Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and apparatus, which support IEEE protocols, such as the IEEE 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7 / EHT) protocol, the IEEE 802.11bn (UHR / Wi-Fi 8) protocol, the IEEE integrated mmWave (IMMW) protocol, the IEEE 802.15 (UWB) protocol, and the IEEE 802.11bf (sensing) protocol. The present application can also support a NearLink (spark link / nearlink) standard protocol. A first AP sends a first wireless frame to a second AP, wherein the first wireless frame indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission. The first AP may initiate frame interaction with a first STA, and send a second wireless frame to the first STA. On the basis of the solution, a device operating in an EMLSR mode can also perform coordinated transmission.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to Related Applications

[0002] This application claims priority to the Chinese Patent Application No. 202411341124.6, filed on September 24, 2024, and entitled "A communication method and apparatus", the content of which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present application relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. BACKGROUND

[0004] With the development of wireless networks and the continuous popularization of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology, WLAN devices are becoming more and more dense. Due to the easy deployment of access points (APs), the increasing density of APs also brings more inter-cell interference. How to reduce inter-cell interference through cooperation between APs and improve the service quality of users becomes a problem to be considered.

[0005] The cooperation between APs can include the form of coordinated spatial reuse. When the distance between two APs is far, the two APs can perform simultaneous transmission on the same transmission resource (such as channel, resource block, transmission opportunity), and ensure that the interference between the two APs is low by controlling the power and user selection, so as to effectively utilize the transmission resource. Generally, the AP that initiates coordinated spatial reuse can be called a sharing AP (or a primary AP), and other APs that are shared transmission resources can be called shared APs (or secondary APs).

[0006] Currently, the standard does not support devices working in enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) mode to perform coordinated spatial reuse transmission. SUMMARY

[0007] The present application provides a communication method and apparatus to support devices working in EMLSR mode to perform coordinated transmission.

[0008] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first AP. In the present disclosure, the first AP can refer to an AP, a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the AP, unless otherwise specified. The method comprises: sending, by the first AP, a first wireless frame to a second AP, the first wireless frame indicating the second AP to perform coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. Sending, by the first AP, a first control frame to a first station (STA), the first control frame indicating the first AP to open frame interaction with the first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP. Receiving, by the first AP, a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used to respond to the first control frame. Sending, by the first AP, a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0009] [Corrected according to Rule 91 on 26.11.2025] Based on the above scheme, the first AP and the second AP can perform coordinated transmission, and devices operating in the EMLSR mode can also perform coordinated transmission, and the interference between different cells of the devices operating in the EMLSR mode can be reduced through coordinated transmission.

[0010] In a possible implementation, the time domain resource occupied by the second wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the wireless frame sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0011] Based on the above scheme, the first AP and the second AP can perform coordinated spatial reuse to reduce the interference between different cells of the devices operating in the EMLSR mode.

[0012] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises a type of the coordinated transmission. In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission. In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference value to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0013] Based on the above various possible implementations, the first AP and the second AP can interact on the parameters of the coordinated transmission, so that the coordinated transmission can be performed through the coordinated parameters.

[0014] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0015] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate a second resource unit for a second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0016] Based on the above scheme, the first resource unit allocated by the first AP for the second AP can be allocated by the second AP to the second STA, so as to receive the uplink frame of the second STA, and the interference between the uplink frames of the first STA and the second STA can be reduced.

[0017] In a possible implementation, the length of the first control frame is the same as the length of a second control frame sent by the second AP, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0018] In a possible implementation, the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is the maximum of the required length of the first control frame and the required length of the second control frame.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, it is easier to lengthen the shorter control frame than to shorten the longer control frame, and the implementation complexity can be reduced.

[0020] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame, wherein the second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA. Based on the above scheme, the first AP can inform the second AP of the parameters of the first control frame sent by the first AP.

[0021] In a possible implementation, the first AP receives a third response frame from the second AP, and the third response frame includes one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends a second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame, wherein the second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA. Based on the above scheme, the second AP can inform the first AP of the parameters of the second control frame sent by the second AP.

[0022] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a first AP. In the present disclosure, the "first AP" can refer to an AP, a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the AP, unless specifically stated otherwise. The method comprises: sending, by the first AP, a first control frame, the first control frame comprising first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The second indication information indicates that frame interaction with a first station STA is enabled. Receiving, by the first AP, a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used to respond to the first control frame, the first STA being associated with the first AP. Sending, by the first AP, a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0023] In a possible implementation, the time domain resource occupied by the second wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the wireless frame sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0024] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0025] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, and an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0026] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0027] [Corrected according to Rule 91 on 26.11.2025] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0028] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, the second resource unit being used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0029] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a same length as a second control frame sent by the second AP, the second control frame being used to enable frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0030] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a length of a first value, the length of the second control frame being the first value, the first value being a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0031] In a possible implementation, the first AP sends third indication information to the first STA, and the third indication information indicates that the first STA delays switching to the listening state.

[0032] In a possible implementation, the third indication information indicates that the first STA switches to the listening state after a first time length after sending the first response frame, and the first time length is greater than a sum of a short interframe space SIFS, a time length of one time slot, and a switching delay, the switching delay indicating a time length required for switching from sending to receiving.

[0033] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP is allowed to send the second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with the second STA.

[0034] In a possible implementation, the first AP receives a third response frame from the second AP, and the third response frame includes one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with the second STA.

[0035] In a third aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second AP. Unless specifically stated, “the second AP” in the present application can refer to an AP, a component (for example, a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the AP. The method includes: receiving, by the second AP, a first wireless frame from a first AP, the first wireless frame indicating that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The second AP sends a third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0036] In a possible implementation, the second AP sends a second control frame to the second STA, the second control frame indicating that the second AP starts frame interaction with the second STA. The second AP receives a second response frame from the second STA, the second response frame being used to respond to the second control frame.

[0037] In a possible implementation, time domain resources occupied by the third wireless frame partially or entirely overlap with time domain resources occupied by a wireless frame sent by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0038] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0039] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0040] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmit power of the second AP or a power difference that the second AP needs to adjust.

[0041] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0042] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, and the second resource unit is used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP.

[0043] In a possible implementation, the second control frame has a same length as a first control frame sent by the first AP, and the first control frame is used to start frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, and the first STA is associated with the first AP.

[0044] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a length and the second control frame has a length, and the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0045] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0046] In a possible implementation, the second AP sends a third response frame to the first AP, and the third response frame comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends a second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0047] In a fourth aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be performed by a second AP. In the present disclosure, the "second AP" can refer to an AP, a component (e.g., a processor, a chip, or a chip system) in the AP, or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the AP, unless specifically stated otherwise. The method includes: receiving, by the second AP, a first control frame from a first AP, the first control frame including first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, and the coordinated transmission is that the first AP and the second AP transmit a wireless frame in a same transmission opportunity. Transmitting, by the second AP, a third wireless frame to a second station (STA) in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0048] In a possible implementation, the second AP transmits a second control frame to the second STA, the second control frame indicating to start frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA. The second AP receives a second response frame from the second STA, the second response frame being used to respond to the second control frame.

[0049] In a possible implementation, the third wireless frame occupies time domain resources partially or entirely overlapping with time domain resources occupied by a wireless frame transmitted by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0050] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0051] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes one or more of: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, and an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0052] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes one or more of: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0053] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0054] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to the second STA, the second resource unit being used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0055] In a possible implementation, the second control frame has a same length as a first control frame transmitted by the first AP, the first control frame being used to start frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP.

[0056] In a possible implementation, the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0057] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP is allowed to send the second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP opens frame interaction with the second STA.

[0058] In a possible implementation, the second AP sends, to the first AP, a third response frame including one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP opens frame interaction with the second STA.

[0059] In a fifth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processing unit and a transceiver unit.

[0060] The processing unit is configured to generate a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame indicating that a second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The transceiver unit is configured to send, to the second AP, the first wireless frame. The transceiver unit is further configured to send, to a first STA, a first control frame, the first control frame indicating that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The transceiver unit is further configured to receive, from the first STA, a first response frame, the first response frame being used for responding to the first control frame. The transceiver unit is further configured to send, to the first STA, a second wireless frame in the first transmission opportunity.

[0061] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame occupies time domain resources partially or totally overlapped with time domain resources occupied by a wireless frame sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0062] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0063] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, and an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0064] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes one or more of the following: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference value that needs to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0065] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes indication information about a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0066] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate a second resource unit for the second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0067] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a same length as a second control frame sent by the second AP, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0068] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a length of a first value, and the first value is a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0069] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame includes one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP is allowed to send the second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame. The second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0070] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to receive a third response frame from the second AP, the third response frame including one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. The second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0071] In a sixth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, including: a processing unit and a transceiver.

[0072] The processing unit is configured to generate a first control frame, the first control frame including first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The second indication information indicates that frame interaction with a first station STA is started. The transceiver is configured to send the first control frame. The transceiver is further configured to receive a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used to respond to the first control frame, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The transceiver is further configured to send a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0073] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame occupies time domain resources that partially or totally overlap with time domain resources occupied by a wireless frame sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0074] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0075] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0076] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0077] [Corrected according to Rule 91 on 26.11.2025] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0078] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, and the second resource unit is used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP.

[0079] In a possible implementation, a length of the first control frame is the same as a length of a second control frame sent by the second AP, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP.

[0080] In a possible implementation, the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0081] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first STA, third indication information indicating that the first STA delays switching to a listening state.

[0082] In a possible implementation, the third indication information indicates that the first STA switches to the listening state after a first time length after sending the first response frame, and the first time length is greater than a sum of a short interframe space (SIFS), a time length of one time slot, and a switching delay, and the switching delay indicates a time length required for switching from transmission to reception.

[0083] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame, and the second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA.

[0084] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to receive, from the second AP, a third response frame comprising one or more of: indication information of whether the second AP sends a second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame, and the second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA.

[0085] In a seventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising a processing unit and a transceiver.

[0086] The transceiver is configured to receive a first wireless frame from a first AP, the first wireless frame indicating a second AP to perform a coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being the first AP and the second AP transmitting wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The processing unit is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The transceiver is further configured to transmit the third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0087] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to transmit a second control frame to the second STA, the second control frame indicating the second AP to open a frame interaction with the second STA. The transceiver is further configured to receive a second response frame from the second STA, the second response frame being in response to the second control frame.

[0088] In a possible implementation, the third wireless frame occupies time domain resources partially or totally overlapping with time domain resources occupied by wireless frames transmitted by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0089] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0090] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0091] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of a maximum transmit power of the second AP or a power difference to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0092] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0093] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to the second STA, the second resource unit being used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0094] In a possible implementation, the second control frame has a same length as a first control frame transmitted by the first AP, the first control frame being used to open a frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP.

[0095] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a length and the second control frame has a length, the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame being a first value, the first value being a maximum of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0096] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send the second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP opens frame interaction with the second STA.

[0097] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first AP, a third response frame comprising one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. The second control frame indicates that the second AP opens frame interaction with the second STA.

[0098] In an eighth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising a processing unit and a transceiver.

[0099] The transceiver is configured to receive, from a first AP, a first control frame comprising first indication information. The first indication information indicates that a second AP performs coordinated transmission, and the coordinated transmission is that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The processing unit is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The transceiver is further configured to send, to a second station STA, the third wireless frame in the first transmission opportunity, and the second STA is associated with the second AP.

[0100] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the second STA, a second control frame, and the second control frame indicates that the second AP opens frame interaction with the second STA. The transceiver is further configured to receive, from the second STA, a second response frame, and the second response frame is used to respond to the second control frame.

[0101] In a possible implementation, a time domain resource occupied by the third wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with a time domain resource occupied by a wireless frame sent by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity.

[0102] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises a type of the coordinated transmission.

[0103] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, or an end time of the coordinated transmission.

[0104] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference value that needs to be adjusted by the second AP.

[0105] In a possible implementation, the first indication information comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP.

[0106] In a possible implementation, the first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate the second resource unit for the second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0107] In a possible implementation, the second control frame has a same length as a first control frame sent by the first AP, and the first control frame is used to start frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP.

[0108] In a possible implementation, the first control frame has a length and the second control frame has a length, and the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, the first value being a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame.

[0109] In a possible implementation, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP is allowed to send the second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame, wherein the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0110] In a possible implementation, the transceiver is further configured to send, to the first AP, a third response frame including one or more of the following: indication information about whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame, wherein the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA.

[0111] In a ninth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided for implementing the methods described above. The communication apparatus can be the first AP in the first and second aspects described above; or the communication apparatus can be the second AP in the third and fourth aspects described above. The communication apparatus includes modules, units, or means for implementing the corresponding functions of the methods described above, which can be implemented by hardware, software, or by executing corresponding software with hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0112] In a tenth aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which includes a processor and a communication interface. The communication interface is configured to communicate with modules outside the communication apparatus. The processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions, so that the methods described in any of the aspects above are performed. The communication apparatus can be the first AP in the first and second aspects described above; or the communication apparatus can be the second AP in the third and fourth aspects described above. For example, when the communication apparatus is the first AP, the communication interface is configured to communicate with the second AP. For another example, when the communication apparatus is the second AP, the communication interface is configured to communicate with the first AP.

[0113] In an eleventh aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, which can include at least one processor; the processor is configured to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory to implement the method of any of the above aspects. The memory can be coupled with the processor, or can be independent of the processor. The communication apparatus can be the first AP of the first and second aspects above; or the communication apparatus can be the second AP of the third and fourth aspects above.

[0114] In a twelfth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include the first AP performing the method of the first aspect above and the second AP performing the method of the third aspect above.

[0115] In a thirteenth aspect, a communication system is provided, which can include the first AP performing the method of the second aspect above and the second AP performing the method of the fourth aspect above.

[0116] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer readable storage medium is provided, which can store computer readable instructions, when the computer readable instructions are read and executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0117] In a fifteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, when the computer program product is read and executed by a computer, the computer is caused to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0118] In a sixteenth aspect, a chip is provided, which can be used to read the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to fourth aspects above.

[0119] [According to Rule 91 correction 26.11.2025] It can be understood that the technical effects of the second to sixteenth aspects can refer to the technical effects of any possible implementation of the first aspect, which will not be repeated here. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0120] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0121] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0122] FIG. 3 is a flow diagram of a coordinated spatial multiplexing transmission;

[0123] FIG. 4 is an exemplary flow diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0124] FIG. 5 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0125] FIG. 6 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0126] FIG. 7A is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0127] FIG. 7B is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0128] FIG. 8 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0129] FIG. 9 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0130] FIG. 10 is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0131] FIG. 11 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0132] FIG. 12 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0133] FIG. 13 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0134] FIG. 14 is an exemplary timing diagram of cooperative transmission according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0135] FIG. 15 is an exemplary flow chart of a communication method according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0136] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0137] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0138] FIG. 18 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application;

[0139] FIG. 19 is a schematic diagram of a communication apparatus according to another embodiment of the present application. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0140] The technical solutions provided by the embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0141] The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to various communication systems, such as a universal mobile telecommunications system (UMTS), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, a 4th generation (4G) mobile communication system such as a long term evolution (LTE) system, a 5th generation (5G) mobile communication system such as a new radio (NR) system, and a future evolved communication system such as a 6th generation (6G) mobile communication system. Of course, the technical solutions provided in the present application can also be applicable to other possible communication systems, such as a vehicle to everything (V2X) system, an internet of things (IoT) system, a narrow band internet of things (NB-IoT) system, and the like.

[0142] The embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to the scenario of a WLAN, for example, can be applicable to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 system standard, such as the 802.11be standard, Wi-Fi 7 or extremely high throughput (EHT), 802.11bf, or the next generation of 802.11be, such as the 802.11bn or UHR or Wi-Fi8 or a more next generation standard. Or the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to a wireless local area network system such as an internet of things (IoT) network or a vehicle to X (V2X) network. Of course, the embodiments of the present application can also be applicable to other possible communication systems, such as a worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, a 5G communication system, and a future communication system, and the like.

[0143] The present application supports IEEE protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol; the present application can also support starlink / nearlink standard protocol.

[0144] The following takes the scenario in which the embodiments of the present application can be applied to a WLAN as an example. It should be understood that the WLAN starts from the 802.11a / g standard, goes through 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and 802.11bn currently under discussion. Among them, 802.11n can also be referred to as high throughput (HT); 802.11ac can also be referred to as very high throughput (VHT); 802.11ax can also be referred to as high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6; 802.11be can also be referred to as EHT or Wi-Fi 7, and 802.11bn can also be referred to as UHR or Wi-Fi 8, while the standards before HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, etc. can be collectively referred to as Non-HT.

[0145] [According to Rule 91 Correction 26.11.2025] Referring to FIG. 1, a network architecture diagram of a WLAN to which the embodiments of the present application are applicable is shown. FIG. 1 takes that the WLAN includes an access point (AP) and a station (STA). The STAs (such as STA1-STAs) associated with the AP can receive wireless frames sent by the AP and can also send wireless frames to the AP. In addition, the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to the communication between APs, for example, each AP can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS), and the embodiments of the present application are also applicable to the communication between STAs. It should be understood that the number of APs and STAs in FIG. 1 is only an example, and there can be more or less.

[0146] The access point can be an access point for a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, and is mainly deployed in a home, a building, and a park, and has a typical coverage radius of tens of meters to hundreds of meters, and can also be deployed outdoors. The access point 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. Specifically, the access point can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a Wi-Fi chip, or a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal with an access point function. The access point can be a device supporting the 802.11be standard. The access point can also be a device supporting various wireless local area network (WLAN) standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and the next generation.

[0147] The station can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, the station can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart television supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, a vehicle-mounted communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication function, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication function, and the like. Optionally, the station can support the 802.11be standard. The station can also support various wireless local area network (WLAN) standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and the next generation.

[0148] For example, the access point and the station can be devices applied to the Internet of Vehicles, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, smart cameras in smart homes, smart remote controllers, smart water and electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities, and the like.

[0149] The AP and the STA involved in the embodiments of the present application can be APs and STAs applicable to the IEEE 802.11 system standard. The AP is a device deployed in a wireless communication network to provide wireless communication functions for its associated STAs. The AP can serve as the hub of the communication system and is usually a network-side product supporting the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the 802.11 system standard, such as a base station, a router, a gateway, a repeater, a communication server, a switch, a bridge, or other communication equipment. The base station can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, and the like. For convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as APs. The STA is usually a terminal product supporting the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the 802.11 system standard, such as a mobile phone, a notebook computer, and the like.

[0150] In some embodiments, the above-mentioned AP and STA can be multi-link devices (MLD). If the MLD is an AP, the MLD can include one or more APs, and if the MLD is a STA, the MLD includes one or more non-AP STAs. The one or more non-AP STAs can communicate after establishing an association relationship with the one or more APs, as shown in FIG. 2.

[0151] With the development of wireless networks and the continuous popularization of WLAN technology, WLAN devices are becoming more and more dense. Due to the ease of deployment of APs, the increasing density of APs also brings more inter-cell interference. How to reduce inter-cell interference and improve user service quality through cooperation between APs becomes a problem to be considered.

[0152] The cooperation between APs can include the form of coordinated spatial reuse. When the distance between two APs is far, the two APs can simultaneously transmit on the same transmission resource (such as a channel, a resource block, or a transmission opportunity), and by controlling the power and user selection, the interference between the two APs can be ensured to be low, thereby effectively utilizing the transmission resource. Generally, the AP that initiates the coordinated spatial reuse can be referred to as a sharing AP or a primary AP, and the other APs that share the transmission resource can be referred to as shared APs or secondary APs.

[0153] The sharing AP can control the transmission power of the shared APs, thereby controlling the interference. Specifically, when the sharing AP obtains a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and is about to transmit a downlink data frame to a station STA1 associated with the sharing AP, if the sharing AP finds that the channel condition between the sharing AP and the STA1 is good, the sharing AP can allow other APs to perform concurrent transmission with the sharing AP, such as the shared AP transmitting data to a STA2 associated with the shared AP. The sharing AP can select one or more shared APs to perform coordinated spatial reuse transmission. In selecting the shared AP, the sharing AP can preferentially select an AP far away from the STA1 as the shared AP, thereby reducing the interference of the shared AP transmitting data to the STA1. In addition, the sharing AP can also control the transmission power of the shared AP to further reduce the interference of the shared AP transmitting data to the STA1.

[0154] The following describes a coordinated spatial reuse transmission process in combination with FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the sharing AP can transmit a trigger frame (csr trigger frame) to the shared AP to initiate the coordinated spatial reuse transmission. The sharing AP can indicate some parameters in the trigger frame, including the transmission power of the shared AP, the transmission duration of the data packet, and the transmission power of the sharing AP. After receiving the trigger frame, the shared AP can preferentially select a STA2 far away from the sharing AP for data transmission. The shared AP can estimate the interference of the sharing AP to the STA2 according to the transmission power of the sharing AP, and select appropriate transmission parameters, such as modulation and coding scheme (MCS), narrowband synchronization signal (NSS), and bandwidth, to ensure that the data transmission of the shared AP succeeds with a high probability.

[0155] In coordinated spatial reuse transmission, there is interference between two transmissions because two APs transmit on the same channel at the same time. For example, AP1 sends a data frame (DL data frame) to STA1, while AP2 sends a data frame (DL data frame) to STA2, STA1 receives the signal (interference) sent by AP2 at the same time as receiving the data frame sent by AP1. When AP1 is a shared AP, if AP1 can predict the path loss between STA1 and AP2 before sending a data frame to STA1, it can control the transmission power of AP2 to ensure that the interference received by STA1 from AP2 is low. When AP1 is a shared AP, if AP1 can predict the path loss between STA1 and AP2 before sending a data frame to STA1, it can select appropriate transmission parameters to ensure that even if STA1 receives interference from AP2, it can still transmit successfully.

[0156] Enhanced multi-link single radio (EMLSR) is a technology proposed by the 802.11be standard. With the development of wireless technology, more and more wireless devices support multi-link communication, such as communicating on 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands at the same time, or communicating on different channels of the same frequency band at the same time, to improve the communication rate between devices.

[0157] In EMLSR operation, a non-AP MLD can listen on multiple links, and after receiving an initial control frame sent to itself on a certain link, it can switch the receive chain on other links to this link, so as to receive data frames at a higher rate after receiving the initial control frame. After the transmission is completed, it will automatically switch back to the initial multi-EMLSR link listening state. The 802.11be standard defines two types of initial control frames, namely multi-user request transmission (MU-RTS) and buffer status report poll (BSRP).

[0158] The EMLSR operation is described below. It should be understood that EMLSR is not a type of device, but rather a mode of operation. An MLD supporting EMLSR operation can send an enhanced multi-link (EML) operating mode notification frame to the associated AP MLD to indicate the EMLSR mode is turned on, and the AP MLD can reply with an operating mode notification frame, after which the non-AP MLD can switch to the EMLSR mode. Similarly, when the non-AP MLD wants to turn off the EMLSR mode, it can send an EML operating mode notification frame to the associated AP MLD to indicate the EMLSR mode is turned off, and the AP MLD can reply with an operating mode notification frame, after which the non-AP MLD turns off the EMLSR mode. After the EMLSR mode is turned off, the non-AP MLD will operate in the multi-link single radio (MLSR) state, in which at most one link is active at a time, and the maximum number of spatial streams supported on that link is the same as the maximum number of spatial streams supported in the EMLSR mode.

[0159] When the AP MLD wants to send downlink data to the non-AP MLD in the EMLSR mode, after winning contention on one of the EMLSR links, the AP MLD first sends an initial control frame to the non-AP MLD, and adds enough padding in the initial control frame to give the non-AP MLD enough time to switch the radio link to the current link. After the non-AP MLD responds to the initial control frame, it switches to multi-stream transmission on the current EMLSR link, while the other EMLSR links cannot transmit or receive.

[0160] Among them, the standard supports two kinds of initial control frames: MU-RTS and BSRP. MU-RTS is commonly used in existing implementations and can also have the function of channel reservation. BSRP can schedule multiple non-AP MLDs to reply to the buffer status report (BSR) using trigger-based (TB) physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), so that the AP MLD can exactly know which non-AP MLD successfully replies.

[0161] The non-AP MLD in the multi-space stream transmission state will switch to the listening state after meeting one of the following conditions:

[0162] 1) receiving a wireless frame sent by the AP MLD which requires a response frame to be replied, but the non-AP MLD fails to send the response frame.

[0163] 2) after sending a response frame to the AP MLD, no next PPDU sent by the AP MLD is received within a period of time.

[0164] 3) after receiving a wireless frame sent by the AP MLD which does not require a response frame to be replied, no next PPDU sent by the AP MLD is received within a period of time.

[0165] 4) receiving a wireless frame sent by the AP MLD, and the wireless frame is not sent to the non-AP MLD itself.

[0166] The length of "a period of time" in the above conditions can be aSIFStime + aslottime + physical layer switching delay. Among them, the physical layer switching delay can be understood as the time required for switching from sending a wireless frame to receiving a wireless frame (aRxPHYstartdelay), which is 20us, the typical value of aSIFStime can be 16us, and the typical value of aslottime can be 9us. Therefore, the typical value of "a period of time" in the above conditions is 45us.

[0167] The non-AP MLD working in the EMLSR mode does not support coordinated spatial reuse transmission in the current standard.

[0168] In view of this, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication method to realize coordinated spatial reuse transmission of MLDs working in EMLSR mode, so that the interference between different cells of MLDs working in EMLSR mode can be reduced through coordinated spatial reuse. In the case of no special description, the first AP and the second AP in the present application can refer to an access point, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the access point, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the access point; the first STA and the second STA in the present application can refer to a non-access point station, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the non-access point station, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the non-access point station.

[0169] Referring to FIG. 4, an exemplary flow chart of a communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application can include the following steps:

[0170] S401: The first AP sends a first wireless frame to the second AP.

[0171] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the first wireless frame from the first AP.

[0172] In S401, the first wireless frame can instruct (or trigger) the second AP to perform coordinated transmission, such as coordinated spatial reuse transmission. Wherein, the coordinated transmission can refer to that the first AP and the second AP send one or more of data frames, control frames or management frames in the same transmission opportunity. Exemplarily, the coordinated transmission can refer to that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames on the same time and frequency resources. In S401, the first AP can be understood as the master AP in the coordinated spatial reuse transmission, and the second AP can be understood as the slave AP in the coordinated spatial reuse transmission.

[0173] Exemplarily, the first wireless frame can be a trigger frame, such as the trigger frame for triggering coordinated spatial reuse shown in FIG. 3.

[0174] In a possible implementation, the first wireless frame can carry parameters for triggering coordinated transmission. Exemplarily, the first wireless frame can include one or more of the following indication information or parameters.

[0175] 1) Type of coordinated transmission, including coordinated spatial reuse and coordinated beamfoming. For example, the type of coordinated transmission can be indicated as coordinated spatial reuse in the first wireless frame, thereby indicating the second AP to perform coordinated transmission.

[0176] 2) Start time of coordinated transmission. In one possible implementation, the start time can be a time value, such as indicated by part or all of a timing synchronization function (TSF). In another possible implementation, the start time can be a time offset value relative to a reference time. The reference time can be the end time of the first wireless frame, and the start time can be the end time of the first wireless frame + the time offset value. For example, the time offset value can be SIFS or point coordinate function inter frame space (PIFS). For example, the start time of coordinated transmission can be the start time of the same transmission opportunity, such as the first transmission opportunity.

[0177] Optionally, the start time can also be fixed, such as the end time of the first wireless frame + the time offset value (such as SIFS or PIFS), without being carried in the first wireless frame.

[0178] 3) Duration of coordinated transmission, indicating the time length that the first AP and the second AP can transmit wireless frames in the same transmission opportunity. For example, the duration of coordinated transmission can be the duration of the same transmission opportunity, such as the first transmission opportunity.

[0179] 4) End time of coordinated transmission. In one possible implementation, the end time can be a time value, such as 10:00, 10:10, etc. In another possible implementation, the end time can be a time offset value relative to a reference time. The reference time can be the transmission time of the first wireless frame, or the reception time of the first wireless frame, etc. In yet another possible implementation, the end time can be calculated according to the start time and the duration. For example, the end time of coordinated transmission can be the end time of the same transmission opportunity, such as the first transmission opportunity.

[0180] Optionally, the duration of the coordinated transmission and the end time of the coordinated transmission can be both carried in the first wireless frame, or one of them can be carried in the first wireless frame. For example, the first AP and the second AP can determine the duration of the coordinated transmission by the start time of the coordinated transmission and the end time of the coordinated transmission. For another example, the first AP and the second AP can determine the end time of the coordinated transmission by the start time of the coordinated transmission and the duration of the coordinated transmission.

[0181] 5) the maximum transmission power of the second AP, indicating the maximum value of the transmission power of the second AP when transmitting the wireless frame in the same transmission opportunity. In this way, the first AP can control the transmission power of the second AP, so as to reduce the interference of the wireless frames transmitted by the first AP and the second AP in the same opportunity.

[0182] 6) the power adjustment value of the second AP, indicating the power value that needs to be adjusted by the second AP when transmitting the wireless frame in the same transmission opportunity. For example, the transmission power of the second AP when transmitting the wireless frame in the same transmission opportunity = the basic power - the power adjustment value. The basic power can be the current transmission power of the second AP, and the power adjustment value can be positive or negative. For example, the power adjustment value is usually positive. In this way, the first AP can control the transmission power of the second AP, so as to reduce the interference of the wireless frames transmitted by the first AP and the second AP in the same opportunity.

[0183] 7) the indication information of whether to allow the second AP to transmit the second control frame, indicating whether the second AP is allowed to interact with the device operating in the EMLSR mode. For example, a field can be carried in the first wireless frame to indicate whether the second AP is allowed to transmit the second control frame. If the second AP is allowed to transmit the second control frame, it is considered that the second AP is allowed to interact with the device operating in the EMLSR mode. If the second AP is not allowed to transmit the second control frame, it is considered that the second AP is not allowed to interact with the device operating in the EMLSR mode.

[0184] For example, whether the second AP is allowed to transmit the second control frame can be indicated by 1-bit indication information. For example, when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 0, it indicates that the second AP is not allowed to transmit the second control frame, and when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 1, it indicates that the second AP is allowed to transmit the second control frame. Conversely, when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 1, it indicates that the second AP is not allowed to transmit the second control frame, and when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 0, it indicates that the second AP is allowed to transmit the second control frame.

[0185] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame can be a trigger frame. The parameters of 1) to 7) above can be carried in a user info field. For example, refer to FIG. 5 for an exemplary structure of a user info field. As shown in FIG. 5, the user info field can include one or more of an application identifier (AID) field (e.g., AID 12 shown in FIG. 5), a resource unit (RU) allocation field, or a PS 160 field. The AID field can be used to carry an identifier of the second AP, and the RU allocation field and the PS 160 field can indicate an RU allocated by the first AP for the second AP. The RU can be used for the second AP to exchange frames with the second STA. One or more of 1) to 7) above can also be included in the user info field.

[0186] It should be understood that the positions of the fields and the lengths of the fields in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5 are merely exemplary.

[0187] S402: The first AP sends a first control frame to the first STA.

[0188] Correspondingly, the first STA receives the first control frame from the first AP.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first control frame can indicate that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA. In one possible scenario, the first AP is not one of the AP MLDs and the first STA is not one of the STAs of the non-AP MLD, i.e., the first AP is a single link AP and the first STA is a single link STA, the first control frame can indicate that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA. In another possible scenario, the first AP is one of the AP MLDs and the first STA is one of the STAs of the non-AP MLD, the first control frame can indicate that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA, and the first control frame can further indicate that the MLD to which the first STA belongs switches radio frequency link from other links to the first link, which can be the link between the first AP and the first STA. In yet another possible scenario, the first AP can be a single link and the first STA can be one of the STAs of the non-AP MLD, the first control frame can indicate that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA. Optionally, the first control frame can further indicate that the MLD to which the first STA belongs switches radio frequency link from other links to the link between the first AP and the first STA (e.g., the first link). In yet another possible scenario, the first AP can be one of the AP MLDs and the first STA can be a single link STA, the first control frame can indicate that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA.

[0190] In some embodiments, a single link AP is relative to an AP MLD, for example, an AP supporting 802.11ax and previous generation standards can be referred to as a single link AP. Similarly, a single link STA is relative to a non-AP MLD, for example, a STA supporting 802.11ax and previous generation standards can be referred to as a single link STA.

[0191] For example, the first control frame can be a MU-RTS or a BSRP.

[0192] S403: The first STA sends a first response frame to the first AP.

[0193] Correspondingly, the first AP receives the first response frame from the first STA.

[0194] The first response frame is used to respond to the first control frame in S402. For example, the first response frame can be used to confirm the opening frame interaction. For example, if the first control frame is a BSRP frame, the first response frame can be a buffer status report (BSR) frame. For example, the BSR can be implemented in the form of a quality of service null frame, and the HT control field in the MAC header of the BSR carries an A-control field, and the control ID in the A-control field is 3, indicating that the frame is a BSR. For another example, if the first control frame is a MU-RTS frame, the first response frame can be a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0195] In some embodiments, if the first control frame indicates that the MLD to which the first STA belongs switches the radio frequency link from other links to the first link, the first response frame can also be used to inform the AP MLD to which the first AP belongs that the MLD to which the first STA belongs has switched the radio frequency link from other links to the first link.

[0196] In a possible implementation, the first control frame in S402 can indicate the RU allocated by the first AP for the first STA, and the RU is used to carry the first response frame. Then in S403, the first STA can send the first response frame on the RU allocated by the first AP.

[0197] In the embodiments of the present application, the number of first STAs can be one or more. For example, the first AP can send a first control frame to STA1 and STA2 respectively in S402, and then STA1 and STA2 can send a first response frame to the first AP respectively in S403. In one example, STA1 and STA2 can be different STAs. For example, STA1 and STA2 can be different single link STAs. In another example, STA1 and STA2 can be STAs in different non-AP MLDs, for example, STA1 can be a STA in non-AP MLD1, and STA2 can be a STA in non-AP MLD2. In yet another example, STA1 can be a single link STA, and STA2 can be a STA in a non-AP MLD, or STA1 can be a STA in a non-AP MLD, and STA2 can be a single link STA.

[0198] It should be noted that in the above example, STA1 and STA2 can send the first response frame on different RUs respectively, or can send the first response frame on the same RU. For example, the first control frame can indicate the RU for STA1 to send the first response frame, and the RU for STA2 to send the first response frame. Then in S403, STA1 can send the first response frame on the RU allocated by the first AP for STA1 to send the first response frame, and STA2 can send the first response frame on the RU allocated by the first AP for STA2 to send the first response frame.

[0199] Optionally, in the above example, the first AP can not perform subsequent frame interaction with the first STA which does not reply the first response frame. For example, in the above example, the first AP sends the first control frame to STA1 and STA2 respectively, STA1 replies the first response frame to the first AP, and STA2 does not reply the first response frame to the first AP, then the first AP can perform subsequent frame interaction (such as performing S404) with STA1, and does not perform subsequent frame interaction with STA2. Optionally, the first control frame in S402 can indicate the required length D3 of the first response frame. Then in S403, the length of the first response frame can be the required length D3 indicated by the first control frame.

[0200] S404: The first AP sends a second wireless frame to the first STA.

[0201] Correspondingly, the first STA receives the second wireless frame from the first AP.

[0202] In S404, the first AP can send the second wireless frame to the first STA within the first transmission opportunity. For example, in S404, the first AP can send the second wireless frame to the first STA which replies the first response frame. For example, in S402, the first AP sends the first control frame to STA1, STA2 and STA3, and in S403, STA1 and STA2 reply the first response frame to the first AP, then in S404, the first AP can send the second wireless frame to STA1 and STA2 which reply the first response frame.

[0203] S405: The second AP sends a third wireless frame to the second STA.

[0204] Correspondingly, the second STA receives the third wireless frame from the second AP.

[0205] In S405, the second AP can send the third wireless frame to the second STA within the first transmission opportunity. The time domain resource occupied by the third wireless frame and the time domain resource occupied by the second wireless frame are all or partially overlapped.

[0206] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the second STA can be a STA associated with the second AP. It is to be noted that the second STA can be different from the first STA. For example, the first STA and the second STA can be different single link STAs. For another example, the first STA and the second STA can not belong to one non-AP MLD, e.g., the first STA belongs to non-AP MLD1 and the second STA belongs to non-AP MLD2. For yet another example, the first STA can be a single link STA and the second STA can be a STA in a non-AP MLD. For yet another example, the first STA can be a STA in a non-AP MLD and the second STA can be a single link STA.

[0207] In the embodiment of the present application, the number of the second STAs can be one or more. For example, the second AP can send the third wireless frame to STA1 and STA2 in S405. The STA1 and the STA2 can be STAs associated with the second AP, and the STA1 and the STA2 can be different STAs. In one example, the STA1 and the STA2 can be different STAs. For example, the STA1 and the STA2 can be different single link STAs. In another example, the STA1 and the STA2 can be different STAs in different non-AP MLDs, e.g., the STA1 can be a STA in non-AP MLD1 and the STA2 can be a STA in non-AP MLD2. In yet another example, the STA1 can be a single link STA and the STA2 can be a STA in a non-AP MLD, or the STA1 can be a STA in a non-AP MLD and the STA2 can be a single link STA.

[0208] In addition, in the embodiment of the present application, the first AP and the second AP are different APs. For example, the first AP and the second AP can be different single link APs. For another example, the first AP and the second AP can not belong to one AP MLD, e.g., the first AP belongs to AP MLD1 and the second AP belongs to AP MLD2. For yet another example, the first AP can be a single link AP and the second AP can be an AP in an AP MLD. For yet another example, the first AP can be a single link AP and the second AP can be an AP in an AP MLD.

[0209] In the embodiments of the present application, the first AP can be understood as a sharing AP (or a master AP) in cooperative transmission, and the second AP can be understood as a shared AP (or a slave AP) in cooperative transmission. The description of the sharing AP and the shared AP in cooperative spatial reuse transmission can be referred to, and details are not described herein.

[0210] It should be noted that the execution sequence of S405 is not limited in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and S405 can be executed after S401. For example, S404 and S405 can be executed simultaneously.

[0211] In a possible implementation, the second STA in S405 can be a device operating in the ELMSR mode. Then, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, S406 and S407 can be further executed before S405.

[0212] S406: The second AP sends a second control frame to the second STA.

[0213] Correspondingly, the second STA can receive the second control frame from the second AP.

[0214] The second control frame can indicate that the second AP starts the frame interaction with the second STA. In a possible case, the second AP is not one of the AP MLDs and the second STA is not one of the non-AP MLDs, that is, the second AP is a single link AP and the second STA is a single link STA, and the second control frame can indicate that the second AP starts the frame interaction with the second STA. In another possible case, the second AP is one of the AP MLDs and the second STA is one of the non-AP MLDs, and the second control frame can indicate that the second AP starts the frame interaction with the second STA, and the second control frame can further indicate that the MLD to which the second STA belongs switches the radio link from other links to the second link, which can be the link between the second AP and the second STA. In yet another possible case, the second AP can be a single link and the second STA can be one of the non-AP MLDs, and the second control frame can indicate that the second AP starts the frame interaction with the second STA. Optionally, the second control frame can further indicate that the MLD to which the second STA belongs switches the radio link from other links to the link (such as the second link) between the second AP and the second STA. In yet another possible case, the second AP can be one of the AP MLDs and the second STA can be a single link STA, and the second control frame can indicate that the second AP starts the frame interaction with the second STA.

[0215] Optionally, if the first wireless frame contains parameter 7), S406 and S407 can be performed only if the first AP allows the second AP to send the second control frame.

[0216] S407: The second STA sends a second response frame to the second AP.

[0217] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the second response frame from the second STA.

[0218] The second response frame is used to respond to the second control frame in S406. For example, if the second control frame is a BSRP frame, the second response frame can be a BSR frame. For another example, if the second control frame is a MU-RTS frame, the second response frame can be a CTS frame.

[0219] In some embodiments, if the second control frame indicates that the MLD where the second STA is located switches the radio frequency link from other links to the second link, the second response frame can also be used to inform the AP MLD where the second AP is located that the MLD where the second STA is located has switched the radio frequency link from other links to the second link.

[0220] In a possible implementation, if the second STA works in the EMLSR mode, the second AP can send the second control frame to the second STA, and the second STA can send the second response frame to the second AP. In order to avoid interference between the first response frame and the second response frame, the first AP can allocate an RU to the second AP. For example, the first AP can allocate the RU to the second AP in the first wireless frame, such as by allocating the RU to the second AP through the RU allocation field and / or the PS160 field. The RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP can be used for frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA. For example, the second AP can allocate the RU to the second STA for carrying the second response frame. In this case, if the RU allocated by the first AP to the second STA for carrying the first response frame is different from the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP, interference between the first response frame and the second response frame can be avoided.

[0221] It should be noted that the RU allocated by the second AP to the second STA for carrying the second response frame can be part or all of the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP.

[0222] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the number of second STAs can be one or more. In this case, the second AP can send the second control frame to STA1 and STA2 respectively in S406, and STA1 and STA2 can send the second response frame to the second AP respectively in S407.

[0223] It should be noted that in the above example, the STA1 and the STA2 can send the second response frames on different RUs respectively, or can send the second response frames on the same RU. For example, the second control frame can indicate the RU for the STA1 to send the second response frame, and the RU for the STA2 to send the second response frame. Then in S407, the STA1 can send the second response frame on the RU allocated by the second AP to the STA1 for carrying the second response frame, and the STA2 can send the second response frame on the RU allocated by the second AP to the STA2 for carrying the second response frame.

[0224] Optionally, in S405, the second AP can send a third wireless frame to the second STA that replies the second response frame, and the second AP can not perform subsequent frame interaction with the second STA that does not reply the second response frame. For details, refer to the description of S404, which will not be repeated here.

[0225] Optionally, the second control frame in S406 can indicate the required length D4 of the second response frame. Then in S407, the length of the second response frame can be the required length D4 indicated by the second control frame.

[0226] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 4 can further include the following S408 and S409.

[0227] S408: The first STA sends a response frame of the second wireless frame to the first AP.

[0228] Correspondingly, the first AP receives the response frame of the second wireless frame from the first STA.

[0229] The response frame of the second wireless frame is used to respond to the second wireless frame. For example, when the second wireless frame is a data frame, the response frame of the second wireless frame can be a block acknowledgement (BA) frame.

[0230] In a possible implementation, the second wireless frame in S404 can indicate the RU allocated by the first AP to the first STA, and the RU can be used to carry the response frame of the second wireless frame. Then in S408, the first STA can send the response frame of the second wireless frame on the RU allocated by the first AP.

[0231] Optionally, if the number of the first STAs is multiple, the multiple first STAs that receive the second wireless frame can all send the response frame of the second wireless frame to the first AP. In this case, the second wireless frame can indicate the RU for each first STA to carry the response frame of the second wireless frame.

[0232] In the embodiment of the present application, the execution order of S408 is not limited, and S408 can be executed after S404.

[0233] S409: The second STA sends a response frame of the third wireless frame to the second AP.

[0234] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the response frame of the third wireless frame from the second STA.

[0235] The response frame of the third wireless frame is used to respond to the third wireless frame. For example, when the third wireless frame is a data frame, the response frame of the third wireless frame can be a BA frame.

[0236] In a possible implementation, the third wireless frame can indicate an RU allocated by the second AP to the second STA, and the RU can be used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame. Then, in S409, the second STA can send the response frame of the third wireless frame on the RU allocated by the second AP.

[0237] Optionally, to avoid interference between the response frame of the second wireless frame and the response frame of the third wireless frame, the second AP can select, from the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP, an RU used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame and allocate the RU to the second STA. For example, the first AP can allocate the RU to the second AP in the first wireless frame, for example, by using the RU allocation field and the PS160 field. The RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP can be used for frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA. For example, the second AP can allocate an RU used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame to the second STA. In the case where the RU used to carry the response frame of the second wireless frame allocated by the first AP to the first STA is different from the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP, interference between the first response frame and the second response frame can be avoided.

[0238] It should be noted that the RU used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame allocated by the second AP to the second STA can be part or all of the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP.

[0239] Optionally, if the number of the second STAs is multiple, the multiple second STAs that receive the third wireless frame can all send the response frame of the third wireless frame to the second AP. The third wireless frame can indicate, for each second STA, an RU used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame.

[0240] Based on the flow shown in FIG. 4, a device working in the EMLSR mode can implement coordinated spatial reuse transmission, and the device working in the EMLSR mode can reduce interference between different cells of the MLD working in the EMLSR mode by using coordinated spatial reuse.

[0241] The communication method provided in the embodiments of the present application is described below through different embodiments.

[0242] Embodiment 1:

[0243] In embodiment 1, the transmission time of the first control frame sent by the first AP (AP1 as shown in FIG. 6) is the same as the transmission time of the second control frame sent by the second AP (AP2 as shown in FIG. 6).

[0244] Referring to FIG. 6, a timing diagram of the cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 can send a first wireless frame (trigger frame as shown in FIG. 6) to AP2. The first wireless frame can indicate AP2 to perform the cooperative transmission. AP1 can send a first control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 6) at T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame, and AP2 can send a second control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 6) at T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame. STA1 can send a first response frame (BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 6) at T2 after the end time of the first control frame, and STA2 can send a second response frame (BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 6) at T2 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (DL data frame as shown in FIG. 6) at T3 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (DL data frame as shown in FIG. 6) at T3 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can send a response frame (BA as shown in FIG. 6) of the second wireless frame at T4 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can send a response frame (BA as shown in FIG. 6) of the third wireless frame at T4 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0245] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transmission time of the first control frame sent by AP1 can be made the same as the transmission time of the second control frame sent by AP2 by defining that AP1 and AP2 send the control frames at T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame. For example, T1 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0246] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, T2, T3 and T4 can be pre-defined by the protocol, such as T2 = SIFS or PIFS, T3 = SIFS or PIFS, and T4 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0247] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, the transmission time of the second wireless frame is taken as an example to be the same as the transmission time of the third wireless frame. In actual transmission, the transmission time of the third wireless frame can be less than the transmission time of the second wireless frame. In this case, the time for STA2 to send the response frame of the third wireless frame can be earlier than the time for STA1 to send the response frame of the second wireless frame, or the time for STA2 to send the response frame of the third wireless frame can be the same as the time for STA1 to send the response frame of the second wireless frame, which will not be described again below.

[0248] In the embodiments of the present application, the end time of the second wireless frame and the end time of the third wireless frame can be the same or different, but the end time of the third wireless frame cannot be later than the end time of the second wireless frame. In addition, the transmission time of the response frame of the second wireless frame and the transmission time of the response frame of the third wireless frame can also be different. In addition, the response frame of the second wireless frame and the response frame of the third wireless frame can be transmitted on different RUs, the AP1 can allocate the RU to the AP2, the AP2 can allocate the RU allocated by the AP1 to the STA2 to transmit the response frame of the third wireless frame, which can be implemented by referring to the embodiments shown in FIG. 4, and details are not described herein.

[0249] In addition, the embodiments shown in FIG. 6 take the example that the transmission time of the second wireless frame and the transmission time of the third wireless frame are the same. In actual transmission process, the transmission time of the second wireless frame and the transmission time of the third wireless frame can also be different.

[0250] In the above embodiment 1, the length of the first control frame sent by the first AP and the length of the second control frame sent by the second AP can be the same. For example, the length of the first control frame sent by the first AP and the length of the second control frame sent by the second AP can be a first value. Illustratively, the first value can be the maximum value of the required length of the first control frame and the required length of the second control frame. Illustratively, the first value can be the minimum value of the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame. Illustratively, the first value can be a value greater than the maximum value of the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame.

[0251] In addition, in the embodiment 1, the length of the first response frame sent by the first STA and the length of the second response frame sent by the second STA can be the same. For example, the length of the first response frame sent by the first STA and the length of the second response frame sent by the second STA can be a second value. Illustratively, the second value can be the maximum value of the required length of the first response frame and the required length of the second response frame. Illustratively, the second value can be the minimum value of the length of the first response frame and the length of the second response frame. Illustratively, the second value can be a value greater than the maximum value of the length of the first response frame and the length of the second response frame.

[0252] Embodiment 2:

[0253] In the embodiment 2, the transmission time of the first control frame sent by the first AP (such as the AP1 shown in FIG. 7A) and the transmission time of the second control frame sent by the second AP (such as the AP2 shown in FIG. 7A) are different.

[0254] In a possible implementation, the first AP transmits the first control frame at a time different from the time at which the second AP transmits the second control frame, but the first AP transmits the second wireless frame at a time same as the time at which the second AP transmits the third wireless frame. Referring to FIG. 7A, a timing diagram of the cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 can transmit a first wireless frame (a trigger frame as shown in FIG. 7A) to AP2. The first wireless frame can indicate AP2 to perform the cooperative transmission. AP1 can transmit a first control frame (a BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 7A) at T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame, and AP2 can transmit a second control frame (a BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 7A) at T2 after the end time of the first wireless frame. STA1 can transmit a first response frame (a BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 7A) at T3 after the end time of the first control frame, and STA2 can transmit a second response frame (a BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 7A) at T4 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can transmit a second wireless frame (a DL data frame as shown in FIG. 7A) at T5 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can transmit a third wireless frame (a DL data frame as shown in FIG. 7A) at T6 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can transmit a response frame of the second wireless frame (a BA as shown in FIG. 7A) at T7 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can transmit a response frame of the third wireless frame (a BA as shown in FIG. 7A) at T7 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0255] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, the time at which the first AP transmits the first control frame can be different from the time at which the second AP transmits the second control frame by defining T1 and T2. For example, T1 = SIFS or PIFS. T2 = T1 + the time length of the first control frame + T3 + the time length of the first response frame + X1. X1 can be predetermined, for example, SIFS or PIFS, which is not limited in the present application.

[0256] Alternatively, AP2 can detect the first control frame transmitted by AP1, and then AP2 can be defined to transmit the second control frame at T2' (T2' = T3 + the time length of the first response frame + X1) after the end time of the first control frame. Alternatively, AP2 can detect the first response frame transmitted by STA1, and then AP2 can be defined to transmit the second control frame at T2" (T2" = X1) after the end time of the first response frame.

[0257] Similarly, T5 and T6 can be defined to make the time at which the first AP transmits the second wireless frame same as the time at which the second AP transmits the third wireless frame. For example, T5 = X1 + the time length of the second control frame + T4 + the time length of the second response frame + T6, and T6 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0258] Alternatively, AP1 can detect the second control frame sent by AP2, then AP1 can be defined to send the second wireless frame at the end time of the second control frame reaching T5'(T5'=T4+the time length of the second response frame+T6). Alternatively, AP1 can detect the second response frame sent by STA2, then AP1 can be defined to send the second wireless frame at the end time of the second response frame reaching T5"(T5"=T6).

[0259] It should be noted that T1-T7 are shown as examples, in actual transmission process, the time when the first AP sends the first control frame can be different from the time when the second AP sends the second control frame, but the time when the first AP sends the second wireless frame can be the same as the time when the second AP sends the third wireless frame, by defining the interval between different frames.

[0260] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, T3, T4, T7 and T8 can be pre-defined by protocol, such as T3=SIFS or PIFS, T4=SIFS or PIFS, T7=SIFS or PIFS, T8=SIFS or PIFS.

[0261] In another possible implementation, the time when the first AP (such as AP1 shown in FIG. 7B) sends the first control frame can be different from the time when the second AP (such as AP2 shown in FIG. 7B) sends the second control frame, and the time when the first AP sends the second wireless frame can be different from the time when the second AP sends the third wireless frame. Referring to FIG. 7B, a timing diagram of cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 can send a first wireless frame (such as a trigger frame shown in FIG. 7B) for AP2. The first wireless frame can indicate AP2 to perform cooperative transmission. AP1 can send a first control frame (such as a BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the first wireless frame reaching T1, and AP2 can send a second control frame (such as a BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the first wireless frame reaching T2. STA1 can send a first response frame (such as a BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the first control frame reaching T3, and STA2 can send a second response frame (such as a BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the second control frame reaching T4. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (such as a DL data frame shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the first response frame reaching T5, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (such as a DL data frame shown in FIG. 7B) at the end time of the second response frame reaching T6. STA1 can send a response frame (such as a BA shown in FIG. 7B) of the second wireless frame at the end time of the second wireless frame reaching T7, and STA2 can send a response frame (such as a BA shown in FIG. 7B) of the third wireless frame at the end time of the third wireless frame reaching T8.

[0262] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7A, by defining T1 and T2, the time for the first AP to send the first control frame can be made different from the time for the second AP to send the second control frame. For example, T1 = SIFS or PIFS. T2 = T1 + the time length of the first control frame + T3 + the time length of the first response frame + X2. Wherein, X2 can be predetermined, such as SIFS or PIFS, and optionally X2 = T5.

[0263] Alternatively, AP2 can detect the first control frame sent by AP1, and then AP2 can be defined to send the second control frame at the time length T2' (T2' = T3 + the time length of the first response frame + X2) after the end of the first control frame. Alternatively, AP2 can detect the first response frame sent by STA1, and then AP2 can be defined to send the second control frame at the time length T2" (T2" = X2) after the end of the first response frame.

[0264] Similarly, T5 and T6 can be defined to make the time for the first AP to send the second wireless frame different from the time for the second AP to send the third wireless frame. For example, T5 = SIFS or PIFS, and T6 = SIFS or PIFS, so that the time for the first AP to send the second wireless frame is the same as the time for the second AP to send the second control frame.

[0265] It should be noted that the above T1-T7 are exemplary, and in actual transmission process, the time for the first AP to send the first control frame can be made different from the time for the second AP to send the second control frame, and the time for the first AP to send the second wireless frame can be made different from the time for the second AP to send the third wireless frame, by defining the interval between different frames.

[0266] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 7B, T3, T4, T7 and T8 can be predetermined by the protocol, such as T3 = SIFS or PIFS, T4 = SIFS or PIFS, T7 = SIFS or PIFS, and T8 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0267] Embodiment 3:

[0268] In embodiment 3, the second STA (e.g., STA2 as shown in FIG. 8) can not be a device operating in the ELMSR mode, then the second STA and the second AP can not need to exchange the second control frame and the second response frame. Referring to FIG. 8, a timing diagram of the coordinated transmission is shown. AP1 can send a first wireless frame (e.g., a trigger frame as shown in FIG. 8) to AP2. The first wireless frame can indicate AP2 to perform the coordinated transmission. AP1 can send a first control frame (e.g., a BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 8) at T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame. STA1 can send a first response frame (e.g., a BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 8) at T2 after the end time of the first control frame. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (e.g., a DL data frame as shown in FIG. 8) at T3 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (e.g., a DL data frame as shown in FIG. 8) at T4 after the end time of the first wireless frame. STA1 can send a response frame of the second wireless frame (e.g., a BA as shown in FIG. 8) at T5 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can send a response frame of the third wireless frame (e.g., a BA as shown in FIG. 8) at T6 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0269] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the time of AP1 sending the second wireless frame is the same as the time of AP2 sending the third wireless frame is taken as an example. For example, T3 = SIFS or PIFS, and T4 = T1 + the duration of the first control frame + T2 + the duration of the first response frame + T3. Alternatively, AP2 can send the third wireless frame at T4' (T4' = T2 + the duration of the first response frame + T3) after the end time of the first control frame. Alternatively, AP2 can send the third wireless frame at T4" (T4" = T3) after the end time of the first response frame.

[0270] Alternatively, the time of AP1 sending the second wireless frame can be different from the time of AP2 sending the third wireless frame. Those skilled in the art can realize the time of AP1 sending the second wireless frame being different from the time of AP2 sending the third wireless frame by defining the interval between different frames.

[0271] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8, T1, T2, T5 and T6 can be pre-defined by the protocol, such as T1 = SIFS or PIFS, T2 = SIFS or PIFS, T5 = SIFS or PIFS, and T6 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0272] Embodiment 4:

[0273] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 4-8, the first STA (e.g., STA1 shown in FIGS. 6, 7A, 7B, and 8) is an example of a device operating in the EMLSR mode. In Embodiment 4, the first STA (e.g., STA1 shown in FIG. 9) can not be a device operating in the EMLSR mode, and the second STA (e.g., STA2 shown in FIG. 9) is a device operating in the EMLSR mode.

[0274] Referring to FIG. 9, a timing diagram of coordinated transmission is shown. AP1 can send a first wireless frame (e.g., a trigger frame shown in FIG. 9) to AP2. The first wireless frame can indicate that AP2 perform coordinated transmission. AP2 can send a second control frame (e.g., a BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 9) T1 after the end time of the first wireless frame. STA2 can send a second response frame (e.g., a BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 9) T2 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (e.g., a DL data frame shown in FIG. 9) T3 after the end time of the first control frame, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (e.g., a DL data frame shown in FIG. 9) T4 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can send a response frame (e.g., a BA shown in FIG. 9) to the second wireless frame T5 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can send a response frame (e.g., a BA shown in FIG. 9) to the third wireless frame T6 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0275] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame is different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame. For example, T4 = SIFS or PIFS, and T3 = T1 + the duration of the first control frame + T2 + the duration of the first response frame + T4.

[0276] Alternatively, the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame can be the same as the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame. Those skilled in the art can realize the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame is different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame by defining the interval between different frames.

[0277] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 9, T1, T2, T5, and T6 can be pre-defined by a protocol, such as T1 = SIFS or PIFS, T2 = SIFS or PIFS, T5 = SIFS or PIFS, and T6 = SIFS or PIFS.

[0278] Based on the above-mentioned embodiments shown in FIG. 4 to FIG. 9, a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced. In the method, the first AP can instruct the second AP to perform coordinated transmission through the first wireless frame, and open the frame interaction with the first STA through the first control frame. The embodiments of the present application also provide another communication method. In the method, the first AP can instruct the second AP to perform coordinated transmission through the first control frame, and open the frame interaction with the first STA through the first control frame. The following will be described in detail in combination with the accompanying drawings.

[0279] Without special description, the first AP and the second AP in the present application can refer to an access point, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the access point, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the access point; the first STA and the second STA in the present application can refer to a non-access point station, or a component (for example, a processor, a chip or a chip system, etc.) in the non-access point station, or a logic module or software capable of realizing all or part of the function of the non-access point station.

[0280] Referring to FIG. 10, an exemplary flow chart of another communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application can include the following steps.

[0281] S1001: The first AP sends a first control frame.

[0282] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the first control frame from the first AP, and the first STA receives the first control frame from the first AP.

[0283] The first control frame can include first indication information and second indication information. In S1001, the first indication information can instruct the second AP to perform coordinated transmission. The implementation of the coordinated transmission can refer to the related description in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, which will not be described here.

[0284] In some embodiments, the second indication information can indicate the first AP to start frame interaction with the first STA. In one possible case, the first AP is not one of the AP MLDs and the first STA is not one of the STAs in the non-AP MLD, that is, the first AP is a single link AP and the first STA is a single link STA, the second indication information can indicate the first AP to start frame interaction with the first STA. In another possible case, the first AP is one of the AP MLDs and the first STA is one of the STAs in the non-AP MLD, the second indication information can indicate the first AP to start frame interaction with the first STA, and the second indication information can further indicate the MLD in which the first STA is located to switch the radio link from other links to the first link, which can be the link between the first AP and the first STA. In yet another possible case, the first AP can be a single link and the first STA can be one of the STAs in the non-AP MLD, the second indication information can indicate the first AP to start frame interaction with the first STA. Optionally, the second indication information can further indicate the MLD in which the first STA is located to switch the radio link from other links to the link (e.g., the first link) between the first AP and the first STA. In yet another possible case, the first AP can be one of the AP MLDs and the first STA can be a single link STA, the second indication information can indicate the first AP to start frame interaction with the first STA.

[0285] In S1001, the first control frame can be a BSRP or a MU-RTS. The BSRP or the MU-RTS is a trigger frame. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, the first indication information can be carried in the user information field of the first control frame. The first indication information can include one or more of 1) to 7) in the embodiment shown in FIG. 4, and reference can be made to the description of the user information field in the embodiment shown in FIG. 5, which will not be repeated here.

[0286] S1002: The first STA sends a first response frame to the first AP.

[0287] Correspondingly, the first AP receives the first response frame from the first STA. S1002 can be implemented by referring to S403.

[0288] S1003: The first AP sends a second wireless frame to the first STA.

[0289] Correspondingly, the first STA receives the second wireless frame from the first AP. S1003 can be implemented by referring to S404.

[0290] S1004: The second AP sends a third wireless frame to the second STA.

[0291] Correspondingly, the second STA receives the third wireless frame from the second AP. S1004 can be implemented with reference to S405.

[0292] In a possible implementation, the second STA in S1004 can be a device operating in the EMLSR mode. Then, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, before S405, the following S1005 and S1006 can also be performed.

[0293] S1005: The second AP sends a second control frame to the second STA.

[0294] Correspondingly, the second STA can receive the second control frame from the second AP. S1005 can be implemented with reference to S406.

[0295] S1006: The second STA sends a second response frame to the second AP.

[0296] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the second response frame from the second STA.

[0297] The second response frame is used to respond to the second control frame in S1005. For example, if the second control frame is a BSRP frame, the second response frame can be a BSR frame. For another example, if the second control frame is a MU-RTS frame, the second response frame can be a CTS frame.

[0298] In some embodiments, if the second control frame indicates that the MLD to which the second STA belongs switches the radio frequency link from other links to the second link, the second response frame can also be used to inform the second AP that the MLD to which the second STA belongs has switched the radio frequency link from other links to the second link.

[0299] In a possible implementation, if the second STA operates in the EMLSR mode, the second AP can send the second control frame to the second STA, and the second STA can send the second response frame to the second AP. In order to avoid interference between the first response frame and the second response frame, the first AP can allocate an RU to the second AP. For example, the first AP can allocate the RU to the second AP in the first indication information, such as by using the RU allocation field and the PS160 field. The RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP can be used for frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA. For example, the second AP can allocate an RU used to carry the second response frame to the second STA. Then, in the case where the RU allocated by the first AP to the second STA to carry the first response frame is different from the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP, interference between the first response frame and the second response frame can be avoided.

[0300] It should be noted that the RU allocated by the second AP to the second STA for carrying the response frame of the second wireless frame can be part or all of the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP.

[0301] Optionally, the embodiment shown in FIG. 10 can further include the following S1007 and S1008.

[0302] S1007: The first STA sends a response frame of the second wireless frame to the first AP.

[0303] Correspondingly, the first AP receives the response frame of the second wireless frame from the first STA. S1007 can be implemented with reference to S408.

[0304] S1008: The second STA sends a response frame of the third wireless frame to the second AP.

[0305] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the response frame of the third wireless frame from the second STA.

[0306] The response frame of the third wireless frame is used to respond to the third wireless frame. For example, when the third wireless frame is a data frame, the response frame of the third wireless frame can be a BA frame.

[0307] In a possible implementation, the third wireless frame can indicate the RU allocated by the second AP to the second STA, which can be used to carry the response frame of the third wireless frame. Then the second STA can send the response frame of the third wireless frame on the RU allocated by the second AP in S1008.

[0308] Optionally, in order to avoid interference between the response frame of the second wireless frame and the response frame of the third wireless frame, the second AP can select the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP for carrying the response frame of the third wireless frame to the second STA. For example, the first AP can allocate the RU to the second AP in the first indication information, such as by the RU allocation field and the PS160 field. The RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP can be used for frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA. For example, the second AP can allocate the RU for carrying the response frame of the third wireless frame to the second STA. Then, in the case that the RU allocated by the first AP to the first STA for carrying the response frame of the second wireless frame is different from the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP, interference between the first response frame and the second response frame can be avoided.

[0309] It should be noted that the RU allocated by the second AP to the second STA for carrying the response frame of the third wireless frame can be part or all of the RU allocated by the first AP to the second AP.

[0310] Based on the flow shown in FIG. 10, the device operating in the EMLSR mode can implement coordinated spatial multiplexing transmission. The device operating in the EMLSR mode can reduce interference between different cells of the MLD operating in the EMLSR mode through coordinated spatial multiplexing.

[0311] The communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is described below through different embodiments.

[0312] Embodiment 5

[0313] In embodiment 5, the first AP (AP1 shown in FIG. 11) transmits the second wireless frame at the same time as the second AP (AP2 shown in FIG. 11) transmits the third wireless frame.

[0314] Referring to FIG. 11, a timing diagram of coordinated transmission is shown. AP1 transmits a first control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 11). The first control frame can include first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information can indicate that AP2 performs coordinated transmission, and the second indication information can indicate that frame interaction with STA1 is enabled. STA1 can transmit a first response frame (BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 11) at T1 after the end time of the first control frame. AP2 can transmit a second control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 11) at T2 after the end time of the first control frame. STA2 can transmit a second response frame (BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 11) at T3 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can transmit a second wireless frame (DL data frame shown in FIG. 11) at T4 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can transmit a third wireless frame (DL data frame shown in FIG. 11) at T5 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can transmit a response frame (BA shown in FIG. 11) of the second wireless frame at T6 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can transmit a response frame (BA shown in FIG. 11) of the third wireless frame at T7 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0315] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first AP transmits the second wireless frame at the same time as the second AP transmits the third wireless frame by defining T4 and T5. For example, T4=X3+the length of the second control frame+T3+the length of the second response frame+T5. X3 can be predefined, such as SIFS or PIFS. For example, T2=T1+the length of the first response frame+X3.

[0316] Alternatively, AP1 can detect the second control frame sent by AP2, and then AP1 can be defined to send the second wireless frame after the time length of the end of the second control frame reaches T4'(T4'=T3+the time length of the second response frame+T5). Alternatively, AP1 can detect the second response frame sent by STA2, and then AP1 can be defined to send the second wireless frame after the time length of the end of the second response frame reaches T4"(T4"=T5).

[0317] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, T1, T3 and T5 can be predefined by the protocol, such as T1=SIFS or PIFS, T3=SIFS or PIFS, and T5=SIFS or PIFS.

[0318] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the transmission time length of the second wireless frame is taken as an example to be the same as the transmission time length of the third wireless frame. In actual transmission process, the transmission time length of the third wireless frame can be less than the transmission time length of the second wireless frame. In this case, the time for STA2 to send the response frame of the third wireless frame can be earlier than the time for STA1 to send the response frame of the second wireless frame, or the time for STA2 to send the response frame of the third wireless frame can be the same as the time for STA1 to send the response frame of the second wireless frame, which will not be described again below.

[0319] In a possible implementation, in the embodiment 5 described above, STA1 can receive the second wireless frame after a long time after receiving the first control frame. Therefore, there can be a problem that STA1 switches back to the listening state in advance. In order to solve this problem, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 11, the first AP (AP1) can send third indication information to the first STA (STA1). The third indication information can indicate that the first STA delays switching to the listening state.

[0320] For example, the third indication information can be 1-bit indication information. For example, when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 0, it indicates that the first STA does not need to delay switching to the listening state, and when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 1, it indicates that the first STA delays switching to the listening state. Conversely, when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 1, it indicates that the first STA does not need to delay switching to the listening state, and when the value of the 1-bit indication information is 0, it indicates that the first STA delays switching to the listening state.

[0321] For example, the third indication information can indicate that the first STA switches to the listening state if no valid communication is performed within a first time duration after the first STA sends the first response frame. Wherein, no valid communication within the first time duration includes one or more of the following: no physical protocol data unit (PPDU) is received, no unicast frame whose router advertisement (RA) field has a value of the MAC address of the first STA is received, no trigger frame whose user info field is sent to the first STA is received, no CTS-to-self frame whose RA field has a value of the MAC address of the first AP is received, no Multi-STA BlockAck frame whose Per AID TID info field is sent to the first STA is received, no null data packet announcement (NDPA) frame whose station info field is sent to the first STA is received, a frame requiring immediate response is received but no immediate response is sent. For example, the first time duration can be greater than SIFS + a slot time + aRxPHYStartDelay. Wherein, aRxPHYStartDelay indicates a time duration required for switching from transmission to reception.

[0322] For example, the first time duration can be SIFS + a slot time + aRxPHYStartDelay + 2*SIFS + the maximum length of the second control frame + the maximum length of the second response frame. For example, the first time duration can be SIFS + a slot time + aRxPHYStartDelay + 500us. For example, the first time duration can be an absolute time value, such as 500us, 512us, 600us, etc.

[0323] For example, the end time of the first time duration is determined according to the number of PPDUs. For example, if N PPDUs are received and none of the N PPDUs contains a wireless frame sent by the first AP to itself, the end of the first time duration is considered. Wherein, N is a positive integer, such as 1, 2, 3, 4, etc.

[0324] Optionally, the third indication information can indicate that the first STA switches to the listening state at the end of the TXOP. Wherein, the time duration of the TXOP can be indicated by the duration field in the header information of the first control frame.

[0325] Optionally, the third indication information can indicate that the first STA does not perform effective communication in the first time duration after sending the first response frame and receiving a data frame sent to the first STA, and the first STA switches to the listening state.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the third indication information can be carried in the first control frame. For example, the third indication information can be carried in a common info field or a user info field in the first control frame. In another possible implementation, the third indication information can be sent by the first AP to the first STA before S1001.

[0327] Optionally, after the first STA sends the first response frame to the first AP, the switch back rule is not applied until the first STA receives a wireless frame (e.g., a PPDU) sent to the first STA, and the switch back rule is applied only after the first STA receives the wireless frame (PPDU) sent to the first STA.

[0328] Based on the above scheme, the third indication information can avoid the first STA switching to the listening state, so that the first STA cannot receive the second wireless frame sent by the first AP.

[0329] In another possible implementation, the first STA can delay switching to the listening state according to preconfigured information. The preconfigured information can include one or more of the following: the first STA is a UHR STA or the first STA supports cooperative transmission (e.g., CSR / CBF). For example, if the first STA supports cooperative transmission and / or the first STA is a UHR STA, the first STA can delay switching to the listening state. For example, the first STA sends the first response frame, and after a second time duration, the first STA does not receive a frame sent by the first AP to the first STA, and the first STA switches to the listening state. The second time duration can refer to the description of the first time duration, which is not repeated here.

[0330] Embodiment 6

[0331] In embodiment 6, the time at which the first AP (e.g., AP1 in FIG. 12) sends the second wireless frame is different from the time at which the second AP (e.g., AP2 in FIG. 12) sends the third wireless frame.

[0332] Referring to FIG. 12, a timing diagram of cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 sends a first control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 12). The first control frame can include a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information can indicate that AP2 performs cooperative transmission, and the second indication information can indicate that frame interaction with STA1 is enabled. STA1 can send a first response frame (BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 12) at T1 after the end time of the first control frame. AP2 can send a second control frame (BSRP / MU-RTS as shown in FIG. 12) at T2 after the end time of the first control frame. STA2 can send a second response frame (BSR / CTS as shown in FIG. 12) at T3 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (DL data frame as shown in FIG. 12) at T4 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (DL data frame as shown in FIG. 12) at T5 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can send a response frame of the second wireless frame (BA as shown in FIG. 12) at T6 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can send a response frame of the third wireless frame (BA as shown in FIG. 12) at T7 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0333] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the time when the first AP sends the second wireless frame can be different from the time when the second AP sends the third wireless frame by defining T2. For example, T2=T1+the duration of the first response frame+X4. X4 can be predefined, such as SIFS or PIFS. Alternatively, T2=T4.

[0334] Alternatively, AP2 can detect the first response frame sent by STA1, and then AP2 can send the third wireless frame at T2' (T2'=T4) after the end time of the first response frame.

[0335] It should be noted that in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, T1, T3, T4 and T5 can be predefined by protocols, such as T1=SIFS or PIFS, T3=SIFS or PIFS, T4=SIFS or PIFS, and T5=SIFS or PIFS.

[0336] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the end time of the second wireless frame is the same as the end time of the third wireless frame. In actual transmission process, the end time of the second wireless frame can be different from the end time of the third wireless frame, but the end time of the third wireless frame cannot be later than the end time of the second wireless frame.

[0337] In addition, in the embodiment shown in FIG. 12, the transmission time of the response frame of the second wireless frame is the same as the transmission time of the response frame of the third wireless frame. In actual transmission, the transmission time of the response frame of the second wireless frame can also be different from the transmission time of the response frame of the third wireless frame.

[0338] In addition, the response frame of the second wireless frame and the response frame of the third wireless frame can be transmitted on different RUs. AP1 can allocate RUs to AP2, and AP2 can allocate the RUs allocated by AP1 to STA2 to transmit the response frame of the third wireless frame. This can be implemented with reference to the embodiment shown in FIG. 10, which will not be described here.

[0339] Embodiment 7

[0340] In embodiment 7, the second STA (such as STA2 shown in FIG. 13) can not be a device operating in the ELMSR mode, so that the second STA and the second AP can not need to interact the second control frame and the second response frame. Referring to FIG. 13, a timing diagram of cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 transmits a first control frame (such as BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 13). The first control frame can include first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information can indicate that AP2 performs cooperative transmission, and the second indication information can indicate that frame interaction with STA1 is enabled. STA1 can transmit a first response frame (such as BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 13) at T1 after the end time of the first control frame. AP1 can transmit a second wireless frame (such as a DL data frame shown in FIG. 13) at T2 after the end time of the first response frame, and AP2 can transmit a third wireless frame (such as a DL data frame shown in FIG. 13) at T3 after the end time of the first control frame. STA1 can transmit a response frame of the second wireless frame (such as BA shown in FIG. 13) at T4 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can transmit a response frame of the third wireless frame (such as BA shown in FIG. 13) at T5 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0341] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, the transmission time of the second wireless frame by AP1 is the same as the transmission time of the third wireless frame by AP2. For example, T2=SIFS or PIFS, and T3=T1+the duration of the first response frame+T2. Alternatively, AP2 can transmit the third wireless frame at T4' (T4'=T2) at the end of the first response frame.

[0342] Optionally, the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame can also be different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame, such as T3=T1+the time length of the first response frame+X5, X5≠T2. Those skilled in the art can realize that the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame is different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame by defining the interval between different frames.

[0343] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 13, T1, T4 and T5 can be predefined by the protocol, such as T1=SIFS or PIFS, T4=SIFS or PIFS, and T5=SIFS or PIFS.

[0344] Embodiment 8:

[0345] [Corrected according to Rule 91 on 26.11.2025] In the embodiments shown in FIGS. 5 to 7B above, the first STA (such as STA1 shown in FIGS. 11, 12 and 13) is taken as an example of a device operating in the EMLSR mode. In Embodiment 8, the first STA (such as STA1 shown in FIG. 14) can not be a device operating in the EMLSR mode, and the second STA (such as STA2 shown in FIG. 14) is a device operating in the EMLSR mode.

[0346] Referring to FIG. 14, a timing diagram of cooperative transmission is shown. AP1 sends a first control frame (such as the BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 13). The first control frame can include first indication information. The first indication information can indicate that AP2 performs cooperative transmission. AP2 can send a second control frame (such as the BSRP / MU-RTS shown in FIG. 14) at T1 after the end time of the first control frame. STA2 can send a second response frame (such as the BSR / CTS shown in FIG. 14) at T2 after the end time of the second control frame. AP1 can send a second wireless frame (such as the DL data frame shown in FIG. 14) at T3 after the end time of the first control frame, and AP2 can send a third wireless frame (such as the DL data frame shown in FIG. 14) at T4 after the end time of the second response frame. STA1 can send a response frame (such as the BA shown in FIG. 14) of the second wireless frame at T5 after the end time of the second wireless frame, and STA2 can send a response frame (such as the BA shown in FIG. 14) of the third wireless frame at T6 after the end time of the third wireless frame.

[0347] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame is different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame is taken as an example. Optionally, the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame can also be the same as the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame. Those skilled in the art can realize that the time when AP1 sends the second wireless frame is different from the time when AP2 sends the third wireless frame by defining the interval between different frames.

[0348] In the embodiment shown in FIG. 14, T1, T2, T3, T4, T5 and T6 can be predefined by a protocol, such as T1=SIFS or PIFS, T2=SIFS or PIFS, T3=SIFS or PIFS, T4=SIFS or PIFS, T5=SIFS or PIFS, and T6=SIFS or PIFS.

[0349] Based on the above various cases, a communication method provided by the embodiments of the present application is introduced to implement the cooperative transmission performed by the device working in the ELMSR mode. In the embodiments of the present application, the length of the first control frame sent by the first AP and the length of the second control frame sent by the second AP can be the same, such as the length of the first control frame sent by the first AP and the length of the second control frame sent by the second AP in the above embodiments 1-8. For example, the length of the first control frame sent by the first AP and the length of the second control frame sent by the second AP can be a first value. Exemplarily, the first value can be the maximum of the required length of the first control frame and the required length of the second control frame. Exemplarily, the first value can be the minimum of the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame. Exemplarily, the first value can be a value greater than the maximum of the length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame. In the embodiments of the present application, the required length can be understood as the actual required length of the control frame to be sent.

[0350] For example, it is assumed that the required length of the first control frame is D1 and the required length of the second control frame is D2. If D1>D2, the second AP needs to lengthen the length of the second control frame to D1 when sending the second control frame. It should be understood that the lengthening manner can be adding padding bits in the second control frame.

[0351] In another possible implementation, the length of the first response frame sent by the first STA and the length of the second response frame sent by the second STA can be the same. For example, the length of the first response frame sent by the first STA and the length of the second response frame sent by the second STA can be a second value. Exemplarily, the second value can be the maximum of the required length of the first response frame and the required length of the second response frame. Exemplarily, the second value can be the minimum of the length of the first response frame and the length of the second response frame. Exemplarily, the second value can be a value greater than the maximum of the length of the first response frame and the length of the second response frame.

[0352] In a possible implementation, the first AP and the second AP can interact the parameters of the cooperative transmission when establishing the cooperation protocol. Referring to FIG. 15, an exemplary flow chart of a communication method can include the following steps.

[0353] S1501: The first AP sends a fourth wireless frame to the second AP.

[0354] Correspondingly, the second AP receives the fourth wireless frame from the first AP.

[0355] The fourth wireless frame can be used to request to establish the coordinated transmission protocol with the second AP.

[0356] In some embodiments, one or more of the following parameters can be included in the fourth wireless frame:

[0357] 【1】 Whether to send a control frame, to inform the receiving end (e.g., the second AP) whether the sending end (e.g., the first AP) will send a control frame, e.g., the first control frame.

[0358] 【2】 The required length of the control frame. For example, if the sending end sends a control frame, it can also inform the receiving end of the required length of the control frame. For example, if the first AP sends the first control frame to the first STA, the fourth wireless frame can carry the required length of the first control frame.

[0359] 【3】 The type of the control frame. For example, if the sending end sends a control frame, it can also inform the receiving end of the type of the control frame, including one or more of MU-RTS or BSRP. For example, if the first AP sends the first control frame to the first STA, the fourth wireless frame can carry the type of the first control frame.

[0360] 【4】 The required length of the response frame. For example, if the control frame requires a STA response, the sending end can also inform the receiving end of the required length of the response frame. For example, the first AP sends the first control frame to the first STA, and if the first control frame requires a response, the fourth wireless frame can carry the required length of the first response frame. Optionally, the first control frame can also carry the required length of the first response frame.

[0361] S1502: The second AP sends a fifth wireless frame to the first AP.

[0362] Correspondingly, the first AP receives the fifth wireless frame from the second AP.

[0363] The fifth wireless frame can be used to respond to the request to establish the coordinated transmission protocol.

[0364] In some embodiments, one or more of the above-mentioned 【1】-【4】 can be included in the fifth wireless frame. In this case, the receiving end in the fifth wireless frame is the first AP, and the sending end is the second AP. The control frame sent by the second AP can be the second control frame. The above-mentioned S1501-S1502 can be executed before S401 or before S1001. Based on the embodiment shown in the above-mentioned FIG. 15, the first AP can determine the required length of the first control frame to be sent, and the second AP can determine the required length of the second control frame to be sent.

[0365] In another possible implementation, the first AP and the second AP can interact the parameters of the cooperative transmission each time the cooperative transmission is performed. For example, the first AP can carry one or more of the above-mentioned 【1】-【4】 in the first wireless frame or the first control frame. Then the second AP can send a third response frame to the first AP. This step can be executed after S401 or S1001. The third response frame can be used to respond to the first wireless frame or the first control frame. One or more of the above-mentioned 【1】-【4】 can be carried in the third response frame. Therefore, the first AP can determine the length of the first control frame to be sent, and the second AP can determine the length of the second control frame to be sent. In addition, the first AP can determine the length of the first response frame indicated to the first STA, and the second AP can determine the length of the second response frame indicated to the second STA.

[0366] Based on the above-mentioned embodiment, referring to FIG. 16, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication device 1600, which comprises a processing unit 1601 and a transceiver unit 1602. The device 1600 can be a communication device, or can be applied to a communication device, and can support the communication device to perform a communication method.

[0367] In this case, the transceiver unit can also be referred to as a transceiver module, a transceiver, a transceiver device, etc. The processing unit can also be referred to as a processor, a processing board, a processing unit, a processing device, etc. Optionally, the device used to realize the receiving function in the transceiver unit can be regarded as a receiving unit, and it should be understood that the transceiver unit is used to perform the sending operation and the receiving operation of the communication device in the above-mentioned method embodiment. The device used to realize the sending function in the transceiver unit can be regarded as a sending unit, that is, the transceiver unit comprises the receiving unit and the sending unit.

[0368] In addition, it should be noted that if the device is implemented by a chip / chip circuit, the transceiver unit can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, which performs the input operation (corresponding to the above-mentioned receiving operation) and the output operation (corresponding to the above-mentioned sending operation). The processing unit is an integrated processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit.

[0369] The following will explain in detail the implementation of the device 1600 applied to the first AP and the second AP.

[0370] Exemplarily, operations performed by each unit of the apparatus 1600 when the apparatus 1600 is applied to the first AP are described in detail.

[0371] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be applied to the first AP to perform the method performed by the first AP.

[0372] For example, the processing unit 1601 is configured to generate a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame indicating that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP transmit wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The transceiver unit 1602 is configured to transmit the first wireless frame to the second AP. The transceiver unit 1602 is further configured to transmit a first control frame to a first station STA, the first control frame indicating that the first AP opens frame interaction with the first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The transceiver unit 1602 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used for responding to the first control frame. The transceiver unit 1602 is further configured to transmit a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0373] For another example, the processing unit 1601 is configured to generate a first control frame, the first control frame including first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP transmit wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The second indication information indicates that frame interaction with a first station STA is opened. The transceiver unit 1602 is configured to transmit the first control frame. The transceiver unit 1602 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used for responding to the first control frame, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The transceiver unit 1602 is further configured to transmit a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0374] Exemplarily, operations performed by each unit of the apparatus 1600 when the apparatus 1600 is applied to the second AP are described in detail.

[0375] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1600 can be applied to the second AP to perform the method performed by the second AP.

[0376] For example, the transceiver 1602 is configured to receive a first wireless frame from the first AP, the first wireless frame indicating the second AP to perform the coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being the first AP and the second AP transmitting wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The processor 1601 is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The transceiver 1602 is further configured to transmit the third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0377] For another example, the transceiver 1602 is configured to receive a first control frame from the first AP, the first control frame comprising first indication information. The first indication information indicates the second AP to perform the coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being the first AP and the second AP transmitting wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The processor 1601 is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The transceiver 1602 is further configured to transmit the third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0378] Based on the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 17, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus 1700. The communication apparatus 1700 comprises a processor 1710. Optionally, the communication apparatus 1700 further comprises a memory 1720, which is configured to store instructions executed by the processor 1710 or store input data required by the processor 1710 to execute instructions or store data generated after the processor 1710 executes instructions. The processor 1710 can realize the method shown in the above method embodiment by the instructions stored in the memory 1720.

[0379] Based on the above embodiment, as shown in FIG. 18, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication apparatus 1800, which can be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the embodiment of the present application, the chip system can be composed of the chip, or can comprise the chip and other discrete devices.

[0380] The communication apparatus 1800 can comprise at least one processor 1810, which is coupled with a memory. Optionally, the memory can be located in the apparatus or outside the apparatus. For example, the communication apparatus 1800 further comprises at least one memory 1820. The memory 1820 stores necessary computer programs, configuration information, computer programs or instructions and / or data in any of the above embodiments; the processor 1810 can execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1820 to complete the method in any of the above embodiments. Optionally, the memory can be integrated with the processor.

[0381] The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms, for information interaction between devices, units or modules. The processor 1810 can operate in cooperation with the memory 1820. The specific connection medium between the transceiver 1830, the processor 1810 and the memory 1820 in the embodiments of the present application is not limited.

[0382] The communication device 1800 can also include a transceiver 1830, and the communication device 1800 can interact with other devices through the transceiver 1830. The transceiver 1830 can be a circuit, a bus, a transceiver or any other device that can be used for information interaction, or a signal transceiver unit. As shown in FIG. 18, the transceiver 1830 includes a transmitter 1831, a receiver 1832 and an antenna 1833. In addition, when the communication device 1800 is a device or circuit of a chip type, the transceiver in the communication device 1800 can also be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, which can input data (or receive data) and output data (or send data). The processor is an integrated processor or a microprocessor or an integrated circuit, and the processor can determine the output data according to the input data.

[0383] In a possible implementation, the communication device 1800 can be applied to a communication device, and specifically the communication device 1800 can be a communication device or a device capable of supporting a communication device, and realizing the functions of the first AP or the second AP in any of the embodiments described above. The memory 1820 stores necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and / or data for realizing the functions of the first AP or the second AP in any of the embodiments described above. The processor 1810 can execute the computer programs stored in the memory 1820 to complete the method executed by the first AP or the second AP in any of the embodiments described above.

[0384] In the embodiments of the present application, the processor can be a general processor, a digital signal processor, an application specific integrated circuit, a field programmable gate array or other programmable logic device, a discrete gate or transistor logic device, a discrete hardware component, which can implement or execute the methods, steps and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application. The general processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the method disclosed in combination with the embodiments of the present application can be directly embodied as hardware processor execution or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor.

[0385] In the embodiments of the present application, the memory can be a non-volatile memory, such as a hard disk drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD), and can also be a volatile memory, such as a random-access memory (RAM). The memory can also be any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program codes in the form of instructions or data structures and capable of being accessed by a computer, but is not limited to this. The memory in the embodiments of the present application can also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing a storage function, used for storing computer programs, computer programs or instructions, and / or data.

[0386] Based on the above embodiments, referring to FIG. 19, the embodiments of the present application further provide another communication apparatus 1900, comprising: an input / output interface 1910 and a logic circuit 1920; the input / output interface 1910 is configured to receive code instructions and transmit the code instructions to the logic circuit 1920; the logic circuit 1920 is configured to run the code instructions to perform the method performed by the first AP or the second AP in any of the above embodiments.

[0387] In the following, the operations of the apparatus 1900 applied to the first AP or the second AP are described in detail.

[0388] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1900 can be applied to the first AP to perform the method performed by the first AP, for example, the method performed by the first AP in the embodiments of FIG. 4 or FIG. 10.

[0389] For example, the logic circuit 1920 is configured to generate a first wireless frame, the first wireless frame indicating the second AP to perform coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The input / output interface 1910 is configured to send the first wireless frame to the second AP. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to send a first control frame to a first STA, the first control frame indicating the first AP to open frame interaction with the first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used to respond to the first control frame. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to send a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0390] For another example, the logic circuit 1920 is configured to generate a first control frame, the first control frame comprising first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP transmit wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The second indication information indicates that frame interaction with a first station STA is enabled. The input / output interface 1910 is configured to transmit the first control frame. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to receive a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being in response to the first control frame, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to transmit a second wireless frame to the first STA in the first transmission opportunity.

[0391] The communication apparatus 1900 provided in the embodiment can be applied to the first AP to perform the method performed by the first AP. Therefore, the technical effects that can be achieved by the communication apparatus 1900 can refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0392] In an optional implementation, the communication apparatus 1900 can be applied to the second AP to perform the method performed by the second AP, for example, the method performed by the second AP in the embodiments shown in FIG. 4 or FIG. 10.

[0393] For example, the input / output interface 1910 is configured to receive a first wireless frame from the first AP, the first wireless frame indicating that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP transmit wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The logic circuit 1920 is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to transmit the third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0394] For another example, the input / output interface 1910 is configured to receive a first control frame from the first AP, the first control frame comprising first indication information. The first indication information indicates that the second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP transmit wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity. The logic circuit 1920 is configured to generate a third wireless frame. The input / output interface 1910 is further configured to transmit the third wireless frame to a second station STA in the first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP.

[0395] The communication apparatus 1900 provided in the embodiment can be applied to the second AP to perform the method performed by the second AP. Therefore, the technical effects that can be achieved by the communication apparatus 1900 can refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0396] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiment of the application further provides a communication system, the system comprising at least one second AP and at least one first AP. The technical effects that can be achieved by the communication system can refer to the method embodiments, which will not be repeated here.

[0397] Based on the above embodiments, the embodiments of the present application further provide a computer readable storage medium storing computer programs or instructions, which, when executed, cause the method performed by the communication device in any of the above embodiments to be implemented. The computer readable storage medium can include a U disk, a mobile hard disk, a read-only memory, a random access memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, and various media capable of storing program codes.

[0398] To implement the functions of the communication device in FIG. 16 to FIG. 19, the embodiments of the present application further provide a chip including a processor for supporting the communication device to implement the functions involved by the first AP or the second AP in the above method embodiments. In a possible design, the chip is connected with a memory or the chip includes a memory, which is configured to store computer programs or instructions and data necessary for the first AP or the second AP.

[0399] Those skilled in the art should understand that the embodiments of the present application can be provided as a method, a system, or a computer program product. Therefore, the present application can take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Moreover, the present application can take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including, but not limited to, disk storage, CD-ROMs, optical storage devices, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0400] The present application is described with reference to the flowcharts and / or block diagrams of the methods, devices (systems), and computer program products according to the embodiments of the present application. It should be understood that each flow and / or block in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams, and the combination of the flows and / or blocks in the flowcharts and / or block diagrams can be implemented by computer programs or instructions. These computer programs or instructions can be provided to a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, an embedded processor, or other programmable data processing devices to produce a machine, so that the instructions executed by the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing devices produce the device for implementing the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0401] These computer programs or instructions can also be stored in a computer readable storage medium capable of guiding the computer or other programmable data processing devices to work in a specific manner, so that the instructions stored in the computer readable storage medium produce a product including instruction devices, which implement the functions specified in one or more flows in the flowcharts and / or one or more blocks in the block diagrams.

[0402] These computer programs (also known as programs, software, software applications programs, applications, components, program components, or code) include any electronic component for providing instructions to a processing device, such as a processor, to implement desired functions. These programs can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both. Software programs are stored in any non-transitory computer-readable medium and include program instructions to implement desired functions. A non-transitory computer-readable medium includes media such as magnetic storage media, optical storage media, electrical storage media, and the like.

Claims

A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: a first access point (AP) sending a first wireless frame to a second AP, the first wireless frame indicating the second AP to perform a coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being the first AP and the second AP sending wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity; sending a first control frame to a first station (STA), the first control frame indicating the first AP to turn on frame interaction with the first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP; receiving a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being in response to the first control frame; sending a second wireless frame to the first STA in a first transmission opportunity. The method of claim 1, wherein The second wireless frame occupies time domain resources that partially or totally overlap with time domain resources occupied by wireless frames sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises a type of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of: a maximum transmit power of the second AP or a power difference that the second AP needs to adjust. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that The first resource unit is used by the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, the second resource unit being used by the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that A length of the first control frame is the same as a length of a second control frame sent by the second AP, the second control frame being used to turn on frame interaction of the second AP with a second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP. The method of claim 8, wherein The length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, the first value being a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame; wherein the second control frame indicates the second AP to turn on frame interaction with a second STA. The method of claim 10, wherein Further comprising: receiving a third response frame from the second AP, the third response frame comprising one or more of: indication information of whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: a second access point (AP) receiving a first wireless frame from a first AP, the first wireless frame indicating the second AP to perform a coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being the first AP and the second AP sending wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity; sending a third wireless frame to a second station (STA) in a first transmission opportunity, the second STA being associated with the second AP. The method of claim 12, wherein Further comprising: sending a second control frame to the second STA, the second control frame indicating to turn on frame interaction of the second AP with the second STA; receive a second response frame from the second STA, the second response frame being used to respond to the second control frame. The method according to claim 12 or 13, characterized in that The time domain resource occupied by the third wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the wireless frame sent by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises a type of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmission power of the second AP or a power difference value to be adjusted by the second AP. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP. The method of claim 18, wherein The first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, the second STA being associated with the second AP. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 19, characterized in that The length of the second control frame is the same as the length of a first control frame sent by the first AP, and the first control frame is used to start frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, the first STA being associated with the first AP. The method of claim 20, wherein The length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is the maximum value of the required length of the first control frame and the required length of the second control frame. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 21, characterized in that The first wireless frame comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame; The second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA. The method of claim 22, wherein Further comprising: sending a third response frame to the first AP, the third response frame comprising one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: a first access point (AP) sends a first control frame, the first control frame comprising first indication information and second indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that a second AP performs coordinated transmission, the coordinated transmission being that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in the same transmission opportunity; and the second indication information indicates that the first AP starts frame interaction with a first station (STA); receiving a first response frame from the first STA, the first response frame being used to respond to the first control frame, the first STA being associated with the first AP; sending a second wireless frame to the first STA in a first transmission opportunity. The method of claim 24, wherein The time domain resource occupied by the second wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with the time domain resource occupied by the wireless frame sent by the second AP in the same transmission opportunity. The method according to claim 24 or 25, characterized in that The first indication information comprises a type of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 26, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, an end time of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 27, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: A maximum transmit power of the second AP or a power difference that the second AP needs to adjust. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 28, characterized in that The first indication information comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP. The method of claim 29, wherein The first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 29, characterized in that A length of the first control frame is the same as a length of a second control frame sent by the second AP, and the second control frame is used to start frame interaction between the second AP and a second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP. The method of claim 31, wherein The length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is a maximum value of a required length of the first control frame and a required length of the second control frame. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 32, characterized in that Further comprising: sending third indication information to the first STA, the third indication information indicating that the first STA delays switching to a listening state. The method of claim 33, wherein The third indication information indicates that the first STA switches to the listening state after a first time length after sending the first response frame, and the first time length is greater than a sum of a short interframe space SIFS, a time length occupied by one time slot, and a switching delay, and the switching delay indicates a time length required from sending to receiving. The method according to any one of claims 24 to 34, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame; The second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA. The method of claim 35, wherein Further comprising: receiving a third response frame from the second AP, the third response frame comprising one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. A communication method characterized by comprising: Comprising: A second access point AP receives a first control frame from a first AP, and the first control frame comprises first indication information; wherein the first indication information indicates that a second AP performs coordinated transmission, and the coordinated transmission is that the first AP and the second AP send wireless frames in a same transmission opportunity; sending a third wireless frame to a second station STA in a first transmission opportunity, and the second STA is associated with the second AP. The method of claim 37, wherein Further comprising: sending a second control frame to the second STA, and the second control frame indicates that frame interaction between the second AP and the second STA is started; receiving a second response frame from the second STA, and the second response frame is used to respond to the second control frame. The method according to claim 37 or 38, characterized in that The time domain resource occupied by the third wireless frame partially or entirely overlaps with time domain resources occupied by wireless frames sent by the first AP in the same transmission opportunity. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 39, characterized in that The first indication information comprises a type of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 40, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a start time of the coordinated transmission, a duration of the coordinated transmission, and an end time of the coordinated transmission. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 41, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: a maximum transmit power of the second AP or a power difference value that the second AP needs to adjust. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 42, characterized in that The first indication information comprises indication information of a first resource unit allocated to the second AP. The method of claim 43, wherein The first resource unit is used for the second AP to allocate a second resource unit to a second STA, and the second resource unit is used for the second AP to receive an uplink frame from the second STA, and the second STA is associated with the second AP. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 44, characterized in that The length of the second control frame is the same as the length of a first control frame sent by the first AP, and the first control frame is used to start frame interaction between the first AP and a first STA, and the first STA is associated with the first AP. The method of claim 45, wherein The length of the first control frame and the length of the second control frame are a first value, and the first value is the maximum value of the required length of the first control frame and the required length of the second control frame. The method according to any one of claims 37 to 46, characterized in that The first indication information comprises one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP is allowed to send a second control frame, a required length of the first control frame, or a type of the first control frame; The second control frame indicates that the second AP starts frame interaction with a second STA. The method of claim 47, wherein Further comprising: sending a third response frame to the first AP, the third response frame comprising one or more of the following: indication information of whether the second AP sends the second control frame, a required length of the second control frame, or a type of the second control frame. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus is a first AP or is applied to a first AP, and performs the method of any one of claims 1-11 or performs the method of any one of claims 24-36. A communication device, characterized by The apparatus is a second AP or is applied to a second AP, and performs the method of any one of claims 12-23 or performs the method of any one of claims 37-48. A chip characterized by The chip comprises: at least one communication interface; at least one processor configured to invoke and run the instructions through the at least one communication interface, so that a device installed with the chip system performs the method of any one of claims 1-11, or performs the method of any one of claims 12-23, or performs the method of any one of claims 24-36, or performs the method of any one of claims 37-48. A computer program product, characterized in that The computer executable instructions, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 12-23, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 24-36, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 37-48. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized by The computer readable storage medium stores computer executable instructions, which when invoked by the electronic device, cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 1-11, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 12-23, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 24-36, or cause the electronic device to perform the method of any one of claims 37-48.

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