Wireless communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a wireless communication method and a communication device. The method comprises: a first device maintains a first timer of a first channel, wherein the first timer is used for indicating the remaining duration for which the first channel is occupied, and the first channel is an NPCA primary channel. On the basis of the first timer, the first device can implement channel synchronization of the first channel (i.e., the NPCA primary channel).

Description

Wireless communication methods and communication devices Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a wireless communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0002] In non-primary channel access (NPCA) technology, when the basic service set (BSS) primary channel is busy, communication devices can switch to the NPCA primary channel for communication, thereby effectively improving the throughput of the communication system.

[0003] Summary of the Invention

[0004] This application provides a wireless communication method and a communication device. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0005] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided. The method includes: a first device maintaining a first timer for a first channel; wherein the first timer is used to indicate the remaining duration of occupancy of the first channel, and the first channel is an NPCA main channel.

[0006] In a second aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first device, comprising: a maintenance unit for maintaining a first timer for a first channel; wherein the first timer is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first channel being occupied, and the first channel is an NPCA main channel.

[0007] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, including a processor and a memory, the memory for storing one or more computer programs, the processor for invoking the computer programs in the memory to enable some or all of the steps of the methods described above for the communication device.

[0008] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that includes the aforementioned communication device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the communication device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0009] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a communication device to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0010] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a communication device to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described in the foregoing aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0011] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the above aspects.

[0012] Based on the first timer, the first device can achieve channel synchronization of the first channel (i.e., the NPCA main channel). Furthermore, based on the first timer, the synchronization of the NPCA main channel can be accelerated. For example, if the first device switches to the first channel, the previously set first timer may not have expired yet; in this case, the information from the first timer can be used to accelerate the synchronization of the first channel. Attached Figure Description

[0013] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the wireless communication system used in the embodiments of this application.

[0014] Figure 2 is an example diagram of a secondary channel access procedure.

[0015] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0016] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 1 of this application.

[0017] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 2 of this application.

[0018] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 3 of this application.

[0019] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 4 of this application.

[0020] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 5 of this application.

[0021] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0023] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0024] Communication system

[0025] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (WiFi), high-performance radio local area networks (HIPELAN), wide area networks (WAN), cellular networks, or other communication systems. For example, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to communication systems using the 802.11 standard. Exemplarily, the 802.11 standard includes, but is not limited to, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard, and the next-generation 802.11 standard (post-802.11bn).

[0026] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1, the communication devices in the communication system 100 may include access points (APs) 111 and 112, as well as stations (STAs) 121 and 122. STA 121 can access the network through AP 111, and STA 122 can access the network through AP 112.

[0027] In some implementations, a STA can establish an association with one or more APs, after which the associated STAs and APs can communicate with each other. As shown in Figure 1, AP 111 and STA 121 can communicate after establishing an association, and AP 112 and STA 122 can communicate after establishing an association.

[0028] In some implementations, the communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between an AP and a non-AP STA, communication between two non-AP STAs, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with the STA's counterpart. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0029] It should be understood that Figure 1 exemplarily shows two AP STAs and two non-AP STAs. The communication system 100 may also include more AP STAs, or the communication system 100 may include other numbers of non-AP STAs. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0030] In addition, the above-mentioned communication system can be applied to scenarios involving multi-device collaboration, such as multi-AP (multi-access points) collaboration or multi-site collaboration.

[0031] In the embodiments of this application, the names of AP and / or STA are not limited. In some scenarios, AP can also be called AP STA, that is, in a sense, AP is also a type of STA. In other scenarios, STA can be called non-AP STA.

[0032] In some scenarios, the aforementioned communication equipment can also be a "multi-link device (MLD)," meaning a device that can communicate through multiple communication links. These multiple communication links can include communication links in different frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave bands and / or low-frequency bands. Typically, if the multi-link device is an access point (AP), it can also be called an "AP MLD." If the multi-link device is a non-AP STA, it can also be called a "non-AP MLD."

[0033] In this application embodiment, the AP can be a device in a wireless network. The AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity. Alternatively, the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip, circuit, or processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of this application embodiment. APs can be applied in various scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, audio equipment, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (e.g., AR, VR, and other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, etc.), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation kiosks, self-service checkout machines, self-service ordering machines, etc.).

[0034] In some implementations, the role of the STA in the communication system is not absolute; in some scenarios, the STA can act as an AP. For example, in a scenario where a mobile phone connects to a router, the mobile phone can be a non-AP STA, while when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it takes on the role of an AP.

[0035] In the embodiments of this application, the STA can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as one that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can communicate with the AP or other STAs. For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows users to communicate with the AP and thus with the WLAN. STAs include, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0036] In this application embodiment, the STA can also be a device that provides voice / data / image connectivity to the user, such as a handheld device, vehicle device, home device, home appliance, gaming device, etc., with wireless connection function or equipped with a wireless communication module. Examples include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, drones or aerial photography equipment, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN) can also be televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, kitchen appliances, door locks, fish tanks, robot vacuum cleaners, game consoles, cameras / camcorders, etc. with wireless connectivity, but this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0037] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Examples include smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as devices that focus on a specific type of application function and require cooperation with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0038] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network for human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. In this embodiment, IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low terminal power consumption through technologies such as narrowband (NB).

[0039] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can be a device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The communication methods in a V2X system are collectively referred to as V2X (where X represents anything). For example, V2X communication includes: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0040] In addition, in the embodiments of this application, the STA may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Its main functions include collecting data (some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from the AP, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit data to the AP.

[0041] In addition, the AP in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with the STA. The AP can be a network device in a wireless local area network, and the AP can be used to communicate with the STA through the wireless local area network.

[0042] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the AP, in some implementations, the AP can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The AP can also be a device that supports various current and future 802.11 family WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0043] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the STA, in some implementations, non-AP STAs can support the 802.11be standard. Non-AP STAs can also support various current and future 802.11 family of wireless local area networks (WLAN) standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0044] In this application embodiment, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology are not limited. In some implementations, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology may include, but are not limited to: low frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency bands (e.g., 45GHz, 60GHz).

[0045] It should be understood that the specific forms of STA and AP are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application, and are merely illustrative examples.

[0046] BSS main channel and NPCA main channel

[0047] In this application, the BSS primary channel may also be referred to as the primary channel or the first primary channel.

[0048] The primary channel can refer to the channel shared by all member stations (STAs) within the basic service set (BSS). For example, in a BSS corresponding to 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz, the primary channel could be a main 20MHz channel.

[0049] The primary 20MHz channel, primary 40MHz channel, primary 40MHz channel, primary 80MHz channel, and primary 160MHz channel can all be collectively referred to as the primary channels. These will be explained separately below.

[0050] The primary 20MHz channel can refer to the 20MHz channel used to transmit 20MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs) within a 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS).

[0051] The primary 40MHz channel can refer to the 40MHz channel used to transmit 40MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs) within an 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS).

[0052] The primary 80MHz channel can refer to the 80MHz channel used to transmit 80MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs) within a 160MHz or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS).

[0053] The primary 160MHz channel can refer to the 160MHz channel within a 320MHz basic service set (BSS) that includes the primary 20MHz channel.

[0054] The NPCA primary channel can also be called a secondary channel, anchor channel, non-primary channel, second primary channel, temporary primary channel, target subchannel, auxiliary primary channel, or secondary primary channel.

[0055] A secondary channel can refer to a channel associated with a primary channel, used to create a channel wider than the primary channel. In a 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS), the secondary channel is a secondary 20MHz channel.

[0056] When a communication device switches to a secondary channel, it can temporarily use that secondary channel as the primary channel for communication.

[0057] The 20MHz channel, the 40MHz channel, the 80MHz channel, and the 160MHz channel can all be collectively referred to as secondary channels. These will be explained separately below.

[0058] The secondary 20MHz channel can refer to the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel in the 40MHz very high throughput basic service set, which together form the 40MHz channel corresponding to the 40MHz very high throughput basic service set. Similarly, in the 80MHz very high throughput basic service set, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel together forms the primary 40MHz channel corresponding to the 80MHz very high throughput basic service set. Likewise, in the 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput basic service set, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel together forms the primary 40MHz channel corresponding to the 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput basic service set. (In a 40MHz very high throughput(VHT)basic service set(BSS), the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the 40MHz channel of the 40MHz VHT BSS.In an 80MHz VHT BSS, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the primary 40MHz channel of the 80MHz VHT BSS.In a 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the primary 40MHz channel of the 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS.In a VHT BSS, the secondary 20MHz channel is also the secondary channel.)

[0059] The secondary 40MHz channel refers to the 40MHz channel adjacent to the primary 40MHz channel within an 80MHz very high throughput (VHT) basic service set (BSS). Together, they form the 80MHz channel corresponding to the 80MHz VHT BSS. Similarly, in a 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS, the 40MHz channel adjacent to the primary 40MHz channel forms the primary 80MHz channel.

[0060] The secondary 80MHz channel refers to an 80MHz channel within a 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput (VHT) basic service set (BSS), excluding the primary 20MHz channel. This 80MHz channel, together with the primary 80MHz channel, forms the 160MHz or 80+80MHz channel corresponding to the 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS.

[0061] The 160MHz channel can refer to a 160MHz channel within a 320MHz basic service set, excluding the primary 20MHz channel. This 160MHz channel, together with the primary 160MHz channel, forms the 320MHz channel corresponding to the 320MHz extremely high throughput (EHT) BSS.

[0062] It should be noted that the above description of the NPCA primary channel uses VHT or EHT as examples. The NPCA primary channel can be applied not only to VHT or EHT, but also to other technologies (such as UHR). The description of the secondary channel used in other technologies is similar to that above, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] NPCA

[0064] NPCA, also known as secondary channel access, allows communication devices to determine whether to access a secondary channel based on the primary channel's status. For example, when the primary channel is idle or unoccupied, the device can communicate on the primary channel. Conversely, when the primary channel is busy or occupied, the device can switch to a secondary channel for communication.

[0065] It should be noted that a busy channel status may be due to interference from interfering signals. Interfering signals could include, for example, overlapping basic service set (OBSS) signals.

[0066] It should be noted that, in this application, a device capable of performing NPCA (i.e., a device with NPCA capability) may be referred to as an NPCA STA.

[0067] The following section introduces some secondary channel access schemes.

[0068] Secondary Channel Access Scheme 1

[0069] In Scheme 1, after a station detects that the primary channel is occupied by OBSS, it switches to the second primary channel (represented by P2) and waits for the access point to initiate transmission. When the time occupied by OBSS ends, it switches back to the primary channel. The behavior of the AP and STA is described below. Here, the AP can be a transmitter, and the STA can be a receiver.

[0070] The AP can monitor whether P2 is medium idle or busy. This monitoring can be achieved through Clear Channel Access (CCA) assessment (ED / PD). For example, the AP can detect STF (Stop-to-Flight) errors.

[0071] If the first primary channel (P1) is busy for the network allocation vector (NAV) duration and the second primary channel is idle for X (TBD) time duration, then on the second primary channel, the AP can back off and initiate a transmission opportunity (TXOP) by sending a BSRP trigger frame or a request to send (RTS) frame (control frame) to the target STA(s).

[0072] If the target STA is on the second primary channel, an RTS / CTS or BSRP / BSR type of control frame exchange is required to determine if the target STA is on the second primary channel.

[0073] The TXOP of the second primary channel ends before the NAV of the first primary channel is set to 0.

[0074] If the first primary channel is busy for the NAV duration, the STA can switch to the second primary channel and wait for a BSRP or RTS (control frame) from the AP. The STA can return to the first primary channel before NAV equals 0.

[0075] The following explanation of the scheme is based on Figure 2.

[0076] As shown in Figure 2, the 80MHz channel bandwidth can be divided into one 20MHz main channel and three 20MHz secondary channels. In Figure 2, the first main channel is represented by P1, and the corresponding secondary channels are represented by S1.1, S1.2, and S1.3, respectively. The second main channel is represented by P2, and the corresponding secondary channels are represented by S2.1, S2.2, and S2.3, respectively.

[0077] Referring back to Figure 2, OBSS frame exchanges occur between S1.2 and S1.3, meaning S1.2 and S1.3 are busy. The AP and STA communicate on P1 and S1.1, transmitting 40MHz PPDUs. Then, on P1 and S1.1, the AP and STA parse the OBSS packet or physical layer preamble and set NAV. This means P1 and S1.1 are busy. If the medium is idle for a duration of X, the AP accesses secondary channels if the medium is idle for more than X time durations. That is, the AP accesses P2 and S2.1. The AP and STA exchange BSRP, BSP, and 40MHz PPDUs on P2 and S2.1. Frame exchanges on the secondary channels end before NAV=0 on P1 (to keep the medium sync on P1). Afterwards, the AP and STA can exchange frames on 80MHz.

[0078] Secondary Channel Access Scheme 2

[0079] Considering that there may be a large interval between two consecutive handovers to the NPCA main channel, and that the NPCA STA will not contend for TXOP on the NPCA main channel during this interval, the NPCA STA does not need to know about OBSS activity (if any) on the NPCA main channel.

[0080] Based on this, Scheme 2 proposes that the NPCA STA does not need to maintain the contention parameters of the NPCA main channel in the same way as the BSS main channel (which will be accessed more frequently).

[0081] For example, Scheme 2 suggests that after switching back to the primary channel, the NPCA STA does not need to maintain the backoff state of the NPCA primary channel. Instead, each time the NPCA STA switches back to the NPCA primary channel, it sets the CW to a certain value and selects a new backoff counter value.

[0082] Secondary Channel Access Scheme 3

[0083] When a communication device switches to the anchor channel, it lacks the NAV information on the anchor channel; this is similar to the blind channel that occurs during NSTR / EMLSR / EMLMR operations. In other words, NPCA channel switching can cause channel synchronization problems.

[0084] Option 3 suggests that, for the channel synchronization problem during NPCA channel switching, a medium access recovery procedure similar to that in relevant standards (e.g., 11be) can be designed.

[0085] Option 3 includes the following: During media access recovery after NPCA channel handover, the Medium Sync Delay (MSD) timer can satisfy: MediumSync Delay timer = aPPDUMaxTime. The default energy detection (ED) threshold can satisfy: ED threshold = -72dBm. Additionally, a maximum RTS number setting can be considered. Since the STA will switch back to the primary channel before the basic NAV expires, there is no need to maintain a timer (i.e., the MediumSync Delay timer) for channel access on the anchor channel. Furthermore, Option 3 recommends a lower ED threshold to respect OBSS transmissions on the anchor channel. The STA needs to initiate transmissions using (MU-)RTS frames to reduce the probability of data frame collisions, but a maximum number is not required.

[0086] To facilitate understanding, the media access recovery mechanism will be explained in detail below.

[0087] Media access recovery mechanism

[0088] If a site loses media synchronization, it cannot determine whether the media is occupied, i.e., whether the media is busy or idle. For example, when another STA belonging to the same MLD and operating on the same link pair transmits a PPDU, a non-AP STA belonging to a non-non-AP MLD or an AP belonging to an NSTR Mobile AP MLD (operating on an NSTR link pair) will be considered to have lost media synchronization unless both STAs stop transmitting simultaneously.

[0089] Media access recovery mechanisms can solve the problem of lost media synchronization at a site.

[0090] The media access recovery mechanism can be implemented based on the MediumSyncDelay timer. This will be explained in detail below.

[0091] When a site loses media synchronization, if the current transmission duration is greater than aMediumSyncThreshold, the MediumSyncDelay timer needs to be started at the end of the transmission, unless a MediumSyncDelay timer started before the current transmission has not yet expired. If the current transmission duration is less than or equal to aMediumSyncThreshold, the site can choose not to start (or not to restart) the MediumSyncDelay timer. The value of aMediumSyncThreshold is set to 72 μs.

[0092] It should be noted that the value of aMediumSyncThreshold is chosen to be 72μs at least to cover the PPDU length of RTS / CTS / Ack frames using non-HT or non-HT duplicate PPDU format at a data rate of 6Mb / s, as well as the PPDU length of most typical block acknowledgement (BA) frames.

[0093] When a non-AP MLD is operating in EMLSR / EMLMR mode, if a non-AP STA attached to a non-AP MLD running on one of the EMLSR / EMLMR links fails to perform a CCA during frame switching, which includes link handover delays between the AP attached to the AP MLD and other non-AP STAs running on other EMLSR links attached to the same non-AP MLD, then the non-AP STA is considered to have lost media synchronization. If the duration of the lost media synchronization is greater than aMediumSyncThreshold, the non-AP STA that lost media synchronization should start a MediumSyncDelay timer and begin counting down immediately after returning to listen; otherwise, the non-AP STA may choose not to start the MediumSyncDelay timer.

[0094] A STA may not start the MediumSyncDelay timer unless it falls under one of the following categories: a non-AP STA associated with a non-AP MLD running on an NSTR link pair; or a non-AP STA associated with a non-AP MLD running on an EMLSR link; or a non-AP STA associated with a non-AP MLD running on an EMLMR link; or an AP associated with an NSTR mobile AP MLD running on a non-primary link of an NSTR link pair.

[0095] The MediumSyncDelay timer is a separate timer shared by all EDCAFs within the STA, and its value is set to dot11MSDTimerDuration. The STA initializes dot11MSDTimerDuration to aPPDUMaxTime. Non-AP STAs should update dot11MSDTimerDuration using the value contained in the Medium Synchronization Delay Information field (if present) of the basic multi-link element in the latest frame received from their associated AP. Furthermore, the timer will be reset to zero when any of the following events occur: the STA receives an MPDU; the STA receives a PPDU whose receive vector (RXVECTOR) parameter TXOP duration (TXOP_DURATION) is not unspecified.

[0096] When the MediumSyncDelay timer has a non-zero value, the STA that can acquire TXOP must use dot11MSDOFDMEDthreshold instead of dot11OFDMEDThreshold in order to detect channel busy conditions in the primary 20MHz channel when the MediumSyncDelay timer has a non-zero value.

[0097] If a STA is able to acquire a TXOP while the MediumSyncDelay timer has a non-zero value, it must perform the following actions while the timer has a non-zero value: If it is a non-AP STA, it should transmit an RTS frame as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to its associated AP; if it is an AP associated with an NSTR Mobile AP MLD, the AP should transmit an RTS frame as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to the associated non-AP STA, following the rules defined in 35.3.19 (NSTR Mobile AP MLD Operation); it must not attempt to initiate a TXOP more than dot11MSDTXOPMax times since the timer started. Otherwise, it should perform a CCA and not initiate transmission until the MediumSyncDelay timer expires.

[0098] The default value for dot11MSDOFDMEDthreshold is -72dBm, and the default value for dot11MSDTXOPMax is 1.

[0099] It should be noted that if the intra-BSS NAV or basic NAV in the non-AP STA to which the non-AP MLD belongs is non-zero when the MediumSyncDelay timer is started, the non-AP STA will not initiate any TXOP and will follow the same rules as the HE STA to respond to any RTS or MU-RTS frames until both NAVs expire.

[0100] As can be seen from the above introduction, none of the related technologies disclose a suitable medium access mechanism applicable to the NPCA primary channel. For example, the secondary channel access scheme 1 described above only discloses that a station can access the NPCA primary channel after detecting a channel idle for a duration of X (point coordination function inter-frame space (PIFS) < X < maxPPDU) continuously on the NPCA primary channel, without disclosing the specific access rules. In the secondary channel access scheme 2, it is mentioned that a station does not need to maintain the backoff state parameters on the NPCA primary channel after switching back to the BSS primary channel. Among them, the backoff state parameters in scheme 2 actually refer to the backoff count, contention window (CW), synchronization source identifier (SSRC), STA long retry count (SLRC), source (SRC), and local retry count (LRC) parameters on the NPCA primary channel. Therefore, scheme 2 does not consider the NAV parameters on the NPCA primary channel. The secondary channel access scheme 3 directly applies the related technology in obtaining the NAV of the NPCA primary channel without considering the characteristics of NPCA.

[0101] FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application. The method shown in FIG. 3 can be executed by a first device. The first device can be a communication device. The communication device can include, for example, the NPCA STA described above. The first device can include an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0102] The method shown in FIG. 3 can include step S310.

[0103] Step S310, the first device maintains a first timer for a first channel.

[0104] The first channel is the NPCA primary channel. As mentioned above, the NPCA primary channel can be a non-BSS primary channel. The NPCA primary channel can also be called a secondary channel, anchor channel, non-primary channel, second primary channel, temporary primary channel, target sub-channel, auxiliary primary channel, or secondary primary channel, etc.

[0105] As can be seen from step S310, the first device can maintain a first timer for the NPCA main channel.

[0106] The first timer can be associated with access to the first channel. For example, the first timer can be used to indicate the remaining duration of the first channel being occupied. Exemplarily, the first timer can be used to indicate the remaining duration of OBSS TXOP on the first channel. Thus, the first timer can be a type of NAV timer.

[0107] It should be noted that the first timer can be a countdown timer. Therefore, the first timer can also be called the first timer or the first countdown timer. A value of 0 for the first timer indicates that the first timer has expired. A value of non-zero for the first timer indicates that the first timer has not expired.

[0108] In this application, maintaining the timer may include counting down the timer until its value is 0. That is, during the maintenance of the first timer, if the value of the first timer is not 0, the first device needs to count down the first timer until its value is 0. Optionally, maintaining the timer may also include other operations on the timer. For example, maintaining the timer may include one or more of the following: updating the timer's value, initializing the timer, and resetting the timer.

[0109] In some embodiments, the first device may maintain a first timer during the first channel. For example, when the first device receives the duration field in the OBSS MPDU or the TXOP field in the OBSS PPDU on the first channel, the station may initialize or update the first timer or update its value. The value of the first timer may be determined based on the duration field in the OBSS Media Access Control Protocol Data Unit (MPDU) or the TXOP field in the OBSS PPDU. For example, the value of the first timer may be equal to the remaining duration until the end time indicated by the duration field in the OBSS MPDU or the TXOP field in the OBSS PPDU.

[0110] In some embodiments, after the first device switches to the second channel, the first device can maintain a first timer. The second channel can be a different channel from the first channel. For example, the second channel can be the BSS main channel. Therefore, even if the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device can still continue to maintain the first timer. In other words, regardless of whether the current main channel of the first device at the site is the NPCA main channel or the BSS main channel, the first timer with a non-zero value must count down until its value becomes 0.

[0111] Therefore, in this application, when the first device is on the first channel, it can initialize or update the first timer. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can continue to maintain the first timer, that is, continue the countdown. When the first device switches back from the second channel to the first channel, the previously set first timer may not have expired. At this time, the information of the first timer can be used to accelerate the synchronization of the first channel. That is, based on this application, the synchronization of the NPCA main channel can be accelerated.

[0112] Based on the first timer, the first device can determine its own media synchronization status or channel synchronization information on the first channel. For example, the first device can determine the media synchronization information of the first channel based on the first timer. Alternatively, the first device can determine whether to execute a media access recovery procedure before accessing the first channel based on the first timer. Furthermore, the first device can determine which type of media access recovery procedure to execute before accessing the first channel (e.g., the first media access recovery procedure or the second media access recovery procedure described below) based on the first timer.

[0113] In some embodiments, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the channel synchronization information of the first channel can be determined based on the information of the first timer.

[0114] In some embodiments, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is 0, the first device may execute a first media access recovery procedure; and / or, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the first device may execute a second media access recovery procedure or not execute a media access recovery procedure.

[0115] It should be noted that a first timer being 0 can include: the first timer has not been initialized, meaning the first device does not yet have a usable first timer. Alternatively, a first timer being 0 can also include: the first device has a usable first timer, but its value is 0.

[0116] It should be noted that "when the first device switches to the first channel" can refer to the moment the first device switches to the first channel and / or a short period of time after the first device switches to the first channel. Based on this, "when the first device switches to the first channel, the first device executes the first media access recovery procedure or the second media access recovery procedure" can include: immediately executing the first media access recovery procedure or the second media access recovery procedure after the first device switches to the first channel; or, in response to the first device switching to the first channel, the first device executes the first media access recovery procedure or the second media access recovery procedure.

[0117] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery procedure may also be referred to as the first NPCA media access recovery procedure. The second media access recovery procedure may also be referred to as the second NPCA media access recovery procedure.

[0118] The first media access recovery procedure or the second media access recovery procedure is a set of operations used by the first device to perform media synchronization during NPCA channel handover. The first media access recovery procedure may differ from some or all of the operations in the second media access recovery procedure. For example, the first media access recovery procedure may be a more stringent media access recovery procedure than the second media access recovery procedure.

[0119] When the first timer is 0, the first device may have lost media synchronization of the first channel. Therefore, a more stringent media access recovery procedure (i.e., the first media access recovery procedure) can be executed to avoid conflicts with other ongoing transmissions. When the first timer is not 0, the first device can achieve media synchronization based on the information of the first timer, meaning that there is a high probability that the media synchronization of the first channel has not been lost. Therefore, a less restrictive media access recovery procedure can be executed, or the media access recovery procedure can be omitted, thereby reducing channel resource waste, improving spectrum utilization, and enhancing the performance gain of NPCA on the communication system.

[0120] In this application, different operations can be performed on the NPCA main channel based on the value of the first timer to access the NPCA main channel. Therefore, the solution provided in this application is more in line with the actual situation of NPCA technology.

[0121] In some embodiments, if the first device needs to perform a media access recovery process (including a first media access recovery process or a second media access recovery process), the first device will only start using the NPCA main channel for transmission after the rules of the corresponding media access recovery process are met.

[0122] For ease of understanding, the first media access recovery process and the second media access recovery process are explained below.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery process includes starting an MSD timer with a duration of T1. The second media access recovery process includes starting an MSD timer with a duration of T2. Both T1 and T2 can be positive numbers. T2 is less than or equal to T1.

[0124] As one possible implementation, the value of T1 can be equal to the value of the aPPDUMaxTime parameter. The value of T2 can be less than or equal to the value of the aPPDUMaxTime parameter.

[0125] Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the duration of the MSD timer, a second media access recovery process with less constraint can be achieved.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery procedure includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H1. The second media access recovery procedure includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H2. Wherein, H2 is greater than or equal to H1.

[0127] As one possible implementation, H1 can be less than -62dBm. For example, the default value of H1 can be -72dBm.

[0128] As one possible implementation, H2 can be less than -62dBm and H2 ≥ H1. For example, -72dBm ≤ H2 < -62dBm.

[0129] Therefore, in this embodiment, by setting the ED threshold, a second media access recovery process with less constraint can be achieved.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, attempting to contend for the media less than or equal to M1 times. The second media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, attempting to contend for the media less than or equal to M2 times. Wherein, M2 is greater than or equal to M1. Both M1 and M2 can be positive integers.

[0131] Therefore, in this embodiment, by allowing the first device to attempt competing media more times, a second media access recovery process with less constraint is achieved.

[0132] The embodiments described above for the first media access recovery process can be implemented individually or in combination; the embodiments for the second media access recovery process can also be implemented individually or in combination. These will be explained in detail below using Examples 1 and 2.

[0133] Example 1

[0134] The first NPCA media access recovery procedure is a set of operations used by the first device to perform media synchronization during NPCA channel handover. The first NPCA media access recovery procedure may include one or more of the following operations 1.1 to 1.3.

[0135] Operation 1.1: Start the MSD timer of the first device with a duration of T1.

[0136] Operation 1.2: If the first device is able to acquire TXOP when the MSD timer has a non-zero value, then the first device shall perform at least one of operations 1.2.1 to 1.2.4 when the MSD timer has a non-zero value.

[0137] Operation 1.2.1 uses an ED threshold with a value of H1 (H1 < -62dBm) to detect channel busy status in the NPCA main 20MHz channel.

[0138] Operation 1.2.2: If the first device is a non-AP STA, the first device must transmit the RTS frame or initial control frame (ICF) as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to its associated AP.

[0139] In operation 1.2.3, if the first device is an AP, the RTS frame or ICF frame must be transmitted as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to the associated non-AP STA.

[0140] Operation 1.2.4: Since the MSD timer started, the first device must not attempt to initiate TXOP more than M1 times.

[0141] Operation 1.3: If the first device cannot acquire TXOP when the MSD timer has a non-zero value, the first device must perform CCA and not start the transmission until the MSD timer expires.

[0142] Example 2

[0143] The second NPCA media access recovery procedure is another set of operations used by the first device to perform media synchronization during NPCA channel handover. The second NPCA media access recovery procedure imposes fewer constraints on the STA compared to the first NPCA media access recovery procedure.

[0144] The second NPCA media access restoration procedure may include one or more of the procedures in 2.1-2.3.

[0145] Operation 2.1: The first device starts an MSD timer with a duration of T2 (T2≤T1).

[0146] Operation 2.2: If the first device is able to acquire TXOP when the MSD timer has a non-zero value, then the first device shall perform at least one of operations 2.2.1 to 2.2.4 when the MSD timer has a non-zero value.

[0147] Operation 2.2.1: The first device uses an ED threshold with a value of H2 (H1≤H2<-62dBm) to detect the channel busy status in the NPCA main 20MHz channel.

[0148] Operation 2.2.2: If the first device is a non-AP STA, it must transmit the RTS frame or ICF frame as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to its associated AP.

[0149] In operation 2.2.3, if the first device is an AP, the RTS frame or ICF frame must be transmitted as the initial frame in the acquired TXOP to the associated non-AP STA.

[0150] Operation 2.2.4: Since the MSD timer started, no more than M2 (M2≥M1) attempts may be made to initiate TXOP.

[0151] Operation 2.3: If the first device cannot acquire TXOP when the MSD timer has a non-zero value, the first device must perform CCA and not start the transmission until the MSD timer expires.

[0152] The following describes in detail, with reference to Embodiments 1 and 2, how the first device maintains the first timer and how the first device achieves media synchronization based on the first timer.

[0153] Example 1

[0154] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 1. In Figure 4, the first channel is the NPCA main 20MHz channel, and the second channel is the BSS main 20MHz channel.

[0155] In Example 1, the BSS primary 20MHz channel is located at the lowest frequency of 20MHz within the 80MHz operating bandwidth range, and the NPCA primary 20MHz channel is located at the third lowest frequency of 20MHz.

[0156] In step S410, since the BSS main channel is occupied by the OBSS (which could be an OBSS TXOP or an OBSS PPDU), the first device switches to the NPCA main channel. Because the first device does not have an available NPCA NAV timer at this time, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., the MSD timer shown in Figure 4) before using the NPCA main channel.

[0157] After step S410, the first device competes for the TXOP on the NPCA main channel and performs frame switching. After this TXOP ends, the next TXOP is competed for by the OBSS, so the first device initializes an NPCA NAV timer and sets it to the remaining duration of the OBSS TXOP.

[0158] In step S420, based on the rules of NPCA, the first device needs to return to the BSS main channel before the OBSS finishes occupying the BSS main channel. Therefore, the first device switches back to the BSS main channel.

[0159] In step S430, the first device fails to win the TXOP in the next contention on the BSS main channel and is still occupied by the OBSS. Therefore, the first device can switch back to the NPCA main channel.

[0160] During the switch of the first device to the BSS main channel (between steps S420 and S430), the first device counts down the NPCA NAV timer, but the value of the NPCA NAV timer is never zero, so the first device continues to maintain the NPCA NAV information.

[0161] When the first device switches to the NPCA main channel for the second time, the NPCA NAV timer value is not zero, indicating that the last NAV set by the first device on the NPCA main channel has not yet ended, meaning the synchronization information on the NPCA main channel may not have changed. Because the NPCA NAV timer value is not zero, the second NPCA media access recovery procedure (not shown in Figure 4) may not be performed, or no media access recovery procedure may be performed ("MSD not enabled" shown in Figure 4). Alternatively, the first device can continue to use the NPCA NAV information as synchronization information for the NPCA main channel, and then proceed with the next channel contention once the NPCA main channel becomes idle.

[0162] Example 2

[0163] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 2. In Figure 5, the first channel is the NPCA main 20MHz channel, and the second channel is the BSS main 20MHz channel.

[0164] In Example 2, the BSS primary 20MHz channel is located at the lowest frequency of 20MHz within the 80MHz operating bandwidth range, and the NPCA primary 20MHz channel is located at the third lowest frequency of 20MHz.

[0165] In step S510, since the BSS main channel is occupied by the OBSS (which could be an OBSS TXOP or an OBSS PPDU), the first device switches to the NPCA main channel. Because the first device does not have an available NPCA NAV timer at this time, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., the MSD timer shown in Figure 5) before using the NPCA main channel.

[0166] After step S510, the first device competes for the TXOP on the NPCA main channel and performs frame switching. After this TXOP ends, the next TXOP is competed for by the OBSS, so the first device can initialize an NPCA NAV timer and set it to the remaining duration of the OBSS TXOP.

[0167] In step S520, based on the rules of NPCA, the first device needs to return to the BSS main channel before the OBSS ends its occupation of the BSS main channel. Therefore, the first device switches back to the BSS main channel.

[0168] In step S530, if the first device fails to win the TXOP in the next contention on the BSS main channel and it remains occupied by the OBSS, then the first device can switch back to the NPCA main channel.

[0169] In step S530, when the first device switches from the BSS main channel to the NPCA main channel, the value of the NPCA NAV timer becomes 0. Therefore, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure before using the NPCA main channel.

[0170] The first device only begins to use the NPA main channel for transmission after the rules of the first NPCA media access recovery procedure are met.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first device may maintain a second timer. The duration of the second timer may be determined based on the duration of a PPDU received by the first device on the first channel. The PPDU may be an OBSS PPDU. For example, the duration of the second timer may be equal to the duration of the PPDU received by the first device on the first channel. Alternatively, the duration of the second timer may be the remaining time until the end of the received PPDU.

[0172] It should be noted that the second timer can be a countdown timer. Therefore, the second timer can also be called a second timer or a second countdown timer.

[0173] It is understandable that when the first device switches to the second channel, the second timer indicates the duration of the last PPDU received by the first device on the first channel. Therefore, the second timer can also be called the last PPDU time (LPT) timer.

[0174] Maintaining the second timer using the first device may include: the first device counting down the second timer. Based on this, the second timer can be used to indicate the remaining duration of the PPDU transmitted on the first channel in real time.

[0175] When the first device is on the first channel, the first device can maintain a second timer. For example, when the first device receives an OBSS PPDU on the first channel, the first device can initialize a second timer, and / or the first device can set or update the value of the second timer according to the duration of the OBSS PPDU.

[0176] When the first device is on the second channel, it can still maintain the second timer. That is, even if it switches to the second channel, the first device needs to continue counting down the second timer, that is, for the second timer with a non-zero value, it needs to count down until its value becomes 0.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first device may determine the operation of switching to the first channel based on the value of the second timer. For example, the first device may determine whether to perform a media access recovery procedure before accessing the first channel based on the value of the second timer. Alternatively, the first device may determine which media access recovery procedure to perform before accessing the first channel based on the value of the second timer.

[0178] For example, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the second timer is 0, the first device executes the first media access recovery procedure; and / or, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0 and the second timer is not 0, the first device executes the second media access recovery procedure or does not execute the media access recovery procedure.

[0179] As mentioned above, the channel synchronization information of the first channel can be determined based on the information of the first timer. If the first device needs to maintain a second timer, the determination of the synchronization information of the first channel can also be related to the second timer. For example, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the second timer is not zero, the channel synchronization information of the first channel can be determined based on the information of the first timer. Conversely, if the second timer is zero when the first device switches to the first channel, the channel synchronization information of the first channel cannot be determined based on the information of the first timer.

[0180] The non-zero value of the second timer indicates that the PPDU detected by the first device on the first channel has not yet been transmitted. Combined with the first timer, the first device can further determine that the first channel is busy, thus confirming the reliability of the first timer information, i.e., it can determine the channel synchronization information of the first channel based on the first timer. Therefore, in this case, the first device can either not execute the media access recovery procedure or execute a second media access recovery procedure with less constraint, thereby reducing channel resource waste, improving spectrum utilization, and enhancing the performance gain of the NPCA on the communication system.

[0181] The second timer setting to 0 indicates that the PPDU transmission detected by the first device on the first channel has been completed. When the first device switches to the second channel, the second timer setting to 0 indicates that the most recently detected PPDU transmission on the first channel has been completed. Considering that the PPDU may carry information indicating an early end to the TXOP (e.g., a CF-end frame), the first device can assume that the information from the first timer is unreliable at this point; that is, determining the channel synchronization information of the first channel based on the first timer information is likely to be incorrect. Therefore, in this situation, the first device needs to execute a more strictly constrained first media access recovery procedure to avoid conflicts with other ongoing transmissions.

[0182] The following describes, with reference to Examples 3 to 5, how the first device maintains the second timer and how the first device achieves media synchronization based on the second timer.

[0183] Example 3

[0184] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 3. In Figure 6, the first channel is the NPCA main 20MHz channel, and the second channel is the BSS main 20MHz channel.

[0185] In Example 3, the BSS primary 20MHz channel is located at the lowest frequency of 20MHz within the 80MHz operating bandwidth range, and the NPCA primary 20MHz channel is located at the third lowest frequency of 20MHz.

[0186] In step S610, since the BSS main channel is occupied by the OBSS (which could be an OBSS TXOP or an OBSS PPDU), the first device switches to the NPCA main channel. Because the first device does not have an available NPCA NAV timer and NPCA LPT timer at this time, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., the MSD timer shown in Figure 6) before using the NPCA main channel.

[0187] After step S610, the first device competes for the TXOP on the NPCA main channel and performs frame exchange. After this TXOP ends, the next TXOP is competed for by the OBSS, so the first device's NPCA NAV timer is set to the remaining duration of the OBSS TXOP; at the same time, the first device can also obtain the duration information of the OBSS PPDU 1 by parsing the relevant fields in the preamble of the OBSS PPDU 1, and set the value of the NPCA LPT timer to the remaining duration until the end of the OBSS PPDU 1 (i.e., NPCA#1 in Figure 6).

[0188] Based on the NPCA rules, the first device needs to return to the BSS main channel before the OBSS finishes occupying it. Therefore, step S620 is executed. In S620, the first device switches back to the BSS main channel.

[0189] After step S620, in the next contention on the BSS main channel, the first device failed to win the TXOP, and the BSS main channel was occupied by the OBSS again.

[0190] In step S630, based on the rules of NPCA, the first device can switch back to the NPCA main channel.

[0191] During the handover of the first device to the BSS main channel, the value of the NPCA NAV timer remained non-zero, so the first device continued to count down the NPCA NAV timer. Additionally, the value of the NPCA LPT timer also remained non-zero, so the first device continued to count down the NPCA LPT timer.

[0192] When the first device switches to the NPCA main channel for the second time, the NPCA NAV timer value is not zero, indicating that the NAV set by the first device on the NPCA main channel last time has not yet ended, meaning that the synchronization information on the NPCA main channel may not have changed. The NPCA LPT timer value is not zero, indicating that the OBSS PPDU detected by the first device on the NPCA main channel last time has not yet been transmitted. Based on these two timers, after this switch to the NPCA main channel, the first device can either execute only the second NPCA media access recovery procedure (not shown in Figure 6) or not perform any media access recovery procedure (as shown in Figure 6, without MSD). Moreover, the first device can continue to use the NPCA NAV information as the synchronization information for the NPCA main channel, and then participate in the next channel contention after the NPCA main channel becomes idle.

[0193] When the first device receives OBSS PPDU2, the value of the NPCA LPT timer can be set to the remaining time until the end of OBSS PPDU2.

[0194] Example 4

[0195] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 4. In Figure 7, the first channel is the NPCA main 20MHz channel, and the second channel is the BSS main 20MHz channel.

[0196] In Example 4, the BSS primary 20MHz channel is located at the lowest frequency of 20MHz within the 80MHz operating bandwidth range, and the NPCA primary 20MHz channel is located at the third lowest frequency of 20MHz.

[0197] In step S710, since the BSS main channel is occupied by the OBSS (which could be an OBSS TXOP or an OBSS PPDU), the first device switches to the NPCA main channel. Because the first device does not have an available NPCA NAV timer and NPCA LPT timer at this time, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., the MSD timer shown in Figure 6) before using the NPCA main channel.

[0198] After step S710, the first device competes for the TXOP on the NPCA main channel and performs frame exchange. After this TXOP ends, the next TXOP is competed for by the OBSS, so the first device's NPCA NAV timer is set to the remaining duration of the OBSS TXOP; at the same time, the first device can also obtain the duration information of the OBSS PPDU 1 by parsing the relevant fields in the preamble of the OBSS PPDU 1, and set the value of the NPCA LPT timer to the remaining duration until the end of the OBSS PPDU 1 (i.e., NPCA#1 in Figure 7).

[0199] Based on the NPCA rules, the first device needs to return to the BSS main channel before the OBSS finishes occupying it. Therefore, step S720 is executed. In S720, the first device switches back to the BSS main channel.

[0200] After step S720, in the next contention on the BSS main channel, the first device failed to win the TXOP, and the BSS main channel was occupied by the OBSS again.

[0201] In step S730, based on the rules of NPCA, the first device can switch back to the NPCA main channel.

[0202] During the handover of the first device to the BSS primary channel, the NPCA NAV timer remains non-zero, so the first device continues to count down the NPCA NAV timer. When the NPCA LPT timer counts down to 0, it means that the last OBSS PPDU detected by the first device on the NPCA primary channel has been transmitted. Therefore, after this handover to the NPCA primary channel, the first device must execute the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., MSD in Figure 7) before accessing the NPCA primary channel.

[0203] Example 5

[0204] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 5. In Figure 8, the first channel is the NPCA main 20MHz channel, and the second channel is the BSS main 20MHz channel.

[0205] In Example 5, the BSS main 20MHz channel is located at the lowest frequency of 20MHz within the 80MHz operating bandwidth range, and the NPCA main channel is located at the third lowest frequency of 20MHz.

[0206] In step S810, since the BSS main channel is occupied by the OBSS (which could be an OBSS TXOP or an OBSS PPDU), the first device switches to the NPCA main channel. Because the first device does not have an available NPCA NAV timer and NPCA LPT timer at this time, the first device must perform the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., the MSD timer shown in Figure 6) before using the NPCA main channel.

[0207] After step S810, the first device competes for the TXOP on the NPCA main channel and performs frame exchange. After this TXOP ends, the next TXOP is competed for by the OBSS, so the first device's NPCA NAV timer is set to the remaining duration of the OBSS TXOP. Simultaneously, the first device can also obtain the duration information of OBSS PPDU 1 by parsing the relevant fields in the preamble of OBSS PPDU 1, and set the value of the NPCA LPT timer to the remaining duration until the end of OBSS PPDU 1 (i.e., NPCA#1 in Figure 8). After the transmission of OBSS PPDU 1 ends, the first device receives OBSS PPDU 2. The first device can obtain the duration information of OBSS PPDU 2 by parsing the relevant fields in the preamble of OBSS PPDU 2, and set the value of the NPCA LPT timer to the remaining duration until the end of OBSS PPDU 2 (i.e., NPCA#2 in Figure 8).

[0208] Based on the NPCA rules, the first device needs to return to the BSS main channel before the OBSS finishes occupying it. Therefore, step S820 is executed. In S820, the first device switches back to the BSS main channel.

[0209] After step S820, in the next contention on the BSS main channel, the first device failed to win the TXOP, and the BSS main channel was occupied by the OBSS again.

[0210] In step S830, based on the NPCA rules, the first device can switch back to the NPCA main channel. At this time, the NPCA NAV timer is 0, and the NPCA LPT timer is also 0. After this switch to the NPCA main channel, the first device must execute the first NPCA media access recovery procedure (e.g., MSD in Figure 8) before accessing the NPCA main channel.

[0211] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. The apparatus embodiments of this application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments. Therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0212] Figure 9 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 900 is a first device. The communication device 900 includes a maintenance unit 910.

[0213] The maintenance unit 910 is used to maintain a first timer for the first channel; wherein the first timer is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first channel being occupied, and the first channel is the NPCA main channel.

[0214] In some embodiments, the maintenance unit is specifically used to: maintain a first timer for the first channel after the first device switches to the second channel; wherein the second channel is different from the first channel.

[0215] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 is further configured to: when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is 0, execute a first media access recovery procedure; and / or, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, execute a second media access recovery procedure or not execute a media access recovery procedure.

[0216] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 is further configured to: maintain a second timer; wherein the duration of the second timer is determined based on the duration of the PPDU received by the first device on the first channel.

[0217] In some embodiments, the communication device 900 is further configured to: when the first device switches to the first channel, if the second timer is 0, execute a first media access recovery procedure; and / or when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0 and the second timer is not 0, execute a second media access recovery procedure or not execute a media access recovery procedure.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery process includes: starting an MSD timer with a duration of T1; the second media access recovery process includes: starting an MSD timer with a duration of T2; wherein, T2 is less than or equal to T1.

[0219] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H1; the second media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H2; wherein, H2 is greater than or equal to H1.

[0220] In some embodiments, the first media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M1 times; the second media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M2 times; wherein, M2 is greater than or equal to M1.

[0221] In some embodiments, when the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the channel synchronization information of the first channel is determined based on the information of the first timer.

[0222] In this embodiment, the communication device 900 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the first device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 900 includes units or modules for executing the aforementioned method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be described again here. However, those skilled in the art should know that the textual descriptions corresponding to the foregoing method embodiments can be incorporated into this embodiment and correspond to the modules in the communication device 900.

[0223] In an optional embodiment, the maintenance unit 910 may be a processor 1010. The communication device 900 may also include a transceiver 1030 and a memory 1020, as shown in FIG10.

[0224] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 10 indicate that the unit or module is optional. The apparatus 1000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The apparatus 1000 can be a chip or a communication device.

[0225] Apparatus 1000 may include one or more processors 1010. The processor 1010 may support apparatus 1000 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0226] The apparatus 1000 may further include one or more memories 1020. The memories 1020 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1010, causing the processor 1010 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1020 may be independent of the processor 1010 or integrated within the processor 1010.

[0227] The device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1030. The processor 1010 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030. For example, the processor 1010 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030.

[0228] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0229] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0230] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0231] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0232] In the embodiments of this application, a "field" may also be referred to as a "domain", "subfield", or "subfield". A field may occupy one or more bytes (byte / octet), or a field may occupy one or more bits (bit).

[0233] Unless otherwise stated, this application does not restrict the position of each field, that is, the position of each field can be adjusted.

[0234] The field names defined in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and the field may have other names.

[0235] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0236] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0237] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0238] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including AP and STA). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0239] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0240] In the embodiments of this application, "comprising" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Optionally, "comprising" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "indicating" or "used to determine". For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A indicates B" or "A is used to determine B".

[0241] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0242] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the WiFi protocol and related protocols applied to future WiFi communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0243] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of 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 system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0244] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0245] In addition, 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.

[0246] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs, DVDs) or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs), etc.

[0247] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The first device maintains the first timer of the first channel; The first timer is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first channel being occupied, and the first channel is a non-main channel accessing the NPCA main channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first timer for the first device to maintain the first channel includes: After the first device switches to the second channel, the first device maintains the first timer for the first channel; The second channel is different from the first channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is 0, the first device executes the first media access recovery procedure; and / or, When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the first device executes the second media access recovery procedure or does not execute the media access recovery procedure.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device maintains the second timer; The duration of the second timer is determined based on the duration of the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) received by the first device on the first channel.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: When the first device switches to the first channel, if the second timer is 0, the first device executes the first media access recovery procedure; and / or When the first device switches to the first channel, if both the first timer and the second timer are non-zero, the first device may execute the second media access recovery procedure or not execute the media access recovery procedure.

6. The method according to claim 3 or 5, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: starting a media synchronization delay (MSD) timer with a duration of T1; The second media access recovery process includes: starting an MSD timer with a duration of T2; Wherein, T2 is less than or equal to T1.

7. The method according to claim 3, 5 or 6, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on the energy detection ED threshold with a value of H1; The second media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H2; Wherein, H2 is greater than or equal to H1.

8. The method according to any one of claims 3, 5-7, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M1 times; The second media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M2; Wherein, M2 is greater than or equal to M1.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the channel synchronization information of the first channel is determined based on the information of the first timer.

10. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a first device, and the communication device includes: The maintenance unit is used to maintain the first timer of the first channel; Wherein, the first timer is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first channel being occupied, and the first channel is non- The main channel is connected to the NPCA main channel.

11. The communication device according to claim 10, characterized in that, The maintenance unit is used for: After the first device switches to the second channel, maintain the first timer for the first channel; The second channel is different from the first channel.

12. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is 0, then the first media access recovery procedure is executed; and / or, When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the second media access recovery procedure is executed or the media access recovery procedure is not executed.

13. The communication device according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Maintain the second timer; The duration of the second timer is determined based on the duration of the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) received by the first device on the first channel.

14. The communication device according to claim 13, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: When the first device switches to the first channel, if the second timer is 0, the first media access recovery procedure is executed; and / or When the first device switches to the first channel, if both the first timer and the second timer are non-zero, the second media access recovery process is executed or not.

15. The communication device according to claim 12 or 14, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: starting a media synchronization delay (MSD) timer with a duration of T1; The second media access recovery process includes: starting an MSD timer with a duration of T2; Wherein, T2 is less than or equal to T1.

16. The communication device according to claim 12, 14 or 15, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on the energy detection ED threshold with a value of H1; The second media access recovery process includes: detecting the busy status of the first channel based on an ED threshold with a value of H2; Wherein, H2 is greater than or equal to H1.

17. The communication device according to any one of claims 12, 14-16, characterized in that, The first media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M1 times; The second media access recovery process includes: during the MSD timer period, the number of attempts to compete for the media is less than or equal to M2; Wherein, M2 is greater than or equal to M1.

18. The communication device according to any one of claims 10-17, characterized in that, When the first device switches to the first channel, if the first timer is not 0, the channel synchronization information of the first channel is determined based on the information of the first timer.

19. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

20. An apparatus, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the apparatus to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

21. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

23. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

24. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9.

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