Information transmission method, communication apparatus, and storage medium

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides an information transmission method, a communication apparatus, and a storage medium, which can ensure normal communication between stations as much as possible. The method comprises: sending a trigger frame to a first station, and receiving a first message from the first station, the trigger frame being used for triggering the first station to report the first message, the first message comprising first information, and the first information being used for indicating whether the first station resides on a non-primary channel of the first station.

Description

Information transmission methods, communication devices and storage media

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411615966.6, filed on November 11, 2024, entitled "Information Transmission Method, Communication Device and Storage Medium", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, specifically to an information transmission method, communication device, and storage medium. Background Technology

[0003] A basic service set (BSS) can include one access point (AP) and one or more non-access points (non-APs). Because APs and non-APs have different coverage areas, they may detect different sites. Sites that cannot be detected by both APs and non-APs can be called hidden sites.

[0004] Taking an example where the access point (AP) cannot detect a hidden station, while a non-AP can: During communication between the hidden station and other stations, the non-AP can detect that the hidden station is communicating with other stations on the main channel, determining that the main channel is busy, and thus the non-AP can switch to a non-main channel. However, the access point (AP) cannot detect that the hidden station is communicating with other stations on the main channel, determining that the main channel is idle, and thus the AP does not switch to a non-main channel, remaining on the main channel. In other words, if the AP and non-AP detect different stations, it is very likely that their channel status detection results will be inconsistent, leading to different channels being camped by the AP and non-AP. For example, the non-AP might switch to a non-main channel, while the access point (AP) might not, remaining on the main channel.

[0005] However, during communication between the AP and non-AP, if the channels on which the AP and non-AP reside are inconsistent, it is very likely to cause communication transmission chaos between the AP and non-AP. For example, transmission resources may not match, which may prevent the AP and non-AP from communicating normally. Summary of the Invention

[0006] To address the aforementioned technical problems, embodiments of this application provide an information transmission method, a communication device, and a storage medium, which can ensure normal communication between sites as much as possible.

[0007] Firstly, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a second station, or by a component of the second station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the second station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the second station. The following description uses the execution of this method by a second station as an example. The information transmission method includes: the second station sending a trigger frame to a first station to trigger the first station to report a first message, enabling the first station to report the first message; the second station receiving a first message from the first station including first information, the first information indicating whether the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station.

[0008] In the information transmission method provided in this application embodiment, since the first message reported by the first station includes information indicating whether the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station, the second station can clearly know the channel currently residing of the first station through the message reported by the first station. In this way, the second station can allocate suitable resources to the first station through the channel currently residing of the first station, thereby ensuring normal communication between stations.

[0009] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, in addition to the first information, the first message may also include other relevant information about the non-primary channel, such as event information that indicates the triggering of the first station to switch to the non-primary channel, so that the second station can obtain more clear and comprehensive information about the first station switching to the non-primary channel through the first message.

[0010] Based on this possible implementation, the second station can allocate suitable resources to the first station through a clearer and more comprehensive first message, further ensuring normal communication between the stations.

[0011] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a puncturing field, wherein the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth indicated by the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel; the length field is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station hops to the primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station hops to the primary channel; the puncturing field is used to indicate the puncturing method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the puncturing field is used to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth among at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

[0012] In other words, the second information can include various types of information related to the first station's hopping to a non-primary channel, such as bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields. Since bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields all help the second station allocate time-domain and frequency-domain resources, the second station can subsequently allocate suitable resources to the first station using clearer and more comprehensive bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields, further ensuring normal communication between the stations.

[0013] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, in addition to the first information, the first message may also include data transmission related information, such as information indicating whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first station, so that the second station can determine whether it needs to allocate suitable resources to the first station, thereby avoiding allocating suitable uplink resources to the first station even when there is no uplink data to be transmitted at the first station, thus minimizing redundant operations.

[0014] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or QoS Data frame. This implementation can reuse the implementation logic of other existing control information in the A-Control field, making it simple to implement.

[0015] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a multi-STA blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the per-AID TID info field of a single associated identifier transmission identifier within the multi-STA blockack frame. Because the multi-STA blockack frame has high generalization and flexibility, this implementation can improve the compatibility of non-master channel access mechanisms with other mechanisms.

[0016] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a compressed block acknowledgment (BA) frame, and the first information is carried in the BA information field within the compressed block acknowledgment frame. Since the compressed block acknowledgment frame is relatively short, this implementation can minimize signaling overhead.

[0017] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame used to carry the first message. That is, the second station can control the frame used by the first station to report the first message through the trigger frame, thereby increasing the controllability of the communication system.

[0018] In conjunction with the first aspect above, in one possible implementation, the trigger frame is further used to instruct the first station to use the frequency domain resources to report the first message; receiving the first message from the first station includes: receiving the first message from the first station based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station that sent the trigger frame.

[0019] In other words, the frequency domain resources provided in this application for transmitting the first message are frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set. This allows the first station to report the first message to the second station regardless of whether the first station is stationed on the main channel or a non-main channel, thereby ensuring the normal transmission of the first message as much as possible.

[0020] In conjunction with the first aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the first station is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second station that sends the trigger frame is an access point (AP).

[0021] In other words, the information transmission method described in this application embodiment can be used by the AP to query the non-AP for a first message through a trigger frame. Then, the non-AP responds to the trigger frame and reports the first message to the AP. This allows the AP to know the relevant information of the channel currently hosted by the non-AP even if the channel hosted by the non-AP changes. In this way, the AP can allocate suitable resources to the non-AP through the channel currently hosted by the non-AP, thereby ensuring normal communication between the AP and the non-AP.

[0022] In conjunction with the first aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: determining resources for communication between the first site and the second site based on a first message from the first site.

[0023] In other words, the second station can allocate suitable resources for communication between the first and second stations through the channel currently hosted by the first station, thereby ensuring normal communication between the first and second stations.

[0024] Secondly, an information transmission method is provided. This method can be executed by a first station, or by a component of the first station, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the first station, or by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the first station. The following description uses the execution of this method by the first station as an example. The information transmission method includes: receiving a trigger frame from a second station and sending a first message to the second station. The trigger frame is used to trigger the first station to report the first message, and the first message includes first information indicating whether the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station.

[0025] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first message also includes second information, which is used to indicate event information that triggers the first station to switch to a non-main channel.

[0026] In conjunction with the second aspect described above, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a puncturing field. The bandwidth field indicates the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field indicates the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel. The length field indicates the remaining duration the first station resides on the non-primary channel, or the length field indicates the duration of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field indicates the duration of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field indicates the time when the first station hops to the primary channel, or the length field indicates the time when the first station hops to the primary channel. The puncturing field indicates the puncturing method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the puncturing field indicates whether each sub-bandwidth among at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

[0027] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first message also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first station.

[0028] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or the QoS Data frame.

[0029] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a multi-STA block acknowledgment (multi-STA blockack) frame, and the first information is carried in the per AID TID info field of a single associated identifier transmission identifier in the multi-STA blockack frame.

[0030] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the first message is a compressed block ack frame, and the first information is carried in the block acknowledgment information (BA information) field of the compressed block ack frame.

[0031] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame used to carry the first message.

[0032] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to instruct the first station to use the frequency domain resources to report the first message; sending the first message to the second station includes: sending the first message to the second station based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect mentioned above, in one possible implementation, the first site is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second site is an access point (AP).

[0034] In conjunction with the second aspect above, in one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment further includes: determining resources for communication between the first site and the second site based on a first message from the first site.

[0035] Thirdly, a communication device is provided for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be the second station in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the second station, or a device included in the second station, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be the first station in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the first station, or a device included in the first station, such as a chip. The communication device includes modules, units, or means corresponding to the methods described above, which can be implemented in hardware, software, or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules or units corresponding to the functions described above.

[0036] In some possible designs, the communication device may include a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module, also referred to as a transceiver unit, is used to implement the transmission and / or reception functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations. The transceiver module may consist of transceiver circuits, transceivers, transceivers, or communication interfaces. The processing module can be used to implement the processing functions in any of the above aspects and their possible implementations.

[0037] In some possible designs, the transceiver module includes a sending module and a receiving module, which are used to implement the sending and receiving functions in any of the above aspects and any possible implementation methods.

[0038] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a memory; the memory is used to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication device to perform the method of any of the above aspects. The communication device may be a second station in the first aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second station, or a device included in the second station, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first station in the second aspect, or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first station, or a device included in the first station, such as a chip.

[0039] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, comprising: a processor and a communication interface; the communication interface being used to communicate with a module outside the communication device; the processor being used to execute computer programs or instructions such that the communication device can be a second station in the first aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the second station, or a device included in the second station, such as a chip; or, the communication device can be a first station in the second aspect or any implementation thereof, or a device including the first station, or a device included in the first station, such as a chip.

[0040] A sixth aspect provides a communication device, comprising: at least one processor; the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects. The memory may be coupled to the processor, or may be independent of the processor. The communication device may be a second station in the first aspect, or any implementation of the first aspect, or a device including the second station, or a device included in the second station, such as a chip; or, the communication device may be a first station in the second aspect, or any implementation of the second aspect, or a device including the first station, or a device included in the first station, such as a chip.

[0041] In a seventh aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, enable the communication device to perform the methods of any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0042] Eighthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0043] Ninthly, a communication device (e.g., a chip or chip system) is provided, the communication device including a processor for implementing the functions involved in any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0044] In some possible designs, the communication device includes a memory for storing necessary program instructions and data.

[0045] In some possible designs, when the device is a chip system, it can be composed of chips or contain chips and other discrete components.

[0046] It is understood that when the communication device provided by any of the third to sixth aspects is a chip, the aforementioned sending action / function can be understood as an output, and the aforementioned receiving action / function can be understood as an input.

[0047] In a tenth aspect, an information transmission method is provided, which includes the method of the first aspect or any implementation thereof, and the method of the second aspect or any implementation thereof.

[0048] Eleventhly, a communication system is provided, which includes a first station and a second station as described above.

[0049] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided that, when run on a communication device, enables the communication device to execute the method of any of the above aspects or any implementation thereof.

[0050] The technical effects of any of the implementation methods in aspects two through twelfth can be found in the technical effects of the corresponding implementation method in aspect one, and will not be repeated here.

[0051] Among these, any possible implementation methods of any one of the above aspects can be combined, provided that the solutions do not contradict each other. Attached Figure Description

[0052] Figure 1 is an example diagram of a main channel and a non-main channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0053] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a CSMA / CA mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0054] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an interaction between sites provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0055] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of an NPCA provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0056] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a drilling method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0057] Figure 6 is a deployment example of a site in a BSS provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0058] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0059] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0060] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating an information transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0061] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0062] Figure 11 is an example diagram of a frequency domain resource provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0063] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another information transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0064] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0065] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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.

[0068] 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".

[0069] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as XX being the receiving end of the information, 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 YY being the sending end of the information, 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 two stations, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0070] The following describes the terms used in the embodiments of this application.

[0071] 1. Basic Service Set (BSS)

[0072] A basic service set (BSS) can include one access point (AP) and one or more non-access points (non-APs). In this case, the BSS is an infrastructure BSS. Furthermore, to improve network capacity, multiple BSSs can be deployed in the same area. If the coverage areas of BSSs using the same channel overlap, then this BSS can be called an overlapping basic service set (OBSS).

[0073] Within an Infrastructure Base Station (BSS), there exists a special site that connects to the distribution system (DS). This special site is the Access Point (AP), while all other sites within the BSS besides the AP are non-APs. Non-APs are associated with APs; all non-APs must connect to the DS through their associated AP, and non-APs cannot communicate directly with each other by default.

[0074] In this application embodiment, the AP or non-AP can be a site not attached to any multi-link device (MLD) or a site attached to an MLD. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0075] 2. Main channel and non-main channel

[0076] The primary channel (PC) refers to the common channel of operation for all stations that members of the BSS. In this application, the primary channel refers to the primary 20MHz channel. Furthermore, the maximum bandwidth that a station in the BSS can transmit and receive can be called the primary operating bandwidth of that station, and the primary operating channel is the operating channel that can accommodate the primary operating bandwidth. For example, assuming the total bandwidth of the BSS is 160 MHz, and the primary operating bandwidth of a non-AP within the BSS is also 160 MHz (i.e., the total bandwidth of the BSS), then the primary operating channel of that non-AP is the operating channel that can accommodate the primary operating bandwidth (i.e., 160 MHz, the total bandwidth of the BSS). Moreover, the bandwidth of the primary operating channel covers the bandwidth of the primary channel.

[0077] Non-primary channels refer to channels other than the primary channels that a station in the BSS can operate. In this embodiment, a channel can also be called a medium, and this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. For example, Figure 1 is an example diagram of primary and non-primary channels. As shown in Figure 1, taking a 160MHz high-bandwidth channel used by a station in the BSS as an example, this high-bandwidth channel can be divided into eight 20MHz sub-channels. Among these eight sub-channels, the AP can determine which sub-channel is the primary channel based on the BSS configuration information, and the remaining sub-channels are non-primary channels. For example, the third sub-channel in Figure 1 is the primary channel, while the other sub-channels are non-primary channels 1 to 7.

[0078] 3. Carrier-Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance (CSMA / CA)

[0079] Multiple stations may have communication needs within the same space. If multiple stations transmit signals simultaneously, the signals will overlap, causing interference and preventing the receiver from receiving any signal. Therefore, the CSMA / CA mechanism can be used to solve the interference problem caused by multiple stations using the channel simultaneously.

[0080] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the CSMA / CA mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. The CSMA / CA mechanism is as follows: A station listens to the channel to maintain synchronization with it. When a station has a transmission requirement, if the channel listening result is busy, the station cannot transmit at this time. When the channel listening result is idle, or after a period of time from busy to idle, the station performs random backoff (i.e., continues to wait for a random period of time), and after the random backoff is completed, it uses the channel to transmit data. In addition, if the station detects that the channel is busy again during the backoff period, the station pauses the backoff, that is, it still does not transmit, and continues random backoff after the channel becomes idle.

[0081] For example, Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the CSMA / CA mechanism provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 2, a station with transmission needs listens to the main channel. When the main channel is busy, the station cannot transmit. When the main channel is idle, the station can perform random backoff (i.e., continue to wait for a random period of time), and after the random backoff is completed, it uses the main channel to transmit data. Furthermore, if the station detects that the main channel is busy again during the backoff period, the station pauses the backoff, i.e., it still does not transmit, and continues random backoff after the main channel becomes idle. In addition, stations in the OBSS can transmit through non-main channel 4. Stations in this BSS occupy the main channel. Furthermore, for example, stations in this BSS can also occupy non-main channels 1 to 3, and non-main channels 5 to 7.

[0082] In this embodiment of the application, the listening channel can also be referred to as carrier sensing (CS), and this embodiment of the application does not impose any restrictions on it.

[0083] Furthermore, the aforementioned eavesdropping channels include physical carrier sensing (PCS) and virtual carrier sensing (PCS).

[0084] Physical CS can be implemented by performing energy detection (ED) on the channel. The process of performing ED on the channel is as follows: the station detects the energy generated during air interface transmission on the channel. When the detected energy is greater than the energy threshold, it is determined that air interface transmission exists on the channel, and the channel is thus determined to be busy; otherwise, the channel is determined to be idle.

[0085] Furthermore, for wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) transmission, the physical protocol data units (PPDUs) of other wireless technologies (such as Bluetooth, ZigBee, and cellular) and even the radiated energy may be captured during the channel ED implementation process. Therefore, when the detected energy is greater than the energy threshold, it cannot be determined that there is air interface transmission of Wi-Fi PPDUs on the channel. Thus, although ED has low hardware requirements, the accuracy of determining whether the channel is busy through ED is poor.

[0086] Virtual CS can be implemented by performing preamble detection (PD) on the channel. For Wi-Fi transmission, the process of performing PD on the channel is as follows: The station detects whether there is an over-the-air transmission of Wi-Fi PPDUs on the channel based on the characteristics of Wi-Fi transmission. If over-the-air transmission of Wi-Fi PPDUs is detected on the channel, the station determines that the channel is busy during the time period corresponding to the TXOP or duration field by decoding the PPDU; and determines that the channel is idle outside the time period corresponding to the TXOP or duration field.

[0087] Upon detecting the over-the-air transmission of a Wi-Fi PPDU on the channel, the Wi-Fi PPDU is decoded to extract necessary information. This necessary information may include a duration field and / or a transmission opportunity (TXOP) field. These two fields indicate how much time is required for the sending and receiving stations to complete frame exchange after the Wi-Fi PPDU transmission is complete. The station receiving the Wi-Fi PPDU can set the corresponding network allocation vector (NAV) based on the duration field and / or TXOP field to ensure that there is no channel contention within the time indicated by the NAV, thereby avoiding interference to both the sending and receiving stations.

[0088] Because PD (Power-On) is more difficult than ED (Engineer-On) , a station can perform ED on the main operating channel (i.e., the maximum bandwidth capable of transmission and reception), while performing PD on the main channel. For example, an 80MHz station performs ED on 80MHz and PD on the main 20MHz channel. A station considers the channel idle only if both the physical and virtual CS (Cycles Response System) results for the channel are idle; otherwise, the station considers the channel busy.

[0089] 4. TXOP

[0090] For WLAN systems, stations can transmit data in units of PPDUs. A station may need to transmit multiple PPDUs to complete a single service interaction. Before the introduction of TXOP, stations had to back off before each PPDU transmission, resulting in low transmission efficiency. The introduction of TXOP allows stations that have completed backoff to efficiently transmit multiple PPDUs.

[0091] The period of time gained after a station completes its backoff is called the TXOP (Turn-Off Period). During the TXOP, adjacent PPDUs (PPDUs received and transmitted by the station, or PPDUs transmitted and received by the station) can be spaced apart for a certain duration; no backoff is required between adjacent PPDUs. This interval between adjacent PPDUs can include, but is not limited to, the short interframe space (SIFS). A station can declare the length of the TXOP at the beginning so that other stations can resolve this length and avoid competing for the channel during that period.

[0092] The station that acquires a TXOP by avoiding contention is called the TXOP holder (i.e., the station that sends the first frame of the TXOP). The station that communicates with the TXOP holder within the TXOP is called the TXOP responder (i.e., the station other than the TXOP holder that participates in the transmission within the TXOP). Both the TXOP holder and the TXOP responder are participants in the TXOP.

[0093] For example, Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of an interaction between stations provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, station 1 is the TXOP holder, and station 2 is the TXOP responder. Within the time length of the TXOP obtained by station 1, station 1 can send PPDU1 to station 2, and station 2 can reply with PPDU2. Subsequently, station 1 can continue to send PPDU3 and PPDU4 to station 2, and station 2 can reply with PPDU5. PPDU2 can carry an acknowledgment (ACK) frame or a block acknowledgment (BA) frame. PPDU5 can carry an ACK frame or a BA frame. There is a short interframe space (SIFS) between PPDU1 and PPDU2, and an SIFS between PPDU4 and PPDU5. Within the TXOP obtained by station 1, station 3 does not participate in transmission. That is, station 3 cannot actively send PPDUs to avoid interfering with station 1 or station 2.

[0094] 5. Main channel access

[0095] Master channel access refers to a channel access mechanism in which a site needs to access the site based on the virtual CS result of the master channel when performing a contention-based access procedure.

[0096] For example, referring to Figure 1, primary channel access refers to a channel access mechanism that requires access based on the virtual CS result of the primary channel (i.e., the third channel) when performing a contention-based access procedure. In this case, even if the virtual CS results of non-primary channels 1 to 7 are idle, the site still needs to access based on the virtual CS result of the primary channel (i.e., the third channel).

[0097] 6. Non-primary channel access (NPCA)

[0098] Before the introduction of the NPCA mechanism, stations could not transmit when the primary channel was busy. However, as station deployments become denser and station bandwidth increases, the spectrum utilization efficiency caused by primary channel access is decreasing. For example, if a station detects the primary channel as busy while all other non-primary channels are detected as idle, the station cannot use the other non-primary channels and must wait until the transmission on the primary channel ends. To improve channel utilization, stations can adopt NPCA.

[0099] NPCA (Non-Primary Channel Access) refers to the ability of a station to switch to a non-primary channel for communication when the primary channel is occupied by the BSS (Operational Service Provider). For example, if the primary channel is busy, the station can communicate through an idle non-primary channel during the period when the primary channel is unavailable. Before communicating on a non-primary channel, the station can perform a virtual CS (Transactional Control) on that channel. The station performs a physical CS on the operational channel (including both the primary and non-primary channels). If both the virtual and physical CS results indicate that the channel is idle, the station can then connect to the non-primary channel for communication. Without considering P2P transmission, if the primary channel is occupied by the same BSS, the station cannot switch to a non-primary channel, or even if it does, it cannot communicate.

[0100] The non-primary channel used for executing virtual CS in NPCA can be called the non-primary channel access-primary channel (NPC), and the NPC can act as a temporary primary channel. There can be only one NPC within a BSS; in this case, the NPC is the same for all stations within the BSS that have NPCA functionality enabled. Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the NPCA operation bandwidth and NPCA operation channel within a BSS can also be the same; this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0101] Furthermore, after a site in the BSS switches to an NPC, the maximum bandwidth that can be used for transmission and reception on the NPC is called the NPCA Operating Bandwidth. The NPCA Operating Channel refers to the operating channel that can accommodate the NPCA Operating Bandwidth. For example, if the total bandwidth of the BSS is 160MHz, and the NPC of the BSS is located within the second 80MHz of the BSS: if the NPCA Operating Bandwidth of the non-AP is 80MHz, then the NPCA Operating Bandwidth of the non-AP is the second 80MHz of the BSS, and the NPCA Operating Channel of the non-AP site is the operating channel that accommodates the NPCA Operating Bandwidth (i.e., the second 80MHz of the BSS); if the NPCA Operating Bandwidth of the non-AP is 160MHz, then the NPCA Operating Bandwidth of the non-AP is the entire bandwidth of the BSS excluding the main channel, and the NPCA Operating Channel of the non-AP site is the operating channel that accommodates the NPCA Operating Bandwidth (i.e., the entire bandwidth of the BSS excluding the main channel).

[0102] Furthermore, the NPCA discussed in this application can be divided into at least two types: PPDU-level NPCA and TXOP-level NPCA. PPDU-level NPCA refers to a site triggering a jump to the NPC upon detecting an OBSS PPDU on the main channel, but needing to jump back to the PC before the OBSS PPDU transmission ends. The length of the OBSS PPDU can be determined by the length field of the legacy signal (L-SIG) field. TXOP-level NPCA refers to a site triggering a jump to the NPC upon detecting an OBSS PPDU / TXOP on the main channel, but needing to jump back to the PC before the TXOP indicated by the OBSS PPDU / TXOP ends. The length of the TXOP can be determined by the TXOP field of the PPDU's physical layer (PHY) header or the duration field of the media access control (MAC) header.

[0103] The aforementioned non-primary channels can be allocated by the AP or agreed upon by the sender and receiver. For non-primary channel access, the AP's bandwidth is greater than the non-AP's bandwidth, or the AP's bandwidth is less than the non-AP's bandwidth, or the AP's bandwidth is equal to the non-AP's bandwidth.

[0104] In this embodiment, a station switching from channel A to channel B, or jumping from channel A to channel B, means that the function performed by the station on channel A can also be performed on channel B. The bandwidths of channel A and channel B can be the same or different, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0105] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the NPCA provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, a station has transmission needs. Due to the busy primary channel, the station can switch to a non-primary channel 6. The station performs a virtual CS and a physical CS on the non-primary channel 6. Both the virtual CS and physical CS results in the channel being idle. The station considers the channel to be idle and, after successful backoff on the non-primary channel 6, communicates on an idle channel including the non-primary channel 6. For example, before the TXOP of the primary channel ends, the station can switch back to the primary 20MHz channel. The timing of the station switching back to the primary 20MHz channel is not limited in this embodiment.

[0106] 7. Punching

[0107] As site bandwidth increases, the likelihood of sub-channels (such as a portion of the operational channel) being busy within that bandwidth also increases. Before the introduction of puncturing mechanisms, the bandwidth used by a site had to be a contiguous channel including the primary channel. For example, if a site's secondary channel was busy, even if the site's bandwidth was 160MHz and all other secondary channels were idle, the site could only use the primary channel. To improve spectrum utilization efficiency, sites can puncture busy secondary channels, thereby using both the primary channel and idle secondary channels. Punching only affects secondary channels; the primary channel cannot be punctured.

[0108] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of puncturing provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 5, the bandwidth of the station is 160MHz. If the station does not puncture busy channels, the station can only use the main channel. When the station punctures busy channels, for example, some channels in the second 20MHz channel and the second 80MHz channel shown in Figure 5 are punctured, the station can use the main channel and all or part of the idle non-main channels.

[0109] It should be understood that the channel can also be understood as the corresponding bandwidth, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

[0110] 8. Buffer status report poll (BSRP) / buffer status report (BSR) interaction

[0111] BSRP / BSR interaction refers to a situation where a station can send a BSRP to another station, and the other station can reply with a BSR. Taking one station as an AP and the other as a non-AP as an example, in an AP-non-AP interaction scenario, the AP can send a BSRP to the non-AP, and the non-AP can reply with a BSR to the AP, thus assisting the AP in allocating RUs (Responding Units). The following details the implementation process of BSRP / BSR interaction between the AP and non-AP.

[0112] S101, the AP sends a BSRP to the non-AP. Correspondingly, the non-AP receives the BSRP from the AP.

[0113] For example, the format of BSRP can be as shown in Table 1 below. BSRP may include a frame control field, a duration field, a receiver address (RA) field, a tracking area (TA) field, a common info field, a user info list field, a padding field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. Specifically, the frame control field is 2 bytes long, the duration field is 2 bytes long, the RA field is 6 bytes long, the TA field is 6 bytes long, the common info field is at least 8 bytes long, the user info list field has a variable length, the padding field has a variable length, and the FCS field has a 4-byte length.

[0114] Table 1

[0115] Furthermore, for example, the format of the common info field can be as shown in Table 2 below. The common info fields may include trigger type, uplink length (UL length), more trigger frames (more TF), CS required, uplink bandwidth (UL BW), guard interval and high-efficiency long training field type (GI and HE-LTF type), MU-MIMO HE-LTF mode, number of HE-LTF symbols and midamble periodicity, uplink space-time block coding (UL STBC), low-density parity extra symbol segment (LDPC), access point transmit power (AP Tx power), pre-FEC padding factor, phase coding disambiguity, uplink spatial reuse (UL spatial reuse), doppler, and uplink high-efficiency signal A2 reservation (UL HE-SIG-A2). One or more of the following fields: reserved, reserved, and trigger dependent common info.For example, the trigger type field is 4 bits long, the UL length field is 12 bits long, the more TF field is 1 bit long, the CS required field is 1 bit long, the UL BW field is 2 bits long, the GI and HE-LTF type field is 2 bits long, the MU-MIMO HE-LTF mode field is 1 bit long, the number of HE-LTF symbols and midamble periodicity field is 3 bits long, the UL STBC field is 1 bit long, the LDPC extra symbol segment field is 1 bit long, the AP Tx power field is 6 bits long, the pre-FEC padding factor field is 2 bits long, the PE disambiguity field is 1 bit long, the UL spatial reuse field is 16 bits long, the doppler field is 1 bit long, the UL HE-SIG-A2 reserved field is 9 bits long, the reserved field is 1 bit long, and the trigger dependent common info field has a variable length.

[0116] Table 2

[0117] Furthermore, the value of the trigger type field corresponds to the type of the trigger frame in which the trigger type field resides. As shown in Table 3 below, when the trigger type field has a value of 4, it indicates that the trigger frame in which the trigger type field resides is BSRP.

[0118] Table 3

[0119] Furthermore, for example, the format of the User Info field can be as shown in Table 4 below. The User Info field may include an association identifier (AID)12 field, a SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field, and a reserved field, etc. Among them, the AID12 field is 12 bits long, the SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field is 6 bits long, and the reserved field is 1 bit long.

[0120] Table 4

[0121] However, the values ​​of the AID12 field and the format of the SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field have a corresponding relationship. For example, if the AID12 field has a value of 0 or 2045, the format of the SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field is as shown in Table 5 below. The SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field includes the number of RA-RU fields and the more RA-RU fields. The number of RA-RU field is 6 bits long, and the more RA-RU field is 1 bit long.

[0122] Table 5

[0123] For example, if the AID12 field takes a value other than 0 or 2045, the format of the SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field is as shown in Table 6 below. The SS Allocation / RA-RU Information field includes a starting spatial stream field and a number of spatial streams field. The starting spatial stream field is 3 bits long, and both the number of spatial streams field are 3 bits long.

[0124] Table 6

[0125] Furthermore, the meaning of the AID12 field varies depending on its value. As shown in Table 7, when the AID12 field value is 0 or 2045, it indicates that the RU indicated in the trigger frame containing the AID12 field needs to be preempted by this site. When the AID12 field value is any value between 1 and 2007 (or 1 and 2006), it indicates that the RU indicated in the trigger frame containing the AID12 field is configured for this site.

[0126] Table 7

[0127] S102. If the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is the AID value of the non-AP, or if the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is 0, reply with a TB PPDU on the RU indicated by the BSRP field, or reply with a TB PPDU on the RU obtained through contention.

[0128] The TB PPDU includes at least one QoS Null frame. The QoS Null frame includes an HT Control field, which in turn includes an A-Control field. The A-Control field can be used for non-AP reporting of BSRs. The HT Control field is 4 bytes long.

[0129] Furthermore, the HT Control field is 32 bits, and with the first and second bits of the HT Control field both being 1, the third to 32nd bits are the A-Control field (30 bits in length). The A-Control field contains a control list field and a padding field.

[0130] The control list field can include one or more control fields. The format of the control field is shown in Table 8 below. The control field can include a control ID field and a control information field.

[0131] Table 8

[0132] The meaning of the control ID field varies depending on its value. As shown in Table 9, a control ID value of 3 indicates that the control information field refers to BSR; a control ID value of 5 indicates that the control information field refers to BQR.

[0133] Table 9

[0134] 9. Interactive Bandwidth Query Report Poll (BQRP) / Bandwidth Query Report (BQR)

[0135] BQRP / BQR interaction refers to a situation where a station can send a BQRP to another station, and the other station can reply with a BQR. In scenarios involving interaction between an AP and a non-AP, the AP can send a BQRP to a non-AP, and the non-AP can reply with a BQR to the AP, thus assisting the AP in allocating RUs. The following details the implementation process of BQRP / BQR interaction between the AP and non-AP.

[0136] S201, the AP sends a BQRP to the non-AP. Correspondingly, the non-AP receives the BQRP from the AP.

[0137] It should be understood that in BQRP, the trigger type field, which includes the common info field, has a value of 6, indicating that the frame is a BQRP frame. Furthermore, for other descriptions of the BQRP frame format, please refer to the relevant descriptions of the BSRP format; they will not be repeated here.

[0138] S202. If the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BQRP field for a non-AP is the AID value of that non-AP, or if the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BQRP field is 0, then reply with a TB PPDU on the RU indicated by the BQRP field, or reply with a TB PPDU on the RU obtained through contention.

[0139] For example, the A-Control field includes a control list field, which may include one or more Control fields, and the Control fields include a control information field. The format of the control information field can be as shown in Table 10 below, and the control information field may include an available channel bitmap field and a reserved field.

[0140] Table 10

[0141] The Available Channel Bitmap field indicates the availability of every 20MHz of bandwidth within the site's operating bandwidth. A value of 0 indicates that the corresponding 20MHz is unavailable, while a value of 1 indicates that the corresponding 20MHz is available.

[0142] In addition, the TB PPDU reported by non-AP during the BQRP / BQR interaction process can be understood by referring to the TB PPDU reported by non-AP during the BSRP / BSR interaction process, and will not be repeated here.

[0143] 10. BSRP / Multi-Station Block Acknowledgment (Multi-STA blockack) frame interaction

[0144] BSRP / Multi-STA blockack interaction refers to a situation where a station can send a BSRP to another station, and the other station replies with a Multi-STA blockack. In scenarios involving interaction between an AP and a non-AP, the AP can send a BSRP frame to a non-AP, and the non-AP can reply with a Multi-STA blockack to assist the AP in allocating RUs. The following details the implementation process of BSRP / Multi-STA blockack interaction between APs and non-APs.

[0145] S301, the AP sends a BSRP to the non-AP. Correspondingly, the non-AP receives the BSRP from the AP.

[0146] It should be understood that BSRP frames can be understood by referring to the descriptions of the corresponding positions mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0147] S302. If the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is the AID value of the non-AP, or if the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is 0, reply with a TB PPDU on the RU indicated by the BSRP field, or reply with a TB PPDU on the RU obtained through contention.

[0148] This TB PPDU includes a Multi-STA blockack frame.

[0149] For example, the format of a Multi-STA blockack frame can be as shown in Table 11 below. A Multi-STA blockack frame may include a block acknowledgment control (BA control) field and a block acknowledgment information (BA information) field.

[0150] Table 11

[0151] Furthermore, bits 1 and 6-9 in the BA control field are reserved bits.

[0152] Furthermore, the BA information field includes at least one per AID TID info field, namely the AID TID info field, the block ack starting sequence control field, and the block ack bitmap field.

[0153] The format of the AID TID Info field can be as shown in Table 12 below. The AID TID Info field can include the AID11 field, the acknowledgment type field, and the TID field.

[0154] Table 12

[0155] The format of the block ack starting sequence control field can be shown in Table 13 below. The block ack starting sequence control field can include the fragment number field and the starting sequence number field.

[0156] Table 13

[0157] In addition, the length of the fragment number field is related to the block ack bitmap field.

[0158] 11. BSRP / Compressed Blockack (C-BA) Interaction

[0159] BSRP / C-BA interaction refers to a situation where a station can send a BSRP to another station, and the other station replies with a C-BA. In scenarios involving interaction between an AP and a non-AP, the AP can send a BSRP to a non-AP, and the non-AP can reply with a C-BA to the AP, thus assisting the AP in allocating RUs. The following details the implementation process of BSRP / C-BA interaction between the AP and non-AP.

[0160] S401, the AP sends a BSRP to the non-AP. Correspondingly, the non-AP receives the BSRP from the AP.

[0161] It should be understood that BSRP frames can be understood by referring to the descriptions of the corresponding positions mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0162] S402. If the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is the AID value of the non-AP, or if the AID value indicated by the AID12 field included in the BSRP field is 0, reply with a TB PPDU on the RU indicated by the BSRP field, or reply with a TB PPDU on the RU obtained through contention.

[0163] This TB PPDU includes C-BA frames.

[0164] It should be understood that the format of C-BA frames is similar to that of Multi-STA blockack frames. The difference lies in the BA information field in C-BA frames, as shown in Table 14 below. The BA information field can include a block ack starting sequence control field and a block ack bitmap field. The length of the block ack starting sequence control field can be 2 bytes, and the length of the block ack bitmap field can be 8 or 32 bytes.

[0165] Table 14

[0166] As described above regarding BSS, there can be associations between sites within a BSS. For example, an AP within a BSS can be associated with a non-AP. Sites with associations may detect different sites. For instance, Figure 6 shows a deployment example of sites within a BSS provided in this embodiment. As shown in Figure 6, BSS1 and BSS2 are each other's OBSSs. Sites 1 and 2 within BSS1 are associated, while sites 3 and 4 are sites within BSS2. The primary channel used by these sites in BSS2 is the same as the primary channel used by the sites in BSS1. The coverage areas of sites 3 and 4 both include site 1 but not site 2. In this case, if both site 1 and site 2 have enabled NPCA functionality, and sites 3 and 4 are communicating, then site 1 will detect the OBSS PPDU / TXOP transmitted between site 3 and site 4 on the primary channel and switch to a non-primary channel. However, site 2 will not detect the OBSS PPDU / TXOP transmitted between site 3 and site 4 and will not switch to a non-primary channel. In this example, site 3 and site 4 can be referred to as hidden sites.

[0167] As can be seen from the above, the existence of hidden stations may cause related stations to perceive different stations, resulting in inconsistent detection results of channel status by related stations. Consequently, related stations may not all switch to non-primary channels, meaning that some stations switch to non-primary channels while others do not.

[0168] However, during communication between stations, if one station switches to a non-primary channel while the other does not, neither station can determine whether the other has switched to a non-primary channel, potentially preventing normal communication. For example, if the transmitting and receiving stations are an AP and a non-AP, and the non-AP switches to a non-primary channel while the AP does not, the AP cannot determine that the non-AP has switched and will still allocate a RU (Redirect Request) to the non-AP as if it were still on the primary channel. This results in the RU allocation being unsuitable for the current situation of the non-AP, preventing the non-AP from transmitting data to the AP based on the allocated RU.

[0169] This application provides an information transmission method. Since the first message reported by the first station includes information indicating whether the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station, the second station can clearly know the channel currently residing of the first station through the message reported by the first station. In this way, the second station can allocate suitable resources to the first station through the channel currently residing of the first station, thereby ensuring normal communication between the stations.

[0170] The following describes the communication system involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0171] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Wi-Fi or ambient power (AMP). 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). For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab, or a future generation of UWB WPAN protocol, or StarFlash, etc., and will not be listed exhaustively. The technical solutions provided in 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 emerging in future communication development.

[0172] Taking WLAN as an example, WLAN systems can provide high-speed and 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, wards, classrooms, supermarkets, 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.

[0173] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN systems as examples, 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.

[0174] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a station in a communication system. For example, the station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP).

[0175] An Access Point (AP) is a station with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol. It has the ability to communicate or sense other devices (such as non-APs or other access points). Alternatively, an AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, primarily connecting various wireless network clients and providing Ethernet access to the wireless network. Or, an AP can function as a special station within a Business Set Service (BSS) to access the Data Center (DS).

[0176] In a WLAN system, an AP can be called an AP station (STA). This AP station, which has wireless communication capabilities, can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed within the complete device. The device with the chip, processing system, or functional module installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module.

[0177] In this application's embodiments, the AP is a site that provides services to non-APs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an AP can be an AP that allows a terminal (such as a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. APs can also be deployed outdoors. Another example is that an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity. Yet another example is that 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 in the above-mentioned various types of devices to implement the methods and functions of this application's embodiments; this application's embodiments do not impose any limitations on this. Of course, an AP can also include an AP belonging to a multi-link device (MLD), or a co-located AP, etc.; this application's embodiments do not impose any limitations on this.

[0178] A non-AP is a site with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol, and having the ability to communicate or sense other non-APs or access points in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. This non-AP 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. The device with the chip, processing system, or functional module installed can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chip, processing system, or functional module. For example, a non-AP can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a non-AP 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.

[0179] Of course, non-AP 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. The embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this. Of course, non-AP can also include non-APs belonging to MLDs or co-located STAs, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

[0180] For example, the communication systems to which the methods provided in this application can be applied may include APs and non-APs. For instance, this application can be applied to scenarios in WLANs where communication or sensing occurs between APs and non-APs, between APs, or between non-APs; this application does not limit this application. In one possible implementation, an AP can communicate or sense with a single non-AP, or an AP can communicate or sense with multiple non-APs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple non-APs can be further divided into downlink transmission where the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple non-APs, and uplink transmission where multiple non-APs send signals to the AP. The communication protocols between APs and non-APs, between APs, and between non-APs can support WLAN communication protocols, which may 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.

[0181] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system may include one or more first stations and one or more second stations. Figure 7 shows three second stations, such as second station 1, second station 2, and second station 3, and five first stations, such as first station 1, first station 2, first station 3, first station 4, and first station 5. Specifically, first station 1, first station 2, and second station 1 can be stations in BBS1; first station 5 and second station 2 can be stations in BBS2; and first station 3, first station 4, and second station 3 can be stations in BBS3. Exemplarily, the method provided in this embodiment of the application can be applied to data communication between a second station and one or more first stations (such as the communication between second station 1 and first station 1 as shown in Figure 7, or the communication between second station 1 and first station 1 and first station 2).

[0182] For example, the second site can be an Access Point (AP), and the first site can be a non-AP. For a more detailed explanation of AP and non-AP, please refer to the descriptions in the corresponding sections above; they will not be repeated here.

[0183] It is understood that the example shown in Figure 7, where the first site is a mobile phone and the second site is a router, does not imply any limitation on the types of the first and second sites in the embodiments of this application.

[0184] The methods provided in this application embodiment can be applied to, but are 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, the V2X can include: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V), vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I), vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P), or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0185] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the communication system may also include a DS. Typically, the second station can communicate with the DS, while the first station cannot communicate directly with the DS.

[0186] It should be understood that the number and type of each device in the communication system shown in Figure 7 are for illustration only, and this application is not limited thereto. In actual applications, the communication system may include more first stations, more second stations, and other devices. This application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0187] In one possible implementation, the first station and the second station in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as communication devices, which may be a general-purpose device or a special-purpose device. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0188] In one possible implementation, the relevant functions of the first or second station in this application embodiment can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or one or more functional modules within a single device. This application embodiment does not specifically limit this. It is understood that the above functions can be network elements in hardware devices, software functions running on dedicated hardware, a combination of hardware and software, or virtualization functions instantiated on a platform (e.g., a cloud platform).

[0189] For example, the related functions of the first station and the second station in this embodiment can be implemented by the communication device 810 in FIG8. FIG8 shows a schematic diagram of a possible communication device. It is understood that the communication device 810 includes means of the necessary form, such as modules, units, elements, circuits, or interfaces, to be appropriately configured together to perform this solution. The communication device 810 can be the first station, the second station, or other devices in FIG7, or it can be a component (e.g., a chip) in these devices to implement the methods described in the following method embodiments. The communication device 810 includes one or more processors 811. The processor 811 can be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, etc. For example, it can be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit can be used to control the communication device (e.g., the first station, the second station, etc.), execute software programs, and process data of the software programs.

[0190] Optionally, in one design, the processor 811 may include a program 813 (sometimes also referred to as code or instructions), which can be executed on the processor 811 to cause the communication device 810 to perform the methods described in the embodiments below. In yet another possible design, the communication device 810 includes circuitry (not shown in FIG8) for implementing the communication functions in the embodiments below.

[0191] Optionally, the communication device 810 may include one or more memories 812 storing a program 814 (sometimes referred to as code or instructions), which can be run on the processor 811 to cause the communication device 810 to perform the methods described in the following method embodiments.

[0192] Optionally, the processor 811 and / or memory 812 may include artificial intelligence (AI) modules 817 and 818, which are used to implement AI-related functions. AI modules 817 or 818 can be implemented through software, hardware, or a combination of both. For example, AI modules 817 or 818 may include a radio intelligent controller (RIC) module. For example, AI modules 817 or 818 can be near real-time RICs or non-real-time RICs.

[0193] Optionally, data may also be stored in the processor 811 and / or the memory 812. The processor and memory may be configured separately or integrated together.

[0194] Optionally, the communication device 810 may also include a transceiver 815 and / or an antenna 816. The processor 811, sometimes referred to as a processing unit, controls the communication device (e.g., a first station, a second station). The transceiver 815, sometimes referred to as a transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, or transceiver, is used to implement the transmission and reception functions of the communication device via the antenna 816.

[0195] The information transmission method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figure 9.

[0196] In the following embodiments of this application, the message names, parameter names, or information names between network elements are merely examples, and other names may be used in other embodiments. The methods provided in the embodiments of this application are not specifically limited in this regard. It is understood that in the embodiments of this application, each network element may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of this application. These steps or operations are examples, and the embodiments of this application may also execute other operations or variations of various operations. Furthermore, the steps may be executed in different orders as presented in the embodiments of this application, and it is not necessary to execute all the operations in the embodiments of this application.

[0197] Figure 9 illustrates an example of the information transmission method provided in this application. The method is described using the interaction between a first station and a second station as an example. Of course, the entity executing the action of the first station in this method can also be a device / module in the first station, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the first station; similarly, the entity executing the action of the second station in this method can also be a device / module in the second station, such as a chip, processor, or processing unit in the second station. This application does not specifically limit this. For example, as shown in Figure 9, the information transmission method includes the following steps:

[0198] S901, the second station sends a trigger frame to the first station, and correspondingly, the first station receives the trigger frame from the second station.

[0199] The trigger frame is used to trigger the first station to report the first message.

[0200] In some possible implementations, the trigger frame can be an initial control frame (ICF) sent by the second station at the initial moment of TXOP, or it can be a trigger frame sent by the second station during the time period indicated by TXOP.

[0201] S902, the first station sends a first message to the second station, and correspondingly, the second station receives the first message from the first station.

[0202] The first message includes first information, which is used to indicate whether the first station resides on the non-primary channel of the first station.

[0203] In one possible implementation, the first station is a non-AP, and the second station is an AP. That is, the information transmission method described in this application embodiment allows the AP to query the non-AP for a first message via a trigger frame. The non-AP then responds to the trigger frame by reporting the first message to the AP. This ensures that even if the channel where the non-AP is camped changes, the AP can still obtain information about the current channel. Subsequently, the AP can allocate suitable resources to the non-AP using the currently camped channel, thus guaranteeing normal communication between the AP and the non-AP.

[0204] It is understood that the information transmission method described in the embodiments of this application can be applied to a scenario where neither the second station nor the first station has switched to a non-primary channel, that is, both the second station and the first station are still residing in the primary channel (referred to as scenario 1); it can also be applied to a scenario where the second station has not switched to a non-primary channel, but the first station has switched to a non-primary channel, that is, the second station is residing in the primary channel, while the first station is residing in a non-primary channel (referred to as scenario 2); it can also be applied to a scenario where the first station has not switched to a non-primary channel, but the second station has switched to a non-primary channel, that is, the first station is residing in the primary channel, while the second station is residing in a non-primary channel (referred to as scenario 3); and it can also be applied to a scenario where both the second station and the first station have switched to a non-primary channel, that is, both the second station and the first station are residing in a non-primary channel (referred to as scenario 4).

[0205] Furthermore, in scenarios 1 and 3, the first information can be used to indicate that the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station. In scenarios 2 and 4, the first information can be used to indicate that the first station is not residing on a non-primary channel of the first station.

[0206] For example, it includes a first value or a second value. The first value indicates that the first station is not residing on a non-primary channel of the first station, and the second value indicates that the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station. The first and second values ​​can correspond to binary bits 0 and 1, or binary bits 1 and 0, or other preset values, without limitation. Taking the first and second values ​​corresponding to binary bits 0 and 1, i.e., the first information includes binary bits 0 or 1, for example, when the first information is 0, it indicates that the first station is not residing on a non-primary channel of the first station, while when the first information is 1, it indicates that the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station.

[0207] Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the representation of the first information. The first information can also be represented in other ways. For example, the first information can also include a false Boolean value: (false) or true. When the first information is false, the first information is used to indicate that the first station is not residing on the non-primary channel of the first station. When the first information is true, the first information is used to indicate that the first station is residing on the non-primary channel of the first station.

[0208] Furthermore, besides indicating whether the first station is camped on a non-primary channel, the first information can also be used to indicate whether the first station is camped on a primary channel, or the first information can be used to indicate the channel (e.g., primary or non-primary channel) on which the first station camps. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. The representation of the first information in this case can be understood by referring to the descriptions in the corresponding positions above, and will not be repeated here.

[0209] It is understood that the primary channel described in the embodiments of this application can be a PC, and the non-primary channel described in the embodiments of this application can be an NPC, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this. In addition, the non-primary channel described in the embodiments of this application can also be referred to as an anchor channel, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0210] In some possible implementations, the non-primary channel of the first station may be the same as or different from the non-primary channel of the second station. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0211] In the information transmission method provided in this application embodiment, since the first message reported by the first station includes information indicating whether the first station is residing on a non-primary channel of the first station, the second station can clearly know the channel currently residing of the first station through the message reported by the first station. In this way, the second station can allocate suitable resources to the first station through the channel currently residing of the first station, thereby ensuring normal communication between stations.

[0212] As described above regarding the "first message," it can include first information. However, besides the first information, the first message can also include other relevant information about the non-primary channel. Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the first message also includes second information, which indicates the event information that triggers the first station to switch to the non-primary channel. This allows the second station to obtain a clearer and more comprehensive understanding of the relevant information regarding the first station's switch to the non-primary channel through the first message. Subsequently, the second station can allocate appropriate resources to the first station based on the clearer and more comprehensive first message, further ensuring normal communication between the stations.

[0213] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a punch field.

[0214] In this embodiment of the application, the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to switch to a non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to switch to a non-primary channel.

[0215] In one possible implementation, the bandwidth field can be 2 bits long. In this implementation, the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field varies depending on its value. For example, a bandwidth field of 00 indicates a bandwidth of 20MHz; a bandwidth field of 01 indicates a bandwidth of 40MHz; a bandwidth field of 10 indicates a bandwidth of 80MHz; and a bandwidth field of 11 indicates a bandwidth of 160MHz.

[0216] Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the length of the bandwidth field. The length of the bandwidth field can also be other values, such as 4 bits. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. Furthermore, when the length of the bandwidth field is other values, the correspondence between the value of the bandwidth field and the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field can be understood by referring to the description in the corresponding position above, and will not be repeated here.

[0217] In this embodiment, the length field is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to switch to the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity indication that triggers the first station to switch to the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time that triggers the first station to switch to the primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time that the first station switches to the primary channel.

[0218] Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the length field. In addition to the above description of the length field, the length field can be used to indicate the entire duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel, that is, the length of the PPDU indicated by the LENGTH field of the OBSS PPDU that triggers the first station to switch to the non-primary channel, or the NAV duration indicated by the TXOP field or the duration field of the OBSS PPDU intraframe, minus the switching delay required for the first station to switch back to the primary channel; or the length field can be used to indicate half of the entire duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0219] As described above regarding "PPDU-level NPCA and TXOP-level NPCA," a station triggers a hop to the NPC upon detecting an OBSS PPDU / TXOP on the primary channel and resides on a non-primary channel based on the length of the OBSS PPDU or OBSS TXOP. If the second station resides on a non-primary channel based on the OBSS PPDU length, the length field indicates the end time of the overlapping basic service set data transmission that triggered the second station's hop to the non-primary channel. If the second station resides on a non-primary channel based on the OBSS TXOP length, the length field indicates the end time of the duration indicated by the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggered the second station's hop to the non-primary channel.

[0220] In one possible implementation, the length field can be 2 bytes. In this implementation, the length field value is the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel, or the time when the first station is triggered to switch to the primary channel, or the time when the first station switches to the primary channel. Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the length field's length; the length field can also have other values, such as 8 bytes. The length field value could be the time synchronization function (TSF) value at the moment the first station switches to the primary channel, or a number of bytes / bits of the TSF at the moment the first station switches to the primary channel, or the TSF value at the moment the first station switches to the primary channel, or a number of bytes / bits of the TSF at the moment the first station switches to the primary channel. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this. In some possible implementations, the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel can be understood as the duration between the time the second station sends the first message and the time when the first station switches to the primary channel, or it can be understood as the duration between the current time and the time when the first station switches to the primary channel. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0221] In some possible implementations, the length and value of the length field can correspond to the length and value of the length field of the PPDU. The length and value of the length field can also correspond to the length and value of the duration field of the MAC header. This application embodiment does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0222] In this embodiment of the application, the punch field is used to indicate the punching method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the punch field is used to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth among at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

[0223] For example, the sub-bandwidth can be 20MHz, meaning that the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field can be divided into sub-bandwidths with a granularity of 20MHz to obtain at least one sub-bandwidth. Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the sub-bandwidth, and the sub-bandwidth can also be other values, such as 40MHz. This application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0224] In one possible implementation, the length of the puncturing field is determined based on the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field. For example, if the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 20MHz or 40MHz, the puncturing field can be null or omitted. If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 80MHz, the length of the puncturing field is 4 bits. If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 160MHz, the length of the puncturing field is 8 bits, with each bit corresponding to a different 20MHz bandwidth; or the length of the puncturing field is 4 bits, with each bit corresponding to a different 40MHz bandwidth.

[0225] In another possible implementation, the length of the puncturing field can be a preset value, such as 8 bits. If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 20MHz or 40MHz, then all 8 bits configured for the puncturing field are unused, meaning they are all reserved bits. If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 80MHz, then 4 bits of the 8 bits configured for the puncturing field are used, meaning 4 bits are not reserved bits, and the remaining 4 bits are reserved bits. If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 160MHz, then all 8 bits configured for the puncturing field are used, meaning all 8 bits are not reserved bits.

[0226] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the non-reserved bit corresponds to a 20MHz bandwidth, and this non-reserved bit can be used to indicate whether the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth has been punctured or whether the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth is valid. For example, the non-reserved bit can be represented by binary bits 0 or 1. For instance, when the non-reserved bit is 0, it can indicate that the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth has not been punctured or that the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth is invalid; while when the non-reserved bit is 1, it can indicate that the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth has been punctured or that the corresponding 20MHz bandwidth is valid.

[0227] Furthermore, as described in the relevant section on the "Available Channel Bitmap field," the Available Channel Bitmap field is used to indicate the availability of bandwidth within each 20MHz of the site's operating bandwidth. Therefore, the punch field can reuse the logic of the Available Channel Bitmap field to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth within at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available, where, for example, the bandwidth of a sub-bandwidth can be 20MHz or 40MHz.

[0228] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the bandwidth field or puncturing field also carries granularity information indicating the puncturing field, that is, it carries bandwidth indication information for indicating the unit sub-bandwidth corresponding to the puncturing field.

[0229] Understandably, the second information may include various types of information related to the first station's hopping to a non-primary channel, such as bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields. Since bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields all help the second station allocate time-domain and frequency-domain resources, the second station can subsequently allocate suitable resources to the first station using clearer and more comprehensive bandwidth, length, or puncturing fields, further ensuring normal communication between the stations.

[0230] As described above regarding the "first message," the first message can include first information. However, in addition to the first information, the first message can also include information related to data transmission. Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the first message also includes third information, which indicates whether the first station has uplink data to be transmitted. This allows the second station to determine whether to allocate suitable resources to the first station, avoiding the allocation of suitable resources to the first station even when there is no uplink data to be transmitted, thus minimizing redundant operations.

[0231] For example, the third information can be represented by a number. For instance, when the third information is 0, it indicates that the first station has uplink data to be transmitted, while when the first information is 1, it indicates that the first station does not have uplink data to be transmitted.

[0232] Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the representation of third information. Third information can also be represented in other ways. For example, third information can also be represented by a Boolean value: false or true. For instance, when the third information is false, it indicates that there is no uplink data to be transmitted at the first station, while when the third information is true, it indicates that there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first station.

[0233] However, the first message can be transmitted in the form of a frame. The first message can be any of the following types of frames: a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, a multi-STA blockack frame, a compressed blockack frame, or a frame indicating the trigger frame as a carrier of the first message. Therefore, the frame type corresponding to the first message can be divided into the following four cases: Case 1: The first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame; Case 2: The first message is a multi-STA blockack frame; Case 3: The first message is a compressed blockack frame; Case 4: The first message is a frame indicating the trigger frame as a carrier of the first message. The fields carried by the information in the first message under these four cases are described in detail below.

[0234] Case 1 is when the first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame.

[0235] In Case 1, the first information can be carried in the A-control field of a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame. If the first message also includes second information, the second information can also be carried in the A-control field of a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame. If the first message also includes third information, the third information can also be carried in the A-control field of a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame.

[0236] As described above regarding the "A-control field," the A-control field can include at least one control field. The first information can be carried in the control field of the A-control field in a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame. If the first message also includes second information, that second information can also be carried in the control field of the A-control field in a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame. If the first message also includes third information, that third information can also be carried in the control field of the A-control field in a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame.

[0237] For example, as shown in Table 15 below, the control field may include a control ID field and a control information field. The control ID field can be used to indicate that the control field is used to carry first information and / or second information and / or third information, while the control information field may include the first information and / or second information and / or third information.

[0238] Table 15

[0239] It should be understood that the first information can also be referred to as the PC / NPC field. The bandwidth field in the second information can also be referred to as the OBSS PPDU / TXOP BW field, the length field in the second information can also be referred to as the OBSS NAV / PPDU Length field, and the punch field in the second information can also be referred to as the OBSS PPDU / TXOP Puncture Pattern field. The third information can also be referred to as the Buffered Data field. Of course, the above are exemplary descriptions of other names for the various fields in the first and second information and the third information. The various fields in the first and second information and the third information can also be referred to by other names, and this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0240] Furthermore, as shown in Table 16 below, the control information field may include the PC / NPC field, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP BW field, the OBSS NAV / PPDU Length field, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP Puncture Pattern field, and the Buffered Data field. In other words, the control information field may include first information, second information, and third information, and the second information includes the bandwidth field, the length field, and the punching field.

[0241] Table 16

[0242] Furthermore, as shown in Table 17 below, the control information field may include the PC / NPC field, the OBSS NAV / PPDU Length field, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP Puncture Pattern field, and the Buffered Data field. In other words, the control information field may include first information, second information, and third information, and the second information includes the length field and the punch field.

[0243] Table 17

[0244] Understandably, the implementation logic of using QoS Null frames or QoS Data frames to report other existing control information that conforms to the A-control field for the first message is simple to implement.

[0245] Case 2 is when the first message is a multi-STA blockack frame.

[0246] In scenario 2, the first information can be carried in the per AID TID info field of the multi-STA blockack frame. If the first message also includes second information, the second information can also be carried in the per AID TID info field of the multi-STA blockack frame. If the first message also includes third information, the third information can also be carried in the per AID TID info field of the multi-STA blockack frame.

[0247] As described above regarding the "multi-STA blockack frame", the multi-STA blockack frame may include a per AID TID info field, which includes the AID TID Info field, the Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field, and the Block Ack Bitmap field.

[0248] In one possible implementation, the combination of the Ack Type field and the TID field in the AID TID Info field indicates that the corresponding Per AID TID Info field carries first and / or second and / or third information. For example, when the Ack Type field of the AID TID Info field is 0 and the TID field is 8, it indicates that the corresponding Per AID TID Info field carries first and / or second and / or third information. In this case, the Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field and the Block Ack Bitmap field are redefined to carry the first and / or second and / or third information; that is, the first and / or second and / or third information is carried in the part of the Per AID TID Info field other than the AID TID Info field.

[0249] Furthermore, in one possible scenario, the first information can be carried within the redefined Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field and Block Ack Bitmap field of the per AID TID info field in the multi-STA blockack frame. If the first message also includes second information, this second information can also be carried within the redefined Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field and Block Ack Bitmap field of the per AID TID info field in the multi-STA blockack frame. If the first message also includes third information, this third information can also be carried within the redefined Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field and Block Ack Bitmap field of the per AID TID info field in the multi-STA blockack frame.

[0250] In addition, the Block Ack Starting Sequence Control field or Block Ack Bitmap field, which includes at least one of the first, second, and third information, can also be called a control information field. The length of the control information field is a preset value, for example, 4 bytes.

[0251] For example, as shown in Table 18 below, the control information field may include the PC / NPC field, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP BW field, the OBSS NAV / PPDU Length field, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP Puncture Pattern field, the Buffered Data field, and the Reserved field. The PC / NPC field can be 1 bit long, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP BW field can be 2 bits long, the OBSS NAV / PPDU Length field can be 16 bits long, the OBSS PPDU / TXOP Puncture Pattern field can be 8 bits long, the Buffered Data field can be 1 bit long, and the Reserved field can be 4 bits long.

[0252] Table 18

[0253] In one possible implementation, the lengths of the fields shown in Table 4 are usually preset values. Furthermore, if reserved bits appear in any of the fields in Table 4, these reserved bits are typically located within the high-order bits range of the control information field.

[0254] Understandably, due to the high generalizability and flexibility of multi-STA blockack frames, this implementation can improve the compatibility of non-master channel access mechanisms with other mechanisms.

[0255] Case 3 is when the first message is a compressed blockack frame.

[0256] In scenario 3, the first information can be carried in the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame. If the first message also includes second information, the second information can also be carried in the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame. If the first message also includes third information, the third information can also be carried in the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame.

[0257] As described above regarding "compressed blockack frames," a compressed blockack frame may include a BA information field, which includes a Block Ack Bitmap field. The first piece of information can be carried in the Block Ack Bitmap field of the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame. If the first message also includes second information, that second information can also be carried in the Block Ack Bitmap field of the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame. If the first message also includes third information, that third information can also be carried in the Block Ack Bitmap field of the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame.

[0258] Furthermore, the Block Ack Bitmap field, which includes at least one of the first, second, and third information, can also be called the control information field. The length of the control information field is a preset value, for example, 4 bits.

[0259] In one possible implementation, the compressed blockack frame may include reserved bits of the BA information field, or the reserved bits of the Fragment Number in the BA information field may further include fourth information. This fourth information indicates that the compressed blockack frame may include any one or more of the first, second, and third information in the BA information field. Furthermore, in one possible implementation, the AID12 field of the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame may be reserved, or the AID11 field of the BA information field of the compressed blockack frame may be reserved; this application embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0260] Understandably, using a compressed blockack frame as the first message allows for the addition of one or more of the first, second, and third information without losing the original information of the compressed blockack frame, thus reducing the impact on the original information of the compressed blockack frame. Furthermore, since the compressed blockack frame is relatively short, this implementation method can save signaling overhead to the greatest extent.

[0261] Case 4 is a frame used to carry the first message, which is indicated by the trigger frame.

[0262] In scenario 4, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame used to carry the first message, and thus the first message can be the frame indicated by the trigger frame used to carry the first message. First information can be carried in a field of the frame indicated by the trigger frame used to carry the first message. If the first message also includes second information, the second information can also be carried in a field of the frame indicated by the trigger frame used to carry the first message. If the first message also includes third information, the third information can also be carried in a field of the frame indicated by the trigger frame used to carry the first message.

[0263] For example, assuming the triggering frame is BSRP, then BSRP indicates that the frame used to carry the first message is BQRP. Furthermore, information indicating the frame used to carry the first message can be carried in reserved bits of the BSRP's Common Info field or reserved bits of the BSRP's User Info field; this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0264] Understandably, the second station can control the frame display of the first station reporting the first message by triggering the frame, thereby increasing the control of the second station and enhancing the controllability of the communication system.

[0265] As described above regarding the "trigger frame," the trigger frame can be used to instruct the first station to report the first message. However, the second station can also use the trigger frame to instruct the first station on the frequency domain resources used by the first station to report the first message, so that the first station can report the first information to the second station based on those frequency domain resources. Therefore, as shown in Figure 10, S902 can also be replaced by the following S902A.

[0266] S902A: The first station sends a first message to the second station based on frequency domain resources, and correspondingly, the second station receives the first message from the first station based on frequency domain resources.

[0267] The frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth and the NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set. The basic service set includes the first station and the second station that sends the trigger frame.

[0268] As an example, Figure 11 is an example diagram of frequency domain resources provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11(a), taking a basic service set with a bandwidth of 160MHz, a main operating bandwidth of 160MHz, and an NPCA operating bandwidth of 80MHz as an example, if the NPC of the basic service set is located within the second 80MHz range of the bandwidth of the basic service set, then the first station can determine the frequency domain resources used to carry the first message within the second 80MHz range of the bandwidth of the basic service set.

[0269] Another example, as shown in Figure 11(b), assumes that the bandwidth of the basic service set is 160MHz, the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set is 160MHz, and the NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set is 160MHz. Then the first station can determine the frequency domain resources used to carry the first message within the bandwidth of the basic service set other than the PC.

[0270] As described above regarding the "AID12 field," a value of 0 or 2045 indicates that the RU indicated in the trigger frame containing the AID12 field requires preemption by the station. A value between 1 and 2007 (or 2006) indicates that the RU indicated in the trigger frame containing the AID12 field is configured for the station. Therefore, the frequency domain resource indicated by the trigger frame can be either a frequency domain resource configured for the second station or a frequency domain resource that the second station is allowed to preempt. Furthermore, if the frequency domain resource is preempted by the second station, the first message may also include relevant information for identifying the first station, such as the first station's identifier, so that the second station can know the sender of the first message. In one possible implementation, the lower 11 bits of the AID11 field in the AID TID Info field can be used to indicate relevant information for identifying the first station.

[0271] In another possible implementation, prior to S902A or S902, the first station can determine that the trigger frame is sent to the first station through the AID12 field. For example, when the AID12 field value is 0, the first station can determine that the preemptible RU (RA-RU) in the trigger frame is preemptible by the first station through the AID12 field. Or, for example, when the AID12 field value is the same as the AID value corresponding to the first station itself, the first station can determine that the trigger frame is sent to the first station through the AID12 field.

[0272] It is understood that the frequency domain resources provided in this application for transmitting the first message are frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set. This allows the first station to use these frequency domain resources to report the first message to the second station regardless of whether the first station is stationed on the main channel or a non-main channel, thereby ensuring the normal transmission of the first message as much as possible.

[0273] As described above regarding the information transmission method shown in Figure 9, the first station can send a first message to the second station so that the second station can receive the first message. Furthermore, the second station can perform resource allocation operations through the first message to allocate suitable resources to the first station as much as possible. Therefore, as shown in Figure 12, the information transmission method provided in this embodiment further includes the following S1201.

[0274] S1201, The second station determines the resources for communication between the first station and the second station based on the first message from the first station.

[0275] In one possible implementation, the resources described in the embodiments of this application can be understood as RUs. Of course, the above is an exemplary description of the resources described in the embodiments of this application, and the resources described in the embodiments of this application can also be understood as frequency domain resources and / or time domain resources and / or spatial domain resources. The embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

[0276] As described above regarding the "first message," a first message can include first information. Furthermore, a first message can also include second and / or third information.

[0277] Furthermore, in one possible implementation, taking the inclusion of first information in the first message as an example, the implementation process of S1201 above can be as follows: The second station determines the channel where the first station resides based on the first information. If the first information indicates that the first station resides on the primary channel, the second station will allocate resources within the primary operating channel of the first station for communication with the first station; if the first information indicates that the first station resides on a non-primary channel, the second station will allocate resources within the NPCA operating channel of the first station for communication with the first station.

[0278] In one example, taking a second site as an AP within a 160MHz BSS and a first site as a non-AP within a 160MHz BSS, with the NPC of the BSS located in the second 80MHz of the BSS and the NPCA operating bandwidth being 80MHz: if the first information indicates that the non-AP resides in the NPC, then the AP will not allocate resources for the non-AP within the main 80MHz of the BSS, but rather the NPC of the BSS will allocate resources for the non-AP within the second 80MHz of the BSS.

[0279] Another example is a second site that is an AP within a 160MHz BSS, a first site that is a non-AP within a 160MHz BSS, and the NPC of this BSS is within the second 80MHz of the BSS, with the NPCA operating bandwidth being 160MHz. If the first information indicates that the non-AP resides in the NPC, then the AP will not allocate RU to the non-AP within the primary 20MHz, but will allocate resources to the non-AP within the bandwidth of the entire BSS excluding the primary 20MHz.

[0280] Furthermore, in another possible implementation, taking the first message including first information and second information, where the second information includes a bandwidth field, a length field, and a puncturing field as an example, the implementation process of S1201 above can be as follows: The second station can determine the available sub-channels within the NPCA operation channel of the first station based on the bandwidth field and / or the puncturing field, and determine the available duration for the first station to camp on the NPCA operation channel based on the length field. The second station can allocate resources for the first station within the available duration determined based on the length field, and within the available sub-channels within the NPCA operation channel, for communication between the second station and the first station. In addition, outside the available duration determined based on the length field, the second station can allocate resources for the first station within the main operation channel for communication between the second station and the first station.

[0281] For example, taking a second site as an AP within a 160MHz BSS and a first site as a non-AP within a 160MHz BSS, with the NPC of this BSS located within the second 80MHz of the BSS and the NPCA operating bandwidth being 160MHz: If the bandwidth field indicates a bandwidth of 40MHz and the punch field is reserved, the AP can allocate resources other than the primary 40MHz for the non-AP within the time indicated by the length field for communication between the AP and the non-AP. Furthermore, the AP can also allocate resources for the non-AP within the full operating bandwidth outside the time indicated by the length field for communication between the AP and the non-AP.

[0282] Furthermore, in another possible implementation, taking the first message including first information, second information, and third information as an example, the implementation process of S1201 described above can be as follows: if the third information indicates that the first station has uplink data to be transmitted, then the second station allocates resources to the first station based on the first information and / or the second information for the uplink transmission of the first station; if the third information indicates that the first station does not have uplink data to be transmitted, then the second station does not allocate resources for uplink transmission to the first station. It should be understood that the above description of the implementation process of S1201 is only provided when the first message includes first information, or the first message includes first information and second information, or the first message includes first information, second information, and third information. However, in other cases, such as when the first message includes first information and third information, the implementation process of S1201 can be understood by referring to the description at the corresponding positions above, and will not be repeated here. In addition, the implementation process of S1201 described above can be combined arbitrarily, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any restrictions on this.

[0283] Understandably, the second station can allocate suitable resources for communication between the first and second stations through the channel currently hosted by the first station, thereby ensuring normal communication between the first and second stations.

[0284] The above mainly describes the solutions provided by the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various network elements. Correspondingly, the embodiments of this application also provide a communication device for implementing the various methods described above. This communication device can be a second station in the above method embodiments, or a device including the second station, or a component usable at the second station; or, the communication device can be a first station in the above method embodiments, or a device including the first station, or a component usable at the first station. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the communication device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed by hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0285] This application embodiment can divide the communication device into functional modules according to the above method embodiment. For example, each function can be divided into a separate functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be understood that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and represents a logical functional division; in actual implementation, there may be other division methods.

[0286] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 130. The communication device 130 includes a processing module 1301 and a transceiver module 1302. The transceiver module 1302, also known as a transceiver unit, is used to implement transceiver functions, and may be, for example, a transceiver circuit, a transceiver, a transceiver device, or a communication interface.

[0287] When the communication device 130 shown in Figure 13 is the second station in the above embodiment:

[0288] In one possible implementation: the processing module 1301 is used to instruct the transceiver module 1302 to send a trigger frame to the first station and receive a first message from the first station, wherein the trigger frame is used to trigger the first station to report the first message, and the first message includes first information, which is used to indicate whether the first station is residing on the non-main channel of the first station.

[0289] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes second information, which indicates the event information that triggers the first station to switch to a non-main channel.

[0290] In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a puncturing field, wherein the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel; the length field is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time of the first station hopping to the primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time of the first station hopping to the primary channel; the puncturing field is used to indicate the puncturing method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the puncturing field is used to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth among at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

[0291] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes third information, which indicates whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first station.

[0292] In one possible implementation, the first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or QoS Data frame.

[0293] In one possible implementation, the first message is a multi-STA blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the per AID TID info field of a single associated identifier transmission identifier in the multi-STA blockack frame.

[0294] In one possible implementation, the first message is a compressed blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the block acknowledgment information (BA information) field of the compressed blockack frame.

[0295] In one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame to carry the first message.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to instruct the first station to use the frequency domain resources to report the first message; the processing module 1301 is also used to instruct the transceiver module 1302 to receive the first message from the first station based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station that sent the trigger frame.

[0297] In one possible implementation, the first station is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second station that sends the trigger frame is an access point (AP).

[0298] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further configured to determine resources for communication between the first and second stations based on the first message from the first station.

[0299] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0300] In this embodiment, the second station is presented as an integrated functional module. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the second station can take the form of the communication device 810 shown in FIG8.

[0301] For example, the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812 to make the communication device 810 execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0302] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1302 and processing module 1301 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 1301 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1302 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the transceiver 815 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8.

[0303] Since the communication device 130 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0304] When the communication device 130 shown in Figure 13 is the first station in the above embodiment:

[0305] In one possible implementation: the processing module 1301 is used to instruct the transceiver module 1302 to receive the trigger frame from the second station and send a first message to the second station, wherein the trigger frame is used to trigger the first station to report the first message, and the first message includes first information, which is used to indicate whether the first station is camped on the non-main channel of the first station.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes second information, which indicates the event information that triggers the first station to switch to a non-main channel.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a puncturing field, wherein the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth indicated by the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel; the length field is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first station residing on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the duration of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to a non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station hops to the primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station hops to the primary channel; the puncturing field is used to indicate the puncturing method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the puncturing field is used to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth included in at least one sub-bandwidth of the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

[0308] In one possible implementation, the first message also includes third information, which indicates whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first station.

[0309] In one possible implementation, the first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or QoS Data frame.

[0310] In one possible implementation, the first message is a multi-STA blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the per AID TID info field of a single associated identifier transmission identifier in the multi-STA blockack frame.

[0311] In one possible implementation, the first message is a compressed blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the block acknowledgment information (BA information) field of the compressed blockack frame.

[0312] In one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame to carry the first message.

[0313] In one possible implementation, the trigger frame is also used to instruct the first station to use the frequency domain resources to report the first message; the processing module 1301 is also used to instruct the transceiver module 1302 to send the first message to the second station based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station.

[0314] In one possible implementation, the first site is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second site is an access point (AP).

[0315] In one possible implementation, the processing module 1301 is further configured to determine resources for communication between the first and second stations based on the first message from the first station.

[0316] All relevant content of each step involved in the above method embodiments can be referenced from the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and will not be repeated here.

[0317] In this embodiment, the first station is presented as an integrated functional module. Here, "module" can refer to a specific ASIC, circuitry, a processor and memory executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other devices that can provide the aforementioned functions. In a simplified embodiment, those skilled in the art will recognize that the first station can take the form of the communication device 810 shown in FIG8.

[0318] For example, the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 can call the computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812 to make the communication device 810 execute the information transmission method in the above method embodiment.

[0319] Specifically, the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1302 and processing module 1301 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812. Alternatively, the functions / implementation processes of the processing module 1301 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the processor 811 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8 calling computer execution instructions stored in the memory 812, and the functions / implementation processes of the transceiver module 1302 in Figure 13 can be implemented by the transceiver 815 in the communication device 810 shown in Figure 8.

[0320] Since the communication device 130 provided in this application embodiment can execute the above information transmission method, the technical effects it can obtain can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0321] In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication device (e.g., the communication device may be a chip or a chip system), which includes a processor for implementing the methods in any of the above method embodiments. In one possible design, the communication device further includes a memory. The memory is used to store necessary program instructions and data, and the processor can call the program code stored in the memory to instruct the communication device to execute the methods in any of the above method embodiments. Of course, the memory may not be included in the communication device. When the communication device is a chip system, it may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices; this application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0322] In one possible implementation, this application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device, enable the communication device to execute the methods of any of the above-described method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0323] In one possible implementation, this application also provides an information transmission method, which includes the method of any of the above-described method embodiments or any implementation thereof.

[0324] In one possible implementation, this application embodiment also provides a communication system, which includes a first station and a second station of the above method embodiments.

[0325] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved, in whole or in part, through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software programs, implementation can be, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the flow or function according to the embodiments of this application is generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a computer or a data storage device containing one or more servers, data centers, etc., that can be integrated with the medium. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., DVDs), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks, SSDs).

[0326] Although this application has been described herein in conjunction with various embodiments, those skilled in the art, by reviewing the accompanying drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims, will understand and implement other variations of the disclosed embodiments in carrying out the claimed application. In the claims, the word "comprising" does not exclude other components or steps, and "a" or "an" does not exclude multiple instances. A single processor or other unit can implement several functions listed in the claims. While different dependent claims may recite certain measures, this does not mean that these measures cannot be combined to produce good results.

[0327] Although this application has been described in conjunction with specific features and embodiments, it is apparent that various modifications and combinations can be made thereto without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Accordingly, this specification and drawings are exemplary illustrations of this application as defined by the appended claims and are considered to cover any and all modifications, variations, combinations, or equivalents within the scope of this application. Clearly, those skilled in the art can make various alterations and modifications to this application without departing from the spirit and scope of this application. Thus, if such modifications and modifications fall within the scope of the claims of this application and their equivalents, this application is also intended to include such modifications and modifications.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Send a trigger frame to the first station, the trigger frame being used to trigger the first station to report a first message; Receive a first message from the first station, the first message including first information, the first information being used to indicate whether the first station is residing on the non-primary channel of the first station.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first message also includes second information, which is used to indicate event information that triggers the first station to switch to the non-main channel.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a punch field. Wherein, the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to the non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to the non-primary channel; The length field is used to indicate the remaining duration of the first station's stay on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station is triggered to switch to the primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time when the first station switches to the primary channel; The punch field is used to indicate the punching method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field, or the punch field is used to indicate whether each sub-bandwidth among at least one sub-bandwidth included in the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field is available.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first message also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first site.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or QoS Data frame.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first message is a multi-STA blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the per AID TID info field of the single associated identifier transmission identifier in the multi-STA blockack frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first message is a compressed blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the block acknowledgment information (BA information) field of the compressed blockack frame.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame used to carry the first message.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-8, characterized in that, The trigger frame is also used to indicate the frequency domain resources used by the first station to report the first message; Receiving the first message from the first site includes: The first message from the first station is received based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station that sent the trigger frame.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, The first station is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second station that sends the trigger frame is an access point (AP).

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Resources for communication between the first site and the second site are determined based on the first message from the first site.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: Receive a trigger frame from the second station, the trigger frame being used to trigger the first station to report a first message; The first message is sent to the second station. The first message includes first information, which is used to indicate whether the first station is residing on the non-primary channel of the first station.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The first message also includes second information, which is used to indicate event information that triggers the first station to switch to the non-main channel.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The second information includes at least one of the following: a bandwidth field, a length field, or a puncturing field, wherein the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth of the overlapping basic service set data that triggers the first station to hop to the non-primary channel, or the bandwidth field is used to indicate the bandwidth indicated by the overlapping basic service set transmission opportunity that triggers the first station to hop to the non-primary channel; the length field is used to indicate the duration for which the first station resides on the non-primary channel, or the length field is used to indicate the time for which the first station hops to the primary channel; and the puncturing field is used to indicate the puncturing method corresponding to the bandwidth indicated by the bandwidth field.

15. The method according to any one of claims 12-14, characterized in that, The first message also includes third information, which is used to indicate whether there is uplink data to be transmitted at the first site.

16. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The first message is a QoS null frame or a QoS Data frame, and the first information is carried in the A-control field of the QoS null frame or QoS Data frame.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The first message is a multi-STA blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the per AID TID info field of the single associated identifier transmission identifier in the multi-STA blockack frame.

18. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The first message is a compressed blockack frame, and the first information is carried in the block acknowledgment information (BA information) field of the compressed blockack frame.

19. The method according to any one of claims 12-15, characterized in that, The trigger frame is also used to indicate the frame used to carry the first message.

20. The method according to any one of claims 12-19, characterized in that, The trigger frame is also used to indicate the frequency domain resources used by the first station to report the first message; Sending the first message to the second station includes: The first message is sent to the second station based on the frequency domain resources, wherein the frequency domain resources are the frequency domain resources within the overlapping bandwidth of the main operating bandwidth of the basic service set and the non-main channel access NPCA operating bandwidth of the basic service set, and the basic service set includes the first station and the second station.

21. The method according to any one of claims 12-20, characterized in that, The first site is a non-access point (non-AP), and the second site is an access point (AP).

22. The method according to any one of claims 12-21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Resources for communication between the first site and the second site are determined based on the first message from the first site.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A functional unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-22; wherein the action performed by the functional unit is implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processor; the processor is configured to run computer programs or instructions, or to cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-22 via logic circuitry.

25. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

26. A computer program product comprising instructions, characterized in that, When it is operated on a communication device, it causes the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-22.

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