coexistence operating mode of the first station, including one or more of the following: the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated; the available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; the reception and / or transmission capability of the first station is updated; the reception and / or transmission capability of the first station is not updated. Optionally, the first station carries padding delay information in the third frame for the second station to adjust the delay required for the reception and / or transmission capability and parameters for frame exchange with the first station.

[0262] Suppose the first station switches the coexistence operating mode from specific capability operating mode 1 to specific capability operating mode 2 after sending the BA frame to the second station, the specific capability operating mode 2 is based on the indication. Optionally, the first station can carry padding delay information in the BA frame before the switching time of the coexistence operating mode, for the second station to adjust the delay required for the reception and / or transmission capability and parameters for frame exchange with the first station.

[0263] Optionally, the first station and the second station pre-negotiate one or more of the following: the coexistence operating mode of the first station, the type of the coexistence operating mode of the first station, the delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching delay of the coexistence operating mode.

[0264] Optionally, one or more of the following is determined by default: the coexistence operating mode of the first station, the type of the coexistence operating mode of the first station, the delay for the first station to process the available or unavailable resource information, the switching delay of the coexistence operating mode.

[0265] Taking the first frame as the coexistence operating mode notification frame as an example, FIG. 14 shows a schematic diagram of the first station sending the coexistence operating mode notification frame according to an example embodiment of the present application.

[0266] When the first station supporting the coexistence operating mode is ready to enable or disable the coexistence operating mode, the first station can send the coexistence operating mode notification frame to the second station at the opposite end, as shown in FIG. 14.

[0267] For example, when the first station is to enable the coexistence operation mode, the coexistence operation mode notification frame sent by the first station carries the coexistence operation mode enable field set to a first value (e.g., set to 1, indicating that the first station is to enable the coexistence operation mode). For ease of illustration, the coexistence operation mode notification frame sent by the first station is denoted as coexistence operation mode notification frame 1 in FIG. 14.

[0268] Further, the coexistence operation mode notification frame sent by the first station can also carry specific information of the coexistence operation mode that the first station is to enable. Optionally, the coexistence operation mode notification frame can carry a low capability operation parameter field, indicating the operation parameters in the low capability operation mode, where the low capability operation parameters are the operation parameters adopted by the station in the listening operation mode, and can be used to receive the second frame (e.g., the initial control frame). Optionally, the coexistence operation mode notification frame can also carry a high capability operation parameter field, indicating the operation parameters in the high capability operation mode, where the high capability operation parameters are the operation parameters adopted by the station after switching to the default target capability, and if a non-default high capability operation parameter is adopted, it is indicated in the third frame (e.g., the initial control response frame) in reply to the second frame.

[0269] Optionally, when the second station receives the coexistence operation mode notification frame sent by the first station, and is ready to provide service for the first station that is to be in the coexistence operation mode, as a response to the received coexistence operation mode notification frame, the second station can send a coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 to the first station within the transition super interval.

[0270] In some embodiments, the first station is to enter or start the coexistence operation mode for operation when one of the following occurs (with the first occurrence as the criterion): i) at the end of the transition super interval; or, ii) before the end of the transition super interval, and immediately after sending a second PPDU as a response to the received coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 sent from the second station, where the second PPDU is sent by the first station, and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the fourth frame.

[0271] For another example, when the first station that supports the coexistence operation mode is to close or disable its coexistence operation mode, the first station sends a coexistence operation mode notification frame 1 to the second station, where the coexistence operation mode notification frame 1 carries the coexistence operation mode enable (CAA PS Enabled) field set to a second value (e.g., set to 0, indicating that the first station is to disable the coexistence operation mode). When the second station is no longer to provide service for the first station that is to be in the coexistence operation mode, as a response to the received coexistence operation mode notification frame 1, the second station sends a coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 to the first station within the transition super interval.

[0272] In some embodiments, the first station will exit or close the non-coexistence operation mode when one of the following occurs (whichever occurs first): i) at the end of the transition timeout interval; or, ii) before the end of the transition timeout interval and immediately after sending a second PPDU as a response to the received coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 from the second station. The second PPDU is sent by the first station and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the fourth frame.

[0273] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 sent by the second station can also satisfy some or all of the following three rules:

[0274] (a) In some embodiments, the transition timeout subfield carried in the management frame (such as the association response frame) sent by the second station corresponds to an indication of the transition timeout interval. When the transition timeout subfield is included in the frame sent by the second station, the setting of the transition timeout subfield can refer to the definition of Table 1. Wherein TU is a time unit (Time Unit), which is a time measurement unit with a length of 1024 microseconds (μs).

[0275] Referring to Table 1, the transition timeout subfield can be used to represent different transition timeout intervals when corresponding to different encoding values. It should be understood that Table 1 is an example and not a limitation, and this application supports modifying the transition timeout interval according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), and the correspondence between different encoding values and different transition timeout intervals can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as the first encoding value indicating 64TUs, the second encoding value indicating 32TUs, and so on, which cannot be listed here. In addition, the encoding value of the transition timeout subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 15.

[0276] Table 1 Transition Timeout Subfield Encoding

[0277] (b) In some embodiments, if there is no signal extension (SigExt) after the first PPDU, the transition timeout interval starts from the end of the first PPDU. Or, if there is a signal extension after the first PPDU, the transition timeout interval starts from the end of the signal extension part after the first PPDU, that is, if the first PPDU is followed by a signal extension, the transition timeout interval starts from the end of the first PPDU[+SigExt]. The first PPDU is sent by the second station and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the first frame.

[0278] (c) In some embodiments, the conversation token field in the coexistence operation mode notification frame 2 sent by the second station is set to the same value as the conversation token field in the coexistence operation mode notification frame 1 received by the second station.

[0279] Table 2 illustrates the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode announcement frame according to an example embodiment of the present application, which includes one or more of the following fields: Category field, Protected UHR Action field, Dialog Token field, Coexistence Operation Mode Control field, Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameter field, Low Capability Operation Mode Parameter field, High Capability Operation Mode Parameter field. It should be understood that the order, fields, and information shown in Table 2 are optional examples, and the present application supports any suitable modification of the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode announcement frame, such as adding fields, removing some fields, recombining some fields, changing the number of bytes, changing the number of bits, changing the name of a field, changing the order of fields, and the like.

[0280] Table 2 Format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode announcement frame

[0281] The Category field can refer to the relevant definition in the IEEE 802.11 standard protocol.

[0282] The Protected UHR Action field includes one octet, which follows the Category field, and is used to distinguish from the UHR Action frame format.

[0283] The Dialog Token field is set to a non-zero value selected by the first station performing the coexistence operation mode update, and is set to the value copied from the corresponding received coexistence operation mode announcement frame by the second station at the opposite end.

[0284] Figure 15 illustrates a format diagram of the Coexistence Operation Mode Control field according to an example embodiment of the present application. The Coexistence Operation Mode Control field includes one or more of the following subfields: Coexistence Operation Mode Enable subfield, Coexistence Operation Mode Type subfield, Default Low Capability Operation Indication subfield, Default High Capability Operation Indication subfield, Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameter Control subfield, Low Capability Operation Parameter Control subfield, and a reserved field (occupying 1 bit).

[0285] The Coexistence Operation Mode Enable subfield occupies 1 bit, and is used to indicate whether to enable or not to enable the coexistence operation mode. For example, when the Coexistence Operation Mode Enable subfield is a first value, it indicates to enable the coexistence operation mode; when the Coexistence Operation Mode Enable subfield is a second value, it indicates to not enable the coexistence operation mode. The first value is different from the second value, for example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1. The present application does not limit the first value and the second value, and the first value and the second value can also be other values other than 0 or 1, which will not be described hereinafter.

[0286] In some embodiments, the enabled coexistence operation mode can also be understood as entering or starting the coexistence operation mode, and the disabled coexistence operation mode can also be understood as exiting or stopping the coexistence operation mode.

[0287] The coexistence operation mode type subfield occupies 2 bits, which is used to indicate the type of the coexistence operation mode to be adopted. Table 3 exemplarily provides four types of coexistence operation modes, and the coexistence operation mode type subfield can be used to represent different types of coexistence operation modes when corresponding to different encoding values. It should be understood that Table 3 is taken as an example and is not limited, and the present application supports modifying or adding or deleting the types of coexistence operation modes according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), and the correspondence between different encoding values and different types of coexistence operation modes can also be adjusted according to actual conditions. In addition, the encoding values of the coexistence operation mode type subfield can also be other numerical values other than 0, 1, 2, and 3.

[0288] Table 3 Coexistence operation mode type subfield

[0289] The default low-capability operation indication subfield occupies 1 bit, which is used to indicate whether to adopt the default low-capability operation mode. Exemplarily, when the default low-capability operation indication subfield is a first value, it indicates to adopt the default low-capability operation mode; when the default low-capability operation indication subfield is a second value, it indicates not to adopt the default low-capability operation mode. The first value is different from the second value, exemplarily, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0290] The default low-capability operation mode is agreed by the communication protocol, or is pre-configured, or is indicated by the first station, or is indicated by the second station, or is determined by negotiation between the first station and the second station. Exemplarily, the default low-capability operation mode can be specified as: the listening capability includes being able to do CCA and receive the initial frame of the frame exchange initiated by the opposite station; having an operation bandwidth of 20MHz, being able to receive non-HT PPDU or non-HT duplicate PPDU, and supporting a rate of 6Mb / s, 12Mb / s or 24Mb / s.

[0291] The default high-capability operation indication subfield occupies 1 bit, which is used to indicate whether to adopt the default high-capability operation mode. Exemplarily, when the default high-capability operation indication subfield is a first value, it indicates to adopt the default high-capability operation mode; when the default high-capability operation indication subfield is a second value, it indicates not to adopt the default high-capability operation mode. The first value is different from the second value, exemplarily, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0292] The default high capability operation mode is agreed by the communication protocol, or pre-configured, or indicated by the first station, or indicated by the second station, or determined by negotiation between the first station and the second station. Optionally, the default high capability operation mode can also be referred to as full capability mode. An exemplary default high capability operation mode can be defined as: the capability corresponding to the operation mode declared by the STA, the capability corresponding to the capability element carried during association (such as UHR Capabilities Element), and / or the capability corresponding to the operation mode defined by the exchanged operation mode management frame (if any) and OM control field (if any).

[0293] The coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield occupies 1 bit, and is used to indicate whether the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field exists. Exemplarily, when the coexistence operation mode enabling subfield indicates to enable the coexistence operation mode, and the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field exists in the coexistence operation mode notification frame, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield is set to a first value; otherwise, when the coexistence operation mode enabling subfield indicates to disable the coexistence operation mode, and / or the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field does not exist in the coexistence operation mode notification frame, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield is set to a second value. When the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield is included in the frame sent by the second station, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield is set to the second value. The first value is different from the second value, and exemplarily, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0294] The low capability operation parameter control subfield occupies 1 bit, and is used to indicate whether the low capability operation parameter field exists. Exemplarily, when the low capability operation parameter field exists in the coexistence operation mode notification frame, the low capability operation parameter control subfield is set to a first value; when the low capability operation parameter field does not exist in the coexistence operation mode notification frame, the low capability operation parameter control subfield is set to a second value. The first value is different from the second value, and exemplarily, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0, or the first value is 0 and the second value is 1.

[0295] The subfields and bit numbers shown in FIG. 15 are all optional examples, and the application supports any adaptive modification of the format of the coexistence operation mode control field, such as adding subfields, reducing part of the subfields, recombining part of the subfields, changing the number of bytes, changing the number of bits, changing the name of the subfield, changing the order of the subfield, and the like.

[0296] FIG. 16 shows a format of the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field according to an exemplary embodiment of the application. The coexistence operation mode latency parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: a first latency subfield, a second latency subfield, and a third latency subfield.

[0297] The first latency subfield occupies 1 byte and is used to indicate a minimum MAC padding duration of the second frame. For example, the first latency subfield indicates a minimum MAC padding duration of the initial frame requested by the first station. For example, the first latency subfield indicates a minimum MAC padding duration of the initial frame required for switching from the low-capability operation to the high-capability operation (or full-capability operation) requested by the first station.

[0298] In some embodiments, the first latency subfield can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode padding latency subfield. It should be understood that the specific name of the first latency subfield is not limited in the present application, and the first latency subfield can also have other names, such as a padding latency subfield, an initial frame padding latency subfield, and the like.

[0299] Referring to Table 4, the first latency subfield can be used to represent different coexistence operation mode padding latencies when corresponding to different encoding values. It should be understood that Table 4 is an example and not a limitation, and the present application supports modifying the coexistence operation mode padding latency according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, and the like), and the correspondence between different encoding values and different coexistence operation mode padding latencies can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as the first encoding value indicating 256μs, the second encoding value indicating 128μs, and the like, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the encoding value of the first latency subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 7.

[0300] Table 4 Coexistence operation mode padding latency

[0301] The second latency subfield occupies 1 byte and is used to indicate a minimum latency required for switching from the high-capability operation to the first low-capability operation. For example, the second latency subfield indicates a minimum latency required for switching from the high-capability operation to the first low-capability operation for the first station operating in the coexistence operation mode, wherein the first low-capability operation refers to the low-capability operation for listening.

[0302] In some embodiments, the second latency subfield can be referred to as a coexistence operation mode transition latency subfield. It should be understood that the specific name of the second latency subfield is not limited in the present application, and the second latency subfield can also have other names, such as a transition latency subfield and the like.

[0303] Referring to Table 5, the second latency subfield can be used to indicate different coexistence operation mode transition latency when corresponding to different encoding values. It should be understood that Table 5 is provided as an example and is not limiting, and the present application supports modifying the coexistence operation mode transition latency according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), and the correspondence between different encoding values and different coexistence operation mode transition latencies can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as the first encoding value indicating 256 μs, the second encoding value indicating 128 μs, and the like, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the encoding values of the second latency subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 7.

[0304] Table 5 Coexistence operation mode transition latency

[0305] The third latency subfield occupies 0 or 1 byte and is used to indicate the minimum latency required for switching from the high-capability operation to the second low-capability operation. For example, the third latency subfield indicates the minimum latency required for the first station operating in the coexistence operation mode to switch from the high-capability operation to the second low-capability operation, where the second low-capability operation refers to the low-capability operation not used for listening.

[0306] In some embodiments, the third latency subfield can be referred to as a capability mode switching latency subfield. It should be understood that the present application does not limit the specific name of the third latency subfield, and the third latency subfield can also have other names, such as a switching latency subfield and the like.

[0307] Referring to Table 6, the third latency subfield can be used to indicate different capability mode switching latencies when corresponding to different encoding values. It should be understood that Table 6 is provided as an example and is not limiting, and the present application supports modifying the capability mode switching latency according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), and the correspondence between different encoding values and different capability mode switching latencies can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as the first encoding value indicating 256 μs, the second encoding value indicating 128 μs, and the like, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the encoding values of the third latency subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 7.

[0308] Table 6 Capability mode switching latency

[0309] FIG. 17 shows a format diagram of the capability operation parameter field provided by an example embodiment of the present application.

[0310] The low-capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: operation bandwidth (Channel Width), MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, RX maximum spatial stream (Spatial Stream, SS), TX maximum SS, and PPDU format.

[0311] The operation bandwidth subfield occupies 4 bits, and indicates an operation bandwidth supported in the low-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched. The operation bandwidth subfield can be used to represent different operation bandwidths when corresponding to different encoding values. The operation bandwidth is, for example, a combination of one or more of the following: 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 160 MHz, 160+160 MHz, 320 MHz. For example, when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a first encoding value (such as 0), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 20 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a second encoding value (such as 1), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 40 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a third encoding value (such as 2), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 80 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a fourth encoding value (such as 3), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a fifth encoding value (such as 4), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz; and other encoding values are reserved. It should be understood that the examples herein do not mean limitation, and the application supports adjusting the correspondence between different encoding values of the operation bandwidth subfield and different operation bandwidths according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), such as the first encoding value indicating 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz, the second encoding value indicating 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz, and so on, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the encoding values of the operation bandwidth subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 7.

[0312] The MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield occupies 8 bits, and indicates an MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported in the low-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched. The MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield can be used to represent different MCS indexes when corresponding to different encoding values. For example, when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a first encoding value (such as 0), it indicates binary phase shift keying (BPSK); when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a second encoding value (such as 1), it indicates quadrature phase shift keying (QPSK); when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a third encoding value (such as 2), it indicates 16-quadrature amplitude modulation with 16 symbols (16-QAM); and so on, when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a seventh encoding value (such as 6), it indicates 2048-QAM; and when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to an eighth encoding value (such as 7), it indicates 4096-QAM.

[0313] The RX Max SS subfield occupies 4 bits, indicating the maximum SS supported for reception in the low-capability operating mode to which the first station is to switch. Illustratively, the value of the RX Max SS subfield can be set to the maximum NSS supported for reception in the low-capability operating mode to which the first station is to switch minus 1.

[0314] The TX Max SS subfield occupies 4 bits, indicating the maximum SS supported for transmission in the low-capability operating mode to which the first station is to switch. Illustratively, the value of the TX Max SS subfield can be set to the maximum NSS supported for transmission in the low-capability operating mode to which the first station is to switch minus 1.

[0315] The PPDU format subfield occupies 4 bits, indicating the PPDU format supported in the low-capability operating mode to which the first station is to switch. Such as one or more of: non-HT PPDU, HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0316] The format of the high-capability operating parameters field can also be referred to Figure 17. Wherein, the high-capability operating parameters field includes one or more of the following subfields: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, RX Max SS, TX Max SS, PPDU format.

[0317] The operation bandwidth subfield occupies 4 bits, and indicates an operation bandwidth supported in the high-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched. The operation bandwidth subfield can be used to represent different operation bandwidths when corresponding to different encoding values. The operation bandwidth is, for example, a combination of one or more of the following: 20 MHz, 40 MHz, 80 MHz, 80+80 MHz, 160 MHz, 160+160 MHz, 320 MHz. For example, when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a first encoding value (such as 0), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 20 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a second encoding value (such as 1), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 40 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a third encoding value (such as 2), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 80 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a fourth encoding value (such as 3), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz; when the operation bandwidth subfield corresponds to a fifth encoding value (such as 4), it indicates that the operation bandwidth is 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz; and other encoding values are reserved. It should be understood that the examples herein do not mean to be limiting, and the present application supports adjusting the correspondence between different encoding values of the operation bandwidth subfield and different operation bandwidths according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), such as the first encoding value indicating 320 MHz or 160+160 MHz, the second encoding value indicating 160 MHz or 80+80 MHz, and so on, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the encoding values of the operation bandwidth subfield can also be other values other than 0 to 7.

[0318] The MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield occupies 8 bits, and indicates an MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported in the high-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched. The MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield can be used to represent different MCS indexes when corresponding to different encoding values. For example, when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a first encoding value (such as 0), it indicates BPSK; when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a second encoding value (such as 1), it indicates QPSK; when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a third encoding value (such as 2), it indicates 16-QAM; and so on, when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to a seventh encoding value (such as 6), it indicates 2048-QAM; and when the MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported subfield corresponds to an eighth encoding value (such as 7), it indicates 4096-QAM.

[0319] The RX maximum SS subfield occupies 4 bits, and indicates a maximum SS supported in the high-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched. For example, the value of the RX maximum SS subfield can be set to the maximum NSS supported in the high-capability operation mode to which the first station is to be switched minus 1.

[0320] The TX Max SS subfield occupies 4 bits, indicating the maximum SS supported by the first station in the high capability operation mode to which the first station is to switch. For example, the value of the TX Max SS subfield can be set to the maximum NSS supported by the first station in the high capability operation mode to which the first station is to switch minus 1.

[0321] The PPDU format subfield occupies 4 bits, indicating the PPDU format supported by the first station in the high capability operation mode to which the first station is to switch. For example, one or more of the following: non-HT PPDU, HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0322] Taking the first frame as the coexistence operation mode request frame, FIG. 18 shows a schematic diagram of the first station sending the coexistence operation mode request frame according to an example embodiment of the present application.

[0323] When the first station supporting the coexistence operation mode is ready to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode, in order to initiate the negotiation process, the first station can send a coexistence operation mode request frame to the second station at the opposite end, requesting the second station to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode, as shown in FIG. 18.

[0324] For example, when the first station is to enable the coexistence operation mode, the coexistence operation mode request frame sent by the first station carries the coexistence operation mode enable field set to a first value (for example, set to 1, indicating that the first station is to enable the coexistence operation mode).

[0325] Further, the coexistence operation mode request frame sent by the first station can also carry specific information of the coexistence operation mode to be enabled by the first station. Optionally, the coexistence operation mode request frame can carry a low capability operation parameter field, used to indicate the operation parameters in the low capability operation mode, wherein the low capability operation parameters are the operation parameters adopted by the station in the listening operation mode, which can be used to receive the second frame (such as the initial control frame). Optionally, the coexistence operation mode request frame can also carry a high capability operation parameter field, used to indicate the operation parameters in the high capability operation mode, wherein the high capability operation parameters are the operation parameters adopted by the station in the default target capability to which the station switches after receiving the second frame, and if a non-default high capability operation parameter is adopted, it is indicated in the third frame (such as the initial control response frame) in reply to the second frame.

[0326] Optionally, when the second station receives the coexistence operation mode request frame sent by the first station and is ready to provide services for the first station in the coexistence operation mode, as a response to the received coexistence operation mode request frame, the second station can send a coexistence operation mode response frame to the first station within the transition time interval.

[0327] In some embodiments, after receiving the coexistence operation mode request frame, the second station sends a separately addressed coexistence operation mode response frame to the first station, where the target receive address of the coexistence operation mode response frame is the first station.

[0328] In some embodiments, if the second station accepts the information carried in the coexistence operation mode request frame, such as the second station accepts one or more of the following: the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode enable subfield, the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode type subfield, the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield, the indicated content of the low capability operation parameter field, the indicated content of the high capability operation parameter field, the second station sets the status code field in the coexistence operation mode response frame to a first value (such as 0, indicating SUCCESS).

[0329] Optionally, the coexistence operation mode response frame further includes a latency parameter field, which is used to indicate the processing latency required by the second station to be ready to provide service to the first station with switched transceiving capability and / or parameters.

[0330] In some embodiments, if the second station rejects the information carried in the coexistence operation mode request frame, such as the second station rejects one or more of the following: the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode enable subfield, the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode type subfield, the indicated content of the coexistence operation mode latency parameter control subfield, the indicated content of the low capability operation parameter field, the indicated content of the high capability operation parameter field, the status code field is set to a second value (a specific non-zero value) to indicate that the second station rejects the coexistence operation mode request of the first station, i.e., DENIED_COEXISTENCE_MODE_REQUEST.

[0331] In some embodiments, if the second station rejects the information carried in the coexistence operation mode request frame, the status code field is set to a third value (a specific non-zero value, different from the second value) to indicate that the second station recommends other coexistence operation mode, i.e., PREFERRED_COEXISTENCE_MODE_SUGGESTED. The second station can also carry a parameter of the recommended coexistence operation mode in the coexistence operation mode response frame.

[0332] In some embodiments, the first station enters or starts the coexistence operation mode for operation when one of the following occurs (the first occurring one is used as the criterion): i) at the end of the transition time interval; or, ii) before the end of the transition time interval and immediately after sending a second PPDU as a response to the received coexistence operation mode response frame from the second station. The second PPDU is sent by the first station and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the fourth frame.

[0333] For example, when the first station supporting the coexistence operation mode is ready to close or disable its coexistence operation mode, the first station sends a coexistence operation mode request frame to the second station. In this case, the coexistence operation mode request frame carries a coexistence operation mode enable (CAA PS Enabled) field set to a second value (e.g., set to 0, indicating that the first station will disable the coexistence operation mode). After the second station no longer provides service to the first station that will be in the coexistence operation mode, the second station sends a coexistence operation mode response frame to the first station within the transition super time interval in response to the received coexistence operation mode request frame.

[0334] In some embodiments, the first station will exit or close the disabled coexistence operation mode when one of the following occurs (whichever occurs first): i) at the end of the transition super time interval; or, ii) before the end of the transition super time interval and immediately after sending a second PPDU as a response to the received coexistence operation mode response frame from the second station. The second PPDU is sent by the first station and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the fourth frame.

[0335] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode response frame sent by the second station can also satisfy some or all of the following three rules:

[0336] (a) In some embodiments, the management frame (e.g., an association response frame) sent by the second station carries a transition super time subfield corresponding to an indication of the transition super time interval. When the transition super time subfield is included in the frame sent by the second station, the transition super time subfield is set according to the definition of Table 1.

[0337] (b) In some embodiments, the transition super time interval starts at the end of the first PPDU if there is no signal extension (SigExt) after the first PPDU. Alternatively, the transition super time interval starts at the end of the signal extension portion after the first PPDU if there is a signal extension after the first PPDU, i.e., the transition super time interval starts at the end of the first PPDU[+SigExt] if the first PPDU is immediately followed by a signal extension. The first PPDU is sent by the second station and carries an immediate acknowledgement for the first frame.

[0338] (c) In some embodiments, the conversation token field in the coexistence operation mode response frame sent by the second station is set to the same value as the conversation token field in the coexistence operation mode request frame received by the second station.

[0339] Table 7 shows the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode request frame according to an example embodiment of the present application, which includes one or more of the following fields: Category field, Protected UHR Action field, Dialog Token field, Coexistence Operation Mode Control field, Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameter field, Low Capability Operation Mode Parameter field, and High Capability Operation Mode Parameter field. It should be understood that the order, fields, and information shown in Table 7 are optional examples, and the present application supports any suitable modification to the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode request frame, such as adding fields, removing some fields, recombining some fields, changing the number of bytes, changing the number of bits, changing the field name, changing the order of fields, etc.

[0340] Format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode request frame

[0341] The Category field can refer to the relevant definition in the IEEE 802.11 standard protocol.

[0342] The Protected UHR Action field includes one octet, which is immediately after the Category field, and is used to distinguish the UHR Action frame format.

[0343] The Dialog Token field is set to a non-zero value selected by the first station that initiates the coexistence operation mode update, and is set to the value copied from the corresponding received coexistence operation mode request frame by the second station at the opposite end.

[0344] The relevant content of the Coexistence Operation Mode Control field can refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the relevant content of the Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameter field can refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the relevant content of the Low Capability Operation Parameter field can refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, and the relevant content of the High Capability Operation Parameter field can also refer to the embodiment shown in FIG. 17. The specific settings of each field are described in detail above, and will not be repeated here.

[0345] The second station replies to the coexistence operation mode request frame with a coexistence operation mode response frame to reject or accept the coexistence operation mode request of the first station. Alternatively, the second station can suggest / recommend a coexistence operation mode to the first station through the coexistence operation mode response frame.

[0346] Table 8 shows the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode response frame according to an example embodiment of the present application, which includes one or more of the following fields: Category field, Protected UHR Action field, Dialog Token field, Status Code field, Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameters Required by Responder field, Coexistence Operation Mode Control field, Coexistence Operation Mode Delay Parameters field, Low Capability Operation Mode Parameters field, High Capability Operation Mode Parameters field. It should be understood that the order, fields, and information shown in Table 8 are optional examples, and the present application supports any suitable modification to the format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode response frame, such as adding fields, removing some fields, recombining some fields, changing the number of bytes, changing the number of bits, changing the name of a field, changing the order of fields, etc.

[0347] Format of the Action field of the coexistence operation mode response frame

[0348] The Category field can refer to the relevant definition in the IEEE 802.11 standard protocol.

[0349] The Protected UHR Action field contains 1 octet, which immediately follows the Category field, and is used to distinguish from the UHR Action frame format.

[0350] When the coexistence operation mode response frame is a response to the coexistence operation mode request frame, the Dialog Token field is the value in the corresponding coexistence operation mode request frame. That is, in the case where the second station replies to the coexistence operation mode request frame with the coexistence operation mode response frame to reject or accept the coexistence operation mode request of the first station, the second station sets the Dialog Token field to the value copied from the corresponding received coexistence operation mode request frame.

[0351] When the coexistence operation mode response frame is a non-request response transmission, the Dialog Token is set to 0. That is, in the case where the second station suggests / recommends the coexistence operation mode to the first station with the coexistence operation mode response frame, the second station sets the Dialog Token field to 0.

[0352] The Dialog Token field is set to a non-zero value selected by the first station performing the coexistence operation mode update, and is set to the value copied from the corresponding received coexistence operation mode request frame by the second station at the opposite end.

[0353] The status code field in the coexistence operation mode response frame is used to indicate the status of the operation requested by the first station. The status code field is a 2-byte long field. Referring to Table 9, the status code field can be used to indicate different status of the operation requested by the first station when corresponding to different values. It should be understood that Table 9 is an example and not a limitation, and the present application supports modifying the different status of the operation requested by the first station according to actual conditions (such as available resources, transmission requirements, STA capabilities, etc.), and the correspondence between different values and different status of the operation requested by the first station can also be adjusted according to actual conditions, such as status code 0 indicating recommended coexistence operation mode, status code 150 indicating acceptance of the request of the first station, status code 151 indicating rejection of the request of the first station, and the like, which cannot be listed one by one here. In addition, the status code field can also be set to other values other than 0, 150, and 151.

[0354] Table 9 Status code field

[0355] The coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is used to indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of the padding latency of the control frame (such as the BA frame) requested by the first station to adjust the transceiving capability and parameter of the frame exchange between the second station (i.e., the sender of the coexistence operation mode response frame, i.e., the responder of the coexistence operation mode request) and the first station (i.e., the sender of the coexistence operation mode request, i.e., the sender of the coexistence operation mode request frame). The encoding of the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder can refer to Table 5 or Table 6. For example, when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a first encoding value (such as 0), the latency is 0; when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a second encoding value (such as 1), the latency is 32μs; when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a third encoding value (such as 2), the latency is 64μs; when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a fourth encoding value (such as 3), the latency is 128μs; when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a fifth encoding value (such as 4), the latency is 256μs; and when the coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder is a sixth encoding value (such as 5 to 7), it is reserved.

[0356] When the status code field in the coexistence operation mode response frame sent by the second station is used to indicate a recommended coexistence operation mode (i.e., PREFERRED COEXISTENCE MODE SUGGESTED), the coexistence operation mode response frame carries coexistence operation mode parameter information that can be adopted by the recipient of the coexistence operation mode response frame. The coexistence operation mode parameter information is indicated by one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode control field, a coexistence operation mode delay parameter field, a low capability operation parameter field, and a high capability operation parameter field. The coexistence operation mode control field is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15, the coexistence operation mode delay parameter field is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16, the low capability operation parameter field is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, and the high capability operation parameter field is also described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17. The specific settings of the fields are described in detail above and will not be described again here.

[0357] In some embodiments, the first frame is a frame containing an Aggregated Control (A-Control) subfield. The A-Control subfield includes a coexistence operation mode control subfield and a capability operation mode indication control subfield, as shown in Table 10.

[0358] Table 10 Control subfield variants of the A-Control subfield (newly added)

[0359] FIG. 19 shows a format of a coexistence operation mode indication control subfield according to an example embodiment of the present application, which includes the following subfields: a coexistence operation mode control subfield and / or a coexistence operation mode delay parameter subfield. The coexistence operation mode control subfield occupies 1 byte, and the related content is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 15. The coexistence operation mode delay parameter subfield occupies 0 or 2 or 3 bytes, and the related content is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 16. The specific settings of the subfields are described in detail above and will not be described again here.

[0360] FIG. 20 shows a format of a capability operation mode indication control subfield according to an example embodiment of the present application, which includes the following subfields: a low capability operation parameter subfield and / or a high capability operation parameter subfield. The low capability operation parameter subfield occupies 1 byte, and the related content is described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17. The high capability operation parameter subfield occupies 0 or 1 byte, and the related content is also described in detail in the embodiment shown in FIG. 17. The specific settings of the subfields are described in detail above and will not be described again here.

[0361] It is again emphasized that the frame formats, element formats, field formats, subfield formats shown in the various embodiments above are examples and not limitations. The present application supports changes to the formats of the various frames, elements, fields, subfields 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, etc. It also supports setting some fields / elements as reserved fields.

[0362] FIG. 21 shows a block diagram of a structure of a communication apparatus 2100 according to an example embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 2100 can be implemented as the first station described above, or as a part of the first station described above. Optionally, the communication apparatus 2100 is a wireless communication apparatus / wireless device that supports WLAN / Wi-Fi protocols (such as 802.11 protocols). The communication apparatus 2100 includes a sending module 2110. Optionally, the communication apparatus 2100 further includes a receiving module 2130 and / or a processing module 2150.

[0363] The sending module 2110 is configured to send a first frame. The first frame is configured to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

[0364] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2130 is configured to receive a second frame. The second frame is configured to one or more of the following: initiating a frame exchange with the apparatus in the first operation mode; triggering the apparatus to report update information of the first operation mode; requesting the apparatus to report update information of the first operation mode.

[0365] In some embodiments, the apparatus is in the first operation mode during the enabling.

[0366] In some embodiments, the apparatus satisfies one or more of the following during the enabling of the first operation mode: available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus are updated; available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus are not updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the apparatus are updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the apparatus are not updated.

[0367] In some embodiments, the second frame is further configured to indicate update information of a first operation mode of a second station; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of the following: available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are updated; available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are not updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are updated; reception capability and / or transmission capability of the second station are not updated.

[0368] In some embodiments, the sending module 2110 is further configured to send a third frame, the third frame being used to indicate update information of the first operation mode of the apparatus; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the apparatus comprises one or more of: the available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus are updated; the available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus are not updated; the receiving capability and / or the sending capability of the apparatus are updated; the receiving capability and / or the sending capability of the apparatus are not updated.

[0369] In some embodiments, the third frame is used to respond to the second frame.

[0370] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate one or more of: a start time of the unavailable state of the resource; a duration of the unavailable state of the resource; a duration of the high capability operation mode.

[0371] In some embodiments, the apparatus is in a first type of operation mode, the first type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing.

[0372] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate one or more of: a start time of the unavailable state of the resource; a duration of the unavailable state of the resource; a duration of the target operation mode; a parameter of the target operation mode.

[0373] In some embodiments, the apparatus is in a second type of operation mode, the second type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing.

[0374] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate a parameter of the target operation mode.

[0375] In some embodiments, the apparatus is in a third type of operation mode, the third type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

[0376] In some embodiments, the third frame is further used to indicate one or more of: a parameter of the first target operation mode; a parameter of the second target operation mode; a duration of the first target operation mode; a duration of the second target operation mode; a switching time of the operation mode.

[0377] In some embodiments, the apparatus is in a fourth type of operation mode, the fourth type of operation mode being a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

[0378] In some embodiments, the processing module 2150 is configured to perform one or more of the following operations based on the information reported in the third frame: performing frame exchange with the second station in the corresponding operation mode during the TXOP; performing frame exchange with the second station based on the resource available information and / or the resource unavailable information indicated in the third frame during the TXOP; terminating the frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; suspending the frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; performing frame exchange with the second station in the switched operation mode after the switching time of the operation mode.

[0379] In some embodiments, the available and / or unavailable resource is updated at TXOP level; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability is updated at TXOP level.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode latency parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter.

[0381] In some embodiments, the first frame is a coexistence operation mode announcement frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode request frame, or the first frame is a QoS data frame, or the first frame is a QoS null frame, or the first frame is a management frame, or the first frame is a frame comprising an A-Control field.

[0382] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2130 is configured to receive a first PPDU, wherein the first PPDU carries acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0383] In some embodiments, the indication content of the first frame takes effect after the TXOP in which the first PPDU is located.

[0384] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2130 is configured to receive a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame is used to respond to the first frame.

[0385] In some embodiments, the fourth frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode latency parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter, status code, coexistence operation mode latency parameter required by the responder.

[0386] In some embodiments, the status code field is used to indicate any of the following states:

[0387] accepting the indication content of the first frame; rejecting the indication content of the first frame; recommending other operation modes.

[0388] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode notification frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode response frame.

[0389] In some embodiments, the processing module 2150 is configured to perform one or more of the following operations: update available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus; not update available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus; update receive capability and / or transmit capability of the apparatus; not update receive capability and / or transmit capability of the apparatus.

[0390] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is sent within a transition super interval.

[0391] In some embodiments, the processing module 2150 is configured to enable the first operation mode at the end of the transition super interval; or the processing module 2150 is configured to enable the first operation mode before the end of the transition super interval and after sending the second PPDU; or the processing module 2150 is configured to disable the first operation mode at the end of the transition super interval; or the processing module 2150 is configured to disable the first operation mode before the end of the transition super interval and after sending the second PPDU.

[0392] In some embodiments, the sending module 2110 is configured to send the second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for a fourth frame.

[0393] In some embodiments, the transition super interval starts from the end of a first PPDU, or the transition super interval starts from the end of a signal extension part after the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU carries acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0394] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode control field comprises one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode enable field, indicating whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; a coexistence operation mode type field, indicating the type of coexistence operation mode to be adopted; a default low capability operation indication field, indicating whether to adopt the default low capability operation; a default high capability operation indication field, indicating whether to adopt the default high capability operation; a coexistence operation mode latency parameter control field, indicating whether the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field exists; a low capability operation parameter control field, indicating whether the low capability operation parameter field exists; a reserved field.

[0395] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: a first latency subfield for indicating a minimum MAC padding duration of the second frame; a second latency subfield for indicating a minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the first low capability operation; a third latency subfield for indicating a minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the second low capability operation.

[0396] In some embodiments, the low capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, an MCS index corresponding to a highest order modulation supported, a maximum number of spatial streams received, a maximum number of spatial streams transmitted, a PPDU format.

[0397] In some embodiments, the high capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, an MCS index corresponding to a highest order modulation supported, a maximum number of spatial streams received, a maximum number of spatial streams transmitted, a PPDU format.

[0398] In some embodiments, in the first operation mode, the apparatus shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the apparatus shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD.

[0399] In some embodiments, the sending module 2110 is configured to perform one or more of the following steps: step 220, step 310, step 340, step 410, step 440, step 460.

[0400] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2130 is configured to perform one or more of the following steps: step 320, step 330, step 420, step 430, step 450.

[0401] The content described in each of the foregoing embodiments, such as the interaction process, use, name, type, format, etc. of the first frame to the fourth frame, is applicable to the communication apparatus 2100 shown in FIG. 21. For details not described in the present embodiment, refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0402] In summary, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application supports enabling / disabling the first operation mode through the first frame advance notification or advance negotiation, and also supports updating the parameters of the first operation mode through the first frame advance notification or advance negotiation, and is especially suitable for scenarios where the station is in the first operation mode and there may exist a burst of triggers to change the available transceiving resources of the station itself and the characteristics that are difficult to predict in advance. Moreover, the fourth frame is further supported to further guarantee the reliability of the notification or negotiation process. Moreover, after the coexistence operation mode is enabled through the first frame advance notification or negotiation, the second frame and the third frame are further supported to enable the apparatus and the opposite end device to timely learn the update information of the resources and / or capabilities of the opposite end device, which helps the apparatus and the opposite end device to communicate according to the available resources and / or unavailable resources and / or supported capabilities and / or unsupported capabilities in subsequent frame interactions, alleviates or even avoids problems such as data packet loss, increased latency, and reduced frequency utilization efficiency due to changes in resource and capability information, and effectively improves the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the apparatus and the opposite end device.

[0403] FIG. 22 shows a structural block diagram of a communication apparatus 2200 provided by an example embodiment of the present application. The communication apparatus 2200 can be implemented as the second station described above or as a part of the second station described above. Alternatively, the communication apparatus 2200 can also be a wireless communication apparatus / wireless device supporting a WLAN / Wi-Fi protocol (such as the 802.11 protocol). The communication apparatus 2200 includes a receiving module 2210. Optionally, the communication apparatus 2200 further includes a sending module 2230 and / or a processing module 2250.

[0404] The receiving module 2210 is configured to receive a first frame. The first frame is used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; and updating parameters of the first operation mode.

[0405] In some embodiments, the sending module 2230 is configured to send a second frame. The second frame is used to one or more of the following: initiating frame exchange with the first station in the first operation mode; triggering the first station to report update information of the first operation mode; and requesting the first station to report update information of the first operation mode.

[0406] In some embodiments, the first station is in a period during which the first operation mode is enabled.

[0407] In some embodiments, the first station satisfies one or more of the following during enabling the first operation mode: an available and / or unavailable resource of the first station is updated; an available and / or unavailable resource of the first station is not updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the first station is updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the first station is not updated.

[0408] In some embodiments, the second frame is further configured to indicate update information of the first operation mode of the second station; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of the following: an available and / or unavailable resource of the second station is updated; an available and / or unavailable resource of the second station is not updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the second station is updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the second station is not updated.

[0409] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2210 is configured to receive a third frame, the third frame being configured to indicate update information of a coexistence operation mode of a first station; wherein the update information of the coexistence operation mode of the first station comprises one or more of the following: an available and / or unavailable resource of the first station is updated, the resource comprising one or more of the following: a time domain resource, a frequency domain resource, a spatial domain resource; an available and / or unavailable resource of the first station is not updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the first station is updated; a receiving capability and / or a transmitting capability of the first station is not updated.

[0410] In some embodiments, the third frame is configured to respond to a second frame.

[0411] In some embodiments, the third frame is further configured to indicate one or more of the following: a start time of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the high capability operation mode.

[0412] In some embodiments, the first station is in a first type operation mode, the first type operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing.

[0413] In some embodiments, the third frame is further configured to indicate one or more of the following: a start time of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the unavailable resource state; a duration of the target operation mode; a parameter of the target operation mode.

[0414] In some embodiments, the first station is in a second type operation mode, the second type operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing.

[0415] In some embodiments, the third frame is further configured to indicate parameters of the target operation mode.

[0416] In some embodiments, the first station is in a third type of operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

[0417] In some embodiments, the third frame is further configured to indicate one or more of the following: parameters of the first target operation mode; parameters of the second target operation mode; duration of the first target operation mode; duration of the second target operation mode; switching time of the operation mode.

[0418] In some embodiments, the first station is in a fourth type of operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

[0419] In some embodiments, the processing module 2250 is configured to perform one or more of the following: update available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus; not update available and / or unavailable resources of the apparatus; update reception capability and / or transmission capability of the apparatus; not update reception capability and / or transmission capability of the first station.

[0420] In some embodiments, the available and / or unavailable resources are updated at TXOP level; the reception capability and / or transmission capability are updated at TXOP level.

[0421] In some embodiments, the processing module 2250 is configured to perform one or more of the following based on the information reported by the third frame: perform frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP using operation parameters corresponding to the operation mode indicated by the third frame; perform frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP based on the resource available information and / or resource unavailable information indicated by the third frame; terminate frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; suspend frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; perform frame exchange with the first station after the switching time of the operation mode using the switched operation mode.

[0422] In some embodiments, the first frame comprises one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode control field, a coexistence operation mode latency parameter field, a low capability operation parameter field, a high capability operation parameter field.

[0423] In some embodiments, the first frame is a coexistence operation mode announcement frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode request frame, or the first frame is a QoS data frame, or the first frame is a QoS null frame, or the first frame is a management frame, or the first frame is a frame comprising an A-Control field.

[0424] In some embodiments, the sending module 2230 is configured to send a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

[0425] In some embodiments, the indication content of the first frame takes effect after a TXOP in which the first PPDU is located.

[0426] In some embodiments, the sending module 2230 is configured to send a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the first frame.

[0427] In some embodiments, the fourth frame comprises one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode control field, a coexistence operation mode latency parameter field, a low capability operation parameter field, a high capability operation parameter field, a status code field, a coexistence operation mode latency parameter field required by a responder.

[0428] In some embodiments, the status code field is used to indicate any of the following statuses: accepting the indication content of the first frame; rejecting the indication content of the first frame; recommending other operation modes.

[0429] In some embodiments, the processing module 2250 is configured to determine whether to accept or reject the indication content of the first frame.

[0430] In some embodiments, the processing module 2250 is configured to determine whether to recommend other coexistence operation modes.

[0431] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode notification frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode response frame.

[0432] In some embodiments, the fourth frame is sent in a transition super interval.

[0433] In some embodiments, the processing module 2250 is configured to determine whether to accept or reject the indication content of the first frame.

[0434] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2210 is configured to receive a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

[0435] In some embodiments, the transition super interval starts from the end of the first PPDU, or the transition super interval starts from the end of a signal extension part after the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU carries immediate acknowledgement for the first frame.

[0436] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode control field comprises one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode enable field for indicating whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; a coexistence operation mode type field for indicating the type of coexistence operation mode to be adopted; a default low capability operation indication field for indicating whether to adopt the default low capability operation; a default high capability operation indication field for indicating whether to adopt the default high capability operation; a coexistence operation mode latency parameter control field for indicating whether the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field is present; a low capability operation parameter control field for indicating whether the low capability operation parameter field is present; a reserved field.

[0437] In some embodiments, the coexistence operation mode latency parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: a first latency subfield for indicating the minimum MAC padding duration of the second frame; a second latency subfield for indicating the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the first low capability operation; a third latency subfield for indicating the minimum latency required to switch from the high capability operation to the second low capability operation.

[0438] In some embodiments, the low capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a supported highest order modulation corresponding MCS index, a maximum number of spatial streams for reception, a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission, a PPDU format.

[0439] In some embodiments, the high capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a supported highest order modulation corresponding MCS index, a maximum number of spatial streams for reception, a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission, a PPDU format.

[0440] In some embodiments, in the first operation mode, the apparatus shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the apparatus shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD.

[0441] In some embodiments, the receiving module 2210 is configured to perform one or more of the following steps: step 620, step 710, step 740, step 810, step 840, step 860.

[0442] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 2230 is configured to perform one or more of the following steps: step 720, step 730, step 820, step 830, step 850.

[0443] The content described in each of the foregoing embodiments, such as the interaction processes, uses, names, types, formats, and the like of the first frame to the fourth frame, are all applicable to the communication apparatus 2200 shown in FIG. 22. For details not described in the present embodiment, refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0444] In summary, the apparatus provided by the embodiments of the present application supports enabling / disabling the first operation mode through the first frame early notification or early negotiation, and also supports updating the parameters of the first operation mode through the first frame early notification or early negotiation, which is particularly suitable for scenarios where the station in the first operation mode may exist a burst and a characteristic that is difficult to predict in advance. In addition, the apparatus also supports further guaranteeing the reliability of the notification or negotiation process through the fourth frame. After the coexistence operation mode is enabled through the first frame early notification or negotiation, the apparatus also supports interacting with the second frame and the third frame to enable the apparatus and the peer device to learn the update information of the resources and / or capabilities of the other party in a timely manner, which helps the apparatus and the peer device to communicate according to the available resources and / or unavailable resources and / or supported capabilities and / or unsupported capabilities in subsequent frame interactions, thereby reducing or even avoiding problems such as data packet loss, increased latency, and reduced frequency utilization efficiency caused by changes in resource and capability information, and effectively improving the transmission reliability and transmission efficiency between the apparatus and the peer device.

[0445] It should be noted that: the apparatus provided by the above embodiments in realizing its functions, only above each functional module is divided and exemplified, in actual application, can according to the need of the above function distribution by different functional module is completed, namely the internal structure of communication equipment is divided into different functional modules, in order to complete the above description of all or part of the function. In addition, the apparatus and method provided by the above embodiments belong to the same concept.

[0446] FIG. 23 shows a structural schematic diagram of a communication device 2300 provided by an example embodiment of the present application, which includes at least one of the following: a receiver 2301, a transmitter 2302, a processor 2303, a memory 2304, and a bus (not shown in the figure).

[0447] Optionally, the communication device 2300 is configured to perform part or all of the steps performed by the first station.

[0448] Optionally, the communication device 2300 is configured to perform part or all of the steps performed by the second station.

[0449] Optionally, the communication device 2300 is a wireless device / wireless communication device supporting WLAN / Wi-Fi protocol (such as 802.11 protocol).

[0450] The receiver 2301 is configured to implement a receiving function. Optionally, the receiver 2301 can be configured to implement the functions and steps of the receiving module 2130 and / or the receiving module 2210 described above. The transmitter 2302 is configured to implement a transmitting function. Optionally, the transmitter 2302 can be configured to implement the functions and steps of the transmitting module 2110 and / or the transmitting module 2230 described above.

[0451] Optionally, the receiver 2301 and the transmitter 2302 can be implemented as one communication component, which can be one communication chip, and the communication component can be referred to as a transceiver. Optionally, the receiver 2301 and the transmitter 2302 can be implemented as a wireless communication component and / or a wired communication component. Optionally, the wireless communication component includes a wireless communication chip and / or a radio frequency antenna. Optionally, the wired communication component includes a wired communication chip and / or a wired interface.

[0452] The processor 2303 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 2303 performs various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules. In some embodiments, the processor 2303 can be configured to implement the functions and steps of the processing module 2150 and / or the processing module 2250 described above. The memory 2304 can be configured to store computer programs executed by the processor 2303, and the processor 2303 is configured to execute the computer programs to implement various steps in the method embodiments described above.

[0453] In some embodiments, the memory 2304 can be connected to the processor 2303, the receiver 2301, and the transmitter 2302.

[0454] 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: a magnetic or optical disk, an Electrically-Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EEPROM), an Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory (EPROM), a Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), a Read-Only Memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, and a Programmable Read-Only Memory (PROM).

[0455] In some embodiments, the receiver 2301 receives signals / data independently, or the processor 2303 controls the receiver 2301 to receive signals / data, or the processor 2303 requests the receiver 2301 to receive signals / data, or the processor 2303 cooperates with the receiver 2301 to receive signals / data.

[0456] In some embodiments, the transmitter 2302 transmits signals / data independently, or the processor 2303 controls the transmitter 2302 to transmit signals / data, or the processor 2303 requests the transmitter 2302 to transmit signals / data, or the processor 2303 cooperates with the transmitter 2302 to transmit signals / data.

[0457] For details not described in the present embodiment, refer to the foregoing embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0458] In an example embodiment of the present application, a chip is also provided, which includes programmable logic circuit and / or program instructions, and is used to implement the communication method provided by each method embodiment above when the chip is running on a communication device.

[0459] In some embodiments, the chip includes the sending module 2110. Optionally, the chip further includes the receiving module 2130 and / or the processing module 2150. For related content, refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, each module can be implemented as a circuit structure.

[0460] In some embodiments, the chip includes the receiving module 2210. Optionally, the chip further includes the sending module 2230 and / or the processing module 2250. For related content, refer to the foregoing description, which will not be repeated here. Optionally, each module can be implemented as a circuit structure.

[0461] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer readable storage medium is also provided, which stores at least one program. The at least one program is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the communication method provided by each method embodiment above.

[0462] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer program product is also provided, which includes computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium. A processor acquires the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, and executes the computer instructions to implement the communication method provided by each method embodiment above.

[0463] In an example embodiment of the present application, a computer program is also provided, the computer program comprising computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, a processor obtaining the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, and the processor executing the computer instructions to implement the communication method provided by each of the above method embodiments.

[0464] Those skilled in the art can understand that all or part of the steps of the above-mentioned embodiments can be completed by hardware, or can be instructed by programs to complete the related hardware, and the programs can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The storage medium mentioned above can be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

[0465] The above is only an optional embodiment of the present application, and is not used 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 communication method characterized by comprising: The method is performed by a first station, and the method comprises: sending a first frame, the first frame being used for indicating one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating a parameter of the first operation mode.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a second frame, the second frame being used for one or more of the following: initiating a frame exchange with the first station in the first operation mode; triggering the first station to report update information of the first operation mode; requesting the first station to report update information of the first operation mode.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein, The first station is in a period during which the first operation mode is enabled.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein, The first station satisfies one or more of the following during the period during which the first operation mode is enabled: available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated, the resources including one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources; available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are not updated.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The second frame is further used for indicating update information of a first operation mode of a second station; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of the following: available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are updated, the resources including one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources; available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are not updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the second station are updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the second station are not updated.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The method further comprises: sending a third frame, the third frame being used for indicating update information of a first operation mode of the first station; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the first station comprises one or more of the following: available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated, the resources including one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources; available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are updated; receiving capability and / or transmitting capability of the first station are not updated.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The third frame is used in response to a second frame.

8. The method according to claim 6 or 7, characterized in that, The third frame is further used for indicating one or more of the following: a start time of a resource unavailable state; a duration of the resource unavailable state; a duration of a high capability operation mode.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein, The first station is in a first type operation mode, the first type operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing.

10. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The third frame is further used for indicating one or more of the following: a start time of a resource unavailable state; a duration of the resource unavailable state; a duration of a target operation mode; a parameter of the target operation mode.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein, The first station is in a second type operation mode, the second type operation mode being a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing.

12. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The third frame is further used for indicating a parameter of a target operation mode.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, The first station is in a third type of operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

14. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein, The third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following: parameters of the first target operation mode; parameters of the second target operation mode; duration of the first target operation mode; duration of the second target operation mode; switching time of the operation mode.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first station is in a fourth type of operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

16. The method according to any one of claims 6 to 15, characterized in that, The method further comprises: Based on the information reported by the third frame, one or more of the following operations are performed: frame exchange with the second station in the corresponding operation mode during the TXOP; frame exchange with the second station based on the resource available information and / or resource unavailable information indicated by the third frame during the TXOP; terminating frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; suspending frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; frame exchange with the second station in the switched operation mode after the switching time of the operation mode.

17. The method of claim 4 or 5 or 6, wherein, The available and / or unavailable resources are updated at the TXOP level; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability are updated at the TXOP level.

18. The method of any one of claims 1 to 17, wherein, The first frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode delay parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter.

19. The method of any one of claims 1 to 18, wherein, The first frame is a coexistence operation mode notification frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode request frame, or the first frame is a QoS data frame, or the first frame is a QoS null frame, or the first frame is a management frame, or the first frame is a frame comprising an A-Control field.

20. The method of any one of claims 1 to 19, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a first PPDU, which carries acknowledgement information for the first frame.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The indication content of the first frame takes effect after the TXOP in which the first PPDU is located.

22. The method of any one of claims 1 to 21, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a fourth frame, which is used to respond to the first frame.

23. The method of claim 22, wherein, The fourth frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode delay parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter, status code, and coexistence operation mode delay parameter required by the responder.

24. The method of claim 23, wherein, The status code field is used to indicate any of the following states: accepting the indication content of the first frame; rejecting the indication content of the first frame; recommending other operation modes.

25. The method of any one of claims 22-24, wherein, The fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode notification frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode response frame.

26. The method of any one of claims 22-25, wherein, The fourth frame is sent within a transition super time interval.

27. The method of any one of claims 1 to 26, wherein, The method further comprises: enabling the coexistence operation mode at the end of the transition super time interval; or enabling the coexistence operation mode before the end of the transition super time interval and after sending a second PPDU; or disabling the coexistence operation mode at the end of the transition super time interval; or disabling the coexistence operation mode before the end of the transition super time interval and after sending the second PPDU; disabling the coexistence operation mode before the end of the transition super time interval and after sending the second PPDU; The second PPDU carries acknowledgement information for a fourth frame.

28. The method of claim 26 or 27, wherein, The conversion super time interval starts from the end of the first PPDU, or the conversion super time interval starts from the end of a signal extension part after the first PPDU. The first PPDU carries acknowledgement information for the first frame.

29. The method of claim 18 or 23, wherein, The coexistence operation mode control field includes one or more of the following fields: a coexistence operation mode enabling field, used to indicate whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; a coexistence operation mode type field, used to indicate the type of coexistence operation mode to be adopted; a default low-capability operation indication field, used to indicate whether to adopt a default low-capability operation; a default high-capability operation indication field, used to indicate whether to adopt a default high-capability operation; a coexistence operation mode delay parameter control field, used to indicate whether the coexistence operation mode delay parameter field exists; a low-capability operation parameter control field, used to indicate whether the low-capability operation parameter field exists; a reserved field. The coexistence operation mode delay parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields:

30. The method of claim 18 or 23 or 29, wherein, A first delay subfield, used to indicate a minimum MAC padding duration of a second frame; A second delay subfield, used to indicate a minimum delay required for switching from a high-capability operation to a first low-capability operation; A third delay subfield, used to indicate a minimum delay required for switching from a high-capability operation to a second low-capability operation. The low-capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a supported MCS index corresponding to a highest order modulation, a maximum number of spatial streams for reception, a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission, a PPDU format.

31. The method of claim 18 or 23 or 29, wherein, The high-capability operation parameter field includes one or more of the following subfields: an operating bandwidth, a supported MCS index corresponding to a highest order modulation, a maximum number of spatial streams for reception, a maximum number of spatial streams for transmission, a PPDU format.

32. The method of claim 18 or 23, wherein, In the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD.

33. The method of any one of claims 1 to 32, wherein, The method is performed by a second station, and the method includes:

34. A method of communication, comprising: Receiving a first frame sent by a first station, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating parameters of the first operation mode. The method further includes: sending a second frame, the second frame being used for one or more of the following: initiating frame exchange with the first station in the first operation mode; triggering the first station to report update information of the first operation mode; requesting the first station to report update information of the first operation mode.

35. The method of claim 34, wherein, The first station is in a period during which the first operation mode is enabled.

36. The method of claim 35, wherein, The first station satisfies one or more of the following during the period during which the first operation mode is enabled:

37. The method of claim 36, wherein, Available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated, the resources including one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, spatial domain resources; Available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; ​ The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is updated; The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is not updated.

38. The method of any one of claims 35-37, wherein, The second frame is further used to indicate update information of a first operation mode of the second station; wherein the update information of the first operation mode of the second station comprises one or more of the following: Available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are updated, the resources comprising one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources; Available and / or unavailable resources of the second station are not updated; The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the second station is updated; The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the second station is not updated.

39. The method of any one of claims 34-38, wherein, The method further comprises: receiving a third frame, the third frame being used to indicate update information of a first operation mode of the first station; The update information of the first operation mode of the first station comprises one or more of the following: Available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are updated, the resources comprising one or more of the following: time domain resources, frequency domain resources, space domain resources; Available and / or unavailable resources of the first station are not updated; The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is updated; The receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability of the first station is not updated.

40. The method of claim 39, wherein, The third frame is used to respond to the second frame.

41. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein, The third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following: a start time of a resource unavailable state; a duration of the resource unavailable state; a duration of a high capability operation mode.

42. The method of claim 41, wherein, The first station is in a first type operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on time sharing.

43. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein, The third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following: a start time of a resource unavailable state; a duration of the resource unavailable state; a duration of a target operation mode; parameters of the target operation mode.

44. The method of claim 43, wherein, The first station is in a second type operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on time sharing and partial resource sharing.

45. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein, The third frame is further used to indicate parameters of a target operation mode.

46. The method of claim 45, wherein, The first station is in a third type operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing.

47. The method of claim 39 or 40, wherein, The third frame is further used to indicate one or more of the following: parameters of a first target operation mode; parameters of a second target operation mode; a duration of the first target operation mode; a duration of the second target operation mode; a switching time of operation modes.

48. The method of claim 47, wherein, The first station is in a fourth type operation mode, which is a first operation mode based on partial resource sharing and mode switching.

49. The method of any one of claims 39-48, wherein, The method further comprises: Based on the information reported on the third frame, one or more of the following operations is performed: frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP using operation parameters adapted to the operation mode indicated by the third frame; frame exchange with the first station during the TXOP based on resource available information and / or resource unavailable information indicated by the third frame; terminating frame exchange before the start time of the resource unavailable state; aborting the frame exchange before a start time of the unavailable resource; after a switching time of the operation mode, performing the frame exchange with the first station in the switched operation mode.

50. The method of claim 37 or 38 or 39, wherein, the available and / or unavailable resource is updated at TXOP level; the receiving capability and / or the transmitting capability is updated at TXOP level.

51. The method of any one of claims 34-50, wherein, the first frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode delay parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter.

52. The method of any one of claims 34-51, wherein, the first frame is a coexistence operation mode announcement frame, or the first frame is a coexistence operation mode request frame, or the first frame is a QoS data frame, or the first frame is a QoS null frame, or the first frame is a management frame, or the first frame is a frame comprising an A-Control field.

53. The method of any one of claims 34-52, wherein, the method further comprises: sending a first PPDU, the first PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the first frame.

54. The method of claim 53, wherein, the indication of the first frame takes effect after a TXOP in which the first PPDU is located.

55. The method of any one of claims 34-54, wherein, the method further comprises: sending a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to respond to the first frame.

56. The method of claim 55, wherein, the fourth frame comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode control, coexistence operation mode delay parameter, low capability operation parameter, high capability operation parameter, status code, coexistence operation mode delay parameter required by the responder.

57. The method of claim 56, wherein, the status code field is used to indicate any of the following states: accept the indication of the first frame; reject the indication of the first frame; recommend other operation mode.

58. The method of any one of claims 55-57, wherein, the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode announcement frame, or the fourth frame is a coexistence operation mode response frame.

59. The method of any one of claims 55-58, wherein, the fourth frame is sent within a switching super interval.

60. The method of claim 59, wherein, the switching super interval starts from the end of a first PPDU, or the switching super interval starts from the end of a signal extension part after the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU carries acknowledgement information for the first frame.

61. The method of any one of claims 34-60, wherein, the method further comprises: receiving a second PPDU, the second PPDU carrying acknowledgement information for the fourth frame.

62. The method of claim 51 or 56, wherein, the coexistence operation mode control field comprises one or more of the following fields: coexistence operation mode enable field, used to indicate whether to enable or disable the coexistence operation mode; coexistence operation mode type field, used to indicate the type of the coexistence operation mode to be adopted; default low capability operation indication field, used to indicate whether to adopt the default low capability operation; default high capability operation indication field, used to indicate whether to adopt the default high capability operation; coexistence operation mode delay parameter control field, used to indicate whether the coexistence operation mode delay parameter field exists; low capability operation parameter control field, used to indicate whether the low capability operation parameter field exists; reserved field.

63. The method of claim 51 or 56 or 62, wherein, the coexistence operation mode delay parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: first delay subfield, used to indicate the minimum MAC padding duration of a second frame; second delay subfield, used to indicate the minimum delay required for switching from high capability operation to first low capability operation; a third time delay subfield indicating a minimum time delay required to switch from the high capability operation to the second low capability operation.

64. The method of claim 51 or 56 or 62, wherein, The low capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, maximum spatial streams received, maximum spatial streams transmitted, PPDU format.

65. The method of claim 51 or 56, wherein, The high capability operation parameter field comprises one or more of the following subfields: operating bandwidth, MCS index corresponding to the highest order modulation supported, maximum spatial streams received, maximum spatial streams transmitted, PPDU format.

66. The method of any one of claims 34-65, wherein, In the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources based on WLAN technology or other wireless communication technology; or, in the first operation mode, the first station shares radio resources with other stations affiliated to the same MLD.

67. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises: The sending module is configured to send a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating parameters of the first operation mode.

68. A communications device, characterized by The apparatus comprises: The receiving module is configured to receive a first frame, the first frame being used to indicate one or more of the following: enabling a first operation mode; disabling the first operation mode; updating parameters of the first operation mode. The communication 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 communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 33, or the communication method according to any one of claims 34 to 66.

69. A communications device, characterized by The computer readable storage medium stores at least one program, and the at least one program is loaded and executed by the processor to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 33, or the communication method according to any one of claims 34 to 66.

70. A computer-readable storage medium, comprising: The computer program product comprises computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the processor obtains the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium, and executes the computer instructions to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 33, or the communication method according to any one of claims 34 to 66.

71. A computer program product, characterized in that, The chip comprises programmable logic circuit and / or at least one program, and the chip is used to implement the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 33, or the communication method according to any one of claims 34 to 66 based on the programmable logic circuit and / or the at least one program.

72. A chip, comprising: ​

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