Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus. The method may support the IEEE protocol. Specifically, the method comprises: upon determining that a primary channel is in a busy state due to transmission of an external cell, switching to a secondary channel to communicate with another device; and if a time period of switching to the secondary channel comprises a start time of an r-TWT SP, determining, according to a communication standard or indication information of an access point, whether to comply with relevant rules of r-TWT during communication with another device on the secondary channel. As the communication standard or the access point explicitly specifies whether compliance with the relevant rules of r-TWT is required on the secondary channel, a non-access point can perform a corresponding operation according to the explicit specification when switching from operating on the primary channel to operating on the secondary channel, thereby avoiding communication confusion that may be caused by unclear execution rules, and avoiding a case in which some devices comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT on the secondary channel and some devices do not comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT on the secondary channel.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411598389.4, filed on November 8, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] Continuously improving throughput is a persistent technological goal in the evolution of cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs). WLAN system protocols are primarily discussed within the IEEE 802.11 standards group, and throughput has been continuously improved in previous standards such as 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax / be. IEEE 802.11be has increased the maximum usable bandwidth of a node to 320 MHz. A node's usable bandwidth can consist of several 20 MHz channels; for example, if a node's bandwidth is 160 MHz, then this bandwidth consists of eight 20 MHz channels. Among all the channels within the usable bandwidth, one channel is called the primary channel (PCH), and the others are called secondary channels (SCH).

[0005] The existing IEEE 802.11 standard stipulates that nodes must ensure the primary channel is idle during channel access and transmission. If the primary channel is busy, channel access and transmission are not allowed through secondary channels even if a large number of secondary channels are idle, as shown in Figure 1. This results in wasted resources and consequently affects system throughput. To address this, the industry has proposed a scheme to switch to secondary channels for communication when the primary channel is busy.

[0006] However, there is currently no perfect design on how the communication device should work when switching to communication via the channel, and whether it also needs to follow specific rules. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a communication method and apparatus for specifying how to communicate on a channel.

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a communication device, or a communication module / processing module in a communication device, or a circuit or chip in a communication device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip containing a modem core or a system-in-package (SIP) chip), or a circuit or chip in a communication device responsible for processing functions (such as a graphics processing unit (GPU), an artificial intelligence (AI) processor, or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC)).

[0009] Taking the application of this method to a communication device as an example, in this method, it is determined that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of other cells, and then the device is switched to a secondary channel to communicate with other devices; if the time period of switching to the secondary channel includes the start time of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT service phase SP, the relevant rules of r-TWT shall be followed when communicating with other devices on the secondary channel.

[0010] The aforementioned method explicitly stipulates that the r-TWT rules must also be followed on the slave channel. This ensures that when a communication device switches from the primary channel to the slave channel, it can perform the corresponding operations according to the clearly defined rules, avoiding communication confusion that may result from ambiguous rules. It also prevents situations where some communication devices comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not. Furthermore, adhering to the r-TWT rules on the slave channel effectively guarantees the smooth operation of low-latency services, preventing the service quality of low-latency services from being affected by switching to the slave channel.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the rules governing r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel, including at least one of the following: ending the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; checking whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time, and delaying the frame interaction if there is insufficient time. Ending the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP starts, and delaying the frame interaction if there is insufficient time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP starts, helps ensure the smooth operation of low-latency services on the slave channel and avoids affecting the service quality of low-latency services due to switching to the slave channel.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: adhering to a priority transmission rule when communicating with other devices on the slave channel. This priority transmission rule includes: suspending the decrementing of backoff counters not belonging to r-TWT services until all frames with the r-TWT identifier in the r-TWT SP have been transmitted, or resuming decrementing when the r-TWT SP ends. During the r-TWT SP, prioritizing the transmission of frames with the r-TWT identifier, i.e., frames of low-latency services, helps ensure the smooth operation of low-latency services on the slave channel and avoids affecting the quality of service of low-latency services due to switching to the slave channel.

[0013] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a communication device, or a communication module / processing module in a communication device, or a circuit or chip in a communication device responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a circuit or chip in a communication device responsible for processing functions (such as a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC).

[0014] Taking the application of this method to a communication device as an example, in this method, it is determined that the main channel is in a busy state due to the transmission of other cells, and then it is switched to a secondary channel to communicate with other devices; when communicating with other devices on the secondary channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are not followed.

[0015] The aforementioned method explicitly stipulates that r-TWT rules do not need to be followed on the slave channel. This allows communication devices to perform corresponding operations according to clear regulations when switching from the primary channel to the slave channel, avoiding communication confusion that may result from ambiguous rules. It also prevents situations where some communication devices follow r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not. Furthermore, not following r-TWT rules on the slave channel avoids resource waste caused by some or all non-AP STAs in the r-TWT SP group failing to switch to the slave channel.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel includes: the period of switching to the slave channel includes the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP, and the non-compliance with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: no transmission opportunity needs to be terminated before the r-TWT SP start time; no need to check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; and even if there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction, there is no need to delay the frame interaction. Not terminating transmission opportunities before the start of the r-TWT SP and not delaying frame interaction if there is insufficient time to complete it before the start of the r-TWT SP improve resource utilization and avoid resource waste.

[0018] In one possible implementation, disregarding the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel includes ignoring the r-TWT rules. By ignoring the r-TWT rules, the communication device does not need to determine how much time remains before the start time of the r-TWT SP, nor whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction, thus simplifying the operation of the communication device.

[0019] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: disregarding a priority transmission rule when communicating with other devices on the channel. This priority transmission rule includes: suspending the decrementing of a backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been transmitted during the r-TWT SP, or resuming decrementing when the r-TWT SP ends. During the r-TWT SP, there is no need to prioritize the transmission of frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation, i.e., frames of low-latency services, which helps improve transmission efficiency.

[0020] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to an access point, or a communication module / processing module in an access point, or a circuit or chip in an access point responsible for communication functions (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a circuit or chip in an access point responsible for processing functions (such as a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC).

[0021] Taking the application of this method to an access point as an example, in this method, a first frame is generated and sent, wherein the first frame includes first indication information, which is used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel.

[0022] In the above method, the access point determines whether the non-access point needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel and notifies the non-access point of the determination result. This allows the non-access point to clearly understand whether it needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel. When each node switches from the master channel to the slave channel, it can perform the corresponding operation according to the clear instructions, avoiding communication confusion that may be caused by unclear execution rules. It also avoids the situation where some nodes comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not.

[0023] In one possible implementation, the adherence to r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel includes at least one of the following: ending the transmission opportunity before the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP; checking whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP, and delaying the frame interaction if there is insufficient time. The communication device determines, based on the first indication information, that it needs to end the transmission opportunity before the start of the r-TWT SP, and determines that if there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start of the r-TWT SP, it needs to delay the frame interaction. This helps avoid communication confusion that may result from unclear enforcement rules, ensures the smooth operation of low-latency services on the slave channel, and avoids affecting the service quality of low-latency services due to switching to the slave channel.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: no transmission opportunity needs to be terminated before the r-TWT SP start time; no need to check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; and checking whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time, even if there is insufficient time, no delay is required for the frame interaction. The communication device determines, based on the first indication information, that no transmission opportunity needs to be terminated before the start of the r-TWT SP, and determines that no delay is required if there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start of the r-TWT SP. This helps avoid communication confusion that may result from unclear enforcement rules, improves resource utilization, and avoids resource waste.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the disregard for r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: ignoring the r-TWT rules as described in one possible implementation when communicating with other devices on the channel. Ignoring the r-TWT rules eliminates the need for the communication device to determine how much time remains before the start time of the r-TWT SP, or whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction, thus simplifying the operation of the communication device.

[0026] In one possible implementation, the effective time of the first indication information is from the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission to the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame. The content indicated by the first indication information is not permanent or immutable; the access point can retransmit the first frame, and the non-access point will then perform corresponding operations based on the latest first indication information to meet the communication requirements under the current communication conditions.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes time indication information, which indicates the effective time of the first indication information. The content indicated by the first indication information is not permanent or immutable. The first frame further indicates the effective time of the first indication information, allowing non-access points to perform corresponding operations based on the first indication information within the effective time, thereby meeting the communication needs within the effective time.

[0028] In one possible implementation, before generating the first frame, the method further includes: determining whether to comply with the relevant rules of the r-TWT based on preset information. Before the access point sends the first frame, or before the non-access point receives the first frame, the communication device can determine whether to comply with the relevant rules of the r-TWT based on the preset information, thus clarifying how to operate on the channel.

[0029] In one possible implementation, before sending the first frame, the method further includes: sending a preceding first frame, wherein the first indication information in the preceding frame is used to indicate whether the rules related to the defined target wake-up time (r-TWT) are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel, but the content indicated by the first indication information in the first frame is different. The access point can determine multiple times whether the r-TWT rules are followed when operating on the slave channel, and generate and send a first frame when the determination result changes to notify that the decision regarding whether the r-TWT rules are followed on the slave channel has changed.

[0030] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes at least one sub-indication information; each sub-indication information corresponds to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel for the corresponding r-TWT. The access point can make separate indications for different r-TWTs, thereby achieving more flexible indication to meet different needs in different scenarios and at different times.

[0031] In one possible implementation, whether the r-TWT rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: whether the r-TWT rules are followed for the sub-indication information when communicating with other devices on the channel.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the sub-indication information is carried in the service information control field of the r-TWT service information field. This implementation utilizes existing fields to represent the first indication information, requiring minimal modification to the existing frame structure and is easy to implement.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes second indication information, which indicates whether a priority transmission rule is followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel. The priority transmission rule includes: suspending the decrement of backoff counters not belonging to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP have been transmitted, or resuming decrement when the r-TWT SP ends. Communication devices can perform corresponding operations based on explicit indications, avoiding communication confusion that may result from ambiguous rules, and preventing situations where some devices follow the priority transmission rule on the slave channel while others do not.

[0034] In one possible implementation, the first frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame. This implementation utilizes an existing frame structure as the first frame, eliminating the need to add new frames, resulting in minimal modification to the existing frame structure and making it easy to implement.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a non-access point, or a communication module / processing module in a non-access point, or a circuit or chip responsible for communication functions in an access point (such as a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core), or a circuit or chip responsible for processing functions in a non-access point (such as a GPU, AI processor, or ASIC).

[0036] Taking the application of this method to a non-access point as an example, in this method, a first frame is received, the first frame includes first indication information, the first indication information is used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; and the relevant rules of r-TWT are determined according to the first indication information.

[0037] In one possible implementation, determining whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the secondary channel according to the first indication information includes: determining that the transmission of the other cell is in a busy state, switching to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices, and determining whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the secondary channel according to the first indication information.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the compliance with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: ending the transmission opportunity before the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP; checking whether there is sufficient time to complete the frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP, and delaying the frame interaction if there is insufficient time.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: there is no need to terminate the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; there is no need to check whether there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; and there is no need to delay the frame interaction even if there is not enough time to complete the frame interaction.

[0040] In one possible implementation, the non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: ignoring the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel.

[0041] In one possible implementation, the effective time of the first indication information is from the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission to the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame.

[0042] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes time indication information, which is used to indicate the effective time of the first indication information.

[0043] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first frame, the method further includes: determining whether to comply with the relevant rules of the r-TWT based on preset information.

[0044] In one possible implementation, before receiving the first frame, the method further includes: receiving a previous first frame, wherein the first indication information in the previous frame is used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel, but the content indicated by the first indication information in the first frame is different.

[0045] In one possible implementation, the first indication information includes at least one sub-indication information; each sub-indication information corresponds to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel for the corresponding r-TWT.

[0046] In one possible implementation, whether the r-TWT rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: whether the r-TWT rules are followed for the sub-indication information when communicating with other devices on the channel.

[0047] In one possible implementation, the sub-indication information is carried in the business information control field of the r-TWT business information field.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the first frame further includes second indication information, which indicates whether a priority transmission rule is followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; the priority transmission rule includes: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP are sent, or resuming the decrement when the r-TWT SP ends.

[0049] In one possible implementation, the first frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

[0050] Fifthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be an access point or a non-access point, including a processor, chip, or functional module within the access point or non-access point. This communication device has the function of implementing the method described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the aforementioned function.

[0051] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module and, optionally, an interface module. These modules can perform the corresponding functions described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, as detailed in the method examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the first aspect or any implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface and / or a memory. The communication interface is used for sending and receiving frames, information, or data, and for communicating with other devices in the communication system. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0053] Sixthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be an access point or a non-access point, including a processor, chip, or functional module within the access point or non-access point. This communication device has the function of implementing the method in the second aspect or any implementation thereof. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described function.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module and, optionally, an interface module. These modules can perform the corresponding functions described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, as detailed in the method examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0055] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the second aspect or any implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface and / or a memory. The communication interface is used for sending and receiving frames, information, or data, and for communicating with other devices in the communication system. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0056] Seventhly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be an access point, a processor, a chip, or a functional module within the access point, etc. This communication device has the function of implementing the method in the third aspect or any implementation thereof. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0057] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module and, optionally, an interface module. These modules can perform the corresponding functions described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof, as detailed in the method examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0058] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the third aspect or any implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface and / or a memory. The communication interface is used for sending and receiving frames, information, or data, and for communicating with other devices in the communication system. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0059] Eighthly, this application also provides a communication device, which may be a non-access point, a processor, a chip, or a functional module within the non-access point, etc. This communication device has the function of implementing the method in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof. The function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0060] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processing module and, optionally, an interface module. These modules can perform the corresponding functions described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof, as detailed in the method examples, which will not be repeated here.

[0061] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes at least one processor configured to support the communication device in performing the corresponding functions described in the fourth aspect or any implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication device further includes a communication interface and / or a memory. The communication interface is used for sending and receiving frames, information, or data, and for communicating with other devices in the communication system. The memory is coupled to the processor and stores necessary program instructions and data for the communication device.

[0062] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the communication device described in the fifth aspect above as an access point and the communication device described in the fifth aspect above as a non-access point; or including the communication device described in the sixth aspect above as an access point and the communication device described in the sixth aspect above as a non-access point; or including the communication device described in the seventh aspect above and the communication device described in the eighth aspect above.

[0063] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing instructions, wherein when the instructions are executed by the processor, the chip causes the chip to implement the methods described in the first to fourth aspects and any of their implementations.

[0064] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first to fourth aspects and any of their implementations.

[0065] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the methods described in the first to fourth aspects and any of their implementations.

[0066] For the technical effects that can be achieved by any possible implementation of any of the fourth to twelfth aspects mentioned above, please refer to the description of the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation schemes in the first to third aspects mentioned above. Repeated points will not be discussed. Attached Figure Description

[0067] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the master channel and slave channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0068] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the specific structure of the AP or STA provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the r-TWT mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0071] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a TWT element structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the NPCA technology principle provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a communication device operating on a secondary channel according to a first frame, provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0077] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application operating on a secondary channel according to a first frame;

[0078] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another TWT element structure provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0079] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0080] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0081] The present application will now be described in further detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0082] This application provides a communication method and apparatus, enabling the communication device to determine how to communicate over a channel and whether specific rules need to be followed. The method and apparatus described in this application are based on the same technical concept. Since the principles by which the method and apparatus solve problems are similar, the implementations of the apparatus and method can be mutually referred to, and repeated details will not be elaborated further.

[0083] In the description of this application, the terms "first," "second," etc., are used only for the purpose of distinguishing descriptions and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order.

[0084] In the description of this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, or a and b and c, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0085] In the description of this application, "and / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. " / " means "or", for example, a / b means a or b.

[0086] To more clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the communication methods and devices provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0087] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to various communication systems. For example, it can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, such as IEEE 802.11 system standards, including 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, or their next-generation standards, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, or Extremely High Throughput (EHT), and even next-generation standards like 802.11be, Wi-Fi 8, or later. This application can also be applied to ultra-wideband (UWB) wireless personal area network systems and sensing systems. The embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area network systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), 5th Generation (5G) communication systems, and future 6th Generation (6G) communication systems.

[0088] Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using WLAN networks, especially those employing the IEEE 802.11 system standard, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, primarily used in Europe), wide area networks (WAN), personal area networks (PAN), or other networks now known or to be developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0089] The communication systems described above that are applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited to these. They will be uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0090] The communication method provided in this application can support IEEE protocols, such as IEEE 802.11be / Wi-Fi 7 / EHT protocol, IEEE 802.11bn / UHR / Wi-Fi 8 protocol, IEEE Integrated mmWave / IMMW protocol, IEEE 802.15 / UWB protocol, or IEEE 802.11bf / sensing protocol; this application can also support the Spark Link / NearLink standard protocols.

[0091] For example, Figure 2 illustrates the architecture of a possible communication system to which the communication method provided in this application is applicable. The architecture of the communication system may include at least one access point (AP) (e.g., AP in Figure 2) and at least one station (STA) (e.g., STA1 and STA2 in Figure 2).

[0092] An access point is a point of access for terminal devices (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. It can also be deployed outdoors. An access point 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 access point can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a Wi-Fi chip. Access points can be devices that support the 802.11be standard. Access points can also be devices that support various WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, or their next generation. The access point in this application can be a high-efficiency (HE) AP or an EHT AP, or it can be an access point compatible with a future generation of Wi-Fi standards.

[0093] A site can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a site can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc. Optionally, the site can support the 802.11be standard. The site can also support various WLAN standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, or their next generation.

[0094] The access point in this application can be a high efficient (HE) STA or an extremely high throughput (EHT) STA, or a STA that is compatible with a future generation of Wi-Fi standards.

[0095] For example, access points and sites can be devices used in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0096] For example, the specific structure of an AP or STA can be as shown in the structural diagram in Figure 3, and may include at least one processor. Optionally, the specific structure of an AP or STA may also include one or more of the following: a memory, a transmitter, a receiver, a signal detector, or a digital signal processor, and optionally, a user interface. The transmitter and the receiver may also be combined into a transceiver, which is not limited in this application.

[0097] It should be noted that the names of the devices shown in Figure 2 are merely examples, and may have other names in future communication systems. The number of devices in Figure 2 is also merely an example, and may include more or fewer devices, which is not limited in this application.

[0098] The communication method provided in this application can be applied to data communication between an AP and one or more STAs, to communication between APs, and to communication between STAs. This application does not limit the application in this regard.

[0099] The following is a brief introduction to some of the technologies involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0100] 1. Next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) standard

[0101] WLAN has evolved through standards such as IEEE 802.11a / b / g / n / ac / ax, and is currently under discussion for 802.11be. The standard versions continue to evolve and develop. The 802.11n standard is also known as high throughput (HT), the 802.11ac standard as very high throughput (VHT), the 802.11ax standard as high efficient (HE), and the 802.11be standard as extremely high throughput (EHT). Standards prior to HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, can be collectively referred to as non-high throughput (non-HT).

[0102] 2. Target wakeup time (TWT)

[0103] Many wireless devices (especially terminal devices) are battery-powered, making energy efficiency particularly important. IEEE 802.11ah first introduced the concept of TWT (Time-to-Wait) in the IoT field. A TWT requesting STA can negotiate a TWT service period (TWT SP, or simply SP) with another TWT responding STA. This allows the TWT requesting STA to remain dormant outside of the TWT SP, thus saving energy.

[0104] IEEE 802.11ax extended TWT to the broadband domain, allowing non-access point sites (STAs) to negotiate TWT SPs with access points (APs), a process known as unicast TWT (individual TWT). A unicast TWT can be uniquely identified based on the media access control (MAC) address of the TWT requesting STA and a TWT flow identifier.

[0105] Furthermore, IEEE 802.11ax allows access points (APs, called TWT scheduling APs) to carry one or more broadcast TWTs in frames such as beacon frames through scheduling. Each broadcast TWT corresponds to one or more broadcast TWT service phases (SPs). Non-AP STAs (called TWT scheduled STAs) can apply to join one or more broadcast TWTs, thus maintaining energy efficiency outside of the joined broadcast TWT SPs. Broadcast TWTs can be uniquely identified based on the MAC address of the TWT scheduling AP and a broadcast TWT ID.

[0106] 3. Restricted target wakeup time (r-TWT)

[0107] Currently, an increasing number of wireless network applications and services are placing stringent requirements on latency characteristics, such as online gaming, virtual reality, and industrial applications. Therefore, the next-generation WLAN standard IEEE 802.11be has made ensuring latency and latency jitter characteristics a key technical objective, which has garnered widespread attention from the industry. IEEE 802.11be plans to introduce r-TWT technology to improve latency guarantee performance.

[0108] As shown in Figure 4, the r-TWT mechanism is a new mechanism for ensuring low-latency services, derived from the broadcast TWT introduced in IEEE 802.11ax. Under the 802.11be standard, non-AP EHT STAs (hereinafter referred to as EHT STAs) have many real-time applications (RTAs), whose traffic has very strict stringent latency requirements. Based on this, the r-TWT mechanism was proposed. In this mechanism, the AP can broadcast one or more r-TWT service periods (SPs) through beacon frames or probe response frames.

[0109] When an EHT STA within the basic service set (BSS) receives any r-TWT SP information broadcast by the AP, if the EHT STA's r-TWT option (dot11RestrictedTWTPtionImplemented) is set to true, then the EHT STA must terminate its transmission opportunity (TXOP) before the start time of the r-TWT SP. Furthermore, if the EHT STA backs off to 0 at time t0 before the r-TWT SP start time, and it is determined that the time between t0 and the r-TWT SP start time is insufficient to complete a frame exchange, then the EHT STA should abandon the transmission and back off again. Additionally, the AP can set a quiet interval aligned with the r-TWT SP start time in the beacon frame or probe response frame, with a duration of 1 millisecond (ms). The quiet interval is generally shorter than the duration of the r-TWT SP. EHT STAs belonging to this r-TWT SP group (grouped by broadcast TWT ID) are called r-TWT scheduled STAs. R-TWT scheduled STAs are allowed to ignore the aforementioned silence interval and compete for the channel after the r-TWT SP begins. Other legacy STAs and other EHT STAs need to remain silent according to the silence interval. This reduces the number of STAs competing for the channel within the BSS, increasing the probability that EHT STAs with low-latency services will win the channel. Legacy STAs can refer to STAs that do not support IEEE 802.11be but support IEEE 802.11ax.

[0110] Currently, r-TWT information is indicated in the TWT element field. The TWT element structure can be shown in Figure 5, including the following fields: Element ID, Length, Control, and TWT Parameter Information.

[0111] The control fields include the following: No Data Frame Paging Indicator, Responder PM Mode, Negotiation Type, TWT Information Frame Disabled, Wake Duration Unit, Link ID Bitmap Present, and Aligned TWT.

[0112] The TWT parameter information includes multiple Broadcast TWT Parameter Sets. Each Broadcast TWT Parameter Set includes the following: Request Type, Target Wake Time, Nominal Minimum TWT Wake Duration, TWT Wake Interval Mantissa, Broadcast TWT Info, and Restricted TWT Traffic Info (optional).

[0113] The broadcast TWT information includes the following: Restricted TWT Traffic Info Present, Restricted TWT Schedule info, Broadcast TWT ID, and Broadcast TWT Persistence.

[0114] In each broadcast TWT parameter set, the Broadcast TWT Recommendation subfield in the Request Type field indicates the TWT type specified by that broadcast TWT parameter set. A value of 4 indicates that this broadcast TWT parameter set corresponds to an r-TWT. If a broadcast TWT parameter set corresponds to an r-TWT, then the Broadcast TWT Info subfield in the TWT element field contains a one-bit Restricted TWT Traffic Info Present subfield. A value of 1 indicates that the TWT element field contains the Restricted TWT Traffic Info subfield shown in the diagram, while a value of 0 indicates that the TWT element field does not contain the Restricted TWT Traffic Info subfield shown in the diagram. The Broadcast TWT ID subfield represents the identifier of the TWT group.

[0115] The specific meaning of each of the above information is not limited in this application, but can be found in the descriptions in the IEEE 802.11 series of protocols.

[0116] 4. Non-primary channel access (NPCA)

[0117] To improve the resource utilization efficiency of WLAN, existing research has proposed an NPCA technology. The technical principle of NPCA is explained below with reference to Figure 6.

[0118] When an AP (Access Point) and a non-AP STA (non-AP Station) receive a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) from an external cell on the primary channel, and the duration indicated by the network allocation vector (NAV) carried in the PPDU exceeds a preset duration threshold, the AP and non-AP STA will switch their radio frequency from the primary channel to a pre-configured secondary channel. The AP and non-AP STA complete the radio frequency handover within one handover delay. After the handover, they can perform channel access and frame exchange on the secondary channel. After completing frame exchange on the secondary channel, the AP and non-AP STA switch their radio frequency back to the primary channel, ensuring that the handover occurs before the end of the NAV indicated in the external cell's PPDU. Afterward, the AP and non-AP STA begin operating on the primary channel.

[0119] When both NPCA and r-TWT technologies are active within a single BSS, the following issues may arise: After receiving a PPDU from an external cell on the primary channel, the AP and non-AP STA switch to the secondary channel for a period of time according to the rules of NPCA. If the start time of an r-TWT SP happens to fall within this handover period, are the AP and non-AP STA required to follow the r-TWT rules? In other words, if the AP and non-AP STA backoff to 0 before the start time of the r-TWT SP, but there isn't enough time to complete frame exchange before the start time of the r-TWT SP, should they abandon the transmission opportunity and backoff again? If the AP or non-AP STA acquires a TXOP before the r-TWT SP start time, is it required to end the TXOP before the r-TWT SP start time?

[0120] However, there is no clear stipulation regarding whether the r-TWT rule should be followed during the duration of operation on the slave channel after the AP and non-AP STA switch to slave channel operation based on NPCA rules. To ensure the communication order between the AP and non-AP STA, a technical solution is needed that allows the AP and non-AP STA to clearly understand how to operate after switching to the slave channel.

[0121] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method that enables a communication device to clearly define how to operate after switching to a slave channel.

[0122] It is understood that this application does not specifically limit the structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. It can be applied to the AP or a module in the AP, or to the STA or a module in the STA, as long as it can communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0123] Figure 7 provides an exemplary flowchart of a communication method. As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0124] Step 701: The communication device determines that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of other cells, and switches to the secondary channel to communicate with other communication devices.

[0125] The aforementioned communication device can be an access point (AP), or a module or chip within an AP; the aforementioned communication device can also be a non-AP STA, or a module or chip within a non-AP STA. In other words, the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 7 is applicable to both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0126] For example, when an AP and a non-AP STA receive a PPDU from an external cell on the main channel, and the duration indicated by the NAV carried in the PPDU is greater than a preset duration threshold, the AP and non-AP STA can switch their radio frequency from the main channel to a pre-configured secondary channel. After the switch is completed, they can perform channel access and frame interaction on the secondary channel and switch back to the main channel before the end time indicated by the NAV.

[0127] Step 702: If the time period for switching to the slave channel includes the start time of the r-TWT SP, the communication device shall comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel.

[0128] In one possible implementation, the communication device conforms to the relevant rules of r-TWT, which may include at least one of the following:

[0129] Rule 1: End the transfer opportunity (TXOP) before the start time of r-TWT SP.

[0130] When a communication device is the holder of a TXOP, it should end the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. The communication device can determine whether there is sufficient time to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP. If it can, the communication device can perform frame interaction normally. If it is insufficient to complete the required frame interaction, the communication device can abandon the TXOP or reduce the frame interaction, thereby ending the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP.

[0131] Rule 2: Check if there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP. If there is not enough time, delay frame interaction.

[0132] Before transmitting a PPDU, the communication device can check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction (including sending the PPDU and, possibly, the receiving end sending a response frame after receiving the PPDU) before the r-TWT SP start time. If there is insufficient time, the transmission of the PPDU is delayed. The communication device can check whether there is sufficient time before sending each PPDU after acquiring the TXOP; alternatively, the communication device can also check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time when the backoff timer reaches 0.

[0133] Optionally, the r-TWT rules can also be followed on the secondary channel. These rules can be specified in the communication standard or pre-configured by the operator, equipment manufacturer, network management system, etc., so that when the communication device switches to working on the secondary channel, it can determine the r-TWT rules that need to be followed based on the communication standard or pre-configured information.

[0134] In one possible design, during the r-TWT SP, when a communication device communicates with other communication devices on the channel, it also needs to adhere to a priority transmission rule. This priority transmission rule may include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been transmitted during the r-TWT SP, or resuming decrement when the r-TWT SP ends.

[0135] In this design, during the r-TWT SP, the communication device needs to prioritize sending frames that conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation. Before all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent, the decrementing operation of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service is paused. After all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent, the decrementing of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service is resumed, so that frames that do not belong to the r-TWT service information negotiation are sent after the counter reaches 0. Alternatively, at the end of the r-TWT SP, regardless of whether all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent, the decrementing of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service can be resumed, so that frames that do not belong to the r-TWT service information negotiation are sent after the counter reaches 0.

[0136] Optionally, priority transmission rules can also be followed on the secondary channel. These rules can be specified in the communication standard or pre-configured for the communication device by the operator, equipment manufacturer, network management system, etc., so that when the communication device switches to working on the secondary channel, it can determine whether to follow the priority transmission rules based on the communication standard or pre-configured information.

[0137] In the embodiment shown in Figure 7, the r-TWT rules are explicitly specified to be followed on the slave channel as well. This ensures that when a communication device switches from the primary channel to the slave channel, it can perform the corresponding operations according to the clearly defined rules, avoiding communication confusion that may result from unclear rules. It also prevents situations where some communication devices follow the r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not. Furthermore, adhering to the r-TWT rules on the slave channel effectively guarantees that low-latency services can also operate smoothly on the slave channel, preventing the service quality of low-latency services from being affected by switching to the slave channel.

[0138] Figure 8 provides an exemplary flowchart of another communication method. As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0139] Step 801: The communication device determines that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of other cells, and switches to the secondary channel to communicate with other communication devices.

[0140] The aforementioned communication device can be an access point (AP), or a module or chip within an AP; the aforementioned communication device can also be a non-AP STA, or a module or chip within a non-AP STA. In other words, the communication method in the embodiment shown in Figure 8 is applicable to both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0141] For example, when an AP and a non-AP STA receive a PPDU from an external cell on the main channel, and the duration indicated by the NAV carried in the PPDU is greater than a preset duration threshold, the AP and non-AP STA can switch their radio frequency from the main channel to a pre-configured secondary channel. After the switch is completed, they can perform channel access and frame interaction on the secondary channel and switch back to the main channel before the end time indicated by the NAV.

[0142] Step 802: The communication device does not comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the channel.

[0143] Optionally, the communication device does not need to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT on the slave channel. These rules may be specified in the communication standard or pre-configured for the communication device by the operator, equipment manufacturer, network management system, etc. This allows the communication device to determine, based on the communication standard or pre-configured information, that it does not need to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when switching to slave channel operation.

[0144] The communication device may determine, before switching to the slave channel, that it is not required to comply with the r-TWT rules after switching to the slave channel, based on the communication standard or pre-configuration information; or, after switching to the slave channel, it may determine, based on the communication standard or pre-configuration information, that it is not required to comply with the r-TWT rules; or, when determining that the time period for switching to the slave channel includes the start time of the r-TWT SP, it may determine, based on the communication standard or pre-configuration information, that it is not required to comply with the r-TWT rules.

[0145] In one possible implementation, the communication device does not comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT, and may include at least one of the following:

[0146] Rule 3: The communication device does not need to terminate the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time.

[0147] When a communication device switches to communicate with other communication devices via a channel, as the holder of the TXOP, it is not required to end the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. The communication device can determine whether sufficient time is available to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP. If insufficient time is available, the communication device does not need to abandon the TXOP, reduce frame interaction, or end the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. Alternatively, the communication device may not need to determine whether sufficient time is available to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP; it can simply acquire the TXOP and then communicate with other communication devices.

[0148] Rule 4: The communication device checks whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP, and does not need to delay frame interaction even if there is not enough time.

[0149] Before transmitting a PPDU from the channel, the communication device does not need to delay transmitting the PPDU even if it detects that there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction (including sending the PPDU, and possibly the receiver sending a response frame after receiving the PPDU) before the r-TWT SP start time. When the backoff timer backs up to 0, or when the communication device is the holder of the TXOP, it can continue transmitting without delay even if there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time.

[0150] Rule 5: The communication device does not need to check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP.

[0151] Before transmitting PPDU from the channel, the communication device does not need to check whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; it can transmit directly when the backoff timer backs off to 0, or when it is the holder of TXOP.

[0152] In another possible implementation, the communication device can ignore the rules related to r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel. In this implementation, after switching to operation on the slave channel, the communication device does not need to consider whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP, nor does it need to consider whether the TXOP ends before the start time of r-TWT SP. When operating on the slave channel, the communication device does not even need to consider when to enter r-TWT SP; it can directly transmit when the backoff timer backs up to 0 or when it is the holder of the TXOP.

[0153] In one possible design, during the r-TWT SP, the communication device is not required to adhere to the priority transmission rule when communicating with other communication devices on the channel. The priority transmission rule may include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been transmitted during the r-TWT SP, or resuming decrement when the r-TWT SP ends.

[0154] In this design, during the r-TWT SP period, the communication device does not need to prioritize sending frames that conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation. The communication device performs normal decrementing operations on each backoff counter, without pausing the decrementing operation of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service before all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent. After the counters decrease to 0, the corresponding frames that do not conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation can be sent.

[0155] Optionally, the communication device may not need to comply with the priority transmission rules on the secondary channel. These rules may be specified in the communication standard or pre-configured by the operator, equipment manufacturer, network management system, etc., so that when the communication device switches to secondary channel operation, it can determine that it does not need to comply with the priority transmission rules based on the communication standard or pre-configured information.

[0156] In the embodiment shown in Figure 8, it is explicitly stated that the r-TWT rules do not need to be followed on the slave channel. This allows communication devices to perform corresponding operations according to the explicit rules when switching from the primary channel to the slave channel, avoiding communication confusion that may be caused by unclear rules. It also prevents situations where some communication devices follow the r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not. Furthermore, not following the r-TWT rules on the slave channel avoids resource waste caused by some or all non-AP STAs in the r-TWT SP group failing to switch to the slave channel. For example, if some non-AP STAs in the r-TWT SP group do not support NPCA functionality, have NPCA functionality disabled, or have failed to receive PPDUs from other cells, resulting in these non-AP STAs not switching to the slave channel, then non-AP STAs outside the group still following the r-TWT rules to avoid switching would lead to resource waste. Furthermore, since the time for switching from NPCA to the slave channel is not very long (e.g., a few milliseconds), adhering to the r-TWT rules would shorten the available time on the slave channel and may also lead to the risk of being unable to adapt to the slave channel due to competition from other cells. Therefore, allowing communication devices to not adhere to r-TWT on the slave channel is beneficial in avoiding resource waste and ensuring the service needs of communication devices within non-r-TWT SP groups.

[0157] Figure 9 provides an exemplary flowchart of another communication method. As shown, the method may include the following steps:

[0158] Step 901: The AP generates a first frame, wherein the first frame includes first indication information, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other communication devices on the channel.

[0159] The AP determines whether non-AP STAs in this BSS need to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when switching to slave channel operation, and indicates this through the first indication information.

[0160] Optionally, the first frame mentioned above can be a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, a re-association response frame, or another frame.

[0161] The embodiment shown in Figure 9 uses the AP executing step 901 as an example for illustration. Step 901 can also be executed by modules, chips, etc. in the AP.

[0162] Step 902: AP sends the first frame.

[0163] Optionally, the AP can broadcast the first frame to one or more STAs within the BSS where the AP is located.

[0164] Optionally, the AP can send the first frame on the primary channel; or, when the AP switches to the secondary channel, it can also send the first frame on the secondary channel.

[0165] Step 903: The non-AP STA determines, based on the first instruction information, whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the channel.

[0166] The embodiment shown in Figure 9 illustrates step 903 as an example of execution in a non-AP STA. Step 903 can also be executed by modules, chips, etc. in a non-AP STA.

[0167] Upon receiving the first frame, a non-AP STA can determine, based on the first indication information in the first frame, whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT if it switches to communicating with other communication devices via a secondary channel.

[0168] Alternatively, a non-AP STA may determine whether to comply with the r-TWT rules based on the first indication information when it determines that the transmission of another cell is busy and switches to a slave channel to communicate with other communication devices. Furthermore, a non-AP STA may also determine whether to comply with the r-TWT rules based on the first indication information when it determines that the time period for switching to a slave channel includes the r-TWT SP start time.

[0169] In one possible implementation, the non-AP STA adheres to the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the channel, which may include at least one of the following:

[0170] Rule 1: End TXOP before the start time of r-TWT SP.

[0171] When a communication device (including the aforementioned non-AP STA) is the holder of a TXOP, it should end the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. The communication device can determine whether there is sufficient time to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP. If it can, the communication device can perform frame interaction normally. If it is insufficient to complete the required frame interaction, the communication device can abandon the TXOP or reduce the frame interaction, thereby ending the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP.

[0172] Rule 2: Check if there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP. If there is not enough time, delay frame interaction.

[0173] Before transmitting a PPDU, the communication device (including the aforementioned non-AP STA) may check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction (including sending the PPDU, and possibly the receiving end sending a response frame after receiving the PPDU) before the r-TWT SP start time. If there is insufficient time, the transmission of the PPDU is delayed. The communication device may check whether there is sufficient time before sending each PPDU after acquiring the TXOP; alternatively, the communication device may check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time when the backoff timer reaches 0.

[0174] In one possible design, the non-AP STA does not comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other communication devices on the channel, and may include at least one of the following:

[0175] Rule 3: Communication devices (including the aforementioned non-AP STA) are not required to terminate the transmission opportunity before the start time of r-TWT SP.

[0176] When a communication device switches to communicate with other communication devices via a channel, as the holder of the TXOP, it is not required to terminate the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. The communication device can determine whether sufficient time is available to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP. If insufficient time is available, the communication device does not need to abandon the TXOP, reduce frame interaction, or terminate the TXOP before the start time of the r-TWT SP. Alternatively, the communication device may not need to determine whether sufficient time is available to complete the required frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP; it can simply acquire the TXOP and then communicate with other communication devices.

[0177] Rule 4. The communication device (including the non-AP STA mentioned above) checks whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP, and does not need to delay frame interaction even if there is insufficient time.

[0178] Before transmitting a PPDU from the channel, the communication device does not need to delay transmitting the PPDU even if it detects that there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction (including sending the PPDU, and possibly the receiver sending a response frame after receiving the PPDU) before the r-TWT SP start time. When the backoff timer backs up to 0, or when the communication device is the holder of the TXOP, it can continue transmitting without delay even if there is insufficient time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time.

[0179] Rule 5. Communication devices (including the aforementioned non-AP STA) are not required to check whether there is sufficient time to complete frame interaction before the start time of r-TWT SP.

[0180] Before transmitting PPDU from the channel, the communication device does not need to check whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; it can transmit directly when the backoff timer backs off to 0, or when it is the holder of TXOP.

[0181] In another possible design, the non-AP STA can ignore the r-TWT rules when communicating with other communication devices on the channel. In this implementation, after switching to work on the channel, the communication device does not need to consider whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the start time of the r-TWT SP, nor does it need to consider whether the TXOP ends before the start time of the r-TWT SP. When working on the channel, the communication device does not even need to consider when to enter the r-TWT SP; it can directly transmit when the backoff timer backs up to 0 or when it is the holder of the TXOP.

[0182] Optionally, the AP may execute steps 901 and 902 multiple times. For example, the AP may periodically determine whether a non-AP STA needs to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when switching to the slave channel and generate a first frame containing the first indication information; or, the AP may determine whether a non-AP STA needs to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when switching to the slave channel when a trigger event occurs (such as when the number of non-AP STAs in the r-TWT SP group within this BSS changes, determining whether the non-AP STA needs to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when switching to the slave channel).

[0183] The AP can generate a first frame each time it determines whether a non-AP STA needs to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to a slave channel. For example, if the AP carries first indication information in the first frame sent periodically, then after each determination of whether the r-TWT rules are followed on the slave channel, the AP generates the first frame for the corresponding period and indicates the determination result through the first indication information in the first frame. Therefore, different first frames can indicate the same content or different content. For example, if the AP determines at time t1 that a non-AP STA needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel when switching to the slave channel, the AP can generate the first frame 1. The indication information contained in the first frame 1 (i.e., the aforementioned first indication information) indicates that the r-TWT rules should be complied with on the slave channel. If the AP determines at time t2 that a non-AP STA still needs to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel, the AP can generate the first frame 2. The indication information contained in the first frame 2 indicates that the r-TWT rules should be complied with on the slave channel. If the AP determines at time t3 that a non-AP STA does not need to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel, the AP can generate the first frame 3. The indication information contained in the first frame 3 indicates that the r-TWT rules should not be complied with on the slave channel.

[0184] Alternatively, the AP may not generate the first frame every time it determines whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT while operating from the channel, but instead generate the first frame only when the determination result changes. For example, as shown in Figure 10, at time t1, the AP determines that if a non-AP STA switches to the slave channel, it needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel. The AP can generate the first frame 1, which contains the first indication information indicating that the r-TWT rules are complied with on the slave channel. At time t2, the AP determines that if a non-AP STA switches to the slave channel, it still needs to comply with the r-TWT rules. Since the determination result has not changed, the AP does not need to generate the first frame. At time t3, the AP determines that if a non-AP STA switches to the slave channel, it does not need to comply with the r-TWT rules. The AP can generate the first frame 2, which contains the first indication information indicating that the r-TWT rules are not complied with on the slave channel. At time t4, the AP determines that if a non-AP STA switches to the slave channel, it needs to comply with the r-TWT rules. The AP can generate the first frame 3, which contains the first indication information indicating that the r-TWT rules are complied with on the slave channel.

[0185] Since the AP can send the first frame carrying the first indication information multiple times, before step 901 above, the AP may have already identified and sent the previous first frame. After receiving the previous first frame, the non-AP STA determines whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices, based on the first indication information in the previous first frame. This continues until the non-AP STA receives the first frame sent in step 902, and then determines whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices, based on the first indication information in the first frame of step 902. After step 903 above, the non-AP STA may receive another first frame, and then will determine whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices, based on the first indication information in the next first frame.

[0186] If the AP can determine multiple times whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when operating on the slave channel, but only generates and sends the first frame when the determination result changes, then the first indication information in the preceding first frame indicates a different content than the first indication information in the first frame in step 901; similarly, the first indication information in the following first frame also indicates a different content than the first indication information in the first frame in step 901. For example, if the first indication information in the preceding first frame indicates that the r-TWT rules do not need to be followed when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel, then the first indication information in the first frame in step 901 indicates that the r-TWT rules need to be followed when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel, and the first indication information in the following first frame indicates that the r-TWT rules do not need to be followed when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel.

[0187] Furthermore, before the AP executes step 901 (e.g., when the AP has just come online and has not yet determined and sent the first frame), or before the non-AP STA has received the first frame (e.g., when the non-AP STA has just accessed the network and has not yet received the first frame), the non-AP STA can determine whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices based on preset default values. In this implementation, the non-AP STA can be pre-configured with default values ​​to indicate whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices. For example, a default value of "0" indicates non-compliance, and a default value of "1" indicates compliance. Before obtaining the first indication information, the non-AP STA determines whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices based on the default value; after obtaining the first indication information, it determines whether to comply with the r-TWT rules when switching to the slave channel to communicate with other communication devices based on the first indication information.

[0188] The effective time of the aforementioned first instruction information can be indicated either explicitly or implicitly.

[0189] In the displayed indication method, the first frame may also include time indication information for the effective time of the first indication information. For example, the time indication information in the first frame may include one or more of the following: the start time of the first indication information taking effect, the end time of the first indication information taking effect, and the duration of the first indication information taking effect. As another example, the time indication information in the first frame may include: the effective start time is the end time of the Nth beacon frame transmission after the first frame transmission.

[0190] In the implicit indication method, the first frame does not need to include time indication information, but it has a pre-configured effective time or a default effective time. Optionally, the start time of the first indication information's effective time can be the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission.

[0191] The time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission can refer to the exact moment when the first frame transmission ends. For example, if the AP completes the transmission of the first frame at time t1, then the effective start time of the first indication information in the first frame is time t1.

[0192] Alternatively, the time indicated by the end of the first frame transmission can also refer to the end of the current TXOP. For example, if the AP completes the transmission of the first frame at time t1, and time t1 is during the TXOP of non-AP STA1, and the TXOP of non-AP STA1 ends at time t2, then the effective start time of the first indication information in the first frame is time t2.

[0193] Alternatively, the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission can also refer to the end time of the transmission of the Nth beacon frame after the first frame transmission. For example, assuming N=1, the AP completes the transmission of the first frame at time t1 and the transmission of the beacon frame at time t2, and the beacon frame transmitted at time t2 is the first beacon frame sent after the first frame, then the effective start time of the first indication information in the first frame is time t2.

[0194] Optionally, the end time of the first indication information taking effect can be the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame transmission. Similarly, the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame transmission can be the end time of the next first frame transmission, the end time of the TXOP in which the next first frame transmission ends, or the end time of the transmission of the Nth beacon frame after the next first frame transmission.

[0195] For example, the AP completes the transmission of the first frame 1 at time t1, and the effective start time of the first indication information 1 in the first frame 1 is time t1; the AP completes the transmission of the first frame 2 at time t2, and the effective start time of the first indication information 2 in the first frame 2 is time t2. That is to say, the effective time of the first indication information 1 is from time t1 to time t2.

[0196] In the foregoing embodiments, the first indication information indicates whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed. It is not specific to any particular r-TWT, but rather applies to each r-TWT SP entering from the channel during the effective period of the first indication information. In another possible implementation, the first indication information can indicate different r-TWTs separately. In this case, the first indication information may include at least one sub-indication information, each corresponding to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other communication devices from the channel for the corresponding r-TWT.

[0197] For example, the first indication information in the first frame sent by the AP includes sub-indication information 1, sub-indication information 2, and sub-indication information 3, which correspond to r-TWT1, r-TWT2, and r-TWT3, respectively. After receiving the first frame, if the time of switching to the slave channel includes the start time of r-TWT SP1, the non-AP STA determines, based on sub-indication information 1, whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT before the start time of r-TWT SP1. If the time of switching to the slave channel includes the start time of r-TWT SP2, the non-AP STA determines, based on sub-indication information 2, whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT before the start time of r-TWT SP1. If the time of switching to the slave channel includes the start time of r-TWT SP3, the non-AP STA determines, based on sub-indication information 3, whether it complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT before the start time of r-TWT SP3.

[0198] Several sub-indication information in the same first frame can all indicate compliance with the r-TWT rules, all indicate that the r-TWT rules do not need to be followed, or some sub-indication information indicates compliance with the r-TWT rules and some sub-indication information indicates non-compliance with the r-TWT rules. For example, the first indication information in the first frame sent by the AP includes sub-indication information 1, sub-indication information 2, and sub-indication information 3, which correspond to r-TWT1, r-TWT2, and r-TWT3, respectively. Among them, sub-indication information 1 can indicate that for r-TWT1, the r-TWT rules need to be followed on the slave channel; sub-indication information 2 can indicate that for r-TWT2, the r-TWT rules do not need to be followed on the slave channel; and sub-indication information 3 can indicate that for r-TWT3, the r-TWT rules need to be followed on the slave channel, as shown in Figure 11.

[0199] Optionally, different first frames may include sub-indication information for the same r-TWT, or they may include sub-indication information for different r-TWTs. For example, the first frame 1 transmitted by the AP at time t1 includes sub-indication information 1, sub-indication information 2, and sub-indication information 3 corresponding to r-TWT1, r-TWT2, and r-TWT3, respectively; other first frames transmitted by the AP at other times also include sub-indication information 1, sub-indication information 2, and sub-indication information 3 corresponding to r-TWT1, r-TWT2, and r-TWT3, respectively. As another example, the first frame 1 transmitted by the AP at time t1 includes sub-indication information 1 and sub-indication information 2 corresponding to r-TWT1 and r-TWT2, respectively; the first frame 2 transmitted by the AP at time t2 includes sub-indication information 1 and sub-indication information 3 corresponding to r-TWT2 and r-TWT3, respectively.

[0200] When different first frames may include sub-indication information for different r-TWTs, the effective time of the different sub-indication information may also be different. For example, let's take the effective time of the sub-indication information as starting from the end of the transmission of the first frame containing the sub-indication information and ending at the end of the transmission of the first frame containing the next sub-indication information as an example: The AP sends first frame 1 at time t1, including sub-indication information 11 and sub-indication information 12 corresponding to r-TWT1 and r-TWT2 respectively; the AP sends first frame 2 at time t2, including sub-indication information 21 and sub-indication information 23 corresponding to r-TWT1 and r-TWT3 respectively; the AP sends first frame 3 at time t3, including sub-indication information 32 corresponding to r-TWT2; then the effective time of sub-indication information 11 is from time t1 to time t2, and the effective time of sub-indication information 12 is from time t1 to time t3.

[0201] Optionally, the sub-indication information is carried in the traffic information control field of the r-TWT traffic information field. For example, in the traffic information control field of the restricted TWT traffic information field, there may be 6 reserved bits. One bit can be selected from these 6 reserved bits as the "r-TWT Enable in NPCA" field, as shown in Figure 12. If the value of this field is 1, it means that when switching to a slave channel, the r-TWT corresponding to this field needs to comply with the relevant r-TWT rules. If the value of this field is 0, it means that when switching to a slave channel, the r-TWT corresponding to this field does not need to comply with the relevant r-TWT rules. Alternatively, this selected bit can also be called the "r-TWT Disable in NPCA". If the value of this field is 1, it means that when switching to a slave channel, the r-TWT rules corresponding to this field do not need to be followed. If the value of this field is 0, it means that when switching to a slave channel, the r-TWT rules corresponding to this field need to be followed.

[0202] In one possible design, the first frame may also include second indication information to indicate whether a priority transmission rule needs to be followed when communicating with other communication devices on the channel. This priority transmission rule may include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP have been transmitted, or resuming the decrement when the r-TWT SP ends.

[0203] In this design, the AP can use a second indication to instruct the non-AP STA whether it needs to adhere to the aforementioned priority transmission rule when switching to the slave channel for communication. If the second indication indicates that the priority transmission rule needs to be followed, then when the non-AP STA switches to the slave channel for communication, if it enters the r-TWT SP period, it needs to prioritize sending frames that conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation. Before all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation are sent, the decrementing operation of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service is paused. After all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent, the decrementing of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service is resumed, so that frames that do not belong to the r-TWT service information negotiation are sent after the counter reaches 0. Alternatively, at the end of the r-TWT SP, regardless of whether all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent, the decrementing of the backoff counter that does not belong to the r-TWT service can be resumed, so that frames that do not belong to the r-TWT service information negotiation are sent after the counter reaches 0. If the second indication information indicates that the priority transmission rule does not need to be followed, then when a non-AP STA switches to the slave channel for communication, if it enters the r-TWT SP period, it does not need to prioritize sending frames that conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation. It can perform normal decrementing operations on each backoff counter, and does not need to pause the decrementing operation of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service before all frames that conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation have been sent. After the decrementing reaches 0, the corresponding frames that do not conform to the r-TWT service information negotiation can be sent.

[0204] When the first indication information includes several sub-indication information, each corresponding to an r-TWT, the second indication information can also include several second sub-indication information, each corresponding to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the priority transmission rule should be followed when communicating with other communication devices on the slave channel for the corresponding r-TWT. For example, the second indication information in the first frame sent by the AP includes second sub-indication information 1, second sub-indication information 2, and second sub-indication information 3, corresponding to r-TWT1, r-TWT2, and r-TWT3, respectively; wherein, second sub-indication information 1 can indicate that the priority transmission rule should be followed on the slave channel for r-TWT1; second sub-indication information 2 can indicate that the priority transmission rule does not need to be followed on the slave channel for r-TWT2; and second sub-indication information 3 can indicate that the priority transmission rule should be followed on the slave channel for r-TWT3.

[0205] In the embodiment shown in Figure 9, the access point determines whether the non-access point needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel and notifies the non-access point of the determination result. This allows the non-access point to clearly understand whether it needs to comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel. When each node switches from the master channel to the slave channel, it can perform the corresponding operation according to the clear instructions, avoiding communication confusion that may be caused by unclear execution rules. This also avoids the situation where some nodes comply with the r-TWT rules on the slave channel while others do not.

[0206] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device includes an interface module 1301 and a processing module 1302. The processing module 1302 is used to process data by the communication device. The interface module 1301 is used to receive content from the communication device and other units or network elements, or to send content from the communication device and other units or network elements. It should be understood that the processing module 1302 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components (or, referred to as processing circuitry), and the interface module 1301 can be implemented by a receiver / transmitter or receiver / transmitter-related circuit components.

[0207] For example, the communication device may be a communication device equipment, or it may be a chip or other combination device or component that has the functions of the aforementioned communication device equipment applied in the communication device equipment.

[0208] When the communication device is the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG7, the processing module 1302 is used to: determine that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of the other cell, switch to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices through the interface module 1301; if the time period of switching to the secondary channel includes the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP, when communicating with other devices through the interface module 1301 on the secondary channel, the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT shall be followed.

[0209] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0210] When the communication device is the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG8, the processing module 1302 is used to: determine that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of the other cell, switch to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices through the interface module 1301; when communicating with other devices through the interface module 1301 on the secondary channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are not followed.

[0211] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0212] When the communication device is the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG9, the processing module 1302 is used to: generate a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel; and send the first frame through the interface module 1301.

[0213] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the AP in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0214] When the communication device is a non-AP STA as shown in the embodiment of FIG9, the processing module 1302 is used to: receive a first frame through the interface module 1301, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; and determine whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel according to the first indication information.

[0215] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the non-AP STA in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0216] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of another communication device according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device includes at least one processor 1401 and a communication interface 1402, and may further include a memory 1403 and a bus 1404. The processor 1401, communication interface 1402, and memory 1403 can be interconnected via the bus 1404. The bus 1404 can be a peripheral component interconnect (PCI) bus or an extended industry standard architecture (EISA) bus, etc. The bus 1404 can be divided into an address bus, a data bus, and a control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one line is used in Figure 14, but this does not indicate that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0217] Processor 1401 may be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), or a combination of a CPU and an NP. The processor may further include hardware chips. These hardware chips may be application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), or combinations thereof. The PLD may be a complex programmable logic device (CPLD), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), a generic array logic (GAL), or any combination thereof. Memory 1403 may be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both. The non-volatile memory may be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache.

[0218] The processor 1401 is used to implement the data processing operation of the communication device, and the communication interface 1402 is used to implement the receiving and sending operations of the communication device.

[0219] When the communication device is the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG7, the processor 1401 is used to: determine that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of the other cell, switch to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices through the communication interface 1402; if the time period of switching to the secondary channel includes the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP, when communicating with other devices through the communication interface 1402 on the secondary channel, comply with the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT.

[0220] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 7. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0221] When the communication device is the communication device in the embodiment shown in FIG8, the processor 1401 is used to: determine that the main channel is busy due to the transmission of the other cell, switch to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices through the communication interface 1402; when communicating with other devices through the communication interface 1402 on the secondary channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are not followed.

[0222] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the communication device in the embodiment shown in Figure 8. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0223] When the communication device is the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG9, the processor 1401 is used to: generate a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel; and send the first frame through the communication interface 1402.

[0224] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the AP in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0225] When the communication device is a non-AP STA as shown in the embodiment of FIG9, the processor 1401 is configured to: receive a first frame through the communication interface 1402, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; and determine whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel according to the first indication information.

[0226] Furthermore, the modules described above can also be used to support other processes performed by the non-AP STA in the embodiments shown in Figures 9 to 12. The beneficial effects are described above and will not be repeated here.

[0227] Based on the same computational concept, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned AP and non-AP STA.

[0228] Based on the same computational concept, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: at least one processor, the at least one processor being coupled to a memory for storing instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the chip to implement the method described in any of the above implementation methods.

[0229] Based on the same technical concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer-readable instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the above-described method embodiments to be performed.

[0230] Based on the same technical concept, this application also provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when run on a computer, cause the above-described method embodiments to be executed.

[0231] It should be understood that in the description of this application, terms such as "first" and "second" are used only for distinguishing purposes and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or order. References to "one embodiment" or "some embodiments" in this specification mean that one or more embodiments of this application include a specific feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with that embodiment. Therefore, phrases such as "in one embodiment," "in some embodiments," "in other embodiments," and "in still other embodiments" appearing in different parts of this specification do not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, but rather mean "one or more, but not all, embodiments," unless otherwise specifically emphasized. The terms "comprising," "including," "having," and variations thereof mean "including but not limited to," unless otherwise specifically emphasized.

[0232] Those skilled in the art will understand that embodiments of this application can be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Therefore, this application can take the form of a completely hardware embodiment, a completely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware aspects. Furthermore, this application can take the form of a computer program product embodied on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0233] This application is described with reference to flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams of methods, apparatus (systems), and computer program products according to embodiments of this application. It will be understood that each block of the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, and combinations of blocks in the flowchart illustrations and / or block diagrams, can be implemented by computer program instructions. These computer program instructions can be provided to a processor of a general-purpose computer, special-purpose computer, embedded processor, or other programmable data processing apparatus to produce a machine, such that the instructions, which execute via the processor of the computer or other programmable data processing apparatus, create means for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowchart illustrations and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0234] These computer program instructions may also be stored in a computer-readable storage medium that can direct a computer or other programmable data processing device to function in a particular manner, such that the instructions stored in the computer-readable storage medium produce an article of manufacture including instruction means that implement the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0235] These computer program instructions may also be loaded onto a computer or other programmable data processing apparatus to cause a series of operational steps to be performed on the computer or other programmable apparatus to produce a computer-implemented process, such that the instructions, which execute on the computer or other programmable apparatus, provide steps for implementing the functions specified in one or more flowcharts and / or one or more block diagrams.

[0236] Although preferred embodiments of this application have been described, those skilled in the art, upon learning the basic inventive concept, can make other changes and modifications to these embodiments. Therefore, the appended claims are intended to be interpreted as including the preferred embodiments as well as all changes and modifications falling within the scope of this application.

[0237] Obviously, those skilled in the art can make various modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application without departing from the spirit and scope of the embodiments of this application. Therefore, if these modifications and variations to the embodiments of this application fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application also intends to include these modifications and variations.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: If the primary channel is busy due to transmission issues in other cells, switch to a secondary channel to communicate with other devices. If the period of switching to the slave channel includes the start time of the target wake-up time (r-TWT) service phase SP, the relevant rules of r-TWT shall be followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The requirement to comply with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: End the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; if not, delay the frame interaction.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, the priority transmission rules are followed, which include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP are sent, or resuming the decrement when the r-TWT SP ends.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: If the primary channel is busy due to transmission issues in other cells, switch to a secondary channel to communicate with other devices. When communicating with other devices on the channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are not followed.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel includes: The period during which the device switches to the slave channel includes the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP, and the r-TWT rules are not followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel.

6. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The failure to comply with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: There is no need to terminate the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; There is no need to check whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; even if there is not enough time, there is no need to delay the frame interaction.

7. The method according to claim 4 or 5, characterized in that, The non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the slave channel includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are ignored.

8. The method according to any one of claims 4-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, the priority transmission rules are not followed, which include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to the r-TWT service until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP are sent and the decrement is resumed, or when the r-TWT SP ends.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Generate a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel; Send the first frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The relevant rules for complying with r-TWT when communicating with other devices on the channel include at least one of the following: End the transmission opportunity before the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; if not, delay the frame interaction.

11. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The failure to comply with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: There is no need to terminate the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; There is no need to check whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; even if there is not enough time, there is no need to delay the frame interaction.

12. The method according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that, The non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are ignored.

13. The method according to any one of claims 9-12, characterized in that, The effective time of the first indication information is from the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission to the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame.

14. The method according to any one of claims 9-13, characterized in that, The first indication information includes at least one sub-indication information; each sub-indication information corresponds to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel for the corresponding r-TWT.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, Whether the r-TWT rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, whether the r-TWT corresponding to the sub-indication information complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The sub-indication information is carried in the business information control field of the r-TWT business information field.

17. The method according to any one of claims 9-16, characterized in that, The first frame also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate whether priority transmission rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; The priority transmission rules include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to r-TWT services until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP have been sent and the decrement is resumed, or when the r-TWT SP ends.

18. The method according to any one of claims 9-17, characterized in that, The first frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the limited target wake-up time r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; Based on the first indication information, determine whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The step of determining whether to comply with the relevant rules of r-TWT when communicating with other devices on the slave channel based on the first indication information includes: If it is determined that the transmission of the cell outside is busy, switch to the secondary channel to communicate with other devices, and determine whether the relevant rules of r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the secondary channel according to the first indication information.

21. The method according to claim 19 or 20, characterized in that, The relevant rules for complying with r-TWT when communicating with other devices on the channel include at least one of the following: End the transmission opportunity before the start time of the r-TWT service phase SP; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the R-TWT SP start time; if not, delay the frame interaction.

22. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized in that, The failure to comply with the r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes at least one of the following: There is no need to terminate the transmission opportunity before the r-TWT SP start time; There is no need to check whether there is enough time to complete frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; Check if there is enough time to complete the frame interaction before the r-TWT SP start time; even if there is not enough time, there is no need to delay the frame interaction.

23. The method according to any one of claims 19-21, characterized in that, The non-compliance with r-TWT rules when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, the relevant rules of r-TWT are ignored.

24. The method according to any one of claims 19-23, characterized in that, The effective time of the first indication information is from the time indicated by the end time of the first frame transmission to the time indicated by the end time of the next first frame.

25. The method according to any one of claims 19-24, characterized in that, The first indication information includes at least one sub-indication information; each sub-indication information corresponds to an r-TWT, used to indicate whether the relevant rules of the r-TWT are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel for the corresponding r-TWT.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, Whether the r-TWT rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the channel includes: When communicating with other devices on the channel, whether the r-TWT corresponding to the sub-indication information complies with the relevant rules of r-TWT.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, The sub-indication information is carried in the business information control field of the r-TWT business information field.

28. The method according to any one of claims 19-27, characterized in that, The first frame also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate whether priority transmission rules are followed when communicating with other devices on the slave channel; The priority transmission rules include: suspending the decrement of backoff counters that do not belong to r-TWT services until all frames conforming to the r-TWT service information negotiation in the r-TWT SP have been sent and the decrement is resumed, or when the r-TWT SP ends.

29. The method according to any one of claims 19-28, characterized in that, The first frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, include: At least one processor coupled to a memory for storing a program or instructions that, when executed by the at least one processor, cause the apparatus to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-3, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 4-8, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 9-18, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 19-29.

31. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, or the method as described in any one of claims 4-8, or the method as described in any one of claims 9-18, or the method as described in any one of claims 19-29.

32. A computer program product containing instructions, characterized in that, When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-29.

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