Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

A communication method and apparatus, which can be applied to the IEEE 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard and other standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as the 802.15 standard, the 802.11bf standard, the IMMW standard or the NearLink standard, etc. In the solution provided in the embodiments, an AP sends a first frame, such that a non-AP STA in a BSS of the AP can learn about a non-coordinated BSS of the BSS of the AP in view of non-coordinated BSS indication information in the first frame. Therefore, after receiving an inter-BSS PPDU, the AP or the non-AP STA can decide whether to switch to a secondary channel, so as to ensure that the non-AP STA and the AP operate in the same channel, thereby improving the system performance.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411601135.3, filed on November 8, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] Improving throughput is a continuous technological goal in the evolution of cellular networks and wireless local area networks (WLANs). WLAN system standards 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. Currently, the next-generation WLAN standard, IEEE 802.11bn, or Ultra High Reliability (UHR), is under research.

[0004] Currently, a carrier-aware multiple access with collision avoidance (CSMA / CA) mechanism exists. CSMA / CA can resolve interference issues caused by multiple sites simultaneously using the channel. Furthermore, the standard supports transmission on non-primary channels, such as non-primary channel access (NPCA). The standard also supports multiple access point (MAP) cooperation.

[0005] However, when both the NPCA mechanism and the MAP collaboration mechanism are present, there may be situations where sites cannot function effectively, affecting system performance. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can improve system performance and communication efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first access point (AP). The first AP includes a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device or devices involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc.), or a chip, functional module, processing system, or communication component that can be disposed within the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0008] Generate a first frame, which includes a non-cooperative basic service set (BSS) indication information. This non-cooperative BSS indication information is used to indicate a non-cooperative BSS, which is the BSS of the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where the first AP is located, and the BSS where the first AP is located is located. The first frame is then sent.

[0009] If the BSS containing the first AP is the first BSS, then the non-cooperative BSS is the BSS containing APs that are not cooperative with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs of the first BSS. In other words, APs in the non-cooperative BSS have no cooperative relationship with the first AP. The cooperative BSS is the BSS containing APs that are cooperative with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs of the first BSS. In other words, APs in the cooperative BSS have a cooperative relationship with the first AP. Both the non-cooperative BSS and the cooperative BSS are neighboring BSSs of the first BSS. That is, APs in the non-cooperative BSS and APs in the cooperative BSS are neighboring APs of the first AP. This first AP includes, but is not limited to, the primary AP or secondary AP mentioned in aspects two through five.

[0010] In this embodiment, the first frame, by indicating the non-cooperative BSS, enables the non-access point station (non-AP STA) receiving the first frame to distinguish whether the PPDU originates from the non-cooperative BSS, and based on this, to determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel. Thus, the first AP and the non-AP STA can operate on the same channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0011] In one possible implementation, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about non-cooperative BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about cooperative BSSs, where the cooperative BSS is the BSS containing the AP that has a cooperative relationship with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and non-cooperative BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and cooperative BSSs.

[0012] In this embodiment, the BSS information includes at least one of the BSS identifier (BSSID) or BSS color. Optionally, the medium access control (MAC) address of the AP within the BSS is the BSSID. The BSS information described here applies to information about non-cooperative BSSs, cooperative BSSs, or neighboring BSSs. Neighboring BSSs include both non-cooperative and cooperative BSSs.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the method further includes sending a fourth frame, which includes information about non-AP STAs within the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0014] The information for the non-AP STA includes, but is not limited to, the MAC address of the non-AP STA. The fourth frame may include all or some of the MAC addresses of the non-AP STAs within the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0015] Therefore, when a non-AP STA receives the fourth frame and receives a Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU), even if the PPDU only has one MAC address, the non-AP STA can still distinguish whether the PPDU comes from an external cell (e.g., an inter-BSS PPDU) or its own cell (e.g., an intra-BSS PPDU). This MAC address could be from a non-AP STA in an external cell or from another non-AP STA within the same cell.

[0016] In one possible implementation, the first frame is any of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

[0017] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a non-AP STA, which includes a WLAN device (including a Wi-Fi device or devices involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc.), or a chip, functional module, processing system, or communication component that can be disposed in the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0018] Receive the first frame, which includes non-cooperative BSS indication information. This non-cooperative BSS indication information is used to indicate the non-cooperative BSS. The non-cooperative BSS is the BSS of the neighboring BSS of the non-AP STA, which is the BSS where the AP has no cooperative relationship with the first access point AP is located. The first AP is the AP in the BSS where the non-AP STA is located. parse the first frame.

[0019] In other words, a non-cooperative BSS is the BSS containing the AP that has no cooperative relationship with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs of the first BSS.

[0020] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a PPDU on the primary channel; and, based on the PPDU, switching to a non-primary channel if certain conditions are met, including that the PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS.

[0021] If a non-AP STA determines that its PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS, it can switch to a non-primary channel, provided that other conditions of the National Passive Channel Agreement (NPCA) are met. For details on the other conditions of the NPCA, please refer to the specific implementation examples; they will not be elaborated here.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: receiving a PPDU on the main channel; and residing on the main channel if the PPDU is not from a non-cooperative BSS.

[0023] If a non-AP STA determines that the PPDU does not originate from a non-cooperative BSS, then the non-AP STA remains on the primary channel and does not switch to a non-primary channel.

[0024] In one possible implementation, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about non-cooperative BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about cooperative BSSs, where the cooperative BSS is the BSS containing the AP that has a cooperative relationship with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and non-cooperative BSSs; or, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and cooperative BSSs.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the method further includes receiving a fourth frame, which includes information about non-AP STAs within the BSS where the first AP is located.

[0026] For further explanations regarding the second aspect, such as beneficial effects, please refer to the first aspect; they will not be repeated here.

[0027] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a main access point (AP). The main AP includes a WLAN device (including Wi-Fi devices or devices involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc.), or a chip, functional module, processing system, or communication component that can be disposed within the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0028] Generate a second frame, which includes MAP cooperative transmission indication information, which indicates whether the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining transmission opportunity (TXOP) period; send the second frame.

[0029] The primary AP, also known as the TXOP holder, reserves a period of time for data transmission after successfully contending for the channel; this period is called the TXOP. Optionally, the start time of the TXOP is the time when the primary AP successfully contends for the channel. The method for determining the start time of the TXOP is not limited in this embodiment.

[0030] In this embodiment, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates whether the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration. This allows the STAs (including slave APs, or non-AP STAs within the BSS where the slave AP is located) that receive the MAP cooperative transmission indication information to accurately determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel. Thus, slave APs and non-AP STAs can operate on the same channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0031] In one possible implementation, the second frame also includes information about the cooperating AP participating in the MAP cooperative transmission. This cooperating AP may or may not include the slave AP involved in the fourth aspect.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP duration, including: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

[0033] In one possible implementation, the second frame is any of the following:

[0034] Initial control frame (ICF), trigger frame, multiple user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, buffer state report poll (BSRP) frame, or cooperative control frame.

[0035] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a slave access point (AP), which includes a WLAN device (including Wi-Fi devices or devices involved in the Starlight Alliance, etc.), or a chip, functional module, processing system, or communication component that can be disposed in the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0036] The second frame is received on the main channel. This second frame includes multi-MAP cooperative transmission indication information. The MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate whether the master AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining transmission opportunity TXOP duration. The master AP and the slave AP have a cooperative relationship. The second frame is then parsed.

[0037] In one possible implementation, the second frame also includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

[0038] In one possible implementation, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP duration, including: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

[0039] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0040] According to the second frame, the system switches to a non-primary channel if certain conditions are met. These conditions include: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information instructs the primary AP not to perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration; or...

[0041] The MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, and that the cooperative APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission do not include the secondary APs; or,

[0042] The MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission, but does not include information from the APs.

[0043] In one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0044] If the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, then the secondary AP will remain on the primary channel; or,

[0045] The MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, and that the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission include the secondary APs; in this case, the secondary APs will remain on the primary channel; or,

[0046] If the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission, and this includes information about the slave AP, then the slave AP resides on the primary channel.

[0047] For further explanations regarding the fourth aspect, such as beneficial effects, please refer to the first aspect; they will not be repeated here.

[0048] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a slave access point (AP), which includes a WLAN device (including Wi-Fi devices or devices involved in the Starlight Alliance, etc.), or a chip, functional module, processing system, or communication component that can be disposed in the WLAN device. The method includes:

[0049] Receive a PPDU on the primary channel; based on the PPDU, switch to a non-primary channel if certain conditions are met, including:

[0050] PPDU originates from the master AP; slave APs do not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the PPDU transmission time.

[0051] This application provides an NPCA based on the PPDU level. When the AP does not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the PPDU, it can switch to a non-primary channel during this transmission time, thereby effectively utilizing the non-primary channel, improving system performance, and increasing communication efficiency.

[0052] In one possible implementation, the method further includes: switching back to the primary channel at the end of the PPDU transmission, or before the end of the PPDU transmission. In other words, the AP switches back to the primary channel no later than the end of the PPDU transmission (i.e., completes the channel handover).

[0053] In one possible implementation, the above conditions also include: the transmission duration of the PPDU is greater than the transmission duration threshold.

[0054] In one possible implementation, the AP not participating in MAP cooperative transmission during the PPDU transmission time includes:

[0055] The PPDU does not include a cooperation control frame; or, the PPDU includes a cooperation control frame that is not scheduled to participate in MAP cooperative transmission from the AP; or, the PPDU includes a cooperation control frame that is scheduled to participate in MAP cooperative transmission from the AP.

[0056] Cooperative control frames can be used to schedule cooperative APs, or to trigger MAP cooperative transmissions.

[0057] The PPDU does not include a cooperation control frame. In other words, the primary AP does not schedule any cooperating APs to participate in MAP cooperative transmission through this PPDU, so the secondary AP can switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, thereby improving channel utilization.

[0058] The PPDU includes a cooperation control frame that does not schedule secondary APs to participate in MAP cooperative transmission. In other words, the primary AP schedules cooperative APs to participate in MAP cooperative transmission, but does not schedule secondary APs. Thus, secondary APs can switch to a non-primary channel during the transmission time of this PPDU.

[0059] The PPDU includes a cooperation control frame, which schedules the AP to participate in MAP cooperative transmission. That is, when the AP receives the PPDU, the AP is not participating in MAP cooperative transmission, so the AP can switch to a non-primary channel during the transmission time of the PPDU.

[0060] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a STA for performing the methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations. The station includes modules having the ability to perform the methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations. For example, the STA may be a first AP, or a chip or functional module within the first AP. Alternatively, the STA may be a main AP, or a chip or functional module within the main AP. Or, the STA may be a non-AP STA, or a chip or functional module within the non-AP STA.

[0061] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide an STA, the STA including a processor, configured to cause the STA to execute the methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof. Alternatively, the processor is configured to execute a computer program stored in a memory, wherein when the computer program is executed, the methods of any one of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof are executed.

[0062] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside of the aforementioned STA.

[0063] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the aforementioned STA.

[0064] In this embodiment, the processor and memory can also be integrated into a single device, meaning they can be combined. For example, STA can be a chip.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the STA also includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals. For example, the transceiver can also be used to transmit synchronization fields, as in a complete device like the STA.

[0066] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide an STA, the STA including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled; the interface is used for inputting and / or outputting information, and the logic circuitry is used to cause the STA to perform a method as described in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof.

[0067] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the site shown above), causes the methods in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0068] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the site shown above), causes the methods in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0069] In one aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, executes the methods in any of the first to fifth aspects or any possible implementations described above.

[0070] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising a first AP and a non-AP STA, wherein the first AP is configured to perform the method described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the non-AP STA is configured to perform the method described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof.

[0071] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising a master AP and a slave AP, wherein the master AP is configured to execute the methods described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, and the slave AP is configured to execute the methods described in the fourth aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0072] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of another architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 2 is a channel diagram provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of the TXS mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of the TXS mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0077] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the NPCA mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0078] Figures 5a to 5c are schematic diagrams of MAP collaboration provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0079] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the combination of the MAP mechanism and the NPCA mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0080] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0081] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0082] Figure 9 is another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0083] Figures 10a and 10b are schematic diagrams of scenarios provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0084] Figure 11a is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0085] Figure 11b is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0086] Figure 12a is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0087] Figure 12b is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0088] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0089] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0090] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0091] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0093] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0094] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists or only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, or both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0095] In this application, transmitting a PPDU includes sending a PPDU or receiving a PPDU, and transmitting a PPDU can also mean communication.

[0096] In this application, "instruction" can include direct instruction, indirect instruction, explicit instruction, and implicit instruction. When describing a certain instruction information for the purpose of instructing A, it can be understood that the instruction information carries A, directly instructs A, or indirectly instructs A.

[0097] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0098] The following describes the communication system involved in this application.

[0099] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11bf, 802.11az, 802.11bk, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation protocols, and even more specifically, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or next-generation protocols, which will not be listed here. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to millimeter wave (MMW) technology, including integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) technology. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as the 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab protocols, or future UWB WPAN protocols, or StarFlash, etc., and will not be listed one by one. The technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems that will emerge in the future development of communication.

[0100] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0101] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN as an example, especially networks applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), and wide area networks (WANs) or other networks now known or to be developed in the future.

[0102] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). AP and non-AP STA can be collectively referred to as STA.

[0103] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using WLAN protocols. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating or sensing with other devices. Alternatively, 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. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. The device with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; an AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, an AP can also be a chip, processing system, or module within the aforementioned devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, an AP can also include APs belonging to a multi-link device (MLD), or co-located APs, etc.

[0104] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing using WLAN protocols and has the ability to communicate or sense other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. This device with wireless communication capabilities can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. For example, a non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Furthermore, a non-AP STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer 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. Of course, a non-AP STA can also be a chip, processing system, or module in the various types of devices described above, thereby implementing the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. Naturally, a non-AP STA can also include non-AP STAs belonging to an MLD or co-located STAs, etc.

[0105] For example, the communication system to which the method provided in this application can be applied may include an AP and non-AP STAs. For instance, this application can be applied to scenarios in WLANs where communication or sensing occurs between an AP and a non-AP STA, between APs, or between non-AP STAs; this application does not limit this. Optionally, an AP can communicate or sense a single non-AP STA, or an AP can communicate or sense multiple non-AP STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple non-AP STAs can be further divided into downlink transmission (AP simultaneously sending signals to multiple non-AP STAs) and uplink transmission (multiple non-AP STAs sending signals to the AP). Among them, WLAN communication protocols can be supported between AP and non-AP STA, between APs, and between non-AP STAs. These communication protocols can include IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11n / 802.11ac / 802.11ax / 802.11be / 802.11bn protocols, and of course, protocols after 802.11bn are also applicable.

[0106] Figure 1a is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes one or more access points (APs) and one or more non-AP STAs. Figure 1a shows an access point such as an AP, and two stations such as non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2. Exemplarily, the method provided in this embodiment can be applied to data communication between an AP and one or more non-AP STAs (as shown in Figure 1a, communication between AP and non-AP STA1, or communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2), or to communication between APs, or to communication between non-AP STAs. The method provided in this embodiment can be applied to, but is not limited to: single-user uplink / downlink transmission, multi-user uplink / downlink transmission, vehicle-to-everything (V2X, where X can represent anything), and device-to-device (D2D). For example, V2X can include vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication.

[0107] Figure 1a uses a mobile phone as a non-AP STA and a router as an example, and does not imply a limitation on the types of APs and non-AP STAs in the embodiments of this application. Furthermore, Figure 1a only exemplarily shows one AP and two non-AP STAs, but the number of APs or non-AP STAs can be more or less, and this embodiment of the application does not limit this.

[0108] Figure 1b is a schematic diagram of another architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1b, a basic service set (BSS) includes one AP and one or more non-AP STAs. The communication system may include multiple BSSs. Figure 1b exemplarily shows two BSSs with overlapping coverage areas. Each BSS corresponds to one AP and multiple non-AP STAs. Within a BSS, the AP communicates with one or more non-AP STAs. Of course, AP#1 and AP#2 can also communicate with each other. As shown in Figure 1b, BSS#1 includes AP#1, non-AP STA11, non-AP STA12, and non-AP STA13, and BSS#2 includes AP#2, non-AP STA21, non-AP STA22, and non-AP STA23.

[0109] In Figure 1b, BSS1 and BSS2 are overlapping basic service sets (OBSSs). An OBSS is a BSS that operates on the same channel as the STA's BSS and whose basic service area partially or completely overlaps with the STA's BSS. Because the coverage areas of the two BSSs shown in Figure 1b overlap, there is significant interference and conflict between them, suppressing the service quality of each BSS. This problem is particularly severe in high-density deployment scenarios. However, multi-AP (MAP) coordination can effectively reduce interference and conflict between these BSSs and improve their service quality. MAP coordination methods include, but are not limited to, coordinated time division multiple access (co-TDMA), coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR), and coordinated beamforming (co-BF). Further explanation of MAP can be found below (as shown in Figures 5a to 5c, etc.), which will not be elaborated here.

[0110] Figure 1b illustrates two BSSs as an example. In actual implementations, the communication system can have more BSSs, which will not be listed here.

[0111] The following is a description of the terms used in this application.

[0112] 1. Primary channel (PCH) and secondary channel (SCH)

[0113] Primary channel: The common channel for all stations operating within the BSS. Channels other than the primary channel are called secondary channels. Secondary channels can also be called non-primary channels. That is, non-primary channels and secondary channels can be interchanged. Optionally, a primary channel has a bandwidth of 20 MHz, and a secondary channel has a bandwidth of 20 MHz.

[0114] For example, if a site has a bandwidth of 160MHz, then that bandwidth consists of eight 20MHz channels. One of these eight channels is called the master channel, and all the other channels are called slave channels.

[0115] The description of the main channel here is for illustrative purposes only. For a more detailed explanation of the meaning of the main channel, please refer to the 802.11 standard.

[0116] As one possible implementation, stations are only allowed to perform channel access and transmission when the primary channel is idle. If the primary channel is busy, stations are not allowed to perform channel access and transmission even if multiple secondary channels are idle.

[0117] Figure 2 is a channel diagram provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, the main channel is busy, and even if a large number of slave channels are idle, stations are not allowed to perform channel access and transmission, resulting in wasted resources.

[0118] As another possible implementation, to avoid resource waste and improve resource utilization, the site can adopt non-primary channel access (NPCA) technology. For an explanation of NPCA technology, please refer to the following text (as shown in Figure 4, etc.), which will not be elaborated here.

[0119] 2. Transmission opportunity (TXOP) sharing (TXS)

[0120] WLAN systems operate on unlicensed spectrum, with multiple stations competing for channel resources. In the commonly used Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA) contention mechanism, after a station completes channel backoff, it sends the first frame. If the first frame contains a response frame, successful reception of the response frame indicates successful channel contention; otherwise, backoff must be repeated. If the first frame does not require a response frame, its transmission signifies successful channel contention. After successful channel contention, the stations can reserve a period for data transmission; this period is called a TXOP (Transmission Request Opportunity). The station that successfully reserves a TXOP is called the TXOP holder. Within this TXOP, only the TXOP holder can actively transmit data; other stations can only receive data or send corresponding response frames.

[0121] Figure 3a is a schematic diagram of the TXS mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. The TXOP sharing (TXS) mechanism extends the above-mentioned TXOP mechanism. As shown in Figure 3a, an AP, acting as a TXOP holder, allocates a portion of its remaining TXOP time period to a site. Optionally, the AP can also allocate its own or all of its remaining TXOP time period to a site. Taking Figure 3a as an example, a portion of the remaining TXOP time period is the first time period. The AP allocates this first time period to STA1, and STA1 can perform P2P transmission or send uplink data with STA2 during the allocated time (i.e., within the first time period). The TXS mechanism can reduce collisions caused by STA1 competing for the channel, thus improving system efficiency. Optionally, the P2P link used in the above P2P transmission is established by two non-AP STAs through a tunneled direct link setup (TDLS) or other P2P protocols. Optionally, the above P2P can also be replaced by D2D or V2V, etc., which is not limited in this embodiment of the application. Figure 3a is described in detail below.

[0122] (1) The AP, as the holder of the TXOP, sends a multiple user request to send a transmission opportunity sharing trigger frame (MU-RTS TXS TF). Correspondingly, STA1 receives the MU-RTS TXS TF.

[0123] The MU-RTS TXS TF includes user information, which can be used to indicate STA1. Optionally, the MU-RTS TXS TF includes an allocation duration field, which indicates the first time period, or in other words, the length of the first time period. Optionally, the MU-RTS TXS TF includes a triggered TXOP sharing mode field, the values ​​of which are related to the following: 1 indicates that STA1 can only perform uplink transmission during the first time period, and 2 indicates that STA1 can perform uplink (UL) transmission or P2P transmission during the first time period. Optionally, a value of 0 in the triggered TXOP sharing mode field indicates that the frame including this triggered TXOP sharing mode field is not an MU-RTS TXS TF, but a traditional MU-RTS. The relationships between the values ​​and meanings shown here are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0124] (2) STA1 replies with a clear to send (CTS) frame. Correspondingly, the AP receives this CTS frame.

[0125] (3) After STA1 sends the CTS frame and waits for the short inter-frame space (SIFS) duration, it transmits within the first time period and terminates the transmission before the end of the first time period. Optionally, the transmission of the first station within the first time period uses a non-trigger based PPDU (non-TB-PPDU). As shown in Figure 3a, STA1 sends a non-TB-PPDU to STA2, and STA2 receives the non-TB-PPDU. STA2 sends a block acknowledgment (BA) to STA1, and STA1 receives the BA.

[0126] If the value of the Trigger TXOP sharing mode field is 1, then STA1 can only perform UL transmission within the first time period. If the value of the Trigger TXOP sharing mode field is 2, then STA1 can perform UL transmission or P2P transmission within the first time period.

[0127] (4) AP regains access to TXOP after the first time period ends.

[0128] Figure 3b is a schematic diagram of the TXS mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application. Figure 3b also exemplarily illustrates the TXOP return mechanism. In step (3) above, STA1 transmits within the first time period. If the transmission is completed before the end of the first time period, STA1 can return the TXOP to AP. As a possible return method, after STA1 completes the transmission before the end of the first time period, it sends a Quality of Service null (QoS null) frame to AP. The reverse direction grant (RDG) field in the command and status (CAS) control field of this QoS null frame is set to 0, or the more PPDU field is set to 0. When AP receives the QoS null frame from STA1, it is considered to have reclaimed the right to use the TXOP, and AP can continue to transmit.

[0129] 3. Network allocation vector (NAV)

[0130] In a WLAN system, a station can listen for signals before accessing the channel. This listening can be divided into physical carrier listening and virtual carrier listening. Only when both the physical carrier listening and virtual carrier listening results are idle will the station be allowed to access the channel and send radio frames.

[0131] Physical carrier sensing: The station determines whether the physical carrier sensing result is busy or idle by listening to the energy on the channel or the strength of the radio frame. For example, if the energy is less than the energy threshold or the strength of the radio frame is less than the strength threshold, the physical carrier sensing result is idle; otherwise, the physical carrier sensing result is busy.

[0132] Virtual Carrier Sensing: The site determines whether the virtual carrier sensing result is busy or idle by using the NAV (Network Address Value). The site maintains the NAV; when the NAV value is not 0, the virtual carrier sensing result is busy; when the NAV value is 0, the virtual carrier sensing result is idle.

[0133] The NAV mechanism effectively solves the collision problem caused by hidden nodes. A hidden node is a node outside the signal coverage area of ​​a transmitting station, but whose transmitted frames can interfere with either the receiving or transmitting station. While the transmitting station is transmitting frames, the hidden node, unaware of the transmitting station's transmission, simultaneously transmits frames, causing interference to the receiving station and preventing it from receiving frames correctly. By introducing Virtual Carrier Sense (NAV), after the transmitting station wins the channel, it can first exchange short frames with the receiving station. Both short frames use a duration field to set NAV for surrounding non-target stations, ensuring that the hidden node will not compete for the channel or transmit frames during the NAV protection period. This NAV protection period is typically called TXOP (Turn-Only Request). Optionally, the duration field in the short frame can be determined based on the TXOP duration.

[0134] As one possible implementation, the station maintains a NAV. Upon receiving a radio frame, the station maintains the NAV based on the duration field in the radio frame. As an example, if the receiving address of the radio frame is the station's own MAC address, the station does not update the NAV based on the radio frame (or ignores the NAV, or does not update the NAV). As another example, if the receiving address of the radio frame is not the station's own MAC address, and the value indicated by the duration field in the radio frame is greater than the NAV maintained by the station, the station updates the NAV based on the value indicated by the duration field. If the value indicated by the duration field in the radio frame is less than or equal to the NAV maintained by the station, the station does not update the NAV based on the radio frame. This example illustrates the station maintaining the NAV based on the duration field in the radio frame. In a specific implementation, the station can also maintain the NAV based on the TXOP field in the PHY header of the PPDU carrying the radio frame. Optionally, if the value indicated by the duration field differs from the value indicated by the TXOP field, the station maintains the NAV based on the duration field. For ease of description, the value indicated by the duration field in the radio frame or the value indicated by the TXOP field in the PHY header will be collectively referred to as the value indicated by the PPDU, i.e., the duration indicated by the PPDU (or the duration indicated by the radio frame). Optionally, NAV maintenance is performed when the PPDU (or radio frame) reception is complete. Optionally, NAV maintenance is performed when the site receives the PPDU. This application embodiment does not limit the specific time for site NAV maintenance.

[0135] As another possible implementation, a site can maintain at least two NAVs. These at least two NAVs include an intra-basic service set NAV (intra-BSS NAV) and a basic NAV. The intra-BSS NAV is maintained based on intra-BSS PPDUs. The basic NAV is maintained based on inter-BSS PPDUs, or PPDUs that cannot be distinguished as intra-BSS or inter-BSS. Inter-BSS PPDUs are PPDUs sent from sites outside this BSS, or from sites in other cells, or from neighboring BSSs. Intra-BSS PPDUs are PPDUs sent from sites within this BSS, or from sites within this cell, or from this cell, or from this BSS. For specific methods of distinguishing between inter-BSS PPDUs and intra-BSS PPDUs, refer to the 802.11 standard; they will not be elaborated here.

[0136] When both intra-BSS NAV and basic NAV are equal to 0, the virtual carrier sensing result is idle, and the site can compete for the channel. When a site is triggered to respond immediately by an associated AP, it can only respond if the site's physical carrier sensing result is idle and the basic NAV value is 0 (intra-BSS NAV can be non-zero). If the basic NAV is not 0, a response cannot be sent.

[0137] 4. NPCA Mechanism

[0138] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the NPCA mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. The NPCA mechanism will be described below using Figure 4 as an example. The STA shown below includes at least one of AP or non-AP STA. In other words, the description of STA in Figure 4 below applies to both AP and non-AP STA.

[0139] (1) When a PPDU (i.e., an inter-BSS PPDU) is received on the primary channel from an external cell, and the duration indicated by the external cell's PPDU is greater than a duration threshold, the STA switches from the primary channel to the secondary channel. In other words, the STA can perform NPCA under the following conditions: the primary channel is occupied by the OBSS, or the primary channel is occupied by a neighboring BSS; and the duration indicated by the inter-BSS PPDU received by the STA is greater than a duration threshold. The duration indicated by the inter-BSS PPDU being greater than the duration threshold means that the neighboring BSS occupies the primary channel for a duration greater than the duration threshold. During the duration the external cell occupies the primary channel, the STA of this BSS cannot compete for the primary channel. Alternatively, the STA maintains a basic NAV based on the inter-BSS PPDU, and the duration of this basic NAV is greater than the duration threshold. The secondary channel to which the STA switches can be set by the AP or defined by the standard; this embodiment does not limit this.

[0140] (2) The STA completes the channel handover within one handover delay, and then communicates on the slave channel after the handover is completed. That is, the STA performs channel access and frame exchange on the slave channel. Or, the STA transmits PPDU (such as sending or receiving PPDU) on the slave channel.

[0141] The specific duration of the aforementioned switching delay is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0142] (3) After completing frame interaction on the channel, the STA switches back to the main channel. As shown in Figure 4, the STA switches back to the main channel before the end of the duration indicated by the PPDU of the outer cell.

[0143] In one possible implementation, the AP sends NPCA neighbor BSS information, which indicates the information of the neighbor BSSs of the BSS where the AP is located. Correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives this NPCA neighbor BSS information. Thus, the STA can perform NPCA under the following conditions: the primary channel is occupied by an OBSS; the duration of the inter-BSS PPDU received by the STA is greater than a duration threshold; and the inter-BSS PPDU originates from a neighbor BSS indicated by the NPCA neighbor BSS information.

[0144] For example, if the AP's neighbor BSSs include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, then the NPCA neighbor BSS information includes information from BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5. This NPCA neighbor BSS information can be included in beacon frames, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0145] The NPCA mechanism shown in Figure 4 is only an example. The specific description of the NPCA mechanism is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0146] 5. MAP Collaboration

[0147] Figures 5a to 5c are schematic diagrams of MAP collaboration provided in the embodiments of this application. The specific methods of MAP collaboration are described below using Figures 5a to 5c as examples. The various processes or functions shown below are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. In Figures 5a to 5c, AP1 and AP2 have a collaborative relationship. The AP that successfully competes for the channel is called the TXOP holder, also known as the primary AP, i.e., AP1. AP2 can also be called the secondary AP, or a collaborating AP of the primary AP. The primary AP can also be called the TXS provider, and the secondary AP is called the TXS receiver, etc. The specific names of the primary AP and secondary AP are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0148] Figure 5a illustrates a schematic diagram of co-TDMA. The TXS mechanism described above can be extended to MAP cooperation scenarios. As shown in Figure 5a, AP1 allocates a first time period to AP2, allowing AP2 to interact with its associated non-AP STA within that first time period. For a description of MU-RTS TXS TF, please refer to the above; it will not be detailed here.

[0149] Optionally, the end time of the duration indicated by the MU-RTS TXS TF and the frames preceding it is no later than the end time of the transmission of the CTS frame following the MU-RTS TXS TF. This ensures that AP2 and its associated non-AP STA are not unable to communicate within the first time period due to NAV settings.

[0150] Figures 5b and 5c exemplarily illustrate co-SR and co-BF diagrams. AP1 sends a cooperation control frame to AP2, and AP2 receives the cooperation control frame. This cooperation control frame can be used by AP1 to schedule AP2 to perform cooperative transmission, or it can be used to schedule AP2, after which AP2 and AP1 perform co-SR or co-BF transmission. Alternatively, the cooperation control frame can be used to initiate MAP cooperative transmission. AP1 and AP2 start and end transmission simultaneously. For example, after the cooperation control frame, AP1 and AP2 simultaneously start sending downlink data to one or more non-AP STAs in their respective BSSs, or AP1 and AP2 simultaneously receive uplink data from one or more non-AP STAs in their respective BSSs. This cooperation control frame can also be called a cooperation trigger frame, or a trigger frame with AP cooperation function, etc. The specific name of this frame is not limited in this embodiment.

[0151] As can be seen from Figures 5a to 5c, regardless of whether it is co-TDMA, co-SR, or co-BF (or other MAP cooperation methods), a common feature is that the master AP initiates MAP cooperative transmission through a control frame. This control frame is either the MU-RTS TXS TF involved in co-TDMA, or the cooperative control frame involved in co-SR or co-BF. For ease of description, the MU-RTS TXS TF in co-TDMA or the cooperative control frame in co-SR or co-BF will be collectively referred to as the cooperative control frame.

[0152] Since there is one AP within a BSS, MAP collaboration can also be called BSS collaboration, and collaboration among multiple APs can also be called collaboration among multiple BSSs. For example, if AP1, AP2, and AP3 form a MAP collaboration relationship (or a collaboration relationship), then the BSS containing AP1, the BSS containing AP2, and the BSS containing AP3 also form a MAP collaboration relationship (or a collaboration relationship). If AP1 and AP2 are collaborating APs with AP3, then the BSS containing AP1 and the BSS containing AP2 are collaborating BSSs with the BSS containing AP3.

[0153] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the combination of the MAP mechanism and the NPCA mechanism provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0154] Combining the MAP and NPCA mechanisms described above, for a non-AP STA within the BSS where AP2 is located, after receiving a cooperative control frame, the following actions apply to that non-AP STA:

[0155] In Method 1, the PPDU carrying the cooperative control frame is an inter-BSS PPDU. Under the condition that other NPCA conditions are met, the non-AP STA switches from the primary channel to the secondary channel. These other NPCA conditions include, but are not limited to, the duration indicated by the inter-BSS PPDU being greater than a duration threshold.

[0156] Combining the MAP and NPCA mechanisms described above, for AP2, after receiving the cooperative control frame, AP2 has the following two options:

[0157] In Method 2, the PPDU carrying the cooperative control frame is an inter-BSS PPDU. Under the condition that other NPCA conditions are met, AP2 switches from the primary channel to the secondary channel. These other NPCA conditions include, but are not limited to, the duration indicated by the inter-BSS PPDU being greater than a duration threshold.

[0158] Method 3: When AP2 resolves to the cooperation control frame, AP2 remains on the primary channel, meaning AP2 camps on the primary channel, or in other words, AP2 does not switch to the secondary channel. For example, this cooperation control frame may be used to schedule AP2 to participate in this MAP cooperative transmission, or it may be used to schedule other APs to participate in this MAP cooperative transmission.

[0159] Combining methods 1 and 2, if AP2 switches to the slave channel and both the AP2 and non-AP STAs switch to the slave channel, the MAP cooperative transmission triggered by AP1 will be invalid. Combining methods 1 and 3, if AP2 remains on the primary channel and the non-AP STA switches to the slave channel, since AP2 and the non-AP STA are not on the same channel, both the MAP cooperative transmission and the NPCA will be invalid. In other words, by combining the MAP and NPCA mechanisms, the STA cannot effectively distinguish whether it has switched to the slave channel, leading to degraded system performance and low communication efficiency.

[0160] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus, which allows the STA to clearly distinguish whether it needs to switch to a slave channel, thereby improving system performance and communication efficiency. The AP or non-AP STA referred to below are shown in Figure 1a or Figure 1b above, and will not be described again below.

[0161] Figure 7 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the method includes:

[0162] 701. AP generates a first frame, which includes non-cooperative BSS indication information, which is used to indicate non-cooperative BSS.

[0163] The first frame can be any of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a re-association response frame. Of course, the first frame can also be other frames, which will not be listed here.

[0164] The following section will explain non-cooperative BSS instruction information from different implementation methods.

[0165] The information related to various BSSs involved in the various implementations described below includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the BSSID of the BSS, and the BSS color of the BSS. The specific information identifying different BSSs is not limited in the embodiments of this application. Optionally, the BSSID is included in the MAC header. For example, an AP can set its own MAC address as its BSSID. Optionally, the BSS color is included in the physical layer header of the PPDU carrying the radio frame. Although the following description uses the first frame as an example, the first frame can be carried in a PPDU; therefore, the following description of the first frame also applies to the PPDU carrying the first frame.

[0166] Implementation Method 1

[0167] The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about non-cooperative BSSs. A non-cooperative BSS is a neighboring BSS of the BSS where the AP is located, but it is not the BSS where any cooperating APs are located. In other words, the information of the non-cooperative BSS is used to indicate the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where the AP is located, and these neighboring BSSs do not include the BSS where the cooperating AP is located. The BSS where the cooperating AP is located can also be called a cooperative BSS. In other words, the first frame does not include information about the BSSs of other APs that have a cooperative relationship with the AP, or in other words, the first frame does not include information about cooperative BSSs.

[0168] Optionally, the information of non-cooperative BSSs is referred to as NPCA neighbor BSS information, but this NPCA neighbor BSS information does not include information of cooperative BSSs. The specific name of this non-cooperative BSS information is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0169] One possible implementation is that the AP generates the first frame based on the cooperating BSS, or in other words, based on the non-cooperating BSS. For example, the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where AP1 is located (e.g., BSS1) include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, and BSS2 and BSS3 have a cooperative relationship with BSS1. Therefore, for AP1, the non-cooperating BSS indication information can only include information from BSS4 and BSS5, that is, it does not include information from BSS2 and BSS3.

[0170] As another possible implementation, the AP generates the first frame based on the updated cooperative BSS, or in other words, updates the first frame based on the updated non-cooperative BSS. For example, the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where AP1 resides include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, with BSS2 cooperating with BSS1. Therefore, for AP1, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information from BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5. After a period of time, BSS3 also becomes cooperative with BSS1, and AP1 can update the non-cooperative BSS indication information, which includes information from BSS4 and BSS5.

[0171] In this embodiment, the first frame, by including only information about non-cooperative BSSs, allows non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP resides to clearly know which neighboring BSSs are non-cooperative. Therefore, after the AP and non-AP STAs receive the cooperation control frame, they can clearly determine whether to switch to a slave channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0172] Implementation Method Two

[0173] The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about the cooperative BSS. In other words, the non-cooperative BSS indication information does not include information about the non-cooperative BSS. For a description of the cooperative and non-cooperative BSS in Implementation Method 2, please refer to Implementation Method 1; it will not be repeated here.

[0174] Optionally, in addition to the information of the cooperative BSS, the first frame may also include other information. This application embodiment does not limit the other information in the first frame.

[0175] One possible implementation is that the AP generates the first frame based on the cooperating BSS, or in other words, based on the non-cooperating BSS. For example, the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where AP1 is located (e.g., BSS1) include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, and BSS2 and BSS3 have a cooperative relationship with BSS1. Therefore, for AP1, the non-cooperating BSS indication information can only include information from BSS2 and BSS3, that is, it does not include information from BSS4 and BSS5.

[0176] As another possible implementation, the AP generates the first frame based on the updated cooperative BSS, or in other words, updates the first frame based on the updated non-cooperative BSS. For example, the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where AP1 resides include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, with BSS2 cooperating with BSS1. Therefore, for AP1, the non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information from BSS2. After a period of time, BSS3 also becomes cooperative with BSS1, and AP1 can update the non-cooperative BSS indication information, which includes information from both BSS2 and BSS3.

[0177] In this embodiment, the first frame, by including only information about the cooperating BSS, allows non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP resides to clearly know which neighboring BSSs are cooperating BSSs. Therefore, after the AP and non-AP STAs receive the cooperation control frame, they can clearly determine whether to switch to the slave channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0178] Implementation Method 3

[0179] The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about both non-cooperative BSSs and cooperative BSSs. For a description of cooperative and non-cooperative BSSs in Implementation Method 3, please refer to Implementation Method 1; it will not be repeated here.

[0180] For example, the neighboring BSSs of AP1 (e.g., BSS1) include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5. BSS2 and BSS3 have a cooperative relationship with BSS1. The information of the cooperative BSSs includes the information of BSS2 and BSS3, while the information of the non-cooperative BSSs includes the information of BSS4 and BSS5.

[0181] As one possible implementation, information about non-cooperative BSSs is contained in field a, and information about cooperative BSSs is contained in field b. Fields a and b are not the same field. Thus, AP and non-AP STA distinguish which neighboring BSSs are cooperative and which are non-cooperative BSSs by using different fields in the first frame.

[0182] As another possible implementation, the first frame also includes differentiation indication information used to distinguish between information from non-cooperative BSSs and cooperative BSSs. For example, field a includes a bit indicating that field a carries information from a non-cooperative BSS, and field b includes a bit indicating that field b carries information from a cooperative BSS. The description of the differentiation indication information here also applies to implementation 1 and implementation 2. That is, the first frame involved in implementation 1 or implementation 2 may also include differentiation indication information. The specific location of the differentiation indication information in the first frame is not limited in this embodiment.

[0183] In this embodiment, the first frame, by including information on both non-cooperative and cooperative BSSs, enables non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP resides to clearly identify which neighboring BSSs are cooperative and which are non-cooperative. Therefore, after the AP and non-AP STAs receive the cooperation control frame, they can definitively determine whether to switch to a slave channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0184] Implementation Method 4

[0185] The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and cooperative BSSs. For a description of the cooperative BSS in implementation method four, please refer to implementation method one; it will not be repeated here.

[0186] For example, the neighboring BSSs of AP1 (e.g., BSS1) include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5. BSS2 and BSS3 form a cooperative relationship with BSS1. For AP1, the information of the neighboring BSSs includes the information of BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, and the information of the cooperating BSSs includes the information of BSS2 and BSS3.

[0187] Implementation Method 5

[0188] The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and non-cooperative BSSs. For a description of the non-cooperative BSS in Implementation Method 5, please refer to Implementation Method 1; it will not be repeated here.

[0189] For example, the neighboring BSSs of AP1 (e.g., BSS1) include BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5. BSS2 and BSS3 have a cooperative relationship with BSS1. For AP1, the information of the neighboring BSSs includes the information of BSS2, BSS3, BSS4, and BSS5, while the information of the non-cooperative BSSs includes the information of BSS4 and BSS5.

[0190] In implementation methods four and five, the first frame, including information about neighboring BSSs and cooperating BSSs (or non-cooperating BSSs), allows non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP resides to clearly know about neighboring BSSs, and which of those neighboring BSSs are cooperating and which are non-cooperating. Therefore, after the AP and non-AP STAs receive the cooperation control frame, they can clearly determine whether to switch to a slave channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0191] 702. The AP sends the first frame. Correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives this first frame.

[0192] After receiving the first frame, the non-AP STA can record its contents. For example, the non-AP STA can save information about non-cooperative BSSs. Alternatively, it can save information about cooperative BSSs. Another example is the combination of cooperative and non-cooperative BSS information. Yet another example is the combination of neighboring and cooperative BSS information. And yet another example is the combination of neighboring and non-cooperative BSS information.

[0193] Generally, after an AP sends the first frame, non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP is located can receive the first frame. Optionally, in addition to non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP is located receiving the first frame, other STAs may also receive the first frame. The destination address of the first frame is not limited in this embodiment.

[0194] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7 further includes step 703. In another possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7 further includes step 704. In yet another possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7 further includes steps 703 and 704, where in some scenarios, the AP and non-AP STA perform step 703, and in other scenarios, the AP and non-AP STA perform step 704. The method described below for steps 703 and 704 applies to both non-AP STAs and APs.

[0195] 703. Receive PPDU on the main channel and switch to the slave channel.

[0196] 704. Receives PPDU on the main channel and resides on the main channel.

[0197] As an example 1, based on the PPDU, the STA switches to the slave channel under the following conditions: the PPDU originates from an external cell, or in other words, the PPDU is an inter-BSS PPDU; or the PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS. Otherwise, the STA does not switch to the slave channel, meaning it continues frame interaction on the primary channel. The above conditions may also include the PPDU indicating a duration greater than a duration threshold. Conditions for satisfying NPCA are not listed here. Conditions for the STA not switching to the slave channel include, but are not limited to, at least one of the following: the PPDU is an intra-BSS PPDU; the PPDU does not originate from a non-cooperative BSS; or the PPDU indicating a duration less than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0198] As another example 2, based on the PPDU, the STA switches to the slave channel under the following conditions: the PPDU does not originate from the cooperating BSS. The conditions for satisfying NPCA are not listed here. If the PPDU originates from the cooperating BSS, the STA does not switch to the slave channel, i.e., it remains on the primary channel. The conditions for the STA not switching to the slave channel may also include at least one of the following: the PPDU is an intra-BSS PPDU, and the duration indicated by the PPDU is less than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0199] As another example 3, STA can determine whether a PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS or a cooperative BSS. For cases where the PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS, refer to the description in Example 1. For cases where the PPDU originates from a cooperative BSS, refer to the description in Example 2; these details will not be repeated here.

[0200] As another example 4, based on the PPDU, the STA switches to the slave channel under the following conditions: the PPDU originates from a neighboring BSS (i.e., the PPDU is an inter-BSS PPDU); and the inter-BSS PPDU does not originate from a cooperating BSS. Further explanation of Example 4 can be found in Examples 1 through 3, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0201] As another example 5, based on the PPDU, the STA switches to the slave channel under the following conditions: the PPDU originates from a neighboring BSS; and the PPDU originates from a non-cooperative BSS. Further explanation of Example 5 can be found in Examples 1 through 4, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0202] Optionally, the PPDU includes a cooperative control frame.

[0203] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. In Figure 8, AP1 is the primary AP (also the TXOP holder), and AP2 is the secondary AP. AP1 and AP2 have a cooperative relationship. For further explanation of Figure 8, please refer to Figure 5a, etc., which will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 8, AP1 sends the first frame 1 to the non-AP STAs within its BSS, and AP2 sends the first frame 2 to the non-AP STAs within its BSS. For explanations of the first frame 1 and the first frame 2, please refer to the above, which will not be detailed here. AP1 allocates a portion of its remaining TXOP time period to AP2. For example, AP1 sends a cooperation control frame to AP2, and AP2 receives the cooperation control frame. For AP2 and the non-AP STAs within its BSS, since the cooperation control frame is contained in an inter-BSS PPDU, and the inter-BSS PPDU comes from the cooperating BSS, AP2 and the non-AP STAs within its BSS will not switch to the secondary channel, and can perform MAP cooperative transmission on the primary channel. In other words, AP2 and the non-AP STAs within the BSS where AP2 is located can clearly distinguish whether to switch to the slave channel, thereby improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0204] In this embodiment, the first frame, by indicating the non-cooperative BSS, enables the non-AP STA to distinguish whether the PPDU it receives originates from the non-cooperative BSS, and based on this, determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel. This allows the AP and the non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP resides to operate on the same channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0205] Figure 9 is another flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in this application embodiment. AP1 is the master AP, i.e., the TXOP holder, and AP2 is the slave AP. The descriptions of the master AP and slave AP are as above and will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0206] 901. AP1 generates a second frame, which includes MAP cooperative transmission indication information, which indicates whether AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration.

[0207] Alternatively, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate whether AP1 has a MAP cooperative transmission plan within the remaining TXOP time period (such as partial or full time resources). In other words, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate whether MAP cooperative transmission will occur within the remaining TXOP time period, starting from the end of the second frame transmission.

[0208] As one possible implementation, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information occupies 1 bit. The relationship between the value of this 1 bit and its meaning is as follows: 1 indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, and 0 indicates that AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration. The relationship between the values ​​and meanings shown here is only an example and is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. This is illustrated using 1 bit as an example; in specific implementations, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information can occupy more bits, which will not be listed here.

[0209] As another possible implementation, the second frame may also include information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission. For example, if the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration, then the second frame may also include information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission. This cooperating AP may or may not include AP2.

[0210] As another possible implementation, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission. That is, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate the cooperating APs scheduled by AP1 to perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period, starting from the end of the second frame transmission. By including the information of the cooperating APs, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information implicitly indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period. If the MAP cooperative transmission indication information does not include the information of the cooperating APs, it implicitly indicates that AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period. For example, if AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information can take a special value.

[0211] The information for a collaborating AP includes at least one of the following: the association identifier (AID) of the collaborating AP, the MAC address of the collaborating AP, the BSSID of the BSS in which the collaborating AP is located, the BSS color of the BSS in which the collaborating AP is located, or the group ID of the collaborating AP. The group ID is used to distinguish different collaborating groups.

[0212] The second frame can be any of the following: an initial control frame (ICF), a trigger frame, a MU-RTS, a buffer state report poll (BSRP) frame, or a cooperative control frame. Of course, the second frame can also be other frames, which will not be listed here.

[0213] For example, MAP cooperative transmission indication information can occupy the original reserved space in the common info field of the aforementioned frame. As another example, MAP cooperative transmission indication information can occupy the user info field of the aforementioned frame. For instance, the information of the cooperating AP is contained in the AID field within the user field.

[0214] Optionally, if the second frame is not the first frame in AP1's TXOP, then the end time of the duration indicated by each frame preceding the second frame is no later than the start time of the second frame's transmission, or no later than the end time of the second frame's transmission, or no later than the end time of the second frame's acknowledgment frame (if any).

[0215] 902. AP1 sends the second frame. Correspondingly, AP2 receives the second frame, and non-AP STAs within the BSS where AP2 is located also receive the second frame.

[0216] Optionally, AP2 and the non-AP STA within its BSS must not switch to the slave channel if they do not receive the second frame. In other words, a STA must not switch to the slave channel if it receives a frame other than the second frame.

[0217] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 9 further includes step 903. In another possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 9 further includes step 904. In yet another possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 9 further includes steps 903 and 904, where in some scenarios AP2 and non-AP STA perform step 903, and in other scenarios AP2 and non-AP STA perform step 904. The method described below for steps 903 and 904 applies to both non-AP STA and AP2.

[0218] 903. Switch to slave channel.

[0219] 904. Residing in the main channel.

[0220] As an example, according to the second frame, the STA switches to the slave channel under certain conditions, including: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration. The PPDU carrying the second frame is an inter-BSS PPDU. Other conditions for satisfying NPCA are not listed here.

[0221] According to the second frame, the STA camps on the primary channel if at least one of the following conditions is met: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration; or the duration of the PPDU indication carrying the second frame is less than or equal to a duration threshold. During the remaining TXOP period of AP1, AP2 waits for AP1 to initiate MAP cooperative transmission.

[0222] As another example, according to the second frame, the STA switches to the slave channel if certain conditions are met, including: MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicating that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration, and information that AP2 is not among the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

[0223] According to the second frame, the STA camps on the primary channel if at least one of the following conditions is met: the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration; the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration, and the cooperative APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission include information about AP2; the duration of the PPDU indication carrying the second frame is less than or equal to a duration threshold.

[0224] As another example, according to the second frame, the STA switches to the slave channel under certain conditions, including that the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about AP2. For an explanation of residing on the master channel, refer to the example above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0225] Figures 10a and 10b are schematic diagrams of scenarios provided in embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 10a, AP1 sends a second frame, and AP2 receives the second frame. The MAP cooperative transmission indication information in this second frame indicates that AP1 will not perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period. Based on the second frame, AP2 determines that AP1 has no MAP cooperative transmission requirement during the remaining TXOP period. Therefore, if other conditions of NPCA are met, AP2 can switch to the slave channel. As shown in Figure 10b, AP1 sends a second frame, and AP2 receives the second frame. The MAP cooperative transmission indication information in this second frame indicates that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period. Based on the second frame, AP2 determines that AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission during the remaining TXOP period. Therefore, AP2 must not switch to the slave channel. The description of AP2 here also applies to non-AP STAs within the BSS where AP2 is located, and will not be detailed here.

[0226] In this embodiment, the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates whether AP1 will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration. This allows the STAs (including AP2, or non-AP STAs within the BSS where AP2 resides) that receive the MAP cooperative transmission indication information to accurately determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel. Thus, AP2 and non-AP STAs can operate on the same channel, improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0227] This application also provides a communication method, which is shown below:

[0228] In one possible implementation, the MAP cooperation method is co-TDMA. After the primary AP sends a MU-RTS TXS TF frame for co-TDMA, it must not switch to the slave channel within the first time period. Simultaneously, non-AP STAs associated with the primary AP must not switch to the slave channel within the first time period after receiving a MU-RTS TXS TF frame for co-TDMA. For a description of the first time period, please refer to the above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0229] Figure 11a is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The STA involved in this method can be a slave AP, or a non-AP STA within the BSS where the slave AP is located. As shown in Figure 11a, the method includes:

[0230] 1101. STA receives PPDU on the main channel.

[0231] 1102. Based on the PPDU, the STA switches to a non-primary channel under certain conditions, including: the PPDU originates from the primary AP; and the secondary AP does not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the PPDU's transmission time.

[0232] As an example, a PPDU does not include a cooperative control frame. For instance, AP1 may not have initiated a MAP cooperative transmission using this PPDU. Alternatively, AP1 may have initiated a MAP cooperative transmission, but AP2 may not have participated in MAP cooperative control. Or, AP1 may not have initiated a MAP cooperative transmission yet.

[0233] As another example, a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame that does not schedule APs to participate in MAP cooperative transmission. For instance, AP1 initiates a MAP cooperative transmission through this PPDU, but AP1 does not schedule AP2 to participate in this MAP cooperative transmission; that is, this MAP cooperative transmission is unrelated to AP2.

[0234] As another example, a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame that schedules APs to participate in MAP cooperative transmission. For instance, AP1 initiates a MAP cooperative transmission via this PPDU, and the cooperating APs indicated by the PPDU include AP2. In this case, AP2 has not yet started MAP cooperative transmission, so NPCA at the PPDU level can be performed.

[0235] For example, AP2 can determine whether a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame through the MAC header. As another example, AP2 can determine whether a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame through the MAC frame. Yet another example, AP2 can determine whether a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame through its uplink or downlink direction. The embodiments of this application do not limit the method used to determine whether a PPDU includes a cooperation control frame.

[0236] Optionally, the above conditions also include: the transmission duration of the PPDU is greater than the transmission duration threshold. This allows the STA to perform frame exchanges over a longer period on the channel.

[0237] Optionally, the above conditions also include: the duration indicated by the PPDU is greater than the duration threshold. For an explanation of the duration indicated by the PPDU, please refer to the above text; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the STA switches back to the primary channel at or before the end of the PPDU transmission. That is, the STA switches back to the primary channel no later than the end of the PPDU transmission.

[0239] Figure 11b is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11b, within the TXOP of AP1, AP2 receives a PPDU. This PPDU either does not include a cooperation control frame, or it includes a cooperation control frame but AP2 does not participate in this MAP cooperative transmission. Therefore, under the condition that other NPCA conditions are met, AP2 can switch to the slave channel, but switch back to the master channel at or before the end of the PPDU transmission.

[0240] This application provides an NPCA based on the PPDU level. When the AP does not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the PPDU, it can switch to a non-primary channel during this transmission time, thereby effectively utilizing the non-primary channel, improving system performance, and increasing communication efficiency.

[0241] This application also provides a communication method, which is shown below:

[0242] In one possible implementation, the STA receives a PPDU. If it cannot distinguish whether the PPDU is an intra-BSS PPDU or an inter-BSS PPDU, the STA camps on the primary channel. That is, if the STA receives a PPDU and cannot distinguish whether it originates from its own cell or an external cell, the STA will not switch to the secondary channel, even if the NPCA condition is met. This explanation regarding STAs applies to both APs and non-AP STAs.

[0243] For example, a PPDU may include an acknowledgment frame (ACK) or a CTS frame. For ACK or CTS frames, these frames may contain only one MAC address. When this MAC address is the address of a non-AP STA, the STA (especially a non-AP STA) cannot distinguish whether this MAC address belongs to a non-AP STA within the same cell or a non-AP STA from another cell.

[0244] For an access point (AP), it may be able to distinguish whether the aforementioned MAC address belongs to a non-AP STA within its own BSS or a non-AP STA within a neighboring BSS. Therefore, when the MAC address belongs to a non-AP STA within its own BSS, the AP will not switch to a secondary channel. However, non-AP STAs within the same BSS may not be aware of the MAC addresses of other non-AP STAs within the same BSS, nor may they be aware of the MAC addresses of non-AP STAs within neighboring BSSs. Therefore, if a non-AP STA cannot distinguish between intra-BSS PPDUs and inter-BSS PPDUs and switches to a secondary channel, it will cause the AP and non-AP STAs to operate on different channels.

[0245] Figure 12a is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12a, the STA receives a third frame, but cannot determine whether the third frame originates from its own cell or from an external cell, so the STA does not switch to the slave channel. Optionally, the STA can maintain a basic NAV based on the third frame. Optionally, the third frame is an ACK or CTS frame.

[0246] Through the embodiments of this application, the AP and the non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP is located can work on the same channel, thereby improving system performance and communication efficiency.

[0247] This application also provides a communication method, which is shown below:

[0248] In one possible implementation, the AP sends a fourth frame, which includes information about non-AP STAs within the BSS where the AP is located. Correspondingly, the non-AP STAs receive this fourth frame. The non-AP STAs can store information about other non-AP STAs within their own BSS. Therefore, when a non-AP STA receives a third frame, it can effectively distinguish whether the third frame originated from its own BSS or an external cell.

[0249] Figure 12b is a schematic diagram of a scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12b, the AP sends a fourth frame, which includes the MAC address of a non-AP STA within this BSS.

[0250] In another possible implementation, non-AP STAs can continuously listen to each frame transmitted over the air interface, parse out the MAC addresses of other non-AP STAs within their BSS in each frame, and save these MAC addresses. Therefore, the AP does not need to broadcast the MAC addresses of non-AP STAs within its BSS in the fourth frame.

[0251] In this embodiment of the application, by recording the MAC addresses of other non-AP STAs within the BSS, the non-AP STA can effectively distinguish whether the PPDU it receives is an inter-BSS PPDU or an intra-BSS PPDU.

[0252] For any implementation methods or examples shown above that are not described in detail, please refer to other implementation methods or other examples.

[0253] The various implementation methods shown above can be individual embodiments, or they can be combined with each other to form an embodiment. The specific details of the combination will not be described here.

[0254] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0255] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 13 to 15.

[0256] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the device includes a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302. The transceiver module 1302 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1301 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 1302 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0257] This device can be used to perform the actions performed by the station in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module that can be configured in the device. The transceiver module 1302 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the station in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1301 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the station in the above method embodiments.

[0258] As one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is used to generate the first frame; the transceiver module 1302 is used to send or output the first frame.

[0259] The transceiver module 1302 can also be used to send or output a fourth frame.

[0260] As another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is used to receive or input the first frame; the processing module 1301 is used to parse the first frame.

[0261] The transceiver module 1302 can also be used to receive or input PPDUs; the processing module 1301 is also used to switch to a non-primary channel based on the PPDU and under certain conditions. For a description of these conditions, please refer to the above text; they will not be detailed here.

[0262] The transceiver module 1302 can also be used to receive or input PPDUs; the processing module 1301 is also used to reside on the main channel when the PPDU is not from a non-cooperative PPDU.

[0263] The transceiver module 1302 can also be used to receive or input a fourth frame.

[0264] As another possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is used to generate the second frame; the transceiver module 1302 is used to send or output the second frame.

[0265] As another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is used to receive or input the second frame; the processing module 1301 is used to parse the second frame.

[0266] Processing module 1301 is used to switch to a non-primary channel based on the second frame, provided that certain conditions are met. The conditions are explained above and will not be detailed here.

[0267] Processing module 1301 is used to reside on the main channel according to the second frame.

[0268] As another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1302 is used to receive or input PPDUs; the processing module 1301 is used to switch to a non-primary channel according to the PPDUs and under certain conditions. The conditions are explained above and will not be detailed here.

[0269] Processing module 1301 is used to switch back to the main channel at the end of PPDU transmission or before the end of PPDU transmission.

[0270] For example, the transceiver module 1302 described above can be an antenna module. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1302 can be an input / output module. Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1301 can read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0271] For details regarding the specific explanations of each term, noun, or step in the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be detailed here.

[0272] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0273] It is understandable that the module division in the above-mentioned device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional module. In actual implementation, all or some modules can be integrated into one physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0274] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0275] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the described apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG. 13 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0276] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG13, the processing module 1301 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1302 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1302 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0277] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of an apparatus provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the apparatus 140 includes one or more processors 1420 and transceivers 1410.

[0278] The aforementioned apparatus can be used to execute steps, methods, or functions performed by the site. For example, processor 1420 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by processing module 1301 as shown in FIG. 13, and transceiver 1410 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by transceiver module 1302 as shown in FIG. 13. Detailed descriptions of processor 1420 and transceiver 1410 can be found in FIG. 13 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0279] The following explanation uses the device shown in Figure 14 as an example of a communication device.

[0280] In various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 14, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0281] Optionally, the communication device 140 may further include one or more memories 1430 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memories 1430 are coupled to the processor 1420. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between the communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 1420 may operate in conjunction with the memories 1430. The processor 1420 can execute program instructions stored in the memories 1430. Optionally, at least one of the aforementioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0282] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1410, processor 1420, and memory 1430. In Figure 14, the memory 1430, processor 1420, and transceiver 1410 are connected via a bus 1440, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be categorized as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 14, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0283] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0284] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0285] The processor 1420 is primarily used for processing communication protocols and data, controlling the entire communication device, executing software programs, and processing software program data. The memory 1430 is primarily used for storing software programs and data. The transceiver 1410 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used for receiving user input data and outputting data to the user.

[0286] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1420 can read the software program in the memory 1430, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1420 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1420. The processor 1420 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0287] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0288] The communication device shown in this application embodiment may also have more components than those in Figure 14, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above. The dashed lines in Figure 14 indicate optional parts.

[0289] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 13, the processing module 1301 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1302 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1302 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0290] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the chip includes a logic circuit 1501 and an interface 1502. That is, the processing module 1301 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1501, and the transceiver module 1302 can be implemented using the interface 1502. The logic circuit 1501 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1502 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 15 illustrates a chip using the aforementioned device as an example, where the chip includes a logic circuit 1501 and an interface 1502.

[0291] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1501 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1301 shown in FIG. 13, and the interface 1502 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1302 shown in FIG. 13. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1501 and the interface 1502, please refer to FIG. 13 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0292] The communication device shown in the embodiments of this application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0293] In addition, this application also provides a communication system. The description of the communication system is as above and will not be repeated here.

[0294] This application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various sites in the methods provided in this application.

[0295] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0296] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0297] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, communication devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices, or modules, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0298] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0299] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0300] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a first access point (AP), and the method includes: Generate a first frame, which includes non-cooperative basic service set (BSS) indication information. The non-cooperative BSS indication information is used to indicate a non-cooperative BSS, which is the BSS of the neighboring BSSs of the BSS where the first AP is located, where the AP has no cooperative relationship with the first AP. Send the first frame.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about the non-cooperative BSS; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about cooperative BSSs, which are the BSSs containing APs that have a cooperative relationship with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about the neighboring BSS and the non-cooperative BSS itself; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and cooperative BSSs.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes; A fourth frame is sent, which includes information about non-AP STAs within the BSS where the first AP is located.

4. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to non-AP STA sites, and the method includes: Receive a first frame, the first frame including non-cooperative basic service set (BSS) indication information, the non-cooperative BSS indication information is used to indicate a non-cooperative BSS, the non-cooperative BSS is the BSS of the neighboring BSS of the BSS where the non-AP STA is located, the AP that has no cooperative relationship with the first access point AP, the first AP is the AP in the BSS where the non-AP STA is located. Analyze the first frame.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) on the main channel; According to the PPDU, under certain conditions, the system switches to a non-primary channel, including: The PPDU originates from the non-cooperative BSS.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive PPDU on the main channel; If the PPDU does not originate from the non-cooperative BSS, it resides on the main channel.

7. The method according to any one of claims 4-6, characterized in that, The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about the non-cooperative BSS; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about cooperative BSSs, which are the BSSs containing APs that have a cooperative relationship with the first AP among the neighboring BSSs; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about the neighboring BSS and the non-cooperative BSS itself; or... The non-cooperative BSS indication information includes information about neighboring BSSs and cooperative BSSs.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes; Receive a fourth frame, which includes information about non-AP STAs within the BSS where the first AP is located.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to a primary access point (AP), and the method includes: A second frame is generated, which includes multi-MAP cooperative transmission indication information. The MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate whether the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining transmission opportunity TXOP duration. Send the second frame.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The second frame also includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

11. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, including: The MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an AP, or a non-AP STA within the BSS where the AP is located, and the method includes: The second frame is received on the main channel. The second frame includes multi-MAP cooperative transmission indication information. The MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate whether the master AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining transmission opportunity TXOP duration. The master AP and the slave AP have a cooperative relationship. Analyze the second frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The second frame also includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The MAP cooperative transmission indication information is used to indicate that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, including: The MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the second frame, the system switches to a non-primary channel if certain conditions are met, including: The MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will not perform MAP cooperative transmission for the remaining TXOP duration; or, The MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, and the slave AP is not among the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission; or, The MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission, but does not include information about the slave APs.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, then the secondary AP will reside on the primary channel; or, The MAP cooperative transmission indication information indicates that the primary AP will perform MAP cooperative transmission within the remaining TXOP duration, and the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission include the slave AP; therefore, the slave AP camps on the primary channel; or, If the MAP cooperative transmission indication information includes information about the cooperating APs participating in the MAP cooperative transmission, and this information includes the information of the slave AP, then the slave AP resides on the master channel.

17. A communication method, characterized in that, The method is applied to an AP, or a non-AP STA within the BSS where the AP is located, and the method includes: Receive Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) on the main channel; According to the PPDU, under certain conditions, the system switches to a non-primary channel, including: The PPDU originates from the main AP; The AP does not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the PPDU.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The method further includes: Switch back to the main channel at the end of the PPDU transmission, or before the end of the PPDU transmission.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The condition also includes that the transmission duration of the PPDU is greater than the transmission duration threshold.

20. The method according to any one of claims 17-19, characterized in that, The statement that the AP does not participate in MAP cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the PPDU includes: The PPDU does not include cooperative control frames; or... The PPDU includes the cooperation control frame, which does not schedule the slave AP to participate in MAP cooperative transmission; or... The PPDU includes the cooperation control frame, which schedules the AP to participate in MAP cooperative transmission.

21. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

22. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

23. A chip, characterized in that, It includes logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled, the logic circuitry being configured to enable the chip to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

24. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-20.

25. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-20 is performed.

26. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a first access point (AP) and a non-AP STA, wherein the first AP is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-3, and the non-AP STA is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 4-8.

27. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a master AP and a slave AP, wherein the master AP is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 9-11, and the slave AP is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12-16.

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