Communication method, apparatus and system

Abstract

A communication method, apparatus and system, which relate to the field of communications, and aim to solve the problem of it being impossible for an access point and a station in a basic service set to communicate due to the asynchronization of operating channels between the access point and the station caused by non-primary channel access. The method is executed by a multi-link device that supports a first link and a second link, that is, the method is executed by a first apparatus and a second apparatus. The method comprises: a first apparatus executing non-primary channel access by means of a first link, switching from a primary channel to a non-primary channel, and sending, to a second apparatus by means of a second link, first information used for the second apparatus to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel; and the second apparatus receiving the first information from the first apparatus by means of the second link, and switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel in response to the first information, wherein the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link.

Description

A communication method, apparatus and system

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411643783.5, filed on November 15, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method, Apparatus and System", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communications, and more particularly to a communication method, apparatus, and system. Background Technology

[0003] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) protocol's Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) protocol aims to optimize bandwidth utilization in multi-channel environments, especially when the primary channel (PCH) is busy. By allowing efficient use of the non-primary channel (NPCA), it improves overall network performance and bandwidth utilization. The primary channel is mainly used for data transmission, while the non-primary channel can be used for data transmission or channel scanning when the primary channel is busy.

[0004] Access points (APs) and stations (STAs) within a basic service set (BSS) perform non-primary channel access by: both APs and stations detecting Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) from the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) on the primary channel; setting a network allocation vector (NAV) timer; and switching from the primary channel to a non-primary channel for channel access and data transmission. Furthermore, APs and stations must switch back to the primary channel from the non-primary channel before the NAV timer expires to avoid missing important information on the primary channel and reduce interference to devices communicating on the non-primary channel.

[0005] However, access points and stations within a basic service set may be on different channels due to different detection states. For example, an access point may not detect a PPDU from OBSS on the primary channel and remain on the primary channel, while a station may detect a PPDU from OBSS on the primary channel and switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel; or an access point may detect a PPDU from OBSS on the primary channel and switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, while a station may not detect a PPDU from OBSS on the primary channel and remain on the primary channel. This can cause the access points and stations to be unable to communicate due to asynchrony of their working channels. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method, apparatus, and system to solve the problem that access points and stations under a basic service set are unable to communicate due to asynchronous working channels caused by accessing non-primary channels and being on different channels.

[0007] To achieve the above objectives, this application adopts the following technical solution:

[0008] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be executed by a multi-link device supporting a first link and a second link, such as a first device, or by a component of the multi-link device supporting the first and second links, such as a processor, chip, or chip system of the multi-link device supporting the first and second links. It can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the multi-link device supporting the first and second links. The method includes: performing non-primary channel access through the first link; switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel; and sending first information to a second device through the second link. The first information is used for the second device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, where the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link.

[0009] Based on the method described in the first aspect, a first communication device supporting a first link and a second link sends first information to a second device through the second link. The first information is used for the second device to switch from a primary channel to a non-primary channel, so that the second device can obtain the first information from the first device through the second link and switch from the primary channel of the first link to a non-primary channel on the first link. This enables both the first device and the second device to be located on the non-primary channel of the first link, and complete communication can be performed through the non-primary channel of the first link.

[0010] In one possible design, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, and / or, the first information is used to execute the second device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel.

[0011] Based on this possible design, the first information can indicate different content, enabling the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel based on the first information indication.

[0012] In one possible design, sending first information to a second device via a second link includes one or more of the following: sending first information to the second device via the second link when the first device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on a non-primary channel and does not receive an initial response frame (ICR) from the second device; sending first information to the second device via the second link when the first device does not interact with the second device on a non-primary channel for a first duration, wherein other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame; sending first information to the second device via the second link when the first device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on a non-primary channel and does not receive an initial response frame (ICR) from the second device; and sending first information to the second device via the second link when the first device does not interact with the second device on a non-primary channel for a first duration.

[0013] Based on this possible design, the first device can trigger the sending of first information to the second device via the second link, so as to promptly send the first information to the second device via the second link when it is detected that communication with the second device is not possible on a non-primary channel of the first link.

[0014] In one possible design, the first duration is obtained from the maximum handover delay and the first time value; the maximum handover delay is the maximum value among the handover delays required for each site in the site providing radio services to perform non-primary channel access; the first time value is a positive number.

[0015] Based on this possible design, the first device can obtain the first duration by taking the maximum value of the handover delay required for each site in the site where the access point provides wireless services to perform non-primary channel access.

[0016] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: sending second information to a second device via a second link, the second information being used to identify the first link.

[0017] Based on this possible design, the first device can send second information to the second device via the second link to identify the first link, so that the second device can clearly identify the link where non-main channel access occurs as the first link, thereby enabling the switch to the non-main channel on the first link.

[0018] In one possible design, the second information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0019] In one possible design, the method described in the first aspect further includes: sending third information to the second device via a second link, the third information being used to indicate the duration of the transmission opportunity.

[0020] Based on this possible design, the first device can send the duration of the transmission opportunity to the second device via the second link, so that the second device can obtain the duration of the transmission opportunity and switch back to the main channel from the non-main channel before the duration of the transmission opportunity ends.

[0021] In one possible design, the third information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0022] In one possible design, the method of the first aspect further includes: receiving fourth information from the second device via a second link, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel, and in response to the fourth information, sending first information to the second device via the second link.

[0023] Based on this possible design, the first device can trigger the transmission of the first information to the second device via the second link using the fourth information used to indicate that the second device is residing on the main channel.

[0024] In one possible design, when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a first value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a second value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a third value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0025] Based on this possible design, different content can be indicated by the first information by varying the values ​​of the bits occupied by the first information.

[0026] In one possible design, the first information is carried in a QoS NULL data frame or another frame other than a QoS NULL data frame. Based on this possible design, the first information can be carried in different frames in different communication scenarios.

[0027] In one possible design, the first information occupies a bit in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame, and the value of this bit is one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0028] Based on this possible design, the first information can be carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. When the first information occupies a bit in the aforementioned A-control subfield, the value of the bit can be one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0029] In one possible design, the first device is a station and the second device is an access point; or the first device is an access point and the second device is a station. Based on this possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to wireless local area network scenarios.

[0030] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method. This method can be executed by a multi-link device supporting a first link and a second link, such as a second device, or by a component supporting the multi-link device, such as a processor, chip, or chip system supporting the multi-link device. It can also be implemented by a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the multi-link device supporting the first link and the second link. The method includes: receiving first information from a first device through a second link; and, in response to the first information, switching from a non-primary channel to a primary channel, wherein the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link.

[0031] Based on the method described in the second aspect, the second device can obtain first information from the first device through the second link, and switch from the main channel of the first link to a non-main channel on the first link according to the indication of the first information, so that both the first device and the second device are located on the non-main channel of the first link, and can communicate completely through the non-main channel of the first link.

[0032] In one possible design, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, and / or, the first information is used to execute the second device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel.

[0033] Based on this possible design, the first information can indicate different content, and the second device can switch from the main channel to a non-main channel based on the different content indicated by the first information.

[0034] In one possible design, the method in the second aspect further includes: receiving second information from the first device via a second link, the second information being used to identify the first link.

[0035] Based on this possible design, the second device can obtain second information from the first device to identify the first link through the second link, so that the second device can clearly identify the link where non-main channel access occurs as the first link through the second information.

[0036] In one possible design, the second information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0037] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect further includes: receiving third information from the first device via a second link, the third information being used to indicate the duration of a transmission opportunity.

[0038] Based on this possible design, the second device can obtain the duration of the transmission opportunity through the third information, so as to switch back from the non-primary channel to the primary channel before the duration of the transmission opportunity ends.

[0039] In one possible design, the third information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0040] In one possible design, the method described in the second aspect further includes: sending fourth information to the first device via a second link, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel.

[0041] Based on this possible design, the first device can trigger the transmission of the first information to the second device via the second link using the fourth information used to indicate that the second device is residing on the main channel.

[0042] In one possible design, sending fourth information to the first device via the second link includes one or more of the following: sending fourth information to the first device via the second link when the second device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on the main channel and does not receive an initial response frame (ICR) from the first device; sending fourth information to the first device via the second link when the second device has not interacted with the first device on the main channel for a first time period, wherein other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame; sending an initial control frame (ICF) on the main channel and not receiving an initial response frame (ICR) from the first device; and sending fourth information to the first device via the second link when the second device has not interacted with the first device on the main channel for a first time period.

[0043] Based on this possible design, the second device can trigger the sending of the fourth information to the first device via the second link, so as to promptly send the fourth information to the first device via the second link when it is detected that communication with the first device is not possible on the main channel of the first link.

[0044] In one possible design, the first duration is obtained from the maximum handover delay and the first time value; the maximum handover delay is the maximum value among the handover delays required for each station in the station providing radio services to perform the non-primary channel access; the first time value is a positive number.

[0045] Based on this possible design, the second device can obtain the first duration by taking the maximum value of the handover delay required for each site in the site where the access point provides wireless services to perform non-primary channel access.

[0046] In one possible design, when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a first value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a second value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bit occupied by the first information is a third value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0047] Based on this possible design, different content can be indicated by the first information by varying the values ​​of the bits occupied by the first information.

[0048] In one possible design, the first information is carried in a QoS NULL data frame or another frame other than a QoS NULL data frame. Based on this possible design, the first information can be carried in different frames in different communication scenarios.

[0049] In one possible design, the first information occupies a bit in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame, and the value of this bit is one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0050] Based on this possible design, the first information can be carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. When the first information occupies a bit in the aforementioned A-control subfield, the value of the bit can be one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

[0051] In one possible design, the first device is a station and the second device is an access point; or the first device is an access point and the second device is a station. Based on this possible design, the communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to wireless local area network scenarios.

[0052] Thirdly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the first device described in the first aspect to realize the functions performed by the first device. The communication device can be the first device, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the first device, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the first device through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example: a module for performing non-master channel access via a first link, switching from the master channel to a non-master channel; and a module for sending first information to a second device via a second link, the first information being used for the second device to switch from the master channel to a non-master channel, the master channel and the master channel being located on the first link.

[0053] Fourthly, this application provides a communication device that can be applied to the second device described in the second aspect above to realize the functions performed by the second device. The communication device can be the second device, or it can be a chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip of the second device, etc. The communication device can execute the functions performed by the second device through hardware, or it can execute corresponding software through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a module for receiving first information from the first device through a second link, and a module for switching the second device from a main channel to a non-main channel in response to the first information; wherein the main channel and the non-main channel are located on the first link.

[0054] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes one or more processors; the one or more processors are configured to run computer programs or instructions, such that when the one or more processors execute the computer instructions or instructions, the communication method described in the first or second aspect is performed.

[0055] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories coupled to one or more processors, the memories used to store the aforementioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memories are located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memories are located inside the communication device. In embodiments of this application, the processor and memory may also be integrated into a single device, i.e., the processor and memory may be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver for receiving and / or transmitting information.

[0056] In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more communication interfaces coupled to one or more processors, and the communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

[0057] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes an interface circuit and a logic circuit; the interface circuit is used to input and / or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method as described in the first or second aspect, and to process and / or generate information based on the information.

[0058] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions or programs that, when executed on a computer, cause the communication method described in the first or second aspect to be performed.

[0059] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product containing computer instructions that, when run on a computer, causes the communication method as described in the first or second aspect to be executed.

[0060] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the communication described in the first or second aspect to be performed.

[0061] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, including: a processor coupled to a memory, the memory being used to store programs or instructions, which, when executed by the processor, cause the communication method as described in the first or second aspect to be executed.

[0062] The technical effects of any of the design methods in aspects two through eight can be found in the technical effects of aspect one mentioned above, and will not be elaborated upon further.

[0063] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that may include communication means for performing the method described in the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, or the communication system may include communication means for performing the method described in the second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0064] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a channel allocation provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0065] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of access points and sites performing non-main channel access under a basic service set provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0066] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a possible channel state provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0067] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of access points and sites performing non-main channel access under another basic service set provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0068] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another possible channel state provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0069] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of communication between a site 1 and an access point according to an embodiment of this application;

[0070] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0071] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0072] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0073] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0074] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0075] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0076] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0077] Before introducing the embodiments of this application, some technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be explained. It should be noted that the following explanations are for the purpose of making the embodiments of this application easier to understand, and should not be regarded as a limitation on the scope of protection claimed by the embodiments of this application.

[0078] IEEE 802.11 Ultra-High Reliability (UHR), compared to IEEE 802.11be (or Wireless Fidelity 7, Wi-Fi 7), defines a non-primary channel access (NPCA) protocol. It aims to optimize bandwidth utilization in multi-channel environments, especially when the primary channel (PCH) is busy. By allowing efficient use of the non-primary channel (NPCH), it improves overall network performance and bandwidth utilization. The primary channel is mainly used for data transmission, while the non-primary channel (or secondary channel or slave channel) can be used for data transmission or channel scanning when the primary channel is busy.

[0079] The NPCA protocol includes a sophisticated channel switching strategy to ensure that when the primary channel is busy, the device can quickly and efficiently switch from the primary channel to an idle non-primary channel for communication, and switch back to the primary channel when the primary channel is idle, in order to maintain the connection with the main service node.

[0080] When no resources are available on the primary channel, such as when overlapping basic service set (OBSS) physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs) are detected on the primary channel, access points (APs) and stations (STAs) under a basic service set (BSS) can perform non-primary channel access to reduce access latency and network throughput. The process of performing non-primary channel access includes, but is not limited to: switching from the primary channel to a non-primary channel for channel access and data transmission, and setting a network allocation vector (NAV) timer. The access point and station must switch back to the primary channel from the non-primary channel before the NAV timer expires to avoid missing important information on the primary channel and reduce interference to devices communicating on the non-primary channel.

[0081] The NAV timer is used to indicate the duration a station will occupy the channel. The end time of the NAV timer is the sum of the start time of the NAV and the value of the NAV. The start time of the NAV is the end time at which the station transmits radio frames. The value of the NAV can usually be obtained from the Duration field of a radio frame, such as an acknowledgment (ACK) frame. The frame structure of an ACK frame is shown in Table 1.

[0082] Table 1. Frame Structure of ACK Frames

[0083] In Table 1, the Frame Control field is used to indicate that the radio frame is an ACK frame, and can also be used to indicate information such as the protocol version; the Duration field is usually used to indicate the time required from the start of the current ACK frame to the end of the next data frame or control frame, and the value of the Duration field is equal to the value of NAV; the Received Address (RA) field is usually used to indicate the address of the device that received the ACK frame; the Frame Check Sequence (FCS) field is used for frame error detection.

[0084] In this application, a channel with a relatively large bandwidth can be divided into a main channel and at least one non-main channel. Further, the resulting main channel can be further divided into multiple channels with a bandwidth of 20MHz, and one of these 20MHz channels is designated as the main channel, which can be referred to as the main 20MHz channel. For example, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of channel allocation. As shown in Figure 1, a channel with a bandwidth of 160MHz is divided into a main 80MHz channel (P80) and a secondary 80MHz channel (S80), where P80 includes a main channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz. However, in certain scenarios, the reliability of access points and / or stations performing non-main channel access may decrease, or even result in excessively low reliability of non-main channel access, or the access points and / or stations may fail to perform non-main channel access, leading to a communication failure between the access points and stations.

[0085] For example, in one scenario, an access point under a BSS does not perform non-primary channel access, but all stations under that BSS are affected by OBSS interference and perform non-primary channel access, causing the access point and stations under that BSS to be unable to communicate due to different operating channels. The following explanation, based on the channel allocation shown in Figure 1 and in conjunction with Figure 2, illustrates the process of access points and stations performing non-primary channel access in this scenario:

[0086] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of access points and stations performing non-primary channel access under a basic service set. As shown in Figure 2, the basic service set includes an access point, station 1, station 2, and station 3. The access point can transmit data with each station and provide network services to each station. Initially, each device in Figure 2 transmits data on the primary channel P80 shown in Figure 1.

[0087] As shown in Figure 2, station 1 in Figure 2 is interfered with by Overlapping Basic Service Set 1 (OBSS1) and performs non-primary channel access, switching from P80 to S80 in Figure 1; station 2 in Figure 2 is interfered with by Overlapping Basic Service Set 2 (OBSS2) and performs non-primary channel access, switching from P80 to S80 in Figure 1; station 3 in Figure 2 is interfered with by Overlapping Basic Service Set 3 (OBSS3) and performs non-primary channel access, switching from P80 to S80 in Figure 1; the access point in Figure 2 is not interfered with by OBSS1, OBSS2, and OBSS3, does not perform non-primary channel access, and will remain in P80 in Figure 1. Thus, the access point in Figure 2 and the other stations in Figure 2 are on different channels. Figure 3 is a possible channel state diagram. As shown in Figure 3, stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 2 are all in S80, while the access point in Figure 2 is in P80. Therefore, the access point in Figure 2 and the other stations in Figure 2 can no longer transmit data.

[0088] In one example, to address the communication failure between access points and stations due to different operating channels in the scenario shown in Figure 2, the access point in Figure 2 can establish an OBSS list (which can be called an OBSS whitelist). This OBSS whitelist does not include OBSS1, OBSS2, and OBSS3, and this OBSS whitelist is periodically sent to all stations associated with the access point in Figure 2. All stations associated with the access point in Figure 2 refer to all stations under the same BSS as the access point in Figure 2, namely stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 2. After stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 2 detect an OBSS PPDU on P80, they compare whether the OBSS PPDU comes from any OBSS in the OBSS whitelist. If the OBSS PPDU is not sent by any OBSS in the OBSS whitelist, stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 2, upon detecting the OBSS PPDU on P80 in Figure 1, do not perform non-primary channel access and do not need to switch from P80 to S80, thus ensuring that the access point and all stations in Figure 2 are on P80.

[0089] The OBSS whitelist-based method described above only ensures that all stations and access points in Figure 2 are on the same channel, i.e., all are on P80 in Figure 1. However, the OBSS interference experienced by the stations in Figure 2 at P80 in Figure 1 will not disappear, and the stations and access points in Figure 2 will be unable to communicate due to OBSS interference. In addition, the periodic transmission of the OBSS whitelist by the access points in Figure 2 requires a certain amount of air interface resources, introducing additional air interface resource overhead.

[0090] For example, in another scenario, an access point under a BSS receives OBSS interference and performs non-primary channel access. However, all stations under the same BSS are not affected by OBSS interference and do not perform non-primary channel access, causing the access point and stations under that BSS to be unable to communicate due to different operating channels. The following explanation, based on the channel allocation shown in Figure 1 and in conjunction with Figure 4, illustrates the process of access points and stations performing non-primary channel access in this scenario:

[0091] For example, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of access points and stations performing non-primary channel access under a basic service set. As shown in Figure 4, the basic service set includes an access point, station 1, station 2, and station 3. Each device in Figure 4 initially transmits data on P80 as shown in Figure 1. As shown in Figure 4, the access point in Figure 4, affected by OBSS1 interference, performs non-primary channel access and switches from P80 to S80 in Figure 1. However, stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 3 are not affected by OBSS1 interference and do not perform non-primary channel access, remaining on P80 in Figure 1. Thus, the access point in Figure 3 and each station in Figure 3 reside on different channels. Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another possible channel state. As shown in Figure 5, stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 3 are all on P80, while the access point in Figure 3 is on S80. Therefore, the access point in Figure 4 and each station in Figure 4 can no longer transmit data.

[0092] In one example, to address the communication failure between the access point and the station due to different operating channels in the scenario shown in Figure 4, stations 1, 2, and 3 in Figure 4 send request-to-send (RTS) frames covering the entire operating bandwidth to the access point in Figure 4. Taking the communication between station 1 and the access point as an example, Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of communication between station 1 and the access point provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, station 1 sends RTS frames to the access point on both P80 and S80. The access point is interfered with by OBSS1 PPDU on P80 and receives the RTS frame from station 1 through S80. In response to the RTS frame, the access point sends a clear-to-send (CTS) frame to station 1 through S80. Since station 1 is on the P80 channel, it cannot receive the CTS frame sent by the access point through S80. Therefore, station 1 and the access point cannot perform downlink communication. As shown in Figure 6, the duration of the OBSS1 PPDU interference is the same as the time occupied by OBSS1 TXOP.

[0093] In this system, the RTS frame is a control frame used by the sending end to request the transmission of data packets, while the CTS frame is a control frame used by the receiving end to confirm that data packets can be received. After receiving an RTS frame from the sending end, the receiving end determines whether the current channel is idle. If the current channel is idle, it sends a CTS frame to the sending end through the current channel, indicating that data packets can be received on the current channel.

[0094] The method described above, which relies on stations sending full-bandwidth uplink information, only allows the stations and access points in Figure 4 to exchange uplink information, not downlink information. Furthermore, sending full-bandwidth uplink information by stations presents bandwidth resource limitations.

[0095] In summary, to address the issue that access points and stations within a basic service set may be unable to communicate due to OBSS interference, causing them to be on different channels and thus unable to communicate because of asynchronous working channels, this application provides a communication method executed by a multi-link device (MLD) supporting a first link and a second link, such as by a first device and a second device. The method may include: the first device performing non-primary channel access via the first link, switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, and sending first information to the second device via the second link; the second device receiving the first information from the first device via the second link, and in response to the first information, switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel. The first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, and / or, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel; the first information is used for the second device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel; the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link.

[0096] Thus, the second device, supporting both the first and second links, obtains the first information from the first device via the second link. Responding to the instruction of the first information, it switches from the primary channel on the first link to a non-primary channel on the first link. This allows both the first and second devices to be located on the non-primary channel of the first link, enabling complete communication. Furthermore, the non-primary channel of the first link is unaffected by OBSS interference; therefore, communication between the first and second devices via the non-primary channel of the first link is also unaffected by OBSS interference, improving the reliability of communication between the two devices.

[0097] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] The data transmission method provided in this application is applicable to wireless local area networks (WLANs) that support relevant standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). These IEEE standards include, but are not limited to, 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn / UHR / WiFi8, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bf / sensing, UWB / 802.15, etc.

[0099] The communication system provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to Figure 7.

[0100] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the communication system may include multiple multi-link devices. Any one of the multiple multi-link devices supports multiple links. The multiple multi-link devices can communicate with each other through any one of the multiple links. Taking the multiple multi-link devices in Figure 7 as including a first device and a second device, and the multiple links in Figure 7 as including a first link and a second link, the first device and the second device support the first link and the second link. That is, the first device and the second device can transmit information on the first link and the second link. The first link may include a main channel and a non-main channel. In other words, the main channel and the non-main channel are located on the first link.

[0101] A multi-link device comprises one or more affiliated STAs. An affiliated STA is a logical site that can operate on a single link. The affiliated site can be an Access Point (AP) or a non-Access Point Station (non-AP STA). For example, a multi-link device whose affiliated site is an AP can be called a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or an AP multi-link device. Conversely, a multi-link device whose affiliated site is a non-AP STA can be called a multi-link STA, a multi-link STA device, or a STA multi-link device.

[0102] Optionally, the first device in Figure 7 can be an access point (access point device) or a site (site device), and the second device in Figure 7 can be a site or an access point. For example, the first device is an access point (AP) and the second device is a site (STA); or the first device is a site (STA) and the second device is an access point (AP).

[0103] The aforementioned access points and sites reside within the same BSS. A site is any site associated with an access point within that BSS. An access point can communicate with one or more sites, and an access point can also communicate with one or more other access point devices. Similarly, a site can communicate with one or more other sites. For relevant descriptions of the BSS, please refer to existing technical specifications, which will not be elaborated upon here.

[0104] For example, an AP can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard or the future Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) standard, or a device that supports multiple WLAN standards; it can also be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11bf, 802.11be, 802.11bn / UHR / WiFi8 standards, without limitation.

[0105] For example, an AP can be a terminal device with a Wi-Fi chip, network device, communication server, router, switch, bridge, computer, etc. An AP can also serve as an access point for mobile users to access a wired network, primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0106] For example, the STA can be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards such as the 802.11be standard or future Wi-Fi standards; it can also be a device that supports the 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11bf, 802.11be, 802.11bn / UHR / WiFi8 standards, without limitation.

[0107] For example, an STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, a wireless communication terminal, a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, etc. For example, an STA can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc., without limitation.

[0108] It is understood that Figure 7 above is a schematic diagram and does not constitute a limitation on the applicable scenarios of the technical solutions provided in this application. Those skilled in the art should understand that in the specific implementation process, the communication system shown in Figure 7 may include fewer devices than those shown in Figure 7, or the communication system shown in Figure 7 may also include other devices. At the same time, the number of devices in the communication system shown in Figure 7 can be determined according to specific needs and is not limited.

[0109] Optionally, the devices in Figure 7 (e.g., the first device, the second device) can also be referred to as communication devices. They can be general-purpose devices or special-purpose devices. This application embodiment does not specifically limit them.

[0110] Optionally, the functions of each device in Figure 7 of this application can be implemented by one device, multiple devices working together, or one or more functional modules within a single device. This application does not specifically limit these functions. It is understood that the aforementioned 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).

[0111] The communication method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to the communication system shown in Figure 7. Actions, terminology, etc., involved in the following embodiments can be referenced interchangeably. The message names or parameter names in the messages exchanged between devices in each embodiment are merely examples, and other names may be used in specific implementations. For example, "corresponding" in the following embodiments can be replaced by "associating," etc., and "sending" in the following embodiments can be replaced by "transmitting," etc.

[0112] The following describes a communication method provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the method may include the following steps:

[0113] S801: The first device performs non-primary channel access through the first link, switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

[0114] The primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link. Optionally, the first link is a channel with a bandwidth of 160MHz as shown in Figure 1, the primary channel is P80 in Figure 1, and the non-primary channel is S80 in Figure 1. P80 includes a primary channel with a bandwidth of 20MHz. The primary and non-primary channels can be referred to the relevant descriptions above, and will not be repeated here.

[0115] The first device performs non-primary channel access through the first link. Switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel may include: the first device initially transmits information on the primary channel of the first link, detects the presence of an OBSS PPDU on the primary channel of the first link, and switches from the primary channel of the first link to the non-primary channel of the first link to transmit information.

[0116] Optionally, in this application, the first device also needs to be equipped with an NAV timer. Before the NAV timer ends, the first device switches back from the non-primary channel of the first link to the primary channel of the first link to avoid excessive interference with the information transmission of other devices on the non-primary channel of the first link.

[0117] S802: The first device sends first information to the second device through the second link, and the second device receives the first information from the first device through the second link.

[0118] The first device and the second device are multi-link devices that support the first link and the second link, meaning that the first device and the second device can transmit data frames and / or control frames on the first link and the second link. The first device and the second device can also be multi-link devices that support the first link, the second link, and the third link, where the third link is any link other than the first link and the second link. In this case, the first device and the second device can transmit data frames and / or control frames on the first link, the second link, and the third link.

[0119] Optionally, the first device is the first device in the communication system shown in Figure 7, and the second device is the second device in the communication system shown in Figure 7. The first device and the second device can be referred to the relevant descriptions above, and will not be repeated here.

[0120] For example, the first device is an access point and the second device is a site; or, the first device is a site and the second device is an access point.

[0121] The first information is used for the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0122] Optionally, the first information can indicate different content, such as the first information can be used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and / or the first information can be used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0123] In one example, the content indicated by the first information can be obtained based on the value of the bits occupied by the first information. Specifically, the first information occupies at least one bit, and the value of the bits occupied by the first information can be understood as the decimal value corresponding to the at least one bit occupied by the first information. When the value of the bits occupied by the first information is a first value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bits occupied by the first information is a second value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the bits occupied by the first information is a third value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and the first information is also used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0124] In another example, the content indicated by the first information can be obtained based on whether the values ​​of at least two bits among the multiple bits occupied by the first information are the same. Specifically, the first information occupies multiple bits, including a first bit and a second bit. If the value of the first bit and the value of the second bit are the same, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel. If the value of the first bit and the value of the second bit are different, and the value of the first bit is the fourth value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel. If the value of the first bit and the value of the second bit are different, and the value of the first bit is the fifth value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0125] In this application, the value of a bit includes either a binary bit 0 or 1. The fourth and fifth values ​​are different.

[0126] In this application, the first device can actively or triggeredly send first information to the second device via the second link. When the first device triggers the sending of first information to the second device via the second link, the sending of first information by the first device to the second device via the second link includes any of the following:

[0127] Case 1.1: If the first device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on a non-primary channel and does not receive an initial control response (ICR) from the second device, it sends the first information to the second device through the second link.

[0128] The initial control frame refers to the frame used to establish a connection, initialize settings, or send control commands, while the initial response frame refers to the response frame used to confirm receipt of the initial control frame.

[0129] Case 1.2: If the first device does not interact with the second device on a non-main channel for a first duration, the first information is sent to the second device through the second link. Other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame.

[0130] Case 1.3: If the first device sends an initial control frame on a non-primary channel and does not receive an initial response frame from the second device; and if the first device does not exchange other frames with the second device on a non-primary channel within a first time period, the first device sends the first information to the second device through the second link.

[0131] The first duration can be obtained from the maximum handover delay and the first time value. The maximum handover delay is the maximum value among the handover times required for each station in the access point providing radio services to perform non-primary channel access. The stations providing radio services at the access point can be understood as the stations associated with the access point. The first time value is a positive number, and the optional first time value is the average access delay of the first device or any time constant.

[0132] Optionally, the first device may receive fourth information from the second device via the second link, and in response to the fourth information indicating that the second device is camped on the main channel, the first device may send first information to the second device via the second link.

[0133] For example, when the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, before the first device sends the first information to the second device through the second link, it can receive the fourth information from the second device through the second link. In response to the fourth information, the first device sends the first information to the second device through the second link, so that the second device performs the switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, so that both the first device and the second device are in the non-primary channel and use the air interface resources on the non-primary channel to interact with data.

[0134] In this application, the first information may be carried in a QoS NULL data frame or other frames besides the QoS NULL data frame. Other frames besides the QoS NULL data frame may be one or more of the initial control frame and the initial response frame.

[0135] Optionally, when the first information is carried in a QoS NULL data frame, the first information may occupy bits of the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. The value of the bits occupied by the first information in the A-control subfield can be one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. The number of bits occupied by the A-control subfield is less than or equal to 30.

[0136] For example, the first information occupies 4 bits of the Control ID value in the A-control subfield. When the value of the 4 bits of the Control ID value is 10, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the 4 bits of the Control ID value is 11, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; when the value of the 4 bits of the Control ID value is 12, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0137] S803: The second device responds to the first information and switches from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0138] The first piece of information can be found in the relevant description in S802, and will not be repeated here.

[0139] The second device switching from the main channel to a non-main channel in response to the first information includes: when the first information instructs the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, the second device switches from the main channel to a non-main channel according to the first information, which can also be understood as the second device autonomously switching from the main channel to a non-main channel to ensure normal communication with the first device; or, when the first information instructs the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, the second device switches from the main channel to a non-main channel according to the first information, which can also be understood as the second device switching from the main channel to a non-main channel to follow the instruction of the first information; or, when both the first information instructs the first device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel and the first information instructs the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel, the second device switches from the main channel to a non-main channel according to the first information.

[0140] Optionally, before executing step S803, the second device may send fourth information to the first device via the second link to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel, thereby triggering the first device to send first information to the second device via the second link.

[0141] The second device can actively or triggeredly send the fourth information to the first device via the second link. In the case where the second device triggers the sending of the fourth information to the first device via the second link, the second device sends the fourth information to the first device via the second link, including any of the following situations:

[0142] Case 2.1: If the second device sends an initial control frame on the main channel but does not receive an initial response frame from the first device, it sends fourth information to the first device through the second link.

[0143] The initial control frame and initial response frame are described in S802 and will not be repeated here.

[0144] Case 2.2: If the second device does not interact with the first device on the main channel for the first time period, it sends fourth information to the first device through the second link. Other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame.

[0145] The first duration can be found in the relevant description in S802, and will not be repeated here.

[0146] Case 2.3: If the second device sends an initial control frame on the main channel but does not receive an initial response frame from the first device; and if the second device does not exchange other frames with the first device on the main channel within the first time period, the second device sends fourth information to the first device through the second link.

[0147] In response to the first information, the second device switches from the main channel to a non-main channel, so that both the first and second devices are on a non-main channel without OBSS interference. Therefore, the first and second devices can communicate reliably on the non-main channel in accordance with existing technology. Furthermore, before the NAV timer ends, the first and second devices need to switch back from the non-main channel to the main channel to avoid excessive interference with the communication of other devices on the non-main channel.

[0148] Based on the communication method shown in Figure 8, the second device supporting the first link and the second link obtains the first information from the first device through the second link. In response to the first information for the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel, the second device switches from the non-main channel on the first link to the non-main channel on the first link, so that both the first device and the second device are located on the non-main channel on the first link, and can perform complete communication through the non-main channel on the first link.

[0149] Optionally, the communication method shown in Figure 8 may also include one or more of the following operations S8021-S8022:

[0150] S8021: The first device sends second information to the second device through the second link, and the second device receives the second information from the first device through the second link.

[0151] The second information is used to identify the first link. This second information can be carried in the A-control subfield of a QoS NULL data frame. Optionally, the second information can occupy 4 bits in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0152] S8021 is an optional execution step. When the first and second devices support multiple links, specifically the first link and the second link, the second device receives the first information through the second link and indirectly obtains that the first device performed non-primary channel access on the first link. Therefore, the first device no longer needs to send additional second information to identify the first link, and S8021 can be omitted. Alternatively, the first and second devices negotiate to determine that the first link is used for non-primary channel access, and the second link is not used for non-primary channel access. In this case, the first device also no longer needs to send the second information to identify the first link. However, when the first and second devices support multiple links, including the first link, the second link, and the third link, and both the first and third links allow non-primary channel access, S8021 is executed. This allows the second device to obtain, through the second information, that the first device performed non-primary channel access on the first link, and switch from the primary channel of the first link to its non-primary channel.

[0153] S8022: The first device sends third information to the second device through the second link, and the second device receives the third information from the first device through the second link.

[0154] The third information is used to indicate the duration of the Transmission Opportunity (TXOP). This third information can be carried in the A-control subfield of a QoS NULL data frame. Optionally, the third information may occupy less than or equal to 16 bits in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame; for example, the third information may occupy 8 or 16 bits in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

[0155] S8022 is an optional execution step. If the second device has already obtained the duration of the transmission opportunity through other information besides the third information (such as an ACK frame), S8022 may not be executed. If the second device has not obtained the duration of the transmission opportunity through other information, S8022 is executed so that the second device can obtain the value of NAV through the third information, so as to ensure that the second device switches back from the non-primary channel to the primary channel before the NAV timer expires.

[0156] The above steps S802, S8021, and S8022 exemplarily describe the flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The execution order of steps S802, S8021, and S8022 is not limited. For example, step S802 may be executed before steps S8021 and S8022; or step S8022 may be executed after steps S8021 and S8022; or step S8022 may be executed simultaneously with steps S8021 and S8022.

[0157] The following section, using the communication system shown in Figure 7 as an example, takes the first device as the access point and the second device as the station. The access point and station are multi-link devices supporting both the first and second links. The first information in Figure 8, used to indicate the first device's switch from a non-primary channel to the primary channel, is illustrated below. The first, second, and third information in Figure 8 are carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. The communication method shown in Figure 8 will be described in conjunction with Figure 9.

[0158] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0159] S901: The access point performs non-primary channel access through the first link, switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

[0160] The access point is an example of the first device in the method shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the access point performs non-main channel access through the first link. The description of switching from the main channel to the non-main channel can be found in S801, and will not be repeated here.

[0161] S902: The access point sends a QoS NULL data frame carrying the first information to the site through the second link, and the site receives the QoS NULL data frame carrying the first information from the access point through the second link.

[0162] The first information and the second link are described in S802 and will not be repeated here.

[0163] The first information can be carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. The A-control subfield occupies 30 bits in the QoS NULL data frame. The A-control subfield can contain one or more control subfields in the form of a control list. The one or more control subfields can have different formats to adapt to different network requirements and operating modes. The first information can be the information contained in one control list under the A-control subfield. The frame structure of the A-control subfield including the control list is shown in Table 2:

[0164] Frame structure of the A-control subfield in Table 2

[0165] In Table 2, the length of the control list depends on the number of control subfields included in the control list and the length of each control subfield. The padding field is used to ensure that the boundaries of the control list are aligned with the higher-level data frame structure.

[0166] Optionally, the control list under the A-control subfield containing the first information may also contain second and third information. The second and third information can be found in the relevant descriptions above and will not be repeated here.

[0167] For example, the first information is the control ID value subfield contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield, the second information is the length of control subfield contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield, and the third information is the duration subfield contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield. The subfields contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield are shown in Table 3.

[0168] Table 3 contains the control subfields in the first control list under the A-control subfield.

[0169] In Table 3, the Control ID value subfield occupies four bits, and the value of the Control ID value subfield is the first value, which is one of 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14; the Length of Control subfield occupies four bits to indicate the identifier of the first link; and the Duration subfield occupies 16 bits to indicate the duration of the transmission opportunity.

[0170] S903: The site sends an acknowledgment frame to the access point via the second link, and the access point receives the acknowledgment frame from the site via the second link.

[0171] The ACK frame is used to indicate that a QoS NULL data frame carrying the first information has been received. The ACK frame can be found in the relevant description above, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] Optionally, the Duration field in the acknowledgment frame can be empty or zero. For example, if the station cannot obtain the duration of OBSS PPDU interference on the main channel, the Duration field in the acknowledgment frame can be empty or zero. Alternatively, the Duration field in the acknowledgment frame can be non-empty or non-zero. For example, if the station has already obtained the duration of OBSS PPDU interference on the main channel, the Duration field in the acknowledgment frame can be non-empty or non-zero.

[0173] Step S903 is an optional operation. If the access point needs to directly obtain the first information received by the site, S903 is executed; if the access point does not need to directly obtain the first information received by the site, such as if the access point assumes that the site has received the first information, or if the access point does not receive an indication from the site that the reception of the first information has failed, S903 is not executed.

[0174] S904: The station responds to the first message and switches from the primary channel to a non-primary channel.

[0175] The station is an example of the second device in the method shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the description of the station switching from the main channel to the non-main channel in response to the first information can be found in S803, and will not be repeated here.

[0176] S905: The access point sends scheduling information to the station through a non-primary channel, and the station receives scheduling information from the access point through a non-primary channel.

[0177] Among them, scheduling information is used for resource allocation, task management, and process optimization.

[0178] The above steps S903 and S904 exemplarily describe the flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The execution order of steps S903 and S904 is not limited. For example, step S903 may be executed before step S904; or step S903 may be executed after step S904; or step S903 and step S904 may be executed simultaneously.

[0179] Based on the method shown in Figure 9, access points and stations of the first and second links are supported, i.e., access points and stations are multi-link devices. When communication is impossible due to different working channels caused by OBSS interference, the access point that switches from the primary channel of the first link to the non-primary channel of the first link sends the first information to the station through the second link. The first information is used for the station to switch from the primary channel of the first link to the non-primary channel of the first link, so that the station responds to the first information and switches from the primary channel of the first link to the non-primary channel of the first link. In this way, both the access point and the station are in the non-primary channel, and reliable communication can be carried out through the non-primary channel without OBSS interference.

[0180] The following section, using the communication system shown in Figure 7 as an example, takes the first device as the station and the second device as the access point. Both the access point and the station are multi-link devices supporting the first and second links. The first information in Figure 8 is used to indicate that the second device is switching from a non-primary channel to the primary channel. The first, second, and third information in Figure 8 are carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame. The communication method shown in Figure 8 will be described in conjunction with Figure 10.

[0181] S1001: The station performs non-primary channel access through the first link, switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

[0182] The station is an example of the first device in the method shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the station performs non-primary channel access through the first link. The description of switching from the primary channel to the non-primary channel can be found in S801, and will not be repeated here.

[0183] S1002: The access point sends the fourth information to the site through the second link, and the site receives the fourth information from the access point through the second link.

[0184] The fourth piece of information is used to indicate whether the access point is residing on the main channel.

[0185] Optionally, the fourth information can be carried in a QoS NULL data frame or in other frames besides the QoS NULL data frame, such as in an initial control frame or an initial response frame.

[0186] The process of the access point sending the fourth information to the site via the second link can be referred to in S803 for the relevant description of the second device sending the fourth information to the first device via the second link, and will not be repeated here.

[0187] S1003: In response to the fourth information, the site sends a QoS NULL data frame carrying the first information to the access point via the second link. The access point receives the QoS NULL data frame carrying the first information from the site via the second link.

[0188] Specifically, the station obtains information that the access point is camped on the main channel through the fourth information. Considering the interference of OBSS PPDU on the main channel, in order to achieve reliable communication with the access point, the station sends the first information to the access point through the second link. The first information instructs the access point to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel.

[0189] The first piece of information is described in S802 and will not be repeated here.

[0190] Optionally, the first information is the Control ID value subfield contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield, and the value of the Control ID value subfield is a second value, which is one of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14. This second value is different from the first value mentioned in S902. The Control ID value subfield contained in the first control list under the A-control subfield is described in S902 and will not be repeated here. The second value is different from the first value mentioned in S902.

[0191] S1004: The access point sends an acknowledgment frame to the site through the second link, and the site receives the acknowledgment frame from the access point through the second link.

[0192] The confirmation frame can be found in the relevant descriptions above, and will not be repeated here.

[0193] Step S1004 is an optional operation. If the site needs to directly obtain the first information received by the access point, S1004 is executed; if the site does not need to directly obtain the first information, such as if the site defaults to the access point receiving the first information, or if the site does not receive an indication from the access point indicating failure to receive the first information, S1004 is not executed.

[0194] S1005: The access point responds to the first information and switches from the primary channel to a non-primary channel.

[0195] The access point is an example of the second device in the method shown in Figure 8. Therefore, the description of the access point switching from the main channel to the non-main channel in response to the first information can be found in S803, and will not be repeated here.

[0196] S1006: The access point sends scheduling information to the station through a non-primary channel, and the station receives scheduling information from the access point through a non-primary channel.

[0197] The scheduling information can be found in the above descriptions and will not be repeated here.

[0198] The above steps S1004 and S1005 exemplarily describe the flow of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The execution order of steps S1004 and S1005 is not limited. For example, step S1004 may be executed before step S1005; or step S1004 may be executed after step S1005; or step S1004 and step S1005 may be executed simultaneously.

[0199] Based on the method shown in Figure 10, access points and stations of the first and second links are supported, i.e., access points and stations are multi-link devices. When communication is impossible due to different working channels caused by OBSS interference, the station switches from the main channel of the first link to the non-main channel of the first link. In response to the fourth information used to indicate that the access point is camped on the main channel, the first information is sent to the access point through the second link in a triggered manner. The first information is used for the access point to switch from the main channel of the first link to the non-main channel of the first link, so that the access point switches from the main channel of the first link to the non-main channel of the first link in response to the first information. In this way, the access point and station are both in the non-main channel, and reliable communication can be carried out through the non-main channel without OBSS interference.

[0200] The foregoing mainly describes the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application from the perspective of interaction between various devices. It is understood that each device, such as the first device, the second device, the site (site device), the access point (access point device), etc., includes corresponding hardware structures and / or software modules to perform the aforementioned functions. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the algorithm steps of the 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 in 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.

[0201] This application embodiment can group the first device, second device, etc., into functional modules according to the above method example. For example, each functional group can be assigned to a specific 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. The grouping of modules in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional grouping; other grouping methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0202] Figure 11 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 1100, which can be used to perform the functions of a first device supporting a first link and a second link involved in the above embodiments. The first device is a multi-link device, such as the function of an access point in the method shown in Figure 9, or the function of a station in the method shown in Figure 10. As one possible implementation, the communication device 1100 shown in Figure 11 includes: a processing unit 1101 and a transceiver unit 1102.

[0203] Processing unit 1101: is used to perform non-primary channel access through the first link, and switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, wherein the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link; for example, processing unit 1101 may support communication device 1100 to execute S801, or processing unit 1101 may support communication device 1100 to execute S901, or processing unit 1101 may support communication device 1100 to execute S1001.

[0204] Transceiver unit 1102: used to send first information to the second device through the second link, the first information being used for the second device to switch from the main channel to a non-main channel; for example, transceiver unit 1102 can support communication device 1100 to execute S802, or transceiver unit 1102 can support communication device 1100 to execute S902, or transceiver unit 1102 can support communication device 1100 to execute S1003.

[0205] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1102 is also used to send second information through the second link, the second information being used to identify the first link; for example, the transceiver unit 1102 may support the communication device 1100 in executing S8021.

[0206] Optionally, transceiver unit 1102 is also used to send third information through the second link, the third information being used to indicate the duration of the transmission opportunity; for example, transceiver unit 1102 may support communication device 1100 in executing S8022.

[0207] Optionally, transceiver unit 1102 is further configured to receive fourth information from the second device via the second link, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel; for example, transceiver unit 1102 may support communication device 1100 in executing S1002.

[0208] The descriptions of the first link, second link, first information, second information, third information, fourth information, main channel, and non-main channel can be referred to in the above method embodiments.

[0209] Specifically, all relevant content regarding each step of the first device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 can be referenced from the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and will not be repeated here. The communication device 1100 is used to perform the functions of the first device in the communication method shown in Figure 8, to perform the functions of the access point (the access point is one possible implementation of the first device) in the communication method shown in Figure 9, and to perform the functions of the station (the station is another possible implementation of the first device) in the communication method shown in Figure 10, thus achieving the same effect as the above-mentioned communication method.

[0210] Figure 12 shows a schematic diagram of a communication device 1200, which can be used to perform the functions of a second device supporting a first link and a second link as described in the above embodiments. The second device is a multi-link device, such as the function of a station in the method shown in Figure 9, or the function of an access point in the method shown in Figure 10. As one possible implementation, the communication device 1200 shown in Figure 12 includes a transceiver unit 1201 and a processing unit 1202.

[0211] Transceiver unit 1201: used to receive first information from the first device through the second link; for example, transceiver unit 1201 may support communication device 1200 to execute S802, or transceiver unit 1201 may support communication device 1200 to execute S902, or transceiver unit 1201 may support communication device 1200 to execute S1003.

[0212] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 is further configured to receive second information from the first device via the second link, the second information being used to identify the first link; for example, the transceiver unit 1201 may support the communication device 1200 in executing S8021.

[0213] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 is also configured to receive third information from the first device via the second link, the third information being used to indicate the duration of the transmission opportunity; for example, the transceiver unit 1201 may support the communication device 1200 in executing S8022.

[0214] Optionally, the transceiver unit 1201 is also configured to send fourth information to the first device via the second link, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel; for example, the transceiver unit 1201 may support the communication device 1200 in executing S1002.

[0215] Processing unit 1202: In response to the first information, it switches from the main channel to a non-main channel, wherein the main channel and the non-main channel are located on the first link; for example, processing unit 1202 may support communication device 1200 to execute S803, or processing unit 1202 may support communication device 1200 to execute S904, or processing unit 1202 may support communication device 1200 to execute S1005.

[0216] The descriptions of the first link, second link, first information, second information, third information, fourth information, main channel, and non-main channel can be referred to in the above method embodiments.

[0217] Specifically, all relevant content regarding each step of the second device in the method embodiments shown in Figures 8, 9, and 10 can be referenced from the functional descriptions of the corresponding functional modules, and will not be repeated here. The communication device 1200 is used to perform the function of the second device in the communication method shown in Figure 8, to perform the function of the station (a possible implementation of the second device) in the communication method shown in Figure 9, and to perform the function of the access point (another possible implementation of the second device) in the communication method shown in Figure 10, thus achieving the same effect as the above-described communication method.

[0218] The aforementioned processing unit can be a processor or a controller. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with the disclosure of this application. The processor can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as a combination of one or more microprocessors, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc. The communication module can be a transceiver circuit or a communication interface, etc. The storage module can be a memory. When the processing module is a processor, the communication unit is a communication interface, and the storage module is a memory, the communication device 1100 and communication device 1200 involved in the embodiments of this application can be the communication device 1300 shown in FIG. 13. For example, the first device, second device, station, and access point mentioned above can adopt the composition structure shown in FIG. 13 or include the components shown in FIG. 13. FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device 1300 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication device 1300 can include a processor 1301, a communication line 1302, and a communication interface 1303.

[0219] Furthermore, the communication device 1300 may also include a memory 1304. The processor 1301, the memory 1304, and the communication interface 1303 can be connected via a communication line 1302.

[0220] The processor 1301 can be a central processing unit (CPU), a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 1301 can also be other communication devices with processing capabilities, such as circuits, devices, or software modules.

[0221] Communication line 1302 is used to transmit information between the components included in communication device 1300.

[0222] Communication interface 1303 is used for communication with other devices or other communication networks. These other communication networks can be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area network (WLAN), etc. Communication interface 1303 can be a radio frequency module, transceiver, or any communication device capable of communication. This application embodiment uses a radio frequency module as an example to illustrate communication interface 1303. The radio frequency module can include an antenna, radio frequency circuitry, etc., and the radio frequency circuitry can include a radio frequency integrated chip, a power amplifier, etc.

[0223] Memory 1304 is used to store instructions. These instructions can be computer programs.

[0224] The memory 1304 can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and / or instructions; it can also be a random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that can store information and / or instructions; it can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage, magnetic disk storage medium or other magnetic storage device. Optical disc storage includes compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.

[0225] The memory 1304 can exist independently of the processor 1301 or be integrated with the processor 1301. The memory 1304 can be used to store instructions, program code, or some data. The memory 1304 can be located inside or outside the communication device 1300, without limitation. The processor 1301 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 1304 to implement the random access procedure preamble transmission method provided in the following embodiments of this application.

[0226] In one example, processor 1301 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in Figure 13.

[0227] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1300 may include multiple processors, for example, in addition to processor 1301 in FIG13, it may also include processor 1307.

[0228] As an optional implementation, the communication device 1300 also includes an output device 1305 and an input device 1306. The input device 1306 is a keyboard, mouse, microphone, or joystick, etc., and the output device 1305 is a display screen, speaker, etc.

[0229] The communication device 1300 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a web server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal device, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device with a similar structure to that shown in FIG13. Furthermore, the composition shown in FIG13 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device; in addition to the components shown in FIG13, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0230] In this embodiment of the application, the chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0231] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be implemented by a computer program instructing related hardware. This program can be stored in the computer-readable storage medium, and when executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be the first or second device of any of the foregoing embodiments, such as an internal storage unit including a data transmission end and / or a data receiving end, such as a hard disk or memory of the first or second device. The computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the first or second device, such as a plug-in hard disk, smart media card (SMC), secure digital (SD) card, flash card, etc., equipped on the first or second device. Further, the computer-readable storage medium can include both the internal storage unit of the first or second device and an external storage device. The computer-readable storage medium is used to store the computer program and other programs and data required by the first or second device. The computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or will be output.

[0232] It should be understood that the collection, storage, use, processing, transmission, provision, and disclosure of user personal information involved in the technical solution of this application all comply with relevant laws and regulations and do not violate public order and good morals. For example, in the technical solution of this application, the processing of user personal information is carried out with the user's authorization, and this will not be repeated hereafter.

[0233] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, 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.

[0234] It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than one" means two or more, "at least two (items)" means 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 A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one (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", where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0235] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A. For example, B can be determined based on A. It should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information. Furthermore, the term "connection" in the embodiments of this application refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and the embodiments of this application do not impose any limitations on this.

[0236] Unless otherwise specified, the term "transmission" in the embodiments of this application refers to bidirectional transmission, encompassing the actions of sending and / or receiving. Specifically, "transmission" in the embodiments of this application includes sending data, receiving data, or both sending and receiving data. In other words, data transmission here includes uplink and / or downlink data transmission. Data may include channels and / or signals; uplink data transmission refers to uplink channel and / or uplink signal transmission, and downlink data transmission refers to downlink channel and / or downlink signal transmission. The terms "network" and "system" in the embodiments of this application refer to the same concept; a communication system is a communication network.

[0237] Through the above description of the embodiments, those skilled in the art can clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, only the grouping of the above functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

[0238] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed communication devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the grouping of modules or units is only a logical functional grouping, and in actual implementation, there may be other grouping methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another device, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces, or indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units, and may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0239] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. A component shown as a unit can be one or more physical units; that is, it can be located in one place or distributed in multiple different locations. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0240] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional unit.

[0241] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, essentially, or the parts that contribute to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solutions, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a device, such as a microcontroller, chip, or processor, to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media for storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0242] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method characterized by comprising: The method is applied to a first device, which is a multi-link device (MLD) supporting a first link and a second link; the method includes: Access to a non-primary channel is performed via the first link, switching from the primary channel to a non-primary channel; the primary channel and the non-primary channel are located on the first link. The second device sends first information through the second link, the first information being used by the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel, and / or the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The sending of the first information to the second device via the second link includes any one of the following: If the first device sends an initial control frame ICF on the non-main channel and does not receive an initial response frame ICR from the second device, the first information is sent to the second device through the second link. If the first device does not interact with the second device on the non-main channel for a first time period, the first information is sent to the second device through the second link, wherein the other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame. The first device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on the non-master channel, but does not receive an initial response frame (ICR) from the second device. And if the first device does not interact with the second device on the non-main channel for a first period of time, it sends the first information to the second device through the second link.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first duration is obtained from the maximum switching delay and the first time value; The maximum handover delay is the maximum value among the handover delays required for each site in the site providing wireless services to perform the non-primary channel access. The first time value is a positive number.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second information is sent to the second device via the second link, and the second information is used to identify the first link.

6. The method of claim 5, wherein, The second information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third message, which indicates the duration of the transmission opportunity.

8. The method of claim 7, wherein, The third information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device receives fourth information via the second link, the fourth information being used to indicate that the second device is camped on the main channel; In response to the fourth information, the first information is sent to the second device via the second link.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-9, characterized in that, When the value of the bits occupied by the first information is a first value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel; When the value of the bit occupied by the first information is the second value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel; or, When the bit value occupied by the first information is a third value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a QoS NULL data frame or in other frames besides the QoS NULL data frame.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first information occupies bits in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame, and the value of the bit is one or more of 10, 11, 12, 13, and 14.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first device is a site, and the second device is an access point; or, The first device is the access point, and the second device is the site.

14. A communication method, comprising: Applied to a second device, the second device supporting a multi-link device (MLD), the MLD including a first link and a second link; the method includes: Receive first information from the first device via the second link; In response to the first information, the second device switches from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, the primary channel and the non-primary channel being located on the first link.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein, The first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel, and / or the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the primary channel to the non-primary channel.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that The method further includes: The second information is received from the first device via the second link, and the second information is used to identify the first link.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein, The second information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, characterized by, The method further includes: The third information, which is used to indicate the duration of a transmission opportunity, is received from the first device via the second link.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein, The third information is carried in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame.

20. The method according to any one of claims 14-19, characterized by, The method further includes: A fourth message is sent to the first device via the second link, the fourth message indicating that the second device is camped on the main channel.

21. The method of claim 20, wherein, The sending of the fourth information to the first device via the second link includes any one of the following: If the second device sends an initial control frame ICF on the main channel and does not receive an initial response frame ICR from the first device, it sends the fourth information to the first device through the second link. If the second device does not interact with the first device on the main channel for a first time period, the fourth information is sent to the first device through the second link. The other frames include any frame other than the initial control frame and the initial response frame. The second device sends an initial control frame (ICF) on the main channel, but does not receive an initial response frame (ICR) from the first device. And if the second device does not interact with the first device on the main channel for a first period of time, it sends the fourth information to the first device through the second link.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first duration is obtained from the maximum switching delay and the first time value; The maximum handover delay is the maximum value among the handover delays required for each site in the site providing wireless services to perform the non-primary channel access. The first time value is a positive number.

23. The method according to any one of claims 14-22, characterized in that, When the value of the bits occupied by the first information is a first value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel; When the value of the bit occupied by the first information is the second value, the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel; or, When the bit value occupied by the first information is a third value, the first information is used to instruct the first device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel, and the first information is used to instruct the second device to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel.

24. The method according to any one of claims 14-23, characterized in that, The first information is carried in a QoS NULL data frame or in other frames besides the QoS NULL data frame.

25. The method according to any one of claims 14-24, characterized by, The first information occupies bits in the A-control subfield of the QoS NULL data frame, and the value of the bit is any one of 10, 11, 12, 13, or 14.

26. The method according to any one of claims 14-25, characterized in that, The first device is a site, and the second device is an access point; or, The first device is an access point, and the second device is a site.

27. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a module or unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, or the communication device includes a module or unit for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-26.

28. A communications device, characterized by The communication device includes a processor, the processor being configured to support the communication device in performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, or the processor being configured to support the communication device in performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-26.

29. A communication system, characterized by The communication system includes a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, and / or a communication device for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-26.

30. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-13, or cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 14-26.

31. A computer program product, characterised in that, The computer program product comprises computer instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-13, or cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 14-26.

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