Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which relate to the technical field of communications, and can enable each first device to synchronously send a message to each terminal device during a burst concurrency process, thereby improving the concurrency performance of a communication system. The method comprises: one or more first devices sending first information to a second device, wherein the first information is used for indicating the duration of a BA frame corresponding to the first device; and the second device respectively sending second information to the one or more first devices on the basis of the one or more pieces of first information, wherein the second information is used for indicating a synchronization timestamp at which the first device sends a message next time.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411563130.6, filed on November 4, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] In a communication system, each fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) device can synchronously send messages to each terminal device during the initial concurrent transmission. However, because the duration of the block acknowledgment (BA) frames responded to by different terminal devices to different FTTR devices may differ, the start time for each FTTR to send messages to each terminal device next may also differ, affecting the concurrent performance of the communication system. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that enables each first device to simultaneously send messages to each terminal device during a burst of concurrent events, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0005] Firstly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second device. Unless otherwise specified, "second device" in this application can refer to the second device itself, a component within the second device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second device. The method includes: receiving first information from one or more first devices; and sending second information to one or more first devices respectively based on the one or more first messages. The first information indicates the duration of the block acknowledgment (BA) frame corresponding to the first device, and the second information indicates the synchronization timestamp for the next message transmission by the first device.

[0006] Based on the first aspect, during the burst concurrency process, each first device can indicate the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device to the second device. The second device can determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device based on the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device. In this way, each first device can synchronously send messages to each terminal device in the next burst concurrency process based on the synchronization timestamp indicated by the second device, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0007] In one possible design, the second information is determined based on the maximum value of the duration of the BA frames indicated by one or more first information and the first duration.

[0008] Based on this possible design, the second device can determine the second information based on the maximum duration of the BA frames corresponding to each first device and the first duration. This can ensure that each first device can fully receive the BA frames and determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device to achieve synchronous concurrency, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0009] In one possible design, the first duration is the duration of the short inter-frame interval (SIFS).

[0010] Based on this possible design, the first duration can be a duration customized by the second device, or it can be a preset duration, without limitation. For example, the first duration can be the duration of SIFS.

[0011] In one possible design, the method further includes: when the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device is equal to 0 according to the first information indicating that the duration is equal to 0, determining the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device according to the default timeout of the BA.

[0012] Based on this possible design, if the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is equal to 0, the second device can determine that the first device has not received the BA frame fed back by the terminal device. Based on this, the second device can determine the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device according to the default BA timeout time, so that the synchronization timestamp can be determined according to the duration of the BA frame in the future.

[0013] In one possible design, the first information may further include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

[0014] In one possible design, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: a scheduling number, or an access type (AC) queue.

[0015] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the first device indicates the duration of the BA frame through the first information, it can also carry one or more of the above information to improve communication performance.

[0016] In one possible design, the second information may further include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

[0017] In one possible design, the second indication information includes one or more of the following: a scheduling number, or an AC queue.

[0018] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the second device indicates the synchronization timestamp through the second information, it can also carry one or more of the above information to improve communication performance.

[0019] In one possible design, the second piece of information is a scheduling instruction.

[0020] Based on this possible design, when the second device sends the second information to the first device, the second information can be a scheduling instruction or other instructions sent to the first device, without restriction.

[0021] Secondly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a first device. Unless otherwise specified, "first device" in this application can refer to the first device itself, a component within the first device (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first device. The method includes: acquiring first information, which indicates the duration of a BA frame corresponding to the first device; sending the first information to a second device; receiving second information from the second device; the second information indicating a synchronization timestamp for the first device's next message transmission; and sending a message to a terminal device based on the synchronization timestamp.

[0022] Based on the second aspect, during the burst concurrency process, each first device can indicate the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device to the second device. The second device can determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device based on the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device. In this way, each first device can synchronously send messages to each terminal device in the next burst concurrency process based on the synchronization timestamp indicated by the second device, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0023] In one possible design, obtaining the first information includes: sending a message to the terminal device; receiving a BA frame from the terminal device; and determining the first information based on the BA frame.

[0024] In one possible design, obtaining the first information includes: sending a message to the terminal device; and determining the first information based on the default timeout period of the BA if no BA frame is received from the terminal device.

[0025] In one possible design, obtaining the first information includes: sending a message to the terminal device; and, if no BA frame is received from the terminal device, determining that the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first information indicates that the duration of the first information is equal to 0.

[0026] Based on the above three possible designs, multiple feasible solutions are provided for the first device to acquire the first information.

[0027] In one possible design, the first information may further include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

[0028] In one possible design, the first indication information includes one or more of the following: a scheduling number, or an access type (AC) queue.

[0029] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the first device indicates the duration of the BA frame through the first information, it can also carry one or more of the above information to improve communication performance.

[0030] In one possible design, the second information may further include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

[0031] In one possible design, the second indication information includes one or more of the following: a scheduling number, or an AC queue.

[0032] Based on the two possible designs mentioned above, when the second device indicates the synchronization timestamp through the second information, it can also carry one or more of the above information to improve communication performance.

[0033] In one possible design, the second piece of information is a scheduling instruction.

[0034] Based on this possible design, when the second device sends the second information to the first device, the second information can be a scheduling instruction or other instructions sent to the first device, without restriction.

[0035] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the second device described in the first aspect to realize the functions performed by the second device. The communication device can be the second device, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the second device, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the second device through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations, or it can cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations, or it can cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0036] For example, the transceiver module is configured to receive first information from one or more first devices; the transceiver module is further configured to send second information to one or more first devices respectively based on the one or more first information. The first information is used to indicate the duration of the block acknowledgment (BA) frame corresponding to the first device, and the second information is used to indicate the synchronization timestamp for the next message transmission by the first device.

[0037] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the third aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, as detailed in the above method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0038] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the first device described in the second aspect to realize the functions performed by the first device. The communication device can be the first device itself, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip (SoC) of the first device. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the first device through hardware or through corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module can independently complete the following transceiver operations or cooperate with the processing module to complete the following transceiver operations; correspondingly, the processing module can independently complete the following processing operations or cooperate with the transceiver module to complete the following processing operations, without limitation.

[0039] For example, the processing module is used to obtain first information, which is used to indicate the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device; the transceiver module is used to send the first information to the second device and receive second information from the second device; the second information is used to indicate the synchronization timestamp of the first device's next message transmission; the transceiver module is also used to send a message to the terminal device according to the synchronization timestamp.

[0040] Optionally, the transceiver module and processing module of the communication device in the fourth aspect may also perform the corresponding functions in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, as detailed in the above method examples, and the beneficial effects that can be achieved can also be found in the foregoing related content.

[0041] Fifthly, this application provides a communication device comprising one or more processors; the one or more processors being configured to run computer programs or instructions, such that when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects is performed.

[0042] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories coupled to one or more processors, the memories used to store the aforementioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memories are located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memories are located inside the communication device. In embodiments of this application, the processor and memory may also be integrated into a single device, i.e., the processor and memory may be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving and / or transmitting information.

[0043] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces coupled to one or more processors, and the communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0044] In a sixth aspect, this application provides a communication device comprising an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used for inputting and / or outputting information; the logic circuit is used for performing the communication method as described in any one of the first to second aspects, processing and / or generating information based on the information.

[0045] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be performed.

[0046] Eighthly, this application provides a computer program product containing computer instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

[0047] Ninthly, this application provides a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

[0048] In a tenth aspect, this application provides a chip comprising: a processor coupled to a memory for storing programs or instructions, wherein when the programs or instructions are executed by the processor, a communication method as described in any one of the first to second aspects is executed.

[0049] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects five through ten are similar to those in aspects one through two, and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0050] In one aspect, this application provides a communication system that may include communication means for performing the communication as described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and communication means for performing the communication as described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0051] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0052] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 3 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 4 is a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 6 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 7 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0058] The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) networking scenarios.

[0059] For example, as shown in Figure 1, an FTTR networking scenario can include a main FTTR unit (MFU) and sub-FTTR units (SFUs). The operator's network can communicate with the MFU via fiber to the home (FTTH). The MFU can connect to one or more SFUs via an optical link (such as optical fiber). For instance, the MFU and SFU can communicate via xPON protocols such as Ethernet Passive Optical Network (EPON) or Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON), without limitation. The SFU and terminal equipment can communicate via wireless local area networks (WLAN) technology.

[0060] The MFU in Figure 1 can be a device that supports relevant standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and can communicate with one or more SFUs via an optical link. For example, the MFU can receive optical signals converted from uplink digital signals sent by the SFU through the uplink transmission channel of the optical link, and send optical signals converted from downlink digital signals to the SFU through the downlink transmission channel of the optical link.

[0061] The relevant IEEE standards can include: 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn (Ultra High Reliability, UHR) / Wi-Fi 8, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf (sensing), Ultra Wide Bandwidth (UWB), and 802.15, etc., without restriction. Regarding bandwidth configuration, channel bundling was introduced starting with 802.11n, allowing multiple 20MHz channels to be bundled together to achieve greater bandwidth and higher transmission rates. Starting with 802.11ac, a maximum bandwidth of 160MHz can be provided. The 802.11ax standard supports the following bandwidth configurations: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 80+80MHz. The 802.11be standard also supports a 320MHz bandwidth configuration.

[0062] For example, an MFU can be a device with a Wi-Fi chip, such as a network device, communication server, router, switch, bridge, or computer. An MFU can also serve as an access point for mobile users to access a wired network, primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. An MFU acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0063] The SFU in Figure 1 can be a device that supports relevant IEEE standards and can achieve communication connectivity with terminal devices based on Wi-Fi technology. The SFU also achieves communication connectivity with the MFU via an optical link. The SFU may include one or more antennas. The SFU can convert the digital signals from one or more antennas into optical signals and send them to the MFU through the uplink transmission channel of the optical link, or receive optical signals converted from downlink digital signals sent by the MFU through the downlink transmission channel of the optical link via one or more antennas.

[0064] For example, an SFU can be a device with a Wi-Fi chip, such as a network device, communication server, router, switch, bridge, or computer. An SFU can also serve as an access point (AP) for mobile users to access a wired network, primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. An SFU acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0065] The terminal device in Figure 1 can be a device that supports relevant IEEE standards and can establish a communication connection with the SFU based on Wi-Fi technology, such as sending physical frames to the SFU based on radio frequency analog signals (or wireless signals, wireless radio frequency analog signals, wireless analog signals, etc.).

[0066] For example, terminal devices can be station (STA) equipment, wireless communication chips, wireless sensors (such as temperature and humidity sensors), wireless communication terminals, communication servers, routers, switches, bridges, computers, etc. For instance, terminal devices can be mobile phones supporting Wi-Fi communication, tablet computers supporting Wi-Fi communication, set-top boxes supporting Wi-Fi communication, smart home appliances supporting Wi-Fi communication, smart wearable devices supporting Wi-Fi communication, in-vehicle communication devices supporting Wi-Fi communication, computers supporting Wi-Fi communication, cameras supporting Wi-Fi communication, robots supporting Wi-Fi communication, office equipment supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc., without limitation.

[0067] In the aforementioned FTTR networking scenario, each SFU can synchronously perform downlink burst concurrency based on centralized scheduling. During the initial concurrency process, the MFU can send scheduling instructions to each SFU based on the scheduling procedure. These instructions can include a synchronization timestamp. Each SFU can guarantee synchronous transmission during the initial concurrency based on this timestamp; that is, each SFU can synchronously send packets to its corresponding terminal devices during the initial concurrency process. After receiving the packets sent by the SFU, each terminal device can send a block acknowledgment (BA) frame back to the SFU. After receiving the BA frame, the SFU continues to send packets to the terminal devices after a short interframe space (SIFS).

[0068] During the aforementioned burst concurrency process, the aggregation degree of each terminal device or the rate of the BA frames fed back by each terminal device may be different, which may lead to different durations of the BA frames fed back by each terminal device. Consequently, the start time of each SFU sending messages to each terminal device through SIFS after receiving the BA frame may be inconsistent, that is, the start time of the second concurrency of each SFU may be inconsistent, affecting the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0069] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide a communication method in which a second device receives first information from one or more first devices. This first information indicates the duration of a BA frame corresponding to the first device. Based on the one or more pieces of first information, the second device sends second information to each of the one or more first devices. This second information indicates the synchronization timestamp for the next message transmission by the first device.

[0070] In this embodiment of the application, during the burst concurrency process, each first device can indicate the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device to the second device. The second device can determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device based on the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device. In this way, each first device can send messages to each terminal device synchronously in the next burst concurrency process based on the synchronization timestamp indicated by the second device, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0071] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2 below. The first device can be any SFU in the communication system shown in Figure 1, the second device can be any MFU in the communication system shown in Figure 1, and the terminal device can be any terminal device in the communication system shown in Figure 1.

[0072] It is understood that the processing performed by a single execution entity (first device, second device, or terminal device) shown in the embodiments of this application can also be divided into multiple execution entities, which can be logically and / or physically separated, without limitation. Furthermore, the message names or parameter names in the messages exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of this application are merely examples; other names may be used in specific implementations without limitation. Actions, terms, etc., involved in the various embodiments of this application can be referenced mutually without limitation.

[0073] Figure 2 is a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the method may include:

[0074] Step 201: One or more first devices acquire first information.

[0075] The one or more first devices may be one or more first devices that execute the burst concurrent process. Each of the one or more first devices may obtain first information by referring to the method shown in step 201.

[0076] The first information is used to indicate the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device.

[0077] In this process, the first device can send messages to the terminal device during burst concurrency. After receiving the message, the terminal device can send a BA frame back to the first device. If the terminal device does not receive the message, it will not send a BA frame back to the first device.

[0078] In the first possible design, when the first device receives a BA frame from the terminal device, the first device can determine the duration of the BA frame based on the received BA frame and generate the first information.

[0079] In the second possible design, if the first device does not receive a BA frame from the terminal device, the first device can determine the first information based on the default timeout of the BA.

[0080] For example, the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information is equal to the default BA timeout.

[0081] The default timeout for BA can be determined based on SIFS and the time it takes for BA frames to be sent at a preset rate.

[0082] In the case where the first device does not receive a BA frame from the terminal device, the first device can determine the length of the BA frame based on the number of BA bytes of the negotiated BA aggregation degree, and then determine the default timeout of the BA frame based on the determined length of the BA frame, the preset rate, and SIFS.

[0083] For example, the default timeout for BA is equal to SIFS plus the time it takes for BA frames to be sent at a preset rate.

[0084] For example, with a preset rate of 6Mbps and a SIFS duration of 16us, the default BA timeout = 16us + the time it takes for the BA frame to be sent at 6Mbps.

[0085] In the third possible design, if the first device does not receive a BA frame from the terminal device, the first device can also indicate to the second device that the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device is 0 via the first information, thus indicating that the first device has not received a BA frame from the terminal device. Based on this, the second device can refer to the relevant description in the second possible design above, determine the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device according to the default BA timeout, and then determine the second information by referring to the relevant description in step 202 below.

[0086] In both the second and third possible designs described above, if the first device does not receive a BA frame from the terminal device, regardless of whether the first device sends the first information to the second device using either the second or third possible design, the second device can determine the synchronization timestamp based on the received first information. Consequently, the first device can send a message to the terminal device based on the synchronization timestamp included in the subsequently received second information, thereby improving the synchronization performance of the communication system.

[0087] Understandably, in the second possible design described above, since the first device will automatically calculate the duration of the BA frame based on the default BA timeout if it does not receive the BA frame from the terminal device, the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first device to the second device via the first information will always be greater than 0, regardless of whether the first device receives the BA frame from the terminal device. In this case, because the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is greater than 0, the second device may assume that the first device has received the BA frame from the terminal device, when in fact the first device may not have received the BA frame, potentially causing information distortion. Compared to this second possible design, the third possible design described above can avoid this problem, reduce the probability of information distortion, and improve communication reliability.

[0088] In the third possible design described above, if the first device does not receive a BA frame from the terminal device, it will indicate to the second device via first information that the duration of the BA frame is equal to 0. In this case, if the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is greater than 0, the second device can assume that the first device has received the BA frame from the terminal device; if the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is equal to 0, the second device can assume that the first device has not received the BA frame from the terminal device. Based on the first information, the second device can not only determine the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device, but also additionally determine whether the first device has received the BA frame from the terminal device. This not only reduces the probability of information distortion but also allows for the acquisition of more information, improving communication performance.

[0089] Based on the above three possible designs, the duration of the BA frame can be optionally described in microseconds (µs).

[0090] Optionally, the duration of the BA frame occupies 1 byte in the first information.

[0091] Optionally, the first information may also include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or the first indication information.

[0092] The first device number is the number of the first device that sent the first information. The first indication information is used to indicate the scheduling information in this instance.

[0093] Optionally, the number of the first device occupies 1 byte in the first information. The first indication information occupies 1 byte or 2 bytes in the first information.

[0094] For example, the first indication information may include one or more of the following: a scheduling number or an access category (AC) queue.

[0095] The scheduling number indicates the sequence number corresponding to the first device's message transmission. The AC queue indicates the AC queue for the current burst transmission.

[0096] Optionally, the scheduling number occupies 1 byte in the first message. The AC queue occupies 1 byte in the first message.

[0097] Based on the above description of the first information, for example, the first information may be as shown in Table 1 below, including the number of the first device, the scheduling number, and the duration of the BA frame:

[0098] Table 1

[0099] Step 202: One or more first devices send first information to the second device; correspondingly, the second device receives the first information from one or more first devices.

[0100] In one possible design, if the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is greater than 0, the second device determines the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device based on the first information.

[0101] In another possible design, if the duration of the BA frame indicated by the first information received by the second device is equal to 0, the second device can determine that the first device has not received the BA frame fed back by the terminal device. Based on this, the second device can refer to the third possible design in step 201 above and determine the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device according to the default BA timeout time.

[0102] Step 203: The second device sends second information to one or more first devices respectively based on one or more first information; correspondingly, one or more first devices receive the second information from the second device.

[0103] The second information is used to indicate the synchronization timestamp of the first device's next message transmission. Alternatively, the second information can also be described as: the synchronization timestamp used to indicate the first device's message transmission during the next burst concurrency process.

[0104] The second device can determine a synchronization timestamp based on the maximum value of the duration of one or more BA frames indicated by the first information and the first duration, in order to generate the second information. Alternatively, it can be described as the second information being determined based on the maximum value of the duration of one or more BA frames indicated by the first information and the first duration.

[0105] Optionally, the first duration can be a duration defined by the second device, or it can be a preset duration. For example, the first duration can be the duration of SIFS.

[0106] For example, the second device may determine the synchronization timestamp based on the maximum value of the duration of one or more BA frames indicated by the first information and the sum of the first durations.

[0107] Based on the above description, the second device can determine the second information based on the maximum duration of the BA frames corresponding to each first device and the first duration. On the basis of ensuring that each first device can fully receive the BA frames, the second device can determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device to achieve synchronous concurrency, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0108] Optionally, the synchronization timestamp can be an absolute timestamp.

[0109] Optionally, the unit of the synchronization timestamp is us.

[0110] Optionally, the synchronization timestamp occupies 4 bytes in the second information.

[0111] Optionally, the second information may also include one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or second indication information.

[0112] The number of the first device is the number of the first device receiving the second information. The second indication information is used to indicate the scheduling information for this operation.

[0113] Optionally, the number of the first device occupies 1 byte in the second information. The second indication information occupies 1 byte or 2 bytes in the second information.

[0114] For example, the second indication information may include one or more of the following: a scheduling number or an AC queue.

[0115] The scheduling number is used to indicate the scheduling sequence number corresponding to the first device sending a message. The AC queue can be an AC queue with a synchronization timestamp.

[0116] Optionally, the scheduling number occupies 1 byte in the second information. The AC queue occupies 1 byte in the second information.

[0117] Based on the above description of the second information, for example, the second information may be as shown in Table 2 below, including the number of the first device, the scheduling number, and the synchronization timestamp:

[0118] Table 2

[0119] Optionally, the second piece of information is a scheduling instruction.

[0120] Step 204: One or more first devices send a message to the terminal device according to the synchronization timestamp.

[0121] In this context, each of the one or more first devices can synchronously send messages to each terminal device based on the synchronization timestamp in the received second information.

[0122] Understandably, during the initial burst concurrency process, the second device can send scheduling instructions to each of the first devices based on the scheduling process. These instructions may include a synchronization timestamp. Each first device can guarantee synchronous transmission during the initial burst concurrency based on this timestamp; that is, each first device can synchronously send messages to its corresponding terminal devices during the initial burst concurrency process. After receiving messages from each of the first devices, each terminal device can send a BA frame back to each of the first devices. Based on the BA frames sent back by the terminal devices, each first device obtains first information according to step 201 above and sends it to the second device. The second device sends second information to each of the first devices based on the received first information. Each first device synchronously sends messages to each terminal device in the next burst concurrency process based on the synchronization timestamp indicated by the second information. This method, as shown in Figure 2, is repeated until the burst concurrency ends.

[0123] Based on the method shown in Figure 2 above, during the burst concurrency process, each first device can indicate the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device to the second device. The second device can determine a synchronization timestamp for each first device based on the duration of the BA frames acquired by each first device. In this way, each first device can synchronously send messages to each terminal device in the next burst concurrency process based on the synchronization timestamp indicated by the second device, thereby improving the concurrency performance of the communication system.

[0124] Based on the method shown in Figure 2, and exemplarily as shown in Figure 3, taking AP1 and AP2 as the first devices and STA1 and STA2 as the terminal devices, during the initial burst concurrency process, AP1 and AP2 can obtain the first synchronization timestamp based on the scheduling instructions of the second device, and synchronously send downlink packets to STA1 and STA2 according to the first synchronization timestamp. STA1 and STA2 can send BA frames back to AP1 and AP2 respectively after receiving the downlink packets. AP1 and AP2 can refer to the method shown in Figure 2 to obtain the synchronization timestamp (such as the second synchronization timestamp) corresponding to the next burst concurrency process, so that during the next burst concurrency process, they can synchronously send downlink packets to STA1 and STA2 according to the second synchronization timestamp. STA1 and STA2 can send BA frames back to AP1 and AP2 respectively after receiving the downlink packets. The method shown in Figure 2 is repeated until the burst concurrency ends, improving the synchronization performance of the burst concurrency process.

[0125] Optionally, before executing the burst concurrency process, each first device can also perform initialization, synchronization, pre-scheduling, and centralized scheduling processes with the second device.

[0126] For example, as shown in Figure 4, taking the first device as SFU1, SFU2, ..., SFUN and the second device as MFU, SFU1, SFU2, ..., SFUN can synchronously send messages over the air interface based on the synchronization timestamp included in the scheduling instruction during the first burst concurrency process, that is, synchronously send messages to each terminal device, and then execute the method shown in Figure 2 above until the burst concurrency process ends.

[0127] Optionally, before executing the burst concurrent process, each SFU can also initialize, synchronize, pre-schedule, and centrally schedule with the MFU.

[0128] It should be noted that the various embodiments of this application can be implemented independently or in combination, without limitation. Unless otherwise specified or in conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions between the different embodiments provided in this application are consistent and can be referenced mutually. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0129] It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, the executing entity may perform some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are merely examples, and the embodiments of this application may also perform other operations or variations thereof. Furthermore, the various steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessarily necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0130] The foregoing primarily describes the solutions provided in this application from the perspective of device-to-device interaction. It is understood that each device, in order to achieve the aforementioned functions, includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules for executing each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the algorithm steps of the examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0131] This application embodiment can divide each device into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0132] With each functional module divided according to its corresponding function, Figure 5 shows a communication device 50. This communication device 50 can perform the actions performed by the first device, the second device, or the terminal device in the methods shown in Figures 2 to 4. All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module. The technical effects that can be obtained can be referred to the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0133] The communication device 50 may include a transceiver module 501 and a processing module 502. Exemplarily, the communication device 50 may be a communication equipment, or a chip or other combination device or component having the aforementioned communication device functions applied in the communication equipment. When the communication device 50 is a communication equipment, the transceiver module 501 may be a transceiver, which may include an antenna and radio frequency circuits, etc.; the processing module 502 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, which may include one or more CPUs. When the communication device 50 is a component having the aforementioned communication device functions, the transceiver module 501 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 502 may be a processor (or processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the communication device 50 is a chip system, the transceiver module 501 may be an input / output interface of a chip (e.g., a baseband chip); the processing module 502 may be a processor (or processing circuit) of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 501 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components; the processing module 502 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuit).

[0134] For example, the transceiver module 501 can be used to perform all the transceiver operations performed by the communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4, and / or to support other processes for the technology described herein; the processing module 502 can be used to perform all operations other than the transceiver operations performed by the communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 2 to 4, and / or to support other processes for the technology described herein.

[0135] As another possible implementation, the transceiver module 501 in Figure 5 can be replaced by a transceiver unit that integrates the functions of the transceiver module 501; the processing module 502 can be replaced by a processor that integrates the functions of the processing module 502. Furthermore, the communication device 50 shown in Figure 5 may also include a memory.

[0136] Alternatively, when the processing module 502 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 501 is replaced by a transceiver, the communication device 50 involved in the embodiments of this application can also be the communication device 60 shown in FIG. 6. The processor can be a logic circuit 601, and the transceiver can be an interface circuit 602. Furthermore, the communication device 60 shown in FIG. 6 can also include a memory 603.

[0137] This application also provides a communication device 700, as shown in FIG7. The communication device 700 can be a first device or a chip or system-on-a-chip in the methods shown in FIGS. 2 to 4; it can also be a second device or a chip or system-on-a-chip in the methods shown in FIGS. 2 to 4; or it can be a terminal device or a chip or system-on-a-chip in the methods shown in FIGS. 2 to 4. As shown in FIG7, the communication device 700 includes a processor 701, a transceiver 702, and a communication line 703.

[0138] Furthermore, the communication device 700 may also include a memory 704. The processor 701, memory 704, and transceiver 702 can be connected via a communication line 703.

[0139] The processor 701 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 701 can also be other devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

[0140] Transceiver 702 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. Transceiver 702 can be a module, circuit, transceiver, or any device capable of enabling communication.

[0141] Communication line 703 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 700.

[0142] Memory 704 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0143] The memory 704 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions; it can also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

[0144] It should be noted that the memory 704 can exist independently of the processor 701, or it can be integrated with the processor 701. The memory 704 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data, etc. The memory 704 can be located inside or outside the communication device 700, without limitation. The processor 701 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 704 to implement the communication method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0145] In one example, processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in Figure 7.

[0146] As an optional implementation, the communication device 700 may include multiple processors, for example, in addition to the processor 701 in FIG. 7, it may also include a processor 707.

[0147] As an optional implementation, the communication device 700 also includes an output device 705 and an input device 706. For example, the input device 706 is a device such as a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, and the output device 705 is a device such as a display screen or speaker.

[0148] It should be noted that the communication device 700 can be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a web server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device with a similar structure to that shown in Figure 7. Furthermore, the composition shown in Figure 7 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in Figure 7, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0149] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0150] This application also provides a computer program product that, when executed by a computer, can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0151] This application also provides a computer program that, when executed by a computer, can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments.

[0152] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including a data sending end and / or a data receiving end) of any of the foregoing embodiments, such as the terminal's hard disk or memory. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the terminal. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the terminal's internal storage unit and external storage devices. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the terminal. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0153] It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second," etc., in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. "First" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of indicated technical features. Therefore, a feature defined with "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of that feature. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise stated, "a plurality of" means two or more.

[0154] Furthermore, the terms “comprising” and “having”, and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the steps or units listed, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to such process, method, product, or apparatus.

[0155] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more. "More than one" means two or more. "At least two (items)" means two or three or more. "And / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Both "...when" and "if" indicate that a corresponding action will be taken under certain objective circumstances. They are not time limits, nor do they require a judgment action to be taken when the action is taken, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0156] In the embodiments of this application, the terms "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design. Specifically, the use of terms such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner to facilitate understanding.

[0157] In this application, "sending information to...(terminal device)" can be understood as the destination of the information being the terminal device. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to the terminal device. "Receiving information from...(terminal device)" can be understood as the source of the information being the terminal device, and can include receiving information directly or indirectly from the terminal device. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source.

[0158] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the division of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0159] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of modules or units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0160] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0161] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0162] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application embodiment, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device (which may be a microcontroller, chip, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive first information from one or more first devices; wherein the first information is used to indicate the duration of the block acknowledgment (BA) frame corresponding to the first device; Based on one or more of the first information, second information is sent to the one or more first devices respectively; wherein the second information is used to indicate the synchronization timestamp of the next message sent by the first device.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The second information is determined based on the maximum value of the duration of one or more BA frames indicated by the first information and the first duration.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first duration is the duration of the Short Interframe Space (SIFS).

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first information indicates that the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device is equal to 0, the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first device is determined according to the default BA timeout time.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first information further includes one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first indication information includes one or more of the following: scheduling number, or access type AC queue.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The second information also includes one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The second indication information includes one or more of the following: scheduling number, or AC queue.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second piece of information is a scheduling instruction.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Obtain first information; wherein the first information is used to indicate the duration of the block confirmation (BA) frame corresponding to the first device; Send the first information to the second device; Receive second information from the second device; wherein the second information is used to indicate the synchronization timestamp of the next message sent by the first device; The message is sent to the terminal device based on the synchronization timestamp.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: Send a message to the terminal device; Receive BA frames from the terminal device; The first information is determined based on the BA frame.

12. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: Send a message to the terminal device; If no BA frame is received from the terminal device, the first information is determined based on the default BA timeout period.

13. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The acquisition of the first information includes: Send a message to the terminal device; If no BA frame is received from the terminal device, it is determined that the duration of the BA frame corresponding to the first information indicating the first device is equal to 0.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The first information further includes one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The first indication information includes one or more of the following: scheduling number, or access type AC queue.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that, The second information also includes one or more of the following: the number of the first device, or second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate the current scheduling information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The second indication information includes one or more of the following: scheduling number, or AC queue.

18. The method according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, The second piece of information is a scheduling instruction.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run a computer program or instructions that cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9 to be executed, or cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18 to be executed.

20. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9, or to execute the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18, and to process and / or generate the information based on the information.

21. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9 to be executed, or cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18 to be executed.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes computer instructions; when some or all of the computer instructions are executed on a computer, they cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-9 to be executed, or cause the communication method as described in any one of claims 10-18 to be executed.

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