Communication method, communication device and communication system

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, a communication device and a communication system. The communication method comprises: when discovering at least one second AP, a first AP determining a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame is used for initiating a multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation, and the second AP is a neighbor AP of the first AP and supports at least one same multi-AP coordination transmission policy as the first AP; and sending the first radio frame to the second AP. The method can further enhance a multi-AP coordination transmission mechanism.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Research areas in Wi-Fi technology include Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption. MAP (multiple AP, M-AP, or multi-AP) coordination primarily achieves inter-BSS interference cancellation, improved user service quality, and reduced latency by implementing coordination strategies such as time-domain and frequency-domain resource sharing, spatial multiplexing, or joint transmission among multiple APs.

[0003] In UHR, the MAP coordination transmission mechanism will be further enhanced to establish efficient multi-AP coordination transmission.

[0004] Summary of the Invention

[0005] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, and communication system to further enhance the coordinated transmission mechanism among multiple access points (APs).

[0006] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first access point device (AP), the method including:

[0007] If at least one second AP is discovered, a first radio frame is determined; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP;

[0008] The first wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0009] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a communication method executed by a second AP, the method including:

[0010] The system receives a first radio frame sent by a first AP; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the first AP discovers the second AP; the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP, and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0011] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device for performing the communication method described in the first or second aspect.

[0012] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0013] One or more processors;

[0014] The communication device is used to execute the communication method described in the first or second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0015] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first AP and a second AP;

[0016] Wherein, the first AP is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the second AP is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0017] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect of this disclosure, or to perform the communication method as described in the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0018] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a program product, including at least one of a program and instructions, wherein when the program or instructions are executed by a communication device, they implement the communication method described in the first aspect or the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0019] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies as the first AP. When the first AP discovers at least one second AP, it determines a first radio frame and sends the first radio frame to the second AP to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation. In this way, the first AP can obtain information on whether it can conduct multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation with the second AP based on the response information of the second AP to the first radio frame, so as to further improve the efficiency of multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0020] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0021] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0025] Figure 4 is the third interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 5 is a fourth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 6 is the fifth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 7 is a sixth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 9 is a second schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0031] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of the first access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0035] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0036] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first AP, the method comprising:

[0037] If at least one second AP is discovered, a first radio frame is determined; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP;

[0038] The first wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0039] In the above embodiments, after the first AP initiates multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation to the second AP, the first AP can obtain information on whether it can conduct multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation with the second AP based on the second AP's response information to the first radio frame, so as to further improve the efficiency of multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0040] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein,

[0041] The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0042] The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0043] The third identification information identifies the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0044] The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

[0045] In the above embodiments, the frame type of the first wireless frame can be identified by the first identification information in the first wireless frame; the first strategy for multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation initiated by the first wireless frame can be identified by the second identification information; the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group for multi-AP coordinated transmission can be identified by the third identification information; and the identifier assigned by the first AP to the second AP can be identified by the fourth identification information.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0047] The system receives a second radio frame sent by the second AP; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordination and transmission negotiation among the multiple APs.

[0048] In the above embodiments, the first AP can obtain the response information of the second AP to the first wireless frame based on the second wireless frame sent by the second AP, that is, obtain information on whether it is possible to conduct multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation with the second AP.

[0049] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes at least one of fifth identification information and sixth identification information.

[0050] The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0051] The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the first AP can obtain the frame type of the second wireless frame based on the fifth identification information in the second wireless frame, and obtain whether the second AP accepts the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation through the sixth identification information in the second wireless frame.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0054] A third radio frame is determined; the third radio frame is used to trigger a multi-AP coordination transmission with a third AP; wherein, the third AP is one or more of the second APs that accept the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation;

[0055] The third radio frame is sent to the third AP.

[0056] In the above embodiments, the first AP can further trigger multi-AP coordinated transmission with the third AP via the third wireless frame.

[0057] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the third radio frame includes at least one of seventh identification information, eighth identification information, and ninth identification information:

[0058] The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs;

[0059] The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each of the third APs;

[0060] The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0061] In the above embodiments, the first AP can identify the frame type of the third wireless frame through the seventh identification information in the third wireless frame; identify each third AP that performs multi-AP coordinated transmission through the eighth identification information; and identify the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs multi-AP coordinated transmission through the ninth identification information.

[0062] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0063] The third AP performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0064] In the above embodiments, the first AP can perform inter-AP coordination transmission with the third AP that accepts the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation.

[0065] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a second AP, the method including:

[0066] The system receives a first radio frame sent by a first AP; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the first AP discovers the second AP; the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP, and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0067] In the above embodiments, the second AP can receive the multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP based on the first wireless frame sent by the first AP.

[0068] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein,

[0069] The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0070] The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0071] The third identification information identifies the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0072] The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

[0073] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0074] A second radio frame is determined; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordinated transmission negotiation between the multiple APs.

[0075] No response is given to the inter-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes at least one of fifth identification information and sixth identification information.

[0077] The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0078] The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

[0079] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0080] Receive a third wireless frame sent by the first AP; the third wireless frame is used to trigger multi-AP coordination transmission with the third AP;

[0081] The third AP is one or more of the second APs that receive the coordination and negotiation transmission between the multiple APs.

[0082] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the third radio frame includes at least one of seventh identification information, eighth identification information, and ninth identification information:

[0083] The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs;

[0084] The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each third AP;

[0085] The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0086] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following:

[0087] If the second AP determines that the first condition is met, it performs multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0088] The first condition includes: the identifier of the third AP includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP; and / or, the third radio frame includes the group identifier.

[0089] If the second AP determines that the first condition is not met, it will not perform the multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0090] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is used to perform optional implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0091] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0092] One or more processors;

[0093] The communication device is used to execute either the optional implementation of the first aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0094] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first AP and a second AP; wherein the first AP is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the first aspect, and the second AP is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the second aspect.

[0095] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementation described in the first or second aspect.

[0096] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0097] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0098] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described according to an optional implementation of the first or second aspect above.

[0099] It is understood that the aforementioned communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0100] This disclosure provides communication methods, communication devices, and communication systems. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "signal transmission method," "wireless frame transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "information processing system" and "communication system."

[0101] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0102] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0103] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0104] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0105] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0106] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0107] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0108] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0109] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0110] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0111] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0112] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

[0113] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0114] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0115] In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, uplink channel and downlink channel can be replaced with side channel, and uplink link and downlink link can be replaced with side link.

[0116] In some embodiments, "link" can mean "connection" or "link"; in various embodiments, "connection" and "link" can be used interchangeably.

[0117] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0118] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0119] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0120] As shown in Figure 1, the multi-AP coordination system 100 includes a first access point (AP) device 101 and a second access point device 102.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first access point device 101 and the second access point device 102 can be access points for mobile terminals to access the wired network. An AP 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. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0122] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP can be associated with the STA (station), wherein the AP and STA can be devices that support multiple connections, for example, they can be represented as an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and a Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD), respectively; AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multiple connection communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a station that supports multiple connection communication functions.

[0123] In some embodiments, the site equipment includes, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device that supports Wi-Fi communication, a car with Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0124] Specifically, the site equipment can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the repeater device 102 and the site equipment 103 can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but are not limited to these.

[0125] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0126] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0127] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called an Access Point (AP) device, while other sites in the BSS network that are not APs are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs. APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

[0128] With the increasing frequency bands supported by Wi-Fi devices, the trend towards higher frequencies, and the diversified demands of communication services, WLAN device deployments are becoming increasingly dense. This increasing density of access points (APs) leads to more transmission interference and increases the risk of channel contention. To further improve user service quality and overall communication performance, there is growing attention being paid to mechanisms related to MAP (multiple AP, M-AP, or multi-AP) coordination, aiming to increase communication rates, reduce latency, and enhance reliability within a single BSS.

[0129] MAP coordination primarily achieves goals such as BSS interference reduction, improved user service quality, and reduced latency by implementing coordination strategies such as time-domain and frequency-domain resource sharing, spatial multiplexing, or joint transmission among multiple APs. However, how to negotiate and establish M-AP Coordination and establish efficient multi-AP coordinated transmission remains unclear. Optionally, M-AP Coordination includes at least two steps: M-AP Coordination Discovery and M-AP Coordination agreement negotiation. The communication method provided in this disclosure provides a negotiation mechanism for a multi-AP coordination protocol.

[0130] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the above method may include:

[0131] Step 201: When the first AP discovers at least one second AP, it determines a first radio frame; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein, the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP, and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0132] Optionally, the number of second APs may include one or more, and this disclosure does not limit this. The following description uses communication between a first AP and one of the second APs as an example to illustrate the communication method provided in this disclosure.

[0133] Optionally, the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategy may include, but is not limited to, C-SR coordination (Coordination-Spatial Reuse, a coordination mechanism based on spatial multiplexing), C-TDMA coordination (Coordination-Time Division Multiple Access, also known as Co-TDMA), C-OFDMA coordination (Coordination-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, a coordination mechanism based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), beamforming, etc.

[0134] Optionally, the multi-AP coordination transmission strategy supported by each AP can be the same or different. That is, in the presence of multiple second APs, the multi-AP coordination transmission strategy supported by each second AP can be the same or different.

[0135] Optionally, when the first AP determines that there is an AP among its neighboring APs that has the same multi-AP coordination transmission policy as it supports, the determined AP is identified as the second AP.

[0136] As an example, assuming that the first AP supports C-SR coordination, C-TDMA coordination, C-OFDMA coordination and beamforming, and the second AP supports C-TDMA coordination and beamforming, it can be determined that the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies supported by the first AP and the second AP include C-TDMA coordination and beamforming.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein,

[0138] The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0139] The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0140] The third identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs multi-AP coordinated transmission;

[0141] The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

[0142] Optionally, the first identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordinate Request field, the second identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordination Type field, and the third identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordination Set ID or the M-AP Coordination Group ID field.

[0143] Optionally, when the M-AP Coordinate Request field is a first parameter value (e.g., 1), the first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0144] Taking the above-mentioned multi-AP coordination transmission strategies, including C-SR coordination, C-TDMA coordination, C-OFDMA coordination, and beamforming, as an example, the Coordination Type field can include 2 bits. When the bit is "00", it indicates that the first strategy is C-SR coordination; when the bit is "01", it indicates that the first strategy is C-TDMA coordination; when the bit is "10", it indicates that the first strategy is C-OFDMA coordination; and when the bit is "11", it indicates that the first strategy is beamforming.

[0145] Optionally, the identifier assigned by the first AP to the second AP can also be referred to as: the AP identifier assigned by the first AP to the second AP. For example, the first AP can assign AP identifiers to all the determined second APs. Specifically, in the case that there are 3 second APs, the AP identifiers assigned by the first AP to each second AP can be AP1, AP2 and AP3 respectively, so as to distinguish the different second APs.

[0146] Step 202: The first AP sends the first radio frame to each of the second APs. Correspondingly, the second AP receives the first radio frame sent by the first AP.

[0147] Optionally, when the number of second APs includes at least two, the first AP can send a first radio frame to each of the second APs. This requires determining the content identified by the second identification information in the first radio frame based on the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategy supported by each second AP and the first AP, and also requires determining the content identified by the fourth identification information in the first radio frame based on the different second APs.

[0148] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 2 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or combination of any number of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0149] Optionally, after receiving the first radio frame, the second AP can determine whether to respond to the first radio frame based on whether the second AP accepts / agrees to the multi-AP coordination negotiation in the first radio frame. The steps after step 202 will be described below with reference to Figures 3 and 4 and the corresponding embodiment sections.

[0150] In some embodiments, referring to FIG3, after step 202, the above method may further include:

[0151] Step 301, the second AP determines the second radio frame; the second radio frame includes response information for the above-mentioned multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0152] Optionally, the response information for responding to the above-mentioned multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation may include: the second AP accepts the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation, or the second AP rejects the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0153] Optionally, the second AP accepts the inter-AP coordination and transmission negotiation, meaning the second AP agrees to the inter-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP. Alternatively, the second AP may reject the inter-AP coordination and transmission negotiation, meaning the second AP does not accept the inter-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP.

[0154] In some embodiments, the second radio frame includes at least one of fifth identification information and sixth identification information.

[0155] The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0156] The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

[0157] Optionally, the fifth identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordinate Request field, and the sixth identification information may include, but is not limited to, the status field.

[0158] Optionally, if the M-AP Coordinate Request field is a second parameter value (e.g., "0"), the fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0159] Optionally, when the status field is a third parameter value (e.g., "0"), the sixth identification information includes: the second AP accepts the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first radio frame; when the status field is a fourth parameter value (e.g., "1"), the sixth identification information indicates: the second AP rejects the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first radio frame.

[0160] Step 302: The second AP sends a second radio frame to the first AP. Correspondingly, the first AP receives the second radio frame sent by the second AP.

[0161] Optionally, the first AP can determine whether the second AP accepts the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first wireless frame based on the content included in the sixth identification information in the second wireless frame. Specifically, when the bit corresponding to the sixth identification information is "1", the first AP determines that the second AP accepts the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first wireless frame; when the bit corresponding to the sixth identification information is "0", the first AP determines that the second AP rejects the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first wireless frame.

[0162] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 3 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0163] In some embodiments, referring to FIG4, after step 202, the above method may further include:

[0164] Step 401: The second AP does not respond to the multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation.

[0165] Optionally, if the second AP determines that it rejects the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first radio frame, it may not respond to the inter-AP coordination transmission negotiation.

[0166] Optionally, the first AP may pre-negotiate a waiting period with the second AP. For example, after the waiting period indicated by the first AP has elapsed, the first AP determines that the second AP has rejected the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation in the first radio frame.

[0167] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 4 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0168] In some embodiments, referring to FIG5, after step 302, the above method may further include:

[0169] Step 501: The first AP determines the third radio frame; the third radio frame is used to trigger multi-AP coordination transmission with the third AP (the second AP is still used as an example in Figure 4); wherein, the third AP is one or more of the second APs that accept the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation.

[0170] Optionally, "triggering multi-AP coordination transmission with the second AP" can also be referred to as "initiating multi-AP coordination transmission with the second AP".

[0171] Optionally, the third radio frame can be specifically used to trigger all APs participating in the above-mentioned multi-AP coordination transmission to perform the above-mentioned multi-AP coordination transmission.

[0172] In some embodiments, the third radio frame includes at least one of the seventh identification information, the eighth identification information, and the ninth identification information:

[0173] The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs;

[0174] The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each third AP;

[0175] The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0176] Optionally, the seventh identification information may include, but is not limited to, the Trigger Type field, and the ninth identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordination Set ID or the M-AP Coordination Group ID field.

[0177] Optionally, if the Trigger Type field is the fifth parameter value (e.g., "9"), the seventh identification information identifies: the third radio frame was used to trigger the inter-AP coordination transmission. This identifies each AP in the multi-AP coordination group for the inter-AP coordination transmission.

[0178] Step 502: The first AP sends the third radio frame to the third AP. Correspondingly, the third AP receives the third radio frame sent by the first AP.

[0179] Optionally, the first AP may send a third radio frame to all APs (i.e., the third AP) participating in the above-mentioned multi-AP coordination transmission.

[0180] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 5 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or combination of any number of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0181] In some embodiments, referring to FIG6, after step 502, the above method may further include:

[0182] Step 601: If the second AP determines that the first condition is met, perform multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0183] The first condition includes: the identifier of the third AP includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP; and / or, the third radio frame includes the group identifier.

[0184] Optionally, the second AP determines that the identifier of the third AP includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP, that is, the second AP determines that the content of the eighth identifier information in the third radio frame includes the content of the fourth identifier information in the first radio frame.

[0185] Optionally, the second AP determines that the third radio frame includes a group identifier, that is, the second AP determines that the content of the ninth identifier information in the third radio frame includes the content of the third identifier information in the first radio frame.

[0186] Optionally, the first condition is a necessary condition for the second AP to participate in the coordinated transmission among multiple APs in the third radio frame. The second AP is determined to satisfy the first condition, meaning the second AP is determined to satisfy the necessary condition for participating in the coordinated transmission among multiple APs in the third radio frame.

[0187] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 6 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0188] In some embodiments, referring to FIG7, after step 502, the above method may further include:

[0189] Step 701: If the second AP determines that the first condition is not met, it will not perform the multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0190] Optionally, the second AP is determined not to meet the first condition, that is, the second AP is determined not to meet the necessary condition for the second AP to participate in the coordinated transmission among multiple APs in the third radio frame.

[0191] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 7 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0192] In some embodiments, a negotiation method for multi-AP coordinated transmission is provided. Specifically, after discovering at least one neighboring access point device (i.e., a second AP) that supports multi-AP coordinated transmission under a first policy, a first access point device initiates multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation with the neighboring access point device under the first policy and assigns an AP identifier; further, after determining that at least one neighboring access point device is willing to join the multi-AP coordinated transmission under the first policy, the first access point device initiates / triggers multi-AP coordinated transmission under the first policy with the neighboring access point device. The method is described below in conjunction with steps 1 to 5:

[0193] Step 1: After discovering the second AP, the first AP sends a first radio frame to each of the second APs. The second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports multi-AP coordinated transmission using the first policy (i.e., multi-AP coordinated transmission is performed using the first policy); the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission using the first policy.

[0194] Optionally, the first strategy indicates a certain coordination strategy for coordinated transmission among multiple APs, such as C-SR coordination (Coordination-Spatial Reuse, a coordination mechanism based on spatial multiplexing), C-TDMA coordination (Coordination-Time Division Multiple Access, also known as Co-TDMA), C-OFDMA coordination (Coordination-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, a coordination mechanism based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), beamforming, etc.

[0195] The first radio frame includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0196] 1) Frame type identifier field, which identifies the first radio frame used to initiate multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation;

[0197] 2) Strategy type identifier field, which identifies the strategy type of the first strategy;

[0198] 3) Multi-AP Coordination Group Identifier (i.e., the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group), for example, M-AP Coordination Set / Group ID, where the multi-AP coordination group identifier can be an unsigned integer indicating the combination of multiple APs participating in multi-AP coordination;

[0199] 4) AP Identifier Field, indicating the AP identifier assigned by the first AP to each second AP, and in the case of multiple second APs, the AP identifier assigned by the first AP to each second AP is different.

[0200] Step 2: The second AP that receives the first wireless frame performs the following operations:

[0201] (1) If the second AP participates in the multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first radio frame, the second AP sends a second radio frame to the first AP. The second radio frame includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0202] 1) Frame type identifier field, which identifies the second radio frame used to respond to the coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0203] 2) Response status field, indicating that the second AP accepts (agrees to) this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation;

[0204] (2) If the second AP does not participate in the multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first radio frame, then the second AP performs any of the following operations:

[0205] 1) Do not respond to the first radio frame;

[0206] 2) Send a second wireless frame to the first AP. The second wireless frame includes, but is not limited to, the following:

[0207] ① Frame type identifier field, which identifies the second radio frame used to respond to the coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0208] ② Response status field, indicating that the second AP does not accept (reject) this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation.

[0209] Optionally, in the aforementioned second radio frame, the specific content included in the response state field can be determined based on whether the second AP participates in the multi-AP coordination and transmission negotiation initiated by the first radio frame.

[0210] Step 3: After receiving at least one second wireless frame, the first AP performs the following operations:

[0211] (1) If at least one second radio frame is received and the response status field in the second radio frame indicates that the second AP accepts (agrees to) this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation, it is considered that this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation is successful and the second AP is willing to participate in the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first strategy.

[0212] (2) If the second radio frame is not received, or if at least one second radio frame is received and the response status field in the second radio frame indicates that the second AP does not accept (reject) this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation, it is considered that this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation is unsuccessful and the second AP is unwilling to participate in the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first strategy.

[0213] Step 4: After receiving at least one second radio frame, if the first AP indicates in the response status field of the second radio frame that the second AP accepts (agrees to) this multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation, it sends a third radio frame to the corresponding second AP to initiate / trigger the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first strategy. The third radio frame includes, but is not limited to, the following:

[0214] 1) Frame type identifier field, which identifies the third radio frame used for multi-AP coordination transmission to initiate / trigger the first strategy;

[0215] 2) One or more AP identifier fields, which identify the identifiers of the APs participating in the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first strategy, wherein the identifier corresponding to the second AP is: the AP identifier assigned by the first AP to the second AP in the first radio frame;

[0216] 3) Multi-AP Coordination Group Identifier: The group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group participating in the multi-AP coordination transmission of this first strategy.

[0217] Step 5: After receiving the third radio frame, the second AP performs any of the following operations:

[0218] (1) If the second AP determines that ① the AP identifier field in the third radio frame includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP in the first radio frame; ② the multi-AP coordination group identifier in the third radio frame is the same as the multi-AP coordination group identifier in the first radio frame; or ③ the AP identifier field in the third radio frame includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP in the first radio frame, and the multi-AP coordination group identifier in the third radio frame is the same as the multi-AP coordination group identifier in the first radio frame, then it participates in the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first strategy initiated / triggered by the third radio frame.

[0219] (2) If the second AP determines that the AP identifier field in the third radio frame does not include the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP in the first radio frame, it will not participate in the multi-AP coordination transmission of the first policy initiated / triggered by the third radio frame.

[0220] Based on this method, after discovering a neighboring AP that supports the first policy, the access point device can inform that neighboring AP of the multi-AP coordination group identifier and the assigned AP identifier, standardize the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation process, and provide the necessary basic information for subsequent multi-AP coordination transmission.

[0221] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0222] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0223] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0224] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0225] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0226] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0227] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 601 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301 and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 201, step 202, step 301 and step 302 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The combination of steps 201, 202, and 401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 501 and 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 302, 501, and 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 302, 501, 502, and 601 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 302, 501, 502, and 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0228] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG7 may be referred to.

[0229] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0230] As shown in Figure 8, the above method can be executed by the first AP, and the above method may include:

[0231] Step 801: If at least one second AP is discovered, a first radio frame is determined; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein, the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP, and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0232] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein,

[0233] The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0234] The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0235] The third identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs multi-AP coordinated transmission;

[0236] The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

[0237] Step 802: Send the first wireless frame to the second AP.

[0238] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0239] The system receives a second radio frame sent by the second AP; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordination and transmission negotiation among the multiple APs.

[0240] In some embodiments, the second radio frame includes at least one of fifth identification information and sixth identification information.

[0241] The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0242] The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

[0243] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0244] A third radio frame is determined; the third radio frame is used to trigger a multi-AP coordination transmission with a third AP; wherein, the third AP is one or more of the second APs that accept the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation;

[0245] The third radio frame is sent to the third AP.

[0246] In some embodiments, the third radio frame includes at least one of the seventh identification information, the eighth identification information, and the ninth identification information:

[0247] The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs;

[0248] The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each of the third APs;

[0249] The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0250] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0251] The third AP performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0252] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0253] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 801 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 802 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 801 and step 802 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0254] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0255] Figure 9 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0256] As shown in Figure 9, the above method can be executed by the second AP, and the above method may include:

[0257] Step 901: Receive the first radio frame sent by the first AP; the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation among multiple APs.

[0258] In this scenario, the first AP discovers the second AP; the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0259] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein,

[0260] The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs;

[0261] The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0262] The third identification information identifies the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs multi-AP coordination transmission corresponding to the first strategy.

[0263] The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

[0264] In some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0265] A second radio frame is determined; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordinated transmission negotiation between the multiple APs.

[0266] No response is given to the inter-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0267] In some embodiments, the second radio frame includes at least one of fifth identification information and sixth identification information.

[0268] The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0269] The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

[0270] In some embodiments, the method may further include:

[0271] Receive a third wireless frame sent by the first AP; the third wireless frame is used to trigger multi-AP coordination transmission with the third AP;

[0272] The third AP is one or more of the second APs that receive the coordination and negotiation transmission between the multiple APs.

[0273] In some embodiments, the third radio frame includes at least one of the seventh identification information, the eighth identification information, and the ninth identification information:

[0274] The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs;

[0275] The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each third AP;

[0276] The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

[0277] In some embodiments, the method further includes any one of the following:

[0278] If the second AP determines that the first condition is met, it performs multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0279] The first condition includes: the identifier of the third AP includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP; and / or, the third radio frame includes the group identifier.

[0280] If the second AP determines that the first condition is not met, it will not perform the multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

[0281] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0282] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0283] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0284] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0285] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first access point device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The first access point device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10, the first access point device 1000 may include at least one of a processing module 1001, a transceiver module 1002, etc.

[0286] In some embodiments, the determining module 1001 is configured to determine a first radio frame when at least one second AP is discovered; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP; the transceiver module 1002 is configured to send the first radio frame to the second AP.

[0287] Optionally, the processing module 1001 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 201, 501, 801, but not limited thereto) executed by the first AP in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. The transceiver module 1002 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 202, 302, 502, 601, 802, but not limited thereto) executed by the first AP in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0288] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the determining module and the processor, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the sending module and the transceiver.

[0289] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second access point device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The second access point device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the second access point device 1100 may include a transceiver module 1101.

[0290] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1101 is configured to receive a first wireless frame sent by a first AP; the first wireless frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation among multiple APs.

[0291] In this scenario, the first AP discovers the second AP; the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies as the first AP.

[0292] Optionally, the transceiver module 1101 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 202, 302, 502, 601, 901, but not limited thereto) executed by the second AP in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0293] The aforementioned second access point device 1100 may include a processing module, which is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 301, 401, and 701, but not limited thereto) executed by the second AP in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0294] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the determining module and the processor, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the sending module and the transceiver.

[0295] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 1200 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 1200 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0296] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 includes one or more processors 1201. The processor 1201 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 1200 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 1201 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 1200 to execute any of the above methods.

[0297] In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 further includes one or more transceivers 1202. When the communication device 1200 includes one or more transceivers 1202, the transceiver 1202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 302, 402, 601, 802, 901, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0298] In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 further includes one or more memories 1203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 1201 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 1203 to cause the communication device 1200 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1203 may also be located outside the communication device 1200. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 1200 may include one or more interface circuits 1204. Optionally, the interface circuit 1204 is connected to the memory 1202 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 1202 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 1202 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1204 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 1202 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 1201.

[0299] The communication device 1200 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 1200 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 1200 may not be limited by FIG12. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0300] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1300 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 1200 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 1300 shown in Figure 13 can be referenced, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0301] Chip 1300 includes one or more processors 1301. Chip 1300 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0302] In some embodiments, chip 1300 further includes one or more interface circuits 1302. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 1300 further includes one or more memories 1303 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1303 may be located outside of chip 1300. Optionally, interface circuit 1302 is connected to memory 1303, and interface circuit 1302 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 1303 or other devices, and interface circuit 1302 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 1303 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1302 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 1303 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 1301.

[0303] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1302 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps 202, 302, 402, 601, 802, 901, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 1302 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 1302 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 1301, chip 1300, memory 1303, or transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 1301 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 401, 701, 801, but not limited thereto).

[0304] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0305] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0306] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0307] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by the first AP, the method includes: If at least one second AP is discovered, a first radio frame is determined; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP; The first wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein, The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs; The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP. The third identification information identifies the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission. The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a second radio frame sent by the second AP; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordination and transmission negotiation among the multiple APs.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The second radio frame includes at least one of the fifth identification information and the sixth identification information. The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation; The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

5. The communication method according to claim 3 or 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third radio frame is determined; the third radio frame is used to trigger a multi-AP coordination transmission with a third AP; wherein, the third AP is one or more of the second APs that accept the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; The third radio frame is sent to the third AP.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The third radio frame includes at least one of the seventh identification information, the eighth identification information, and the ninth identification information: The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs; The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each of the third APs; The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

7. The communication method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third AP performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a second AP, the method includes: The system receives a first radio frame sent by a first AP; the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; wherein the first AP discovers the second AP; the second AP is a neighboring AP of the first AP, and supports at least one of the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies as the first AP.

9. The communication method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes at least one of first identification information, second identification information, third identification information, and fourth identification information; wherein, The first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate coordination and transmission negotiation between multiple APs; The second identification information identifies: the policy type of the first policy; the first policy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission policies supported by both the first AP and the second AP. The third identification information identifies the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission. The fourth identification information indicates that the first AP is an identifier assigned to the second AP.

10. The communication method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following: A second radio frame is determined; the second radio frame includes response information for the coordinated transmission negotiation between the multiple APs. No response is given to the inter-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second radio frame includes at least one of the fifth identification information and the sixth identification information. The fifth identification information indicates that the second radio frame is used to respond to the multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation; The sixth identification information includes: the response information.

12. The communication method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third wireless frame sent by the first AP; the third wireless frame is used to trigger multi-AP coordination transmission with the third AP; The third AP is one or more of the second APs that receive the coordination and negotiation transmission between the multiple APs.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The third radio frame includes at least one of the seventh identification information, the eighth identification information, and the ninth identification information: The seventh identification information indicates that the third wireless frame is used to trigger coordinated transmission between multiple APs; The eighth identification information identifies: the identifier of each of the third APs; The ninth identification information is: the group identifier of the multi-AP coordination group that performs the multi-AP coordinated transmission.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The method further includes any one of the following: If the second AP determines that the first condition is met, it performs multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP. The first condition includes: the identifier of the third AP includes the AP identifier assigned to it by the first AP; and / or, the third radio frame includes the group identifier; If the second AP determines that the first condition is not met, it will not perform the multi-AP coordinated transmission with the first AP.

15. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, or to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 8 to 14.

16. A communication system, characterized in that, Including the first AP and the second AP; The first AP is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, and the second AP is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

17. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 7, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 8 to 14.

18. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by a communication device, it implements the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 7, or the communication method of any one of claims 8 to 14.

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