Txop sharing method, wireless communication device, storage medium and computer program product

Abstract

Provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is a transmission opportunity sharing method, which is applied to a first wireless communication device. The method comprises: sending a trigger frame to a second wireless communication device, wherein the trigger frame is used for sharing with the second wireless communication device a portion of bandwidth of a transmission opportunity acquired by a first wireless communication device; and receiving a first response frame sent by the second wireless communication device, wherein the first response frame carries a non-primary channel access indication, which indicates that the second wireless communication device is to send data on a secondary channel. Further provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure is a transmission opportunity sharing method, which is applied to a second wireless communication device. Further provided in the embodiments of the present disclosure are a wireless communication device, a storage medium and a computer program product.

Description

TXOP sharing method, wireless communication device, storage medium and computer program product

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese patent application CN 202411481177.8, filed on October 22, 2024, entitled “TXOP sharing method, wireless communication device, storage medium and computer program product”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This disclosure relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a method for sharing transmission opportunities, a wireless communication device, a storage medium, and a computer program product. Background Technology

[0004] The Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) sharing mechanism allows an Access Point (AP) to compete for a channel and then share the transmission opportunity with another AP or a non-AP Station (STA) for transmission. The AP or non-AP STA can then perform corresponding data transmissions according to the TXOP sharing mode.

[0005] However, APs or non-AP STAs may experience TXOP sharing or transmission failures for reasons such as: the primary channel being unavailable due to coexistence issues (e.g., when a device receives Bluetooth or 5G signals), the primary channel being busy due to hidden node issues, or the primary channel having poor quality. These situations waste network resources. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This disclosure provides a method for sharing transmission opportunities, a wireless communication device, a storage medium, and a computer program product.

[0007] This disclosure provides a TXOP sharing method applied to a first wireless communication device. The method includes: sending a trigger frame to a second wireless communication device, wherein the trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP acquired by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device; and receiving a first response frame sent by the second wireless communication device, wherein the first response frame carries a non-primary channel access indication, the non-primary channel access indication indicating that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on a secondary channel.

[0008] This disclosure also provides a TXOP sharing method applied to a second wireless communication device. The method includes: receiving a trigger frame sent by a first wireless communication device, wherein the trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP acquired by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device; and sending a first response frame to the first wireless communication device, wherein the first response frame carries a non-primary channel access indication, the non-primary channel access indication indicating that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on an auxiliary channel.

[0009] This disclosure also provides a wireless communication device, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program, and the processor executes the computer program to implement the TXOP sharing method according to this disclosure.

[0010] This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the TXOP sharing method according to this disclosure.

[0011] This disclosure also provides a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the TXOP sharing method according to this disclosure.

[0012] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, a first wireless communication device sends a trigger frame to a second wireless communication device to share a portion of the TXOP bandwidth acquired by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device. The first wireless communication device also receives a first response frame from the second wireless communication device carrying a non-primary channel access indication, which indicates that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on a secondary channel. Thus, the second wireless communication device uses a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period, and the first wireless communication device can choose to use the remaining bandwidth for transmission to reuse the time. Attached Figure Description

[0013] In the accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed herein:

[0014] Figure 1 illustrates a network composed of wireless communication devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0015] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0016] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the sharing process of TXOP as defined by IEEE 802.11be;

[0017] Figure 4 illustrates the TXOP sharing failure caused by the inability to respond to CTS frames;

[0018] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0019] Figures 6 to 8 show other flowcharts of the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0020] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0021] Figures 10 to 14 show further flowcharts of the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0022] Figure 15 shows an example of extending the TXOP sharing method based on relevant technologies to relay transmission technologies and application scenarios;

[0023] Figure 16 illustrates an example of extending the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of this disclosure to relay transmission technologies and application scenarios;

[0024] Figures 17 to 27 illustrate various examples of the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 28 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure; and

[0026] Figure 29 is a block diagram of the composition of a computer-readable medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0027] To enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of this disclosure, the embodiments of this disclosure will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0028] The present disclosure will be described more fully below with reference to the accompanying drawings; however, the embodiments shown may be embodied in different forms, and the present disclosure should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth below. Rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough and complete, and will enable those skilled in the art to fully understand the scope of the disclosure.

[0029] The accompanying drawings of the embodiments disclosed herein are provided to further illustrate the embodiments of this disclosure and form part of the specification. They are used together with the detailed embodiments to explain this disclosure and do not constitute a limitation thereof. The above and other features and advantages will become more apparent to those skilled in the art from the description of the detailed embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0030] This disclosure may be described with reference to plan and / or cross-sectional views using the ideal schematic diagrams of this disclosure. Therefore, the example illustrations may be modified according to manufacturing techniques and / or tolerances.

[0031] Where there is no conflict, the various embodiments of this disclosure and the features thereof in the embodiments may be combined with each other.

[0032] The terminology used in this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the disclosure. The term "and / or" as used in this disclosure includes any and all combinations of one or more of the associated enumerated entries. The singular forms "a" and "the" as used in this disclosure are also intended to include the plural forms unless the context clearly indicates otherwise. The terms "comprising," "made of," etc., as used in this disclosure specify the presence of the stated feature, integral, step, operation, element, and / or component, but do not exclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integrals, steps, operations, elements, components, and / or groups thereof.

[0033] Unless otherwise specified, all terms used in this disclosure (including technical and scientific terms) have the same meaning as commonly understood by one of ordinary skill in the art. It will also be understood that terms such as those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted as having a meaning consistent with their meaning in the context of the relevant art and this disclosure, and will not be interpreted as having an idealized or overly formal meaning, unless expressly so specified in this disclosure.

[0034] Figure 1 illustrates a network comprised of wireless communication devices according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0035] As shown in Figure 1, the network includes an access point (AP) 102 and a wireless terminal device (STA) 104. In some examples, these devices are capable of exchanging data according to the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802 series standards. The IEEE 802 standards cover communication specifications for a wide range of network devices, from Local Area Networks (LANs) to Metropolitan Area Networks (MANs). In particular, the IEEE 802.11 standard sets clear guidelines for communication in Wireless LANs (WLANs). In these networks, communication must adhere to at least one communication protocol to ensure communication between different devices. These communication protocols are dynamically evolving and are continuously updated with technological advancements to enhance communication stability and improve data transmission efficiency.

[0036] IEEE 802.11 wireless communication technology can also be referred to as WiFi technology. In the example shown in Figure 1, AP 102 and STA 104 transmit data via one or more protocols from the IEEE 802.11 protocol family. These protocols cover a range from early standards such as 802.11b, 802.11g, and 802.11a, to the Very High Throughput (VHT) of 802.11n and 802.11ac, to the High Efficiency (HE) of 802.11ax, and the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) of 802.11be. Furthermore, these protocols can also include next-generation IEEE 802.11 technologies, such as the Ultra High Reliability (UHR) standard, and other developing IEEE 802.11 wireless communication specifications.

[0037] In other examples, AP 102 and STA 104 can communicate according to other standards, such as the Long-Term Evolution (LTE) standard developed by the Third Generation Partnership Project (3GPP). Furthermore, wireless communication standards can also include LTE-A, an enhanced version of LTE; next-generation 5G NR technology; Bluetooth; global navigation systems (e.g., Global Positioning System (GPS) or Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS)); and mobile television broadcasting standards (e.g., ATSC-M / H). These technologies can be used individually or in combination. In some embodiments, STA 104 can be designed to support only a single wireless communication technology. The names of AP 102 and STA 104 can also differ depending on the technological context. For example, in an LTE network, AP 102 can be referred to as an Evolved NodeB (eNB), and STA 104 can be referred to as User Equipment (UE).

[0038] In some embodiments, the wireless terminal device, also referred to as a station (STA), may be more specifically defined as a non-AP STA. These STAs 104 are capable of wirelessly connecting to nearby network devices, such as access points (APs 102). The wireless terminal device may be a mobile phone, handheld device, wearable device, computer or tablet, unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV), unmanned aerial controller (UAC), vehicle, or virtually any type of wireless device. The wireless terminal device may include a processor configured to execute program instructions stored in memory. The STA 104 may perform any of the methods according to embodiments of this disclosure by executing such stored instructions. Additionally or alternatively, the STA 104 may also include programmable hardware elements, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), integrated circuits, or other hardware components configured to perform any part or all of the methods according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0039] In some embodiments, AP 102 can be defined as a station (STA), and more specifically, as an access point station (AP STA). AP 102 may include (but is not limited to) a router, a mobile terminal that has enabled a hotspot, a base station, etc., and has hardware facilities for wireless communication with STA 104. Furthermore, AP 102 can also be configured to communicate with network 106, which may be a telecommunications network, such as the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN), the Internet, or other possible networks. Therefore, AP 102 can enable communication not only between STA 104, but also between STA 104 and network 106. As will be further described in subsequent sections of this disclosure, AP 102 includes the hardware required to enable wireless communication with STA 104, and may also include hardware and software components for implementing or supporting the implementation of the features described in this disclosure.

[0040] The communication range of AP 102 is typically referred to as the Basic Service Set (BSS). AP 102 and STA 104 can communicate via various radio access technologies or wireless communication technologies, including (but not limited to) LTE, LTE Advanced (LTE A), 5G NR, WiFi, and Ultra Wideband (UWB). AP 102 can also be configured to provide STA 104 with a communication connection to network 106.

[0041] STA 104 can also be configured to communicate with other STA 104s. For example, STA 104 can be configured to support direct device-to-device communication, which is commonly referred to as peer-to-peer (P2P) communication. This communication method allows two devices to communicate directly without AP 102.

[0042] Multiple BSSs can be combined to form an Extended Service Set (ESS). In this example, AP 102 shown in Figure 1 may not be a single access point, but one of multiple access points. A controller, not shown in Figure 1, can store and manage shared information among multiple APs 102 and can control the BSSs, such as assigning parameters like primary channel and BSS color.

[0043] The Legacy STA 108 can operate according to one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 family of standards, including 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ad / ah / ay / ax, etc. The AP 102 can communicate with the Legacy STA 108 using traditional IEEE 802.11 communication technology.

[0044] The Media Access Control (MAC) layer and Physical (PHY) layer in AP 102 and STA 104 exchange Protocol Data Units (PDUs) and Service Data Units (SDUs) during the management of wireless communication traffic. The PHY layer is configured to receive SDUs from the MAC layer, encapsulating the MAC SDUs into data units called Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) by adding a preamble. In some embodiments, different types of PPDUs may be present, such as Single User (SU) PPDUs, Downlink (DL) PPDUs, Multiple User (MU) PPDUs, Extended Range (ER) SU PPDUs, and / or Trigger-based (TB) PPDUs. The PPDU preamble may include various training fields, which AP 102 or STA 104 uses to perform synchronization, gain control, channel characteristic estimation, and signal equalization. Then, AP 102 and STA 104 exchange wireless communication signals in PPDU format.

[0045] Wireless communication channel bandwidths offer various options, including (but not limited to) 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and combinations such as 80+80MHz. Furthermore, in some embodiments, the channel bandwidth can reach 320MHz, or appear in a combination of 160+160MHz. For narrower channels, bandwidth options can include subdivisions from 1MHz to 10MHz, or combinations thereof, or other bandwidths less than or equal to the available bandwidth. In some embodiments, the channel bandwidth can also be determined based on the number of subcarriers carrying data, which can be 26, 52, 106, 242, 484, 996, and 2×996. In some embodiments, the allocation of bandwidth, tone, or number of subcarriers can be referred to as resource unit (RU) allocation.

[0046] In some embodiments of IEEE 802.11, such as the ax / be embodiment, AP 102 gains control of the wireless channel through a contention mechanism to acquire a transmission window or transmission opportunity (TXOP). During the TXOP, AP 102 can transmit frames containing EHT / HE trigger information, which may relate to the synchronous uplink and downlink data transmission of STA 104. AP 102 can provide the duration of the TXOP and RU allocation information. STA 104 communicates with AP 102 using multiple access technologies such as Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access (OFDMA) or Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MUMIMO). During the TXOP, AP 102 can send one or more PPDUs to exchange data with STA 104.

[0047] In some embodiments, STA 104 and / or AP 102 are configured to perform the methods and functions described in conjunction with Figures 5 through 14 of this disclosure. The term "WiFi" may refer to one or more versions of the IEEE 802.11 communication standard. APs and STAs may include access points and terminal devices based on EHT / HE technology standards, as well as conventional wireless communication devices.

[0048] Figure 2 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device 200 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure, which is suitable for implementing various technologies or methods provided in the present disclosure.

[0049] In some embodiments, device 200 can operate independently or connect with other devices to form a network system. When device 200 is deployed in a network, it can operate as a server or client in a server-client mode, or as a node in a P2P network mode. Device 200 can represent AP 102, STA 104, Legacy STA 108, or any other device shown in FIG1 capable of executing relevant instructions, including implementing or supporting the methods described herein.

[0050] Device 200 may include processor 204 (e.g., central processing unit (CPU), graphics processing unit (GPU) or any combination thereof), memory 202, display device 212, input device 214, sensor device 216 and antenna 218.

[0051] Memory 202 stores the control program and various data used. AP 102, STA 104, and Legacy STA 108 may be configured to implement or support some or all of the methods described herein, for example, by executing program instructions stored in the memory. Memory 202 may be implemented as RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, registers, hard disk, removable disk, CD-ROM, or any other form of storage medium known in the art. Memory 202 may be coupled to processor 204 such that processor 204 can read information from and write information to memory 202. In some embodiments, memory 202 may each include a cache for storing temporary variables or other intermediate information during the execution of instructions executed by processor 204. Memory 202 may also include non-volatile memory for storing instructions to be executed by processor 204. Upon device power-up, one or more programs stored on a hard disk or read-only memory are transferred to random access memory and registers for storing required variables and parameters.

[0052] Device 200 may also include display device 212 and input device 214 (e.g., keyboard and mouse). In some embodiments, display device 212 and input device 214 may be touch screen displays. Sensor 216 may be, for example, a GPS sensor or other sensors.

[0053] Processor 204 can execute various instruction sets or software programs, manage data transmission and reception tasks. Processor 204 may include MAC unit 206, PHY unit 208, and storage unit 210. These units, including PHY unit 208, MAC unit 206, and storage unit 210, can be interconnected and may be partially or fully integrated on a single chip. Processor 204 can implement or assist in implementing one or more functions, operations, or methods described in this disclosure by running program code stored in memory 202 or storage unit 210. Furthermore, processor 204 can be configured to use one or more antennas 218 to transmit and receive signals with other wireless devices (e.g., AP 102, STA 104, or Legacy STA 108). In a particular embodiment, PHY unit 208 performs functions such as signal encoding and decoding, power amplification, and filtering to generate baseband signals for transmission and decode received signals. PHY unit 208 can also transmit signals according to one of the 802.11 standards described in this disclosure, such as 802.11ax / 802.11be. MAC unit 206 manages access rights to the wireless communication medium. In some embodiments, MAC unit 206 can compete for access to the wireless medium based on Network Allocation Vector (NAV) and Clear Channel Assessment (CCA). Certain functions of signal transmission and reception can be accomplished by the coordinated operation of PHY unit 208, MAC unit 206, and other components. In some embodiments, processor 204 can integrate one or more general-purpose or purpose-specific processors. Processor 204 can also be configured as an FPGA or implemented using dedicated hardware components such as Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC) to implement the required hardware and logic circuitry. In some cases, the implementation of processor 204 may rely on the combination of software-configured elements with other hardware elements.

[0054] Antenna 218 may include one or more directional or omnidirectional antennas, including, for example, linearly polarized antennas, circularly polarized antennas, narrowband antennas, wideband antennas, ultra-wideband antennas, or other types of antennas suitable for transmitting radio frequency (RF) signals. In some embodiments, antenna 218 may be configured to perform wireless communication using at least one of Single Input Multiple Output (SIMO), Multiple Input Multiple Output (MIMO), or Multiple Input Single Output (MISO) technologies. In some embodiments, MUMIMO technology may be used for wireless communication.

[0055] In embodiments, the methods described in this disclosure can be implemented entirely in software, or in part through a combination of software and firmware. These software components and / or firmware can be encoded on a persistent computer-readable storage medium for the processor to read. The processor parses and executes these encoded instructions to perform the series of operations described in this disclosure. These instructions can exist in various forms, including (but not limited to) raw source code, compiled code, scripts requiring interpretation, directly executable programs, statically compiled programs, or dynamically generated programs.

[0056] When a channel is idle, wireless devices must wait for the channel to remain idle for a certain period before performing a backoff process. This period is called the Distributed Coordination Function (DCF) Interframe Space (IFS) or can be replaced by the Arbitration Interframe Space (AIFS). The backoff process consists of a random number of backoff slots. In each slot, the wireless device continuously monitors the channel's busy / idle status, and when the number of slots decreases to 0, it transmits data on the corresponding channel. After successfully transmitting data, the wireless device can continue transmitting data for a period called the TXOP. After the TXOP expires, another wireless device can compete to transmit data on that wireless channel. During wireless communication traffic exchange, APs or non-AP STAs can alternately act as TXOP holders and TXOP responders.

[0057] Figures 3A and 3B illustrate the sharing process of TXOP as defined by IEEE 802.11be.

[0058] As shown in Figure 3A, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried in the Multiple User Request to send TXOP sharing (MU-RTS TXS) trigger frame sent by the AP to target STA1 is equal to 1. After STA1 successfully receives the MU-RTS TXS frame, it acknowledges and clears the send (CTS) frame. Subsequently, STA1 can transmit uplink non-TB PPDUs during the time period during which the TXOP is shared with STA1. In addition, Figure 3 also shows the case where the AP transmits to another non-AP STA after the allocation time sent in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame, because after transmitting the last Block Ack (BA) frame to STA1, the channel is in an idle state during the Point Coordination Function (PCF) IFS (PIFS) time.

[0059] As shown in Figure 3B, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried in the MU-RTS TXS trigger frame sent by the AP to the target STA1 is equal to 2. After successfully receiving the MU-RTS TXS frame, the target STA1 responds with a CTS frame, and then STA1 can transmit uplink non-TB PPDUs or perform P2P transmissions within the time period shared with STA1. Furthermore, Figure 3B also illustrates the case where the AP transmits to another non-AP STA after the PIFS following the end of the time allocated to STA1.

[0060] Figure 4 illustrates a TXOP sharing failure caused by the inability to respond to a CTS frame.

[0061] As shown in Figure 4, according to the existing rules for CTS response to MU-RTS, the transmission of a CTS frame requires the inclusion of the main channel (i.e., the P20 channel shown in the figure), and the NAV and CCA of the P20 channel should simultaneously indicate that the channel is idle. If STA1's main 20MHz channel is busy, for example, if the NAV / CCA indicates busy, or if there is coexistence interference (e.g., the device is receiving Bluetooth or 5G signals), STA1 will be unable to respond to the CTS frame, resulting in TXOP sharing failure. Furthermore, even if STA1 successfully transmits the CTS frame, poor P20 channel quality or unpredictable aperiodic interference may cause subsequent STA1 data packet transmission failures in the following time period, thus wasting network resources. Coexistence interference or poor-quality channels may occur on part or all of STA1's operating channel bandwidth.

[0062] Figure 5 shows a flowchart of a TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0063] As shown in Figure 5, the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a first wireless communication device and includes the following steps S510 to S520.

[0064] In step S510, a trigger frame is sent to the second wireless communication device. The trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device.

[0065] In step S520, a first response frame sent by the second wireless communication device is received. The first response frame carries a non-main channel access indication, which indicates that the second wireless communication device will send data on the auxiliary channel.

[0066] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first response frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the first response frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

[0067] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, the transmission of the first response frame (e.g., a CTS frame) may not include the main channel. Therefore, even if the main channel of the second wireless communication device is busy, the response frame will not be unable to be transmitted, thereby preventing TXOP sharing loss and avoiding waste of network resources.

[0068] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first wireless communication device is a first AP device, the second wireless communication device is a second AP device, or the second wireless communication device is the first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

[0069] Figure 6 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0070] As shown in Figure 6, after step S520, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include the following steps S530 to S540.

[0071] In step S530, data transmitted by the second wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel.

[0072] In step S540, an acknowledgment frame is sent to the second wireless communication device. The acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

[0073] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, after the second wireless communication device acquires the TXOP shared by the first wireless communication device, it can use part of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period. The second wireless communication device can send data to the first wireless communication device on an auxiliary channel. After receiving the data sent by the second wireless communication device, the first wireless communication device can send an acknowledgment frame (e.g., a BA frame) to the second wireless communication device only on the auxiliary channel, or it can send acknowledgment frames to the second wireless communication device on both the auxiliary channel and the main channel to achieve the purpose of including the main channel and prevent other devices from preempting it due to not using the main channel.

[0074] Figure 7 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0075] As shown in Figure 7, after step S520, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include the following steps S550 to S560.

[0076] In step S550, data is transmitted to the third wireless communication device on the main channel.

[0077] In step S560, an acknowledgment frame sent by a third wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

[0078] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, when a second wireless communication device (e.g., a second AP device or a first non-AP STA within the BSS of a first AP device) uses a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period, the first wireless communication device may choose to use the remaining bandwidth for transmission to reuse the time. For example, when the second wireless communication device uses a portion of the bandwidth for transmission on the auxiliary channel during the TXOP sharing period, the first wireless communication device may choose to use the bandwidth of the main channel portion to send data to the third wireless communication device.

[0079] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in step S510, the trigger frame is further used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0080] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, a first wireless communication device can instruct a second wireless communication device to transmit data on an auxiliary channel via a trigger frame, and the second wireless communication device carries a non-primary channel access indication in the response frame sent by the second wireless communication device in response to the trigger frame, to indicate that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0081] Figure 8 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0082] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in step S510 (step S510' shown in FIG8), the trigger frame is also sent to a third wireless communication device, and the trigger frame is also used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the third wireless communication device. As shown in FIG8, the method further includes the following steps S570 to S590.

[0083] In step S570, a second response frame sent by a third wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

[0084] In step S580, data transmitted by a third wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

[0085] In step S590, an acknowledgment frame is sent to the third wireless communication device on the main channel.

[0086] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, a first wireless communication device can instruct a second wireless communication device to transmit data on a secondary channel and instruct a third wireless communication device to transmit data on a primary channel via a trigger frame. A non-primary channel access indication is carried in the response frame sent by the second wireless communication device in response to the trigger frame, indicating that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on the secondary channel. When the second wireless communication device (e.g., a second AP device or a first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device) uses a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period, the first wireless communication device can choose to use the remaining bandwidth for transmission to reuse time. For example, when the second wireless communication device uses a portion of the bandwidth for transmission on the secondary channel during the TXOP sharing period, the first wireless communication device can choose to use the bandwidth of the primary channel portion to receive data transmitted by the third wireless communication device.

[0087] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first wireless communication device is a first AP device, the second wireless communication device is a second AP device, or the second wireless communication device is a first non-AP STA within the basic service set (BSS) of the first AP device, and the third wireless communication device is a second non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

[0088] According to the embodiments disclosed herein, the method further includes: restoring full bandwidth transmission in response to the expiration of the TXOP sharing time.

[0089] According to embodiments of this disclosure, after a first wireless communication device (e.g., a first AP device) acquires a TXOP (Transmission Opportunity Point), the TXOP sharing mechanism allows the first wireless communication device to share part or all of its transmission opportunities with other devices (e.g., a second AP device or a first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device). Unlike related technologies, the first wireless communication device can choose to simultaneously share the TXOP with one or more other AP devices or one or more non-AP STAs within the BSS (e.g., a first non-AP STA and a second non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device). Furthermore, the first wireless communication device can also choose to share only a portion of its bandwidth with one or more other AP devices or one or more non-AP STAs within the BSS. On the other hand, after receiving the TXOP sharing provided by the first wireless communication device, other devices can choose to use a portion of the bandwidth for transmission and report back to the first wireless communication device. When other devices use a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period, the first wireless communication device can choose to use the remaining bandwidth for transmission to reuse the time. When the TXOP sharing period expires, the first wireless communication device can resume full-bandwidth transmission.

[0090] Figure 9 shows a flowchart of a TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0091] As shown in FIG9, the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure is applied to a second wireless communication device and includes the following steps S910 to S920.

[0092] In step S910, a trigger frame sent by the first wireless communication device is received. The trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device.

[0093] In step S920, a first response frame is sent to the first wireless communication device. The first response frame carries a non-main channel access indication, which indicates that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0094] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first response frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the first response frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

[0095] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, the transmission of the first response frame (e.g., a CTS frame) may not include the main channel. Therefore, even if the main channel of the second wireless communication device is busy, the response frame will not be unable to be transmitted, thereby preventing TXOP sharing loss and avoiding waste of network resources.

[0096] According to embodiments of this disclosure, the first wireless communication device is a first AP device, the second wireless communication device is a second AP device, or the second wireless communication device is the first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

[0097] Figure 10 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0098] As shown in Figure 10, after step S920, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include the following steps S930 to S940.

[0099] In step S930, data is transmitted to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel.

[0100] In step S940, an acknowledgment frame sent by the first wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel. The acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

[0101] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, after a second wireless communication device acquires the TXOP shared by a first wireless communication device, it can use a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period. The second wireless communication device can send data to the first wireless communication device on an auxiliary channel and receive acknowledgment frames (e.g., BA frames) sent by the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel. Alternatively, the first wireless communication device can send acknowledgment frames to the second wireless communication device only on the auxiliary channel, or it can send acknowledgment frames on both the auxiliary and main channels to include the main channel, preventing other devices from preempting the main channel due to its unused portion.

[0102] Figure 11 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] As shown in Figure 11, before step S930, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include step S925.

[0104] In step S925, a channel switch is performed to switch the operating channel of the second wireless communication device to the auxiliary channel.

[0105] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, the operating bandwidth of the second wireless communication device can be a portion of the total wireless communication channel bandwidth. For example, if the total wireless communication channel bandwidth is 80MHz, and the operating bandwidth of the second wireless communication device is 40MHz, and it operates on the primary channel (e.g., channel P40), if the P40 channel subsequently becomes unavailable, or if the P40 channel quality is poor, the second wireless communication device no longer uses the P40 channel during the TXOP sharing period. In step S920, the second wireless communication device can send a first response frame carrying a non-primary channel access indication to the first wireless communication device on the P40 channel. Subsequently, the second wireless communication device needs to perform channel switching (i.e., the target channel is outside the operating channel) to switch the operating channel from the primary channel to an auxiliary channel (e.g., channel S40). This type of channel switching requires a relatively long switching time. After the channel switching is completed, the second wireless communication device can send data to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel (i.e., step 930).

[0106] Figure 12 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0107] As shown in Figure 12, after step S920, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include the following steps S950 to S960.

[0108] In step S950, data is transmitted to a third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel.

[0109] In step S960, an acknowledgment frame sent by a third wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel. The acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

[0110] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, after the second wireless communication device acquires the TXOP shared by the first wireless communication device, it can use a portion of the bandwidth for transmission during the TXOP sharing period. The second wireless communication device can send data to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel and receive acknowledgment frames (e.g., BA frames) sent by the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel. On the other hand, the third wireless communication device can send acknowledgment frames to the second wireless communication device only on the auxiliary channel, or it can send acknowledgment frames to the second wireless communication device on both the auxiliary channel and the main channel to achieve the purpose of including the main channel and preventing other devices from preempting the main channel due to its unused nature.

[0111] Figure 13 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0112] As shown in Figure 13, before step S950, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include step S945.

[0113] In step S945, a notification frame is sent to the third wireless communication device, which indicates that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0114] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, after the second wireless communication device sends a first response frame to the first wireless communication device to notify the first wireless communication device that the first trigger frame has been correctly received, the second wireless communication device may send a notification frame to the third wireless communication device to notify the third wireless communication device to prepare to receive data on the auxiliary channel.

[0115] According to an embodiment of this disclosure, in step S910, the trigger frame is further used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0116] According to the TXOP sharing method of this disclosure, a first wireless communication device can instruct a second wireless communication device to transmit data on an auxiliary channel via a trigger frame, and the second wireless communication device carries a non-primary channel access indication in the response frame sent by the second wireless communication device in response to the trigger frame, to indicate that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

[0117] Figure 14 shows another flowchart of the TXOP sharing method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0118] As shown in Figure 14, after step S920, the TXOP sharing method according to the embodiments of this disclosure may further include the following steps S970 to S9100.

[0119] In step S970, data transmitted by the first wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

[0120] In step S980, an acknowledgment frame is sent to the first wireless communication device on the main channel.

[0121] In step S990, the data received from the first wireless communication device is forwarded to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel.

[0122] In step S9100, an acknowledgment frame sent by a third wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel.

[0123] The TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of this disclosure can be extended to relay transmission technologies and application scenarios. In one possible relay transmission technology, according to related technologies, the AP (i.e., the first wireless communication device) can use TXOP technology to implement relay transmission.

[0124] Figure 15 illustrates an example of extending the TXOP sharing method according to related technologies to relay transmission technologies and application scenarios, and Figure 16 illustrates an example of extending the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of this disclosure to relay transmission technologies and application scenarios.

[0125] Referring to Figure 15, firstly, the AP acquires the TXOP and transmits data to the relay node (relay STA). Then, the AP shares the TXOP with the relay node, which in turn uses the TXOP to transmit the received data to the destination node (destination STA). Therefore, data transmission from the AP to the destination node can be achieved within one TXOP, avoiding the overhead caused by additional channel contention for the relay node.

[0126] Furthermore, referring to Figure 16, using the TXOP sharing method according to embodiments of this disclosure, the AP (i.e., the first wireless communication device) can instruct the relay node (i.e., the second wireless communication device) to use only a portion of the bandwidth for transmission when sharing the TXOP, or the relay node can report to the AP that it is using only a portion of the bandwidth. In this case, the AP can use the remaining bandwidth to continue sending data that needs to be forwarded by the relay node, thereby further reducing the latency of relay transmission.

[0127] The TXOP sharing method according to various embodiments of this disclosure will now be further described through specific application examples, so that the features and advantages of the TXOP sharing method according to this disclosure will become more apparent to those skilled in the art. It should be understood that the examples provided are for illustrative purposes only and not for limitation.

[0128] Example 1

[0129] Referring to Figure 17, in the TXOP sharing mode 1 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 1), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can transmit uplink data to the AP.

[0130] As shown in Figure 17, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried in the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS sent by the AP (i.e., the first wireless communication device) is equal to 1, and the sharing object is STA1 (i.e., the second wireless communication device) within the BSS. The operating bandwidth of STA1 is 80MHz. During the period when TXOP is shared with STA1, interference or poor quality channels may be located on STA1's P20 and S20 channels (P20 and S20 channels together constitute the main channel P40). The P20 and S20 channels may also be in a busy state due to NAV and CCA indications, that is, the P20 and S20 channels are unavailable during the period when TXOP is shared with STA1.

[0131] STA1 sends a CTS acknowledgment frame in response to the MU-RTS TXS frame sent by the AP. The bandwidth occupied by STA1 when sending the CTS frame can be determined by the following factors:

[0132] Scenario 1: The bandwidth of the CTS frame includes channels S20-2 and S20-3 (channels S20-2 and S20-3 together constitute auxiliary channel S40). Optionally, the bandwidth of the CTS frame may also include channels P20 and S20. This occurs when STA1 transmits the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are idle, and there is no coexistence or other type of interference between channels P20 and S20 at the current time.

[0133] Scenario 2: The bandwidth of the CTS frame only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3. This occurs when STA1 transmits the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are busy, or that channels P20 and S20 coexist or experience other types of interference at the current time.

[0134] If the bandwidth of the CTS frame only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3, the AP needs to have the capability to perform CCA preamble detection (PD) on a non-primary channel (e.g., secondary channel S40). STA1 carries a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame to instruct the AP to receive subsequent PPDUs sent by STA1 on the secondary channel S40. Even if channels P20 and S20 (i.e., primary channel P40) are available during the time TXOP is shared with STA1, STA1 may carry a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame for other reasons, such as poor channel quality. The bandwidth size in the non-primary channel access indication can be determined by STA1 based on specific circumstances; for example, an available 20MHz channel can be selected. This disclosure does not limit the bandwidth size.

[0135] Subsequently, during the time period when TXOP is shared with STA1, STA1 transmits PPDU (e.g., non-TB PPDU) on the secondary channel S40. The AP receives the PPDU on the secondary channel S40 and transmits an acknowledgment frame (e.g., BA frame) on the secondary channel S40. Optionally, the AP may also transmit an acknowledgment frame on the primary channel P40 to include the primary channel and prevent other devices from preempting it due to its unused primary channel.

[0136] Example 2

[0137] Referring to Figure 18, in the TXOP sharing mode 1 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 1), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can transmit uplink data to the AP.

[0138] Unlike the example shown in Figure 17, in the example of Figure 18, STA1 operates with a bandwidth of 40MHz. The primary channel P40 will subsequently become unavailable, or STA1 may cease using the primary channel P40 during the time TXOP is shared with STA1 due to poor quality or other reasons. STA1 can send a CTS frame on the primary channel P40 to acknowledge the MU-RTS TXS frame, carrying a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame. STA1 sending the CTS frame carrying the non-primary channel access indication allows the AP to receive subsequent PPDUs sent by STA1 on the secondary channel S40. Because STA1 operates with a bandwidth of 40MHz, channel handover requires a relatively long handover time. After completing the handover, STA1 sends a PPDU (e.g., a non-TB PPDU) on the secondary channel S40. The AP waits to receive the PPDU sent by STA1 on the secondary channel S40 and, upon successfully receiving the PPDU, sends an acknowledgment frame (e.g., a BA frame) on the secondary channel S40. Optionally, the AP can also send an acknowledgment frame on the main channel P40 to include the main channel and prevent other devices from preempting it due to not using the main channel.

[0139] Example 3

[0140] Referring to Figure 19, in the TXOP sharing mode 2 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 2), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can transmit uplink data to the AP or perform P2P transmission with another non-AP STA within the BSS.

[0141] As shown in Figure 19, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried in the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS sent by the AP (i.e., the first wireless communication device) is equal to 2, and the sharing object is STA1 (i.e., the second wireless communication device) within the BSS. After STA1 successfully receives the MU-RTS TXS frame, it responds with a CTS frame. Subsequently, STA1 can transmit uplink non-TB PPDUs or perform P2P transmission with STA2 (i.e., the third wireless communication device) within the time period shared by TXOP. In addition, Figure 19 also shows the case where the AP transmits to another non-AP STA after the PIFS following the end of the time allocated to STA1.

[0142] As shown in Figure 19, the operating bandwidth of STA1 is 80MHz. During the time period when TXOP is shared with STA1, interference or poor quality channels may be located on STA1's P20 and S20 channels (P20 and S20 channels together constitute the main channel P40). The P20 and S20 channels may also be in a busy state due to NAV and CCA indications, that is, the P20 and S20 channels are unavailable during the time period when TXOP is shared with STA1.

[0143] STA1 sends a CTS acknowledgment frame in response to the MU-RTS TXS frame sent by the AP. The bandwidth occupied by STA1 when sending the CTS frame can be determined by the following factors:

[0144] Scenario 1: The bandwidth of the CTS frame includes channels S20-2 and S20-3 (channels S20-2 and S20-3 together constitute auxiliary channel S40). Optionally, the bandwidth of the CTS frame may also include channels P20 and S20. This occurs when STA1 transmits the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are idle, and there is no coexistence or other type of interference between channels P20 and S20 at the current time.

[0145] Scenario 2: The bandwidth of the CTS frame only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3. This occurs when STA1 transmits the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are busy, or that channels P20 and S20 coexist or experience other types of interference at the current time.

[0146] If the CTS frame is only used to notify the AP that STA1 has correctly received the MU-RTS TXS frame, then STA1 can continue to send notification frames to notify STA2 to prepare to receive data on the auxiliary channel S40 (i.e., to perform P2P transmission). However, notification frames are not mandatory; for example, STA2 can detect the CTS frame by listening, and thus the CTS frame can also be used to notify STA2.

[0147] If the bandwidth of the CTS frame only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3, then the AP and STA2 need to have the capability to perform CCA PD on a non-primary channel (e.g., secondary channel S40). STA1 carries a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame to instruct the AP and STA2 to receive subsequent PPDUs sent by STA1 on the secondary channel S40. Even if channels P20 and S20 (i.e., primary channel P40) are available during the time TXOP is shared with STA1, STA1 may also carry a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame for other reasons, such as poor channel quality. The bandwidth size in the non-primary channel access indication can be determined by STA1 based on specific circumstances; for example, an available 20MHz channel can be selected. This disclosure does not limit the bandwidth size.

[0148] Subsequently, during the time period shared by TXOP with STA1, STA1 transmits PPDUs (e.g., non-TB PPDUs) on the secondary channel S40. AP and STA2 receive PPDUs on the secondary channel S40 and transmit acknowledgment frames (e.g., BA frames) on the secondary channel S40. Optionally, AP and STA2 may also transmit acknowledgment frames on the primary channel P40 to include the primary channel and prevent other devices from preempting it due to its unused primary channel.

[0149] Example 4

[0150] Referring to Figure 20, in the TXOP sharing mode 2 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 2), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can transmit uplink data to the AP or perform P2P transmission with another non-AP STA within the BSS.

[0151] Unlike the example shown in Figure 19, in the example in Figure 20, STA1 operates with a bandwidth of 40MHz. The primary channel P40 will subsequently become unavailable, or STA1 may stop using the primary channel P40 during the time the TXOP is shared with STA1 due to poor quality or other reasons. STA1 can send a CTS frame on the primary channel P40 to respond to the MU-RTS TXS frame, carrying a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame. STA1 sending the CTS frame carrying the non-primary channel access indication allows the AP and STA2 (i.e., the P2P destination node) to receive subsequent PPDUs and data sent by STA1 on the secondary channel S40. Because STA1 operates with a bandwidth of 40MHz, channel handover requires a relatively long handover time. After completing the handover, STA1 transmits PPDU (e.g., non-TB PPDU) and data on the secondary channel S40. AP and STA2 wait to receive on the secondary channel S40, and after successfully receiving the PPDU and data transmitted by STA1, they transmit an acknowledgment frame (e.g., BA frame) on the secondary channel S40. Optionally, AP and STA2 may also transmit an acknowledgment frame on the primary channel P40 to include the primary channel and prevent other devices from preempting the primary channel due to its unused nature.

[0152] Example 5

[0153] Referring to Figure 21, in the TXOP sharing mode 2 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 2), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can perform P2P transmission with another non-AP STA within the BSS.

[0154] Unlike the example shown in Figure 19, in the example of Figure 21, during the time the TXOP is shared with STA1, STA1 can perform P2P transmission with STA2 without sending PPDUs to the AP. Therefore, the primary channel P40 is idle for the AP. The AP can use the primary channel P40 for transmission during the time the TXOP is shared with STA1, for example, to send data to another non-AP STA within the BSS. The AP can use the primary channel P40 to send data to a third party (e.g., STA3) other than the sender (e.g., STA1) and receiver (e.g., STA2) performing the P2P transmission. This mode requires that STA1 cannot send data to the AP, STA1 can only perform P2P transmission on the secondary channel S40, and requires that the AP cannot use the secondary channel S40 to protect the P2P transmission.

[0155] Example 6

[0156] Referring to Figure 22, in the TXOP sharing mode 2 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 2), the AP can share the TXOP with a non-AP STA within the BSS. After acquiring the TXOP, the STA can perform P2P transmission with another non-AP STA within the BSS.

[0157] Unlike the example shown in Figure 21, in the example of Figure 22, the AP instructs STA1 to transmit on the secondary channel S40 via a trigger frame MU-RTS TXS. STA1 can acknowledge the CTS frame on the channel indicated by the MU-RTS TXS frame (e.g., the secondary channel S40), or it can acknowledge the CTS frame on a channel that includes the primary channel P40. Optionally, STA1 can continue to send notification frames to inform STA2 that it is ready to receive data on the secondary channel S40 (i.e., to perform P2P transmission). Afterward, STA1 can perform P2P transmission on the secondary channel S40, and the AP can use the primary channel P40 for transmission during the time period shared by TXOP with STA1, for example, to send data to STA3.

[0158] It should be recognized that the technique of instructing STA1 (i.e., the second wireless communication device) to transmit on the auxiliary channel by triggering a frame can be applied not only to the TXOP sharing mode 2 (i.e., TXS Mode = 2) scheme, but also to the TXOP sharing mode 1 (i.e., TXS Mode = 1) scheme, for example, to the example scheme described in conjunction with Figures 17 and 18.

[0159] It should also be recognized that the channel switching described in conjunction with the examples shown in Figures 18 and 20 can also be applied to the example schemes described in conjunction with Figures 21 and 22. The various embodiments and features of this disclosure can be combined with each other without conflict. For clarity, examples of all combinations are not listed here.

[0160] Example 7

[0161] Referring to Figure 23, in the TXOP sharing mode 2 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 2), the AP can share the TXOP with multiple non-AP STAs within the BSS. Some STAs can use the TXOP to perform P2P transmission with another non-AP STA within the BSS, while others can use the TXOP to transmit uplink data to the AP.

[0162] Unlike the example shown in Figure 22, in the example of Figure 23, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried by the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS sent by the AP is equal to 2, and the sharing objects are STA1 and STA3 within the BSS. Furthermore, the AP instructs STA1 to transmit on the secondary channel S40 via the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS. STA1 can acknowledge the CTS frame on the channel indicated by the MU-RTS TXS frame (e.g., the secondary channel S40), or it can acknowledge the CTS frame on a channel that includes the primary channel P40. Optionally, STA1 can continue to send notification frames to notify STA2 to prepare to receive data on the secondary channel S40 (i.e., to perform P2P transmission). Afterwards, STA1 can perform P2P transmission on the secondary channel S40 during the time period when the TXOP is shared with STA1 and STA3, and STA3 can use the primary channel P40 for transmission during the time period when the TXOP is shared with STA1 and STA3.

[0163] Example 8

[0164] Referring to Figure 24, in the TXOP sharing mode 3 scheme (i.e., TXS Mode = 3), AP1 can share TXOP with another AP (e.g., AP2). After AP2 obtains TXOP, it can transmit with non-AP STA (e.g., STA2) within BSS (e.g., BSS2).

[0165] IEEE 802.11bn may propose a TXOP sharing mechanism between APs, as shown in Figure 24. AP1 (i.e., the first wireless communication device) can share its TXOP with AP2 (i.e., the second wireless communication device). AP2's operating bandwidth is 80MHz. During the period when the TXOP is shared with AP2, interference or poor-quality channels may be located on AP2's P20 and S20 channels (P20 and S20 channels together constitute the main channel P40). The P20 and S20 channels may also be busy due to NAV and CCA indications; that is, the P20 and S20 channels are unavailable during the period when the TXOP is shared with AP2.

[0166] AP2 sends a CTS acknowledgment frame in response to AP1 sending a MU-RTS TXS frame. The bandwidth occupied by AP2 sending the CTS frame is determined by the following:

[0167] Scenario 1: The bandwidth of the CTS frame includes channels S20-2 and S20-3 (channels S20-2 and S20-3 together constitute auxiliary channel S40). Optionally, the bandwidth of the CTS frame may also include channels P20 and S20. This occurs when AP2 sends the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are idle, and there is no coexistence or other type of interference between channels P20 and S20 at the current time.

[0168] Scenario 2: The bandwidth of the CTS frame only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3. This occurs when AP2 sends the CTS frame, and NAV and CCA indicate that channels P20 and S20 are busy, or that channels P20 and S20 coexist or experience other types of interference at the current time.

[0169] If the CTS frame is only used to notify AP1 that AP2 has correctly received the MU-RTS TXS frame, then AP2 can continue to send notification frames to notify STA2 (i.e., the non-AP STA within AP2's BSS2) to prepare to receive data on the auxiliary channel S40. However, notification frames are not mandatory; for example, STA2 can detect the CTS frame by listening, and thus the CTS frame can also be used to notify STA2.

[0170] If the CTS bandwidth only includes channels S20-2 and S20-3, then AP1 and STA2 need to have the capability to perform CCA PD on a non-primary channel (e.g., secondary channel S40). AP2 carries a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame to instruct STA2 to receive subsequent data transmitted by AP2 on the secondary channel S40. Even if channels P20 and S20 (i.e., primary channel P40) are available during the time TXOP is shared with AP2, AP2 may carry a non-primary channel access indication in the CTS frame for other reasons, such as poor channel quality. The bandwidth size in the non-primary channel access indication can be determined by AP2 according to specific circumstances; for example, an available 20MHz channel can be selected. This disclosure does not limit the bandwidth size. Subsequently, during the time TXOP is shared with AP2, AP2 transmits data on the secondary channel S40. Considering the potential blind synchronization problem of AP2 on the secondary channel S40, a handover delay time is required for AP2 to perform medium synchronization on the secondary channel S40.

[0171] Example 9

[0172] Referring to Figure 25, in the TXOP sharing mode 3 (i.e., TXS Mode = 3) scheme, AP1 can share its TXOP with another AP (e.g., AP2). After acquiring the TXOP, AP2 can transmit with a non-AP STA (e.g., STA2) within the BSS (e.g., BSS2). AP1 can also transmit with a non-AP STA (e.g., STA1) within the BSS (e.g., BSS1).

[0173] During the time TXOP is shared with AP2, AP2 can transmit with STA2; therefore, for AP1, the primary channel P40 is idle. Unlike the example shown in Figure 24, in the example of Figure 25, AP1 can use the primary channel P40 for transmission during the time TXOP is shared with AP2, for example, to send data to STA1 within BSS1. AP1 can use the primary channel P40 to send data to STA1. This mode requires AP2 to transmit only on the secondary channel S40, and requires AP1 not to use the secondary channel S40, to protect AP2's transmission.

[0174] Example 10

[0175] Referring to Figure 26, in the TXOP sharing mode 3 (i.e., TXS Mode = 3) scheme, AP1 can share its TXOP with another AP (e.g., AP2). After acquiring the TXOP, AP2 can transmit with a non-AP STA (e.g., STA2) within the BSS (e.g., BSS2). AP1 can also transmit with a non-AP STA (e.g., STA1) within the BSS (e.g., BSS1).

[0176] Unlike the example shown in Figure 25, in the example of Figure 26, AP1 instructs AP2 to transmit on the secondary channel S40 via a trigger frame MU-RTS TXS. AP2 can acknowledge the CTS frame on the channel indicated by the MU-RTS TXS frame (e.g., the secondary channel S40), or it can acknowledge the CTS frame on a channel that includes the primary channel P40. Optionally, AP2 can continue to send notification frames to inform STA2 (i.e., the non-AP STA within AP2's BSS2) to prepare to receive data on the secondary channel S40. Afterward, AP2 can transmit with STA2 on the secondary channel S40, and AP1 can use the primary channel P40 to transmit during the time period shared by TXOP with AP2, for example, sending data to STA1 within BSS1.

[0177] Example 11

[0178] Referring to Figure 27, in the TXOP sharing mode 3 (i.e., TXS Mode = 3) scheme, AP1 can share TXOP with non-AP STA (e.g., STA1) in BSS (e.g., BSS1) and another AP (e.g., AP2). After AP2 acquires TXOP, it can transmit with non-AP STA (e.g., STA2) in BSS (e.g., BSS2), while after STA1 acquires TXOP, it can transmit uplink data to AP1.

[0179] Unlike the example shown in Figure 26, in the example of Figure 27, the TXOP sharing mode (TXS Mode) subfield value carried by the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS sent by AP1 is equal to 3, and the sharing objects are STA1 and AP2 within BSS1. Furthermore, AP1 instructs AP2 to transmit on the secondary channel S40 via the trigger frame MU-RTS TXS. AP2 can acknowledge the CTS frame on the channel indicated by the MU-RTS TXS frame (e.g., secondary channel S40), or it can acknowledge the CTS frame on a channel that includes the primary channel P40. Optionally, AP2 can continue to send notification frames to notify STA2 within BSS2 to prepare to receive data on the secondary channel S40. Afterwards, AP2 can transmit on the secondary channel S40 during the time period when the TXOP is shared with STA1 and AP2, and STA1 can use the primary channel P40 to transmit during the time period when the TXOP is shared with STA1 and AP2.

[0180] Figure 28 is a block diagram of a wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0181] As shown in FIG28, the wireless communication device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes a memory 2802 and a processor 2801. The memory 2802 stores a computer program that can be executed by the processor 2801. When the computer program is executed by the processor 2801, it implements the TXOP sharing method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0182] Processor 2801 is a device with data processing capabilities, including but not limited to a central processing unit (CPU); memory 2802 is a device with data storage capabilities, including but not limited to random access memory (RAM, more specifically SDRAM, DDR, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (FLASH), etc.

[0183] Furthermore, the wireless communication device according to this disclosure may also include an I / O interface (read / write interface) 2803, which is connected between the processor 2801 and the memory 2802 and can realize information interaction between the memory 2802 and the processor 2801, including but not limited to a data bus.

[0184] In some embodiments, the processor 2801, memory 2802, and I / O interface 2803 are interconnected via bus 2804, and thus connected to other components of the computing device.

[0185] Figure 29 is a block diagram of the composition of a computer-readable medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0186] As shown in FIG29, a computer-readable medium according to an embodiment of the present disclosure stores a computer program thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the TXOP sharing method according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0187] This disclosure also provides a computer program product including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the TXOP sharing method according to various embodiments of this disclosure.

[0188] It should be understood that the wireless communication devices, computer-readable media, and computer program products according to the embodiments of this disclosure are all used to implement the TXOP sharing method according to the various embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the detailed description of the above-described method embodiments will not be repeated here.

[0189] Those skilled in the art will understand that all or some of the functional modules / units in the steps, systems, and devices disclosed above can be implemented as software, firmware, hardware, or appropriate combinations thereof.

[0190] In hardware implementations, the division between functional modules / units mentioned in the above description does not necessarily correspond to the division of physical components; for example, a physical component may have multiple functions, or a function or step may be executed by several physical components working together.

[0191] Some or all of the physical components may be implemented as software executed by a processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU), digital signal processor, or microprocessor, or as hardware, or as an integrated circuit, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). Such software may be distributed on a computer-readable medium, which may include computer storage media (or non-transitory media) and communication media (or transient media). As is known to those skilled in the art, the term computer storage media includes volatile and non-volatile, removable and non-removable media implemented in any method or technique for storing information (such as computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data). Computer storage media include, but are not limited to, random access memory (RAM, more specifically SDRAM, DDR, etc.), read-only memory (ROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), flash memory (FLASH) or other disk storage; read-only optical disc (CD-ROM), digital versatile disc (DVD) or other optical disc storage; magnetic cartridges, magnetic tapes, disk storage or other magnetic storage; and any other media that can be used to store desired information and can be accessed by a computer. Furthermore, as is known to those skilled in the art, communication media typically contain computer-readable instructions, data structures, program modules, or other data in modulated data signals such as carrier waves or other transmission mechanisms, and may include any information delivery medium.

[0192] This disclosure has disclosed exemplary embodiments, and although specific terminology has been used, it is for general illustrative purposes only and should not be construed as limiting. In some instances, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with particular embodiments may be used alone, or in combination with features, characteristics, and / or elements described in conjunction with other embodiments, unless otherwise expressly indicated. Therefore, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes in form and detail may be made without departing from the scope of this disclosure as set forth by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for sharing a transmission opportunity TXOP, applied to a first wireless communication device, the method comprising: Send a trigger frame to the second wireless communication device, wherein the trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device; The device receives a first response frame from the second wireless communication device, wherein the first response frame carries a non-primary channel access indication, which indicates that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on an auxiliary channel.

2. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first response frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the first response frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

3. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1 further includes: Receive data transmitted by the second wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel; An acknowledgment frame is sent to the second wireless communication device, wherein the acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

4. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1 further includes: Transmit data to a third wireless communication device on the main channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the third wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

5. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1, wherein, The trigger frame is also used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

6. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 5 further includes: Transmit data to a third wireless communication device on the main channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the third wireless communication device is received on the main channel.

7. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 5, wherein, The trigger frame is also sent to a third wireless communication device, and the trigger frame is also used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the third wireless communication device. The method further includes: Receive the second response frame sent by the third wireless communication device on the main channel; Receive data transmitted by the third wireless communication device on the main channel; An acknowledgment frame is sent to the third wireless communication device on the main channel.

8. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1 further includes: In response to the expiration of the TXOP sharing time, full bandwidth transmission is restored.

9. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 1, wherein, The first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) device. The second wireless communication device is a second AP device, or the second wireless communication device is a first non-AP STA within the basic service set (BSS) of the first AP device.

10. The TXOP sharing method according to any one of claims 4, 6, or 7, wherein, The first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) device. The second wireless communication device is either a second access point (AP) device or a first non-AP STA within the basic service set (BSS) of the first AP device. The third wireless communication device is the second non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

11. A transmission opportunity TXOP sharing method, applied to a second wireless communication device, the method comprising: Receive a trigger frame sent by a first wireless communication device, wherein the trigger frame is used to share a portion of the bandwidth of the TXOP obtained by the first wireless communication device with the second wireless communication device; The first response frame is sent to the first wireless communication device, wherein the first response frame carries a non-primary channel access indication, the non-primary channel access indication indicating that the second wireless communication device will transmit data on an auxiliary channel.

12. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11, wherein, The first response frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the first response frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

13. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11 further includes: Data is transmitted to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the first wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel, wherein the acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

14. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 13, wherein, Before transmitting data to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: Perform a channel switch to switch the operating channel of the second wireless communication device to the auxiliary channel.

15. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11, further comprising: Data is transmitted to a third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the third wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel, wherein the acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

16. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 15, wherein, Before transmitting data to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: Perform a channel switch to switch the operating channel of the second wireless communication device to the auxiliary channel.

17. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 15, wherein, Before transmitting data to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: A notification frame is sent to the third wireless communication device, wherein the notification frame is used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

18. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11, wherein, The trigger frame is also used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

19. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 18, further comprising: Data is transmitted to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the first wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel, wherein the acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

20. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 19, wherein, Before transmitting data to the first wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: Perform a channel switch to switch the operating channel of the second wireless communication device to the auxiliary channel.

21. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 18, further comprising: Data is transmitted to a third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel; The acknowledgment frame sent by the third wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel, wherein the acknowledgment frame occupies only the auxiliary channel, or the acknowledgment frame occupies both the auxiliary channel and the main channel.

22. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 21, wherein, Before transmitting data to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: Perform a channel switch to switch the operating channel of the second wireless communication device to the auxiliary channel.

23. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 21, wherein, Before transmitting data to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: A notification frame is sent to the third wireless communication device, wherein the notification frame is used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

24. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11, further comprising: Receive data sent by the first wireless communication device on the main channel; Send an acknowledgment frame to the first wireless communication device on the main channel; The data received from the first wireless communication device is forwarded to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel. The acknowledgment frame sent by the third wireless communication device is received on the auxiliary channel.

25. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 24, wherein, Before forwarding the received data sent by the first wireless communication device to the third wireless communication device on the auxiliary channel, the method further includes: A notification frame is sent to the third wireless communication device, wherein the notification frame is used to instruct the second wireless communication device to transmit data on the auxiliary channel.

26. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 11, wherein, The first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) device. The second wireless communication device is a second AP device, or the second wireless communication device is a first non-AP STA within the basic service set (BSS) of the first AP device.

27. The TXOP sharing method according to any one of claims 15 or 21, wherein, The first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) device. The second wireless communication device is a second access point (AP) device, and the third wireless communication device is a non-AP STA within the basic service set (BSS) of the second AP device, or The second wireless communication device is the first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device, and the third wireless communication device is the second non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

28. The TXOP sharing method according to claim 24, wherein, The first wireless communication device is a first access point (AP) device. The second wireless communication device is the first non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device. The third wireless communication device is the second non-AP STA within the BSS of the first AP device.

29. A wireless communication device, comprising: A memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 1-10.

30. A wireless communication device, comprising: A memory and a processor, the memory storing a computer program, the processor executing the computer program to implement the method of any one of claims 11-28.

31. A storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1-28.

32. A computer program product comprising a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any one of claims 1-28.

Images