Uplink coordinated beamforming (c-BF) method, apparatus, and device

Abstract

The present application provides an uplink coordinated beamforming (C-BF) method, an apparatus, and a device. The method is applied to a first station associated with a first access point. The method comprises: the first station receives a first frame sent by a second access point, wherein the first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point coordination set, and the first frame is used for triggering the first station to start an uplink channel detection procedure; the first station sends a second frame, wherein the second frame is used for instructing the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and the first station sends a third frame, wherein the third frame is used for the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to acquire the uplink channel information.

Description

Uplink Cooperative Beamforming (C-BF) Method, Apparatus, and Equipment

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411613349.2, filed on November 12, 2024, entitled “Uplink Cooperative Beamforming C-BF Method, Apparatus and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, apparatus, and device. Background Technology

[0004] In related technologies, Coordinated Beamforming (C-BF) is introduced to improve system throughput and reduce latency. Access points can obtain downlink Channel State Information (CSI) through the downlink C-BF channel probing process, which is used to calculate the downlink precoding matrix. Specifically, the access point can send a Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA) frame to instruct the station to report the downlink CSI. Further, the access point can send a Null Data Packet (NDP) for the station to perform channel estimation and obtain the downlink CSI, and then the station reports the downlink CSI to the access point. However, the downlink C-BF channel probing process cannot be directly used for uplink C-BF channel probing. Therefore, how to implement the uplink C-BF channel probing process for uplink precoding matrix calculation, thereby ensuring the transmission performance of uplink C-BF, is a problem that urgently needs to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, apparatus, and device that can achieve uplink channel detection and ensure the transmission performance of uplink C-BF.

[0006] Firstly, an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method is provided, applied to a first site associated with a first access point, including:

[0007] The first station receives a first frame sent by the second access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process.

[0008] The first station sends a second frame, which is used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0009] The first station sends a third frame, which is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0010] Secondly, an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method is provided, including:

[0011] The second access point sends a first frame, which is used to trigger at least one site to start the uplink channel detection process. The at least one site includes a first site, which is associated with a first access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0012] The second access point receives a second frame sent by the first site, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0013] The second access point receives a third frame sent by the first site. The third frame is used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0014] Thirdly, an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method is provided, including:

[0015] The second access point sends an eighth frame to the first access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0016] The second access point receives a second frame sent by the first site. The second frame is used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information. The first site is the site associated with the first access point.

[0017] The second access point receives a third frame sent by the first site. The third frame is used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0018] Fourthly, an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method is provided, including:

[0019] The first access point receives the eighth frame sent by the second access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0020] The first access point sends a ninth frame to the first site, the ninth frame being used to trigger the first site to initiate the uplink channel detection process, wherein the first site is the site associated with the first access point;

[0021] The first access point receives a second frame sent by the first site, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0022] The first access point receives a third frame sent by the first station. The third frame is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0023] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, wherein the communication device is a first station, or is disposed in a first station, the first station being associated with a first access point, the communication device comprising:

[0024] The receiving module is used to receive a first frame sent by the second access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process.

[0025] The transmitting module is configured to transmit a second frame, which instructs the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and to transmit a third frame, which is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0026] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, which is a second access point, or is disposed in a second access point, the communication device comprising:

[0027] The sending module is used to send a first frame, which is used to trigger at least one station to start the uplink channel detection process. The at least one station includes a first station, which is associated with a first access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0028] The receiving module is configured to receive a second frame sent by the first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and to receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0029] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a second access point, or is disposed in a second access point, the communication device comprising:

[0030] The sending module is used to send an eighth frame to the first access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0031] The receiving module is configured to receive a second frame sent by a first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information, the first station being a station associated with the first access point; and to receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0032] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, which is a first access point, or is disposed in a first access point, the communication device comprising:

[0033] The receiving module is used to receive the eighth frame sent by the second access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0034] The sending module is used to send a ninth frame to the first station, the ninth frame being used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process, wherein the first station is the station associated with the first access point;

[0035] The receiving module is further configured to: receive a second frame sent by the first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0036] A ninth aspect provides an access point including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the methods of any one of the second to fourth aspects or their respective implementations.

[0037] In a tenth aspect, a site is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to invoke and run the computer program stored in the memory, performing the methods of the first aspect or its implementations described above.

[0038] Eleventhly, a chip is provided for implementing the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device equipped with the chip to perform the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or their respective implementations.

[0039] In a twelfth aspect, a readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or their respective implementations.

[0040] In a thirteenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or their respective implementations.

[0041] In a fourteenth aspect, a computer program is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to fourth aspects or their respective implementations.

[0042] Through the above technical solution, the second AP in the multi-AP cooperative set can trigger the associated STA of other APs in the multi-AP cooperative set to start the uplink channel detection process through the first frame. Thus, the associated STA of other APs in the multi-AP cooperative set can send the second and third frames based on the first frame, which are used by the APs in the multi-AP cooperative set to perform uplink channel detection and obtain uplink channel information, thereby realizing the channel detection process for uplink C-BF. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a DL C-BF provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a UL C-BF provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0046] Figure 4 is a signal model diagram of a UL C-BF provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the UL SU PPDU transmission process based on BF.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic interactive diagram of an uplink C-BF method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0049] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0050] Figure 8 is a schematic format diagram of the Common Info field of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic format diagram of the User Info List field of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a frame format of a second frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 11 is a schematic format diagram of the STA Info List field of a second frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0054] Figure 12 is a schematic interactive diagram of another uplink C-BF method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0055] Figure 13 is a schematic interactive diagram of an uplink channel information feedback method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0056] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a fourth frame format provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0057] Figure 15 is a schematic format of some fields of the User Info List field in the fourth frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0058] Figure 16 is a schematic interactive diagram of another uplink channel information feedback method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0059] Figure 17 is a schematic interactive diagram of a feedback method for completing uplink channel information collection provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0060] Figure 18 is a schematic interactive diagram of another feedback method for completing uplink channel information collection provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0061] Figure 19 is a schematic interactive diagram of a C-BF transmission triggering method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0062] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0063] Figure 21 is a schematic format diagram of some fields of the Common Info field in the seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0064] Figure 22 is a schematic format diagram of the User Info List field in the seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure 23 shows a schematic format diagram of the Trigger Dependent User Info field in a User Info List field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0066] Figure 24 is a schematic interactive diagram of another C-BF transmission triggering method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0067] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0068] Figures 26 to 30 are schematic interactive diagrams of the uplink C-BF method provided in the embodiments of this application, taking the scenario shown in Figure 25 as an example.

[0069] Figure 31 is a schematic interactive diagram of another channel detection process provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0070] Figure 32 is a schematic interactive diagram of a channel detection process using the scenario shown in Figure 25 as an example.

[0071] Figure 33 is a schematic interactive diagram of another channel detection process provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 34 is a schematic interactive diagram of another channel detection process, using the scenario shown in Figure 25 as an example.

[0073] Figure 35 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0075] Figure 37 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0076] Figure 38 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0077] Figure 39 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0078] Figure 40 is a schematic block diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0079] Figure 41 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0080] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort regarding the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0081] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a particular order.

[0082] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one item" refers to one item or more items, "more items" refers to two items or more, and "at least two items" refers to two items or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions can refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one item of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0083] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "and / or" indicates that the connected objects can have three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three scenarios: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0084] It should be understood that the "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction or an indirect instruction. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being obtainable through A; or it can mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, where B is obtainable through C, for example, B and C are related.

[0085] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, and specifically to any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series protocols used in WLANs, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 protocols. The methods provided in this application can be implemented by communication devices in a wireless communication system or by chips or processors within those devices. Accordingly, the communication device supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series protocols. Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to IEEE 802.11, primarily used in Europe), wide area network (WAN), WLAN, personal area network (PAN), ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless PAN systems, sensing systems, or other networks now known or to be developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0086] In the WiFi protocol, a station (abbreviated as STA) includes access point stations (abbreviated as AP STA) and non-access point stations (abbreviated as non-AP station). For the sake of simplicity, access point stations are usually called access points (abbreviated as AP), and non-access point stations are called stations (abbreviated as STA).

[0087] Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include an access point 110 and a station 120. The station 120 can access the network through the access point 110.

[0088] Access points can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0089] The site can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0090] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between access points and stations, or communication between stations, or communication between access points.

[0091] An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0092] In some scenarios, access points and sites can be devices used in vehicle networking, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0093] In some scenarios, the access point can be a terminal device with a WiFi chip (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router).

[0094] In the embodiments of this application, the site may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless device in industrial control, set-top box, wireless device in self-driving, vehicle communication device, wireless device in remote medical care, wireless device in smart grid, wireless device in transportation safety, wireless device in smart city or smart home, wireless device, wireless communication chip, etc. that support WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0095] It should be understood that Figure 1 only illustrates one access point and two sites. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple access points or other numbers of sites, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0096] Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include other devices, such as network controllers, gateways, and other network entities, which are not limited in this application.

[0097] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the beamforming (BF) technology related to this application will be described.

[0098] In related technologies, BF (Browser-based) technology has been supported since 802.11n. 802.11n defines various detection mechanisms to support BF operation. For example, in Single User (SU) transmissions, BF is supported on both the downlink (DL) and uplink (UL) of a single STA. In 802.11 11ax, BF does not support Trigger-Based (TB) Physical Protocol Data Units (PPDUs), such as Multi-User (MU) UL BF.

[0099] After the 802.11ax standard, there are two operating modes for UL transmission: (1) non-TB mode, which is a sequential mode in which no STA sends and receives one data at a time after secure access to the medium; (2) TB mode, which is a mode that allows multiple non-AP STAs to operate simultaneously. TB mode is further divided into DL MU and UL MU (belonging to the same Basic Service Set (BSS)).

[0100] DL MU refers to an AP simultaneously transmitting data to multiple associated STAs, while UL MU refers to multiple STAs simultaneously transmitting data to the AP. 802.11ax introduced a Trigger Frame (TF), which instructs the target receiver (usually a STA) to respond to the TF and transmit. The STA responds to the TF by sending a TB PPDU. In UL transmission, the STA triggered to send a TB PPDU is called the triggering STA. To ensure time and frequency alignment among multiple STAs, UL MU Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (MIMO) or UL MU OFDMA is triggered by the AP. In other words, a STA cannot transmit in UL in OFDMA and / or MU-MIMO mode without a TF. However, the BF in 802.11ax does not support TB PPDUs, meaning that MU UL BF cannot function properly.

[0101] In some scenarios, in order to improve system throughput and reduce latency, Coordinated Beamforming (C-BF) is introduced. C-BF includes the following three types: (1) All downlink, i.e., DL C-BF, as shown in Figure 2; (2) All uplink, i.e., UL C-BF, as shown in Figure 3;

[0102] (3) Partial upward or partial downward.

[0103] Figure 4 shows a signal model corresponding to UL C-BF. In this signal model, the antenna configuration is assumed to be as follows: each AP has M antennas and each STA has N antennas. Each AP performs Single User Multiple-Input Multiple-Output (SU-MIMO) transmit beamforming (TX-BF) precoding. Assume that the precoding matrix of STA11 is W1 and the precoding matrix of STA21 is W2.

[0104] For BSS1, the received signal y1 = H at AP1 11 W1x1+H 21W2x2+n1. For BSS2, the received signal at AP2 is y2=H 22 W2x2+H 12 W1x1+n2. Where, H 11 This represents the data channel from STA11 to AP1, where x1 represents the transmit signal of STA11, and H... 21 This represents the interference channel from STA21 to AP1, x2 represents the transmitted signal from STA21, n1 represents the noise at AP1, and H... 22 H represents the data channel from STA21 to AP2. 12 n1 represents the interference channel from STA11 to AP2, and n2 represents the noise at AP2.

[0105] OBSS interference can be eliminated through C-BF, i.e.: H 21 W2 = 0 makes the interference at AP1 zero, H 12 W1 = 0 sets the interference at AP2 to 0. The BF precoding matrix W1 is located at STA11, and the BF precoding matrix W2 is located at STA21. Therefore, this C-BF is a full uplink C-BF.

[0106] OBSS interference cancellation based on C-BF is achieved through the following steps:

[0107] Step 1: Zeroing out OBSS interference at STA:

[0108] The interference channel H obtained by STA11 12 Perform singular value decomposition. Obtain the zero-forcing precoding matrix W of its OBSS interference. 1,OBSS_null As shown in the following formula:

[0109] Similarly, for the interference channel H obtained by STA21 21 Singular value decomposition is performed to obtain the zero-forcing precoding matrix W of its OBSS interference. 2,OBSS_null As shown in the following formula:

[0110] Step 2: UL BF matrix corresponding to BSS at STA:

[0111] After the OBSS interference forces zero, the equivalent data channels (data channel concatenated OBSS interference zero-breaking matrix) and singular value decomposition forms corresponding to STA11->AP1 and STA21->AP2 are respectively...

[0112] Therefore, the BSS UL BF matrices corresponding to STA11 and STA21 can be obtained as follows:

[0113] W 11,BSS_BF =V11,eq (5)

[0114] W 22,BSS_BF =V 22,eq (6)

[0115] Step 3: Calculate the total equivalent precoding matrix at STA (BSS BF matrix * OBSS interference zero-forcing matrix)

[0116] According to equations (1)(2)(5)(6), the total equivalent precoding matrices at STA11 and STA21 are respectively

[0117] W1 = W 1,OBSS_null W 11,BSS_BF (7)

[0118] W2 = W 2,OBSS_null W 22,BSS_BF (8)

[0119] Step 4: After obtaining the total equivalent precoding matrix at STA, calculate the interference signal at AP.

[0120] The interference signals at AP1 and AP2 are respectively represented as follows:

[0121] The equivalent received signals at AP1 and AP2 are respectively represented as follows:

[0122] Equations (9) and (10) show that the effectiveness of interference cancellation at the AP depends on the interference cancellation method at the STA and the accuracy of the OBSS interference channel. Equations (11) and (12) show that the effectiveness of UL BF depends on the BSS BF method at the STA and the accuracy of the BSS channel (i.e., the data channel). Therefore, full uplink C-BF depends on the accuracy of the OBSS interference channel and the BSS data channel, while the acquisition of the OBSS interference channel and the BSS data channel depends on the channel probing process.

[0123] The 802.11ax standard supports BF-based UL SU PPDU transmission, as shown in Figure 5, which includes the following steps:

[0124] Step 1: The STA sends an NDPA frame, which indicates the parameters requested by the STA for the BF feedback.

[0125] Step 2: STA sends NDP frames.

[0126] Step 3: The AP sends a Beamforming Report (BFR) frame, which carries BF information and / or precoding information, such as precoding vectors or precoding matrices.

[0127] Step 4: The STA sends uplink data based on the precoding matrix.

[0128] Step 5: The AP sends a Block Acknowledge (BA) frame back to the STA.

[0129] However, existing standards do not support channel detection for UL C-BF. Therefore, how to implement a channel detection process for UL C-BF for UL C-BF transmission is an urgent problem to be solved.

[0130] The technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0131] Figure 6 is a schematic interactive diagram of an uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method 200 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6, the method 200 includes at least the following:

[0132] S201, the first station (i.e., the first STA) receives the first frame sent by the second access point (i.e., the second AP). The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection procedure. The first station is associated with the first access point (i.e., the first AP). The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0133] S202, the first station sends a second frame, the second frame being used to instruct multiple access points to feed back uplink channel information, wherein the multiple access points include the first access point and the second access point;

[0134] S203, the first station sends a third frame, which is used by the plurality of access points to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information, such as uplink CSI.

[0135] In the embodiments of this application, a multi-access point collaboration set or a multi-AP collaboration group is referred to as a collaboration set or collaboration group.

[0136] In some embodiments, the second AP can be a master AP or a sharing AP in a multi-AP collaboration set, and the first AP can be a slave AP or a shared AP in the multi-AP collaboration set. The following description uses the second AP as the master AP and the first AP as the slave AP as an example, but this application is not limited to this.

[0137] In some embodiments, the first STA can be the OBSS STA of the second AP, or the second AP can be the OBSS AP of the first STA. Therefore, the first STA can receive the first frame sent by the second AP.

[0138] In some embodiments, the first frame may be used to trigger at least one STA to initiate an uplink channel probing process, wherein the at least one STA is an associated STA of an AP in a multi-AP cooperative set to which the second AP belongs. For example, the at least one site may include a first site associated with the first AP.

[0139] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the master AP can trigger the associated STA of the AP in the multi-AP cooperative set to start the uplink channel detection process through the first frame. That is, the first frame can realize the triggering of the uplink channel detection process across BSS. For ease of distinction and explanation, this channel detection triggering method is referred to as uplink channel detection triggering method one.

[0140] Figure 7 is a schematic interactive diagram of another uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method 300 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7, the method 300 includes at least the following:

[0141] S301, the second access point (i.e., the second AP) sends an eighth frame to the first access point (i.e., the first AP). The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0142] S302, the first access point and the second access point receive a second frame sent by the first station (i.e., the first STA), the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information, the first station being the station associated with the first access point;

[0143] S303, the first access point and the second access point receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0144] In the embodiments of this application, a multi-access point collaboration set or a multi-AP collaboration group is referred to as a collaboration set or collaboration group.

[0145] In some embodiments, the second AP can be a master AP or a sharing AP in a multi-AP collaboration set, and the first AP can be a slave AP or a shared AP in the multi-AP collaboration set. The following description uses the second AP as the master AP and the first AP as the slave AP as an example, but this application is not limited to this.

[0146] Therefore, in this embodiment of the application, the master AP can trigger the slave AP in the multi-AP cooperative set to send the ninth frame through the eighth frame, thereby triggering the associated STA of the slave AP to start the uplink channel detection process. For ease of distinction and explanation, this channel detection triggering method is referred to as uplink channel detection triggering method two.

[0147] The frame design in the above-mentioned uplink channel detection triggering method one and uplink channel detection triggering method two will be explained below.

[0148] In some embodiments, the first frame may be referred to as an uplink channel sounding trigger frame, an uplink sounding request (ULSR) frame, an uplink measurement request (ULMR) frame, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0149] In some embodiments, the first frame can trigger a STA to start the uplink channel detection process. That is, the second AP only triggers one STA to start the uplink channel detection process at a time. After the uplink channel detection process for that STA is completed, the second AP sends the first frame to trigger the next STA to start the uplink channel detection process. In other words, the uplink channel detection processes of multiple STAs can be executed sequentially.

[0150] In other embodiments, the first frame can trigger multiple STAs to start the uplink channel detection process. That is, the second AP can trigger multiple STAs to start the uplink channel detection process at the same time. For example, after receiving the first frame, the multiple STAs can jointly execute the uplink channel detection process. In other words, the uplink channel detection process of the multiple STAs can be jointly executed.

[0151] In some embodiments, the first frame may instruct the second AP to trigger the uplink channel probing process for a target STA. The target STA may include one STA or multiple STAs. The target STA may include the associated STA of the second AP or the non-associated STA of the second AP, such as an OBSS STA. Therefore, the first frame needs to implement STA addressing across BSS.

[0152] In some embodiments, the second frame may indicate the target AP that feeds back uplink channel information. The target AP may include one AP or multiple APs. The target AP may include the AP associated with the first STA or the AP not associated with the first STA, such as an OBSS AP. Therefore, the second frame needs to implement AP addressing across BSS.

[0153] In some embodiments, the ninth frame may also be referred to as an uplink channel detection trigger frame, a ULSR frame, a ULMR frame, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0154] In some embodiments, the ninth frame can be used to instruct the first AP to trigger the uplink channel probing process for the target associated STA, that is, the ninth frame only needs to address the STA within the BSS.

[0155] In some embodiments, the eighth frame may be referred to as ULSR MAP TF, ULMR MAP TF, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0156] In some embodiments, the eighth frame may indicate the target AP that triggers the sending of the ninth frame, meaning that the eighth frame needs to address the AP.

[0157] The following describes the addressing methods for APs and STAs within the multi-AP cooperative set provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0158] In some embodiments, a multi-AP collaboration set can be identified by a Coordinated Group ID (CGID). Different multi-AP collaboration sets have different CGIDs, and a multi-AP collaboration set can include multiple APs participating in the collaboration.

[0159] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the name of the collaboration group identifier is only an example and can be replaced with other names, such as collaboration set identifier, multi-AP collaboration set identifier, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0160] In some embodiments, an AP within a multi-AP collaboration set can be identified by a Coordinated AP ID (CAID). Within a multi-AP collaboration set, different APs have different Coordinated AP IDs.

[0161] Optionally, the CGID corresponding to an AP can be represented by the BSS color corresponding to the AP, or other identifiers can be used, as long as each AP in the multi-AP collaboration set has a unique identifier. For example, the APs in the multi-AP collaboration set can be numbered, with each AP corresponding to a unique number, which can be considered as the CGID of the AP.

[0162] Optionally, the main AP can decide whether to use the BSS Color corresponding to the AP's CAID as needed.

[0163] In some embodiments, the STA associated with an AP in a multi-AP collaboration set can be identified by the CGID, the CAID corresponding to the AP in the multi-AP collaboration set, and the AID of the STA, where the AID is the AID of the STA associated with the AP corresponding to the CAID. It can be understood that the collaboration identifier of a STA includes the CGID, CAID, and AID.

[0164] Therefore, in the embodiments of this application, within or between multiple AP cooperation sets, APs in the multiple AP cooperation set can be addressed using CGID and CAID, and STA addressing across BSS or multiple AP cooperation sets can be achieved using CGID, CAID, and AID, reducing potential conflicts between AIDs in different BSSs.

[0165] In some embodiments of this application, the CGID corresponding to the multi-AP collaboration set and the CAID corresponding to the APs within the multi-AP collaboration set can be determined by the master AP or the sharing AP. For example, before the multi-AP collaboration set is established, the STAs within each BSS do not know the collaboration group information (e.g., CGID and CAID). After the multi-AP collaboration set is established, the master AP or the sharing AP can determine the collaboration group information (e.g., CGID and CAID) and distribute the collaboration group information (e.g., CGID and CAID) to the STAs within the multi-AP collaboration set, for example, through the STA's associated AP.

[0166] In some embodiments, the first frame may be a trigger frame for Multiple Access Point Coordination (MAPC or MAP), or a MAP trigger frame. For example, a new type of trigger frame may be defined for multiple AP coordination, such as for triggering uplink channel probing procedures across BSS.

[0167] In some embodiments, the ninth frame can also be a MAP trigger frame. Unlike the first frame, the ninth frame is used to indicate the associated STA that triggers the uplink channel detection process. That is, the ninth frame only needs to address the STA within the BSS. Therefore, the first AP can address the associated STA through AID.

[0168] In some embodiments, the eighth frame can also be a MAP trigger frame. Unlike the first frame, the eighth frame is used to indicate the target AP that triggers the transmission of the ninth frame; therefore, the eighth frame needs to address the AP. For example, the second AP can address the AP that triggers the transmission of the ninth frame using CGID and CAID. Figure 8 shows a schematic diagram of the frame format of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8, the MAP trigger frame may include a Common Info field and a User Info List field. When the MAP trigger frame is used to trigger the uplink channel probing process across BSS (i.e., the function of the first frame), the User Info List field is used to indicate the information of the target STA that triggers the uplink channel probing process.

[0169] In some embodiments, the Common Info field may include at least one of the following fields:

[0170] The first field (or Coordination Type field) is used to indicate the coordination type of the MAP trigger frame;

[0171] The second field is used to indicate the receiver type of the MAP trigger frame;

[0172] The third field (or OBSS TF field) is used to indicate whether the MAP trigger frame is triggered across BSS, or in other words, whether the MAP trigger frame is used to trigger users across BSS.

[0173] The Duration field indicates the transmission time of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame.

[0174] The Duration Unit field indicates the unit corresponding to the transmission time of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first field may be used to indicate at least one of the following collaboration types:

[0176] Coordinated Spatial Reuse (C-SR), Coordinated BF, Coordinated Time Division Multiple Access (C-TDMA), and Coordinated Restricted Target Wake Time (C-RTWT).

[0177] Optionally, different values ​​for the first field can be used to indicate different collaboration types. Table 1 shows one correspondence between the values ​​of the first field and the corresponding collaboration types, but this application is not limited to this, as long as different collaboration types correspond to different values.

[0178] Table 1

[0179] In some embodiments, the second field may be used to indicate the type of expected receiver for the MAP trigger frame, such as whether all expected receivers are APs, all are STAs, or include both APs and STAs.

[0180] In some embodiments, the second field may include at least one of the following fields:

[0181] The "To All APs" field indicates whether all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are APs.

[0182] The "To All STAs" field indicates whether all expected receivers for the MAP trigger frame are STAs.

[0183] The receiving end includes STA and AP indication (or To AP / STA) fields, which are used to indicate whether the expected receiving end of the MAP trigger frame includes both AP and STA.

[0184] Optionally, the "To All Aps" field is used to indicate whether all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are APs. For example, a value of 1 indicates that all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are APs, and a value of 0 indicates that not all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are APs. Alternatively, the opposite can be indicated, and this application does not limit this.

[0185] Optionally, the "To All STAs" field is used to indicate whether all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are STAs. For example, a value of 1 indicates that all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are STAs, and a value of 0 indicates that not all expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are STAs. Alternatively, the opposite can be indicated, and this application does not limit this.

[0186] Optionally, the To AP / STA field is used to indicate that the expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame include both AP and STA. For example, a value of 1 indicates that the expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame include both AP and STA, a value of 0 indicates that the expected receivers of the MAP trigger frame are not a mixture of AP and STA, or vice versa, which is not limited in this application.

[0187] In some embodiments, the third field is used to determine whether the MAP trigger frame is triggered across a BSS. For example, when the MAP trigger frame is used to perform the function of the first frame (i.e., to trigger an uplink channel sounding process for a STA across a BSS), the third field can be used to indicate that the MAP trigger frame is triggered across a BSS. Alternatively, when the MAP trigger frame is used to perform the function of the ninth frame described below (i.e., to trigger an uplink channel sounding process for a STA (i.e., associated STA) within a BSS), the third field can be used to indicate that the MAP trigger frame is not triggered across a BSS.

[0188] In some embodiments, the Duration field can be used to indicate the transmission duration of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame. For example, when the MAP trigger frame is used to implement the function of the first frame, and the first frame is used to trigger the transmission of the second frame, the Duration field can be used to indicate the transmission duration of the second frame. For example, when the MAP trigger frame is used to implement the function of the twelfth frame (or UL BF MAP-TF) hereinafter, and the UL BF MAP-TF is used to trigger the transmission of the UL BF TF frame, the Duration field can be used to indicate the transmission duration of the UL BF TF frame. For example, when the MAP trigger frame is used to implement the function of the eighth frame (or ULSR MAP-TF) hereinafter, and the ULSR MAP-TF is used to trigger the transmission of the ninth frame (or ULSR frame), the Duration field can be used to indicate the transmission duration of the ninth frame (or ULSR frame).

[0189] In some embodiments, the Duration Unit field is used to indicate the unit corresponding to the transmission time length of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame.

[0190] As an example and not a limitation, the Duration Unit field may be used to indicate at least one of the following length units:

[0191] 64us, 128us, 256us, 1024us.

[0192] Optionally, the Duration field can be 8 bits, and the Duration Unit field can be 2 bits. As an example and not a limitation, the correspondence between the values ​​of the Duration Unit field and their corresponding meanings can be shown in Table 2.

[0193] Table 2

[0194] Figure 9 shows a schematic format diagram of the Common Info field of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the Common Info field may include at least one of the following fields:

[0195] Coordination Type indicates the coordination type corresponding to the MAP trigger frame;

[0196] The "To All APs" field indicates whether all expected receivers for the MAP trigger frame are APs.

[0197] The "To All STAs" field indicates whether all expected receivers for the MAP trigger frame are STAs.

[0198] The receiving end includes STA and AP indication (or To AP / STA) fields, which are used to indicate that the expected receiving end of the MAP trigger frame includes both AP and STA;

[0199] The OBSS TF field is used to indicate whether the MAP trigger frame is triggered across BSS.

[0200] The Duration field indicates the transmission time of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame.

[0201] The Duration Unit field indicates the unit corresponding to the transmission time of the frame triggered by the MAP trigger frame.

[0202] In some embodiments of this application, the User Info List field of the MAP trigger frame includes at least one of the following fields:

[0203] The first identifier field is used to indicate the identifier of the multi-AP collaboration set, such as the identifier of the multi-access point collaboration set to which the associated access point of the site triggered by the first frame belongs.

[0204] The second identification field is used to indicate the identifier of the AP, such as the identifier of the associated access point of the site triggered by the first frame;

[0205] The third identifier field is used to indicate the identifier of the STA, such as the identifier of the station that was triggered by the first frame;

[0206] The first indication field (or OBSS Mode field) is used to indicate that the receiver of the MAP trigger frame and the sender of the MAP trigger frame belong to the same BSS, or that the BSS to which the receiver of the MAP trigger frame belongs and the BSS to which the sender of the MAP trigger frame belongs are OBSS.

[0207] The second indication field (or transmission operation (TX Operation) field) is used to indicate the transmission operation type corresponding to the MAP trigger frame;

[0208] The third indication field (or Need ACK field) is used to indicate whether a response is needed to the MAP trigger frame.

[0209] In some embodiments, the first identifier field is used to indicate the CGID corresponding to the multi-AP collaboration set.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second identification field may be used to indicate the CAID of the AP, such as the CAID of the AP associated with the STA triggered by the first frame.

[0211] In some embodiments, the third identifier may be used to indicate the AID of the STA, such as the AID of the STA triggered by the first frame.

[0212] In some embodiments, the OBSS Mode field is used to indicate the relationship between the receiver and the transmitter of the MAP trigger frame. For example, the receiver and the transmitter of the MAP trigger frame belong to the same BSS (or are associated with each other), or the BSS to which the receiver and the BSS to which the transmitter belong are both OBSS (or, the receiver and the transmitter of the MAP trigger frame form an OBSS pair). In embodiments of this application, an OBSS pair may include a STA and a corresponding OBSS AP, or an AP and a corresponding OBSS STA.

[0213] In other embodiments, the OBSS Mode field can also be considered as indicating the triggering mode of the MAP trigger frame, for example, whether the MAP trigger frame is sent by an OBSS AP or an OBSS STA, or whether the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is an OBSS STA or an OBSS AP.

[0214] In some embodiments, the OBSS Mode field can be 1 bit. For example, when the 1 bit is 1, it indicates that the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is an OBSS AP or an OBSS STA, that is, the MAP trigger frame is triggered by an OBSS STA or an OBSS AP. For example, when the 1 bit is 0, it indicates that the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is an associated STA (or InBSS STA) or an associated AP (or InBSS AP), that is, the MAP trigger frame is triggered by an associated STA (or InBSS STA) or an associated AP (or InBSS AP). Alternatively, the reverse can also be indicated, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0215] In some embodiments, the TX Operation field can be used to indicate the transmission operation type corresponding to the MAP trigger frame, or the frame type corresponding to the MAP trigger frame, or the function type. For example, when the TX Operation field takes a first value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the first frame. As another example, when the TX Operation field takes a second value (e.g., 1), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the ninth frame. Yet another example, when the TX Operation field takes a third value (e.g., 4), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the eighth frame.

[0216] As an example and not a limitation, the correspondence between the values ​​of the TX Operation field and the corresponding transmission operation types can be shown in Table 3.

[0217] Table 3

[0218] It should be understood that the correspondence in Table 3 above is only an example. As long as each transmission operation type corresponds to a unique value, this application does not limit it. It should also be understood that in a specific implementation, all the correspondences in Table 3 may be included, or only some of the correspondences may be included.

[0219] In some embodiments, the Need ACK field can be 1 bit, for example, a value of 1 indicates that a response to the MAP trigger frame is required, and a value of 0 indicates that a response to the MAP trigger frame is not required. Alternatively, the reverse can also be used, and this application does not limit this.

[0220] In some embodiments, the User Info List field may further include a Target Receive Power field, which indicates the expected receive power of the receiver of the signal sent by the receiver of the MAP trigger frame.

[0221] Figure 10 shows a schematic format diagram of the User Info List field of a MAP trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the User Info List field may include at least one of the following fields:

[0222] The AID12 field is used to indicate the AID of the site that triggered the MAP trigger frame;

[0223] The CAID field is used to indicate the CAID of the associated AP of the STA that was triggered by the MAP trigger frame;

[0224] The CGID field is used to indicate the CGID of the multi-AP cooperation set to which the associated AP of the STA that triggered the MAP trigger frame belongs;

[0225] The OBSS Mode field is used to indicate whether the MAP trigger frame is sent by an OBSS AP or an OBSS STA, or whether the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is an OBSS STA or an OBSS AP.

[0226] The TX Operation field indicates the type of transmission operation corresponding to the MAP trigger frame;

[0227] The Need ACK field is used to indicate whether a response is needed to the MAP trigger frame.

[0228] In some embodiments, the values ​​of the To All Aps, To All STAs, To AP / STA, and OBSS TF fields in the public information fields determine the format of the User Info List.

[0229] For example, when the public information field indicates that the expected receiver for the MAP trigger frame is an InBSS STA, the User Info List field may include the AID12 field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, Need ACK field, and Target Receive Power field.

[0230] For example, when the public information field indicates that the expected receiver of the MAP-triggered frame includes an OBSS STA, the User Info List field may include the AID12 field, CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, Need ACK field, and Target Receive Power field.

[0231] For example, when the public information field indicates that the expected receiver of the MAP-triggered frame is an AP, the User Info List field may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0232] For example, when the public information field indicates that the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is both an AP and an OBSS STA, the User Info List field may include the AID12 field, CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, Need ACK field, and Need ACK field. When the expected receiver of the MAP trigger frame is an AP, the AID12 field can take the reserved value of the AID12 field, such as 2047.

[0233] As mentioned earlier, the second frame needs to address APs across BSSs. In some implementations, this can be achieved through cross-BSS control frames, such as cross-BSS NDPA frames. For example, the STA Info List field in the second frame may include CAID and CGID fields for addressing APs across BSSs.

[0234] In some embodiments, the expected receiver of the first frame is a cross-BSS STA (e.g., an OBSS STA). Therefore, the first AP can address the OBSS STA via AID, CAID, and CGID. For example, the OBSS TF field of the first frame can indicate that the MAP-triggered frame is cross-BSS triggered, and the User Info List field of the first frame can include the AID12 field, CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, Need ACK field, and Target Receive Power field.

[0235] In some embodiments, the expected receiver of the ninth frame is the associated STA, so the first AP can address the associated STA via AID. For example, the OBSS TF field of the ninth frame can indicate that the MAP-triggered frame is not triggered across BSS, and the user information list of the ninth frame may include the AID12 field, TX Operation field, Need ACK field, and Target Receive Power field.

[0236] In some embodiments, the intended receiver of the eighth frame is the target AP that triggered the transmission of the ninth frame. Therefore, the eighth frame can address the AP using CGID and CAID. For example, the user information list in the eighth frame may include a CAID field, a CGID field, an OBSS Mode field, a TX Operation field, and a Need ACK field.

[0237] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a second frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the second frame may include at least one STA Info List field to indicate the target AP that feeds back uplink channel information.

[0238] Figure 12 illustrates a schematic format of the STA Info List field of a second frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the STA Info List field may include a CAID field and a CGID field. The CAID field is used to indicate the CAID of the target AP that feeds back uplink channel information, and the CGID field is used to indicate the CGID of the multi-AP cooperative set to which the target AP that feeds back uplink channel information belongs, thereby realizing AP addressing across BSS.

[0239] In some embodiments, when the second frame is used to address the AP within the BSS, the second frame may adopt the frame format of an NDPA frame of an existing standard (e.g., 802.11be, or 802.11 Basic Standard Version 802.11-2020). For example, method 200 or 300 may include:

[0240] The first site sends a second frame to the first access point, wherein the second frame may adopt the frame format of an NDPA frame in an existing standard (e.g., 802.11be, or 802.11 Basic Standard 802.11-2020 version).

[0241] In some embodiments, the third frame may include, but is not limited to, an NDP frame, which is used by the STA that receives the third frame to perform channel estimation based on the NDP frame to obtain uplink channel information, such as uplink CSI.

[0242] In summary, the embodiments of this application provide an uplink channel detection triggering method. The master AP can trigger the associated STA of the AP in the multi-AP cooperation set to start the uplink channel detection process through the first frame. Thus, the associated STA of the AP in the multi-AP cooperation set can send the second and third frames based on the first frame, so that the AP in the multi-AP cooperation set can perform uplink channel detection to obtain uplink channel information.

[0243] This application embodiment also provides another uplink channel detection triggering method two. The master AP can trigger the slave AP in the multi-AP cooperative set to send the ninth frame through the eighth frame. Thus, the slave AP can send the ninth frame to trigger the associated STA of the slave AP to start the uplink channel detection process. Furthermore, the associated STA of the slave AP can send the second and third frames based on the ninth frame for the AP in the multi-AP cooperative set to perform uplink channel detection to obtain uplink channel information.

[0244] The above, with reference to Figures 6 to 12, illustrates two triggering methods for the uplink channel detection process provided in the embodiments of this application. The following, with reference to Figures 13 to 16, illustrates the feedback method of uplink channel information after obtaining uplink channel information by performing channel estimation on the third frame at the access point. The uplink channel information feedback method exemplified below can be combined with the uplink channel detection triggering method one shown in Figure 6, or it can be combined with the uplink channel detection triggering method two shown in Figure 12. This application does not limit this.

[0245] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG13, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0246] Step 1: The first station sends a fourth frame, which is used to trigger multiple access points (including the first access point and the second access point) to feed back uplink channel information;

[0247] Step 2: The first station receives a fifth frame sent by multiple access points (e.g., including the first access point and the second access point). The fifth frame includes uplink channel information fed back by the access points.

[0248] That is, in the embodiments of this application, the STA can trigger multiple APs to feed back uplink channel information through the fourth frame. Furthermore, the multiple APs can feed back uplink channel information to the STA based on the triggering of the fourth frame, thereby realizing the collection of uplink channel information on the STA side. For ease of distinction and explanation, this uplink channel information feedback method is referred to as uplink channel information feedback method one.

[0249] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG14, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0250] Step 1: The second access point sends a fifth frame to the first site, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point;

[0251] Step 2: The second access point sends the tenth frame to the first access point, which is used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station;

[0252] Step 3: Based on the triggering of the tenth frame, the first access point sends the fifth frame to the first station. The fifth frame includes the uplink channel information fed back by the first access point.

[0253] That is, in the embodiments of this application, after the main AP obtains uplink channel information by performing channel estimation based on NDP, it can autonomously feed back the uplink channel information to the STA. After completing the feedback of uplink channel information, the main AP can also trigger the feedback of uplink channel information from the AP to the associated STA through the tenth frame, thereby realizing the collection of uplink channel information on the STA side. For ease of distinction and explanation, this uplink channel information feedback method is referred to as uplink channel information feedback method two.

[0254] The following section explains the frame design in both uplink channel information feedback method one and uplink channel information feedback method two.

[0255] In some embodiments, the fourth frame can be used to indicate the target AP that triggers the feedback uplink channel information. This target AP may include a first AP (i.e., the associated AP (or BSS AP) of the first STA) and a second AP (i.e., the OBSS AP of the first STA). That is, the fourth frame needs to enable addressing of APs across BSSs. For example, the fourth frame can enable addressing of APs across BSSs using CAID and CGID.

[0256] In some implementations, the fourth frame can be implemented using a cross-BSS trigger frame, such as a cross-BSS BFRP frame. For example, the fourth frame may include a User Info List field, which includes CAID and CGID fields for addressing APs across the BSS.

[0257] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the frame format of a fourth frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the fourth frame may include at least one User Info List field, which is used to indicate the target AP that triggers the feedback of uplink channel information.

[0258] Figure 16 illustrates a schematic format of some fields in the User Info List field of a fourth frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 16, the User Info List field may include a CAID field and a CGID field. The CAID field is used to indicate the CAID of the target AP that triggered the feedback uplink channel information, and the CGID field is used to indicate the CGID of the multi-AP cooperative set to which the target AP that triggered the feedback uplink channel information belongs, thereby enabling AP addressing across BSSs. The User Info List field may also include other fields (e.g., an RU allocation field) to indicate resource allocation information used for AP feedback uplink channel information.

[0259] In some embodiments, when the fourth frame is used to address the AP within the BSS, the fourth frame may adopt the frame format of a BFRP frame in an existing standard (e.g., 802.11be, or 802.11 Basic Standard 802.11-2020 version). For example, method 200 or 300 may further include:

[0260] The first site sends a fourth frame to the first access point, wherein the fourth frame may adopt the frame format of a BFRP frame in an existing standard (e.g., 802.11be, or 802.11 Basic Standard 802.11-2020 version).

[0261] In some embodiments, the fifth frame may include, but is not limited to, a BFR frame, which is used to carry uplink channel information fed back by the AP, such as uplink CSI.

[0262] In some embodiments, when uplink channel information feedback is performed using the second uplink channel information feedback method, multiple APs use the DL OFDMA method to send uplink channel information back to the site.

[0263] In some embodiments, the tenth frame is also called the uplink channel information reporting trigger frame, BFR MAP-TF, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0264] In some embodiments, the tenth frame can adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the foregoing embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the fourth value (e.g., 5), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the tenth frame. Since the receiver type of the tenth frame is all AP, in one implementation, the User Info List field of the tenth frame may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0265] The above, with reference to Figures 13 to 16, illustrates two feedback methods for uplink channel information provided in the embodiments of this application. In some embodiments of this application, after the STA completes the collection of uplink channel information, it is also necessary to inform the master AP that it has completed the collection of uplink channel information so that the master AP can trigger the uplink channel detection process of the next STA, or trigger the subsequent C-BF process, etc. The following, with reference to Figures 17 and 18, illustrates two feedback methods for the completion of uplink channel information collection on the STA side. It should be noted that the feedback methods for the completion of uplink channel information collection exemplified below can be combined with any of the aforementioned uplink channel detection triggering methods and any of the aforementioned uplink channel information feedback methods; this application does not limit this.

[0266] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG17, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0267] Step 1: The first station sends a sixth frame to the second access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0268] That is, in the embodiments of this application, after the STA completes the collection of uplink channel information, it can directly inform the master AP that it has completed the collection of uplink channel information through the sixth frame. For ease of distinction and explanation, this feedback method for the completion of uplink channel information collection is referred to as uplink channel information collection completion feedback method one.

[0269] In some embodiments, the sixth frame may be referred to as the Uplink Sounding Ack (ULSA) frame, the Uplink Sounding Ack (ULMA) frame, or other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0270] In some embodiments, in the uplink channel information collection completion feedback method one, the sixth frame can adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the fifth value (e.g., 2), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the sixth frame. Since the receiving end of the sixth frame is an OBSS AP, in one implementation, the User Info List field of the sixth frame may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0271] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG18, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0272] Step 1: The first station sends a sixth frame to the first access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information;

[0273] Step 2: The first access point sends an eleventh frame to the second access point. The eleventh frame is used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0274] That is, in the embodiments of this application, after the STA completes the collection of uplink channel information, it can inform its associated AP that it has completed the collection of uplink channel information through the sixth frame. Furthermore, the associated AP of the STA can inform the master AP that the STA has completed the collection of uplink channel information through the eleventh frame, so that the master AP can know that the STA has completed the collection of uplink channel information. For ease of distinction and explanation, this feedback method of uplink channel information collection completion is referred to as uplink channel information collection completion feedback method two.

[0275] In some embodiments, the eleventh frame is also called the uplink channel detection completion feedback trigger frame, ULSA MAP TF, or ULMA MAP TF, or may be other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0276] In some embodiments, in the second uplink channel information collection completion feedback method, the sixth frame can adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the aforementioned embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the fifth value (e.g., 2), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the sixth frame. In this second uplink channel information collection completion feedback method, since the receiving end of the sixth frame is the associated AP of the first STA, the first STA can address the AP through BSS Color.

[0277] In some embodiments, the eleventh frame can adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the foregoing embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the sixth value (e.g., 3), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the eleventh frame. In this uplink channel information collection completion feedback method two, the receiving end of the eleventh frame is the AP. In one implementation, the User Info List field of the eleventh frame may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0278] In some embodiments of this application, the station can calculate a precoding matrix for C-BF transmission based on the collected uplink channel information, and further perform C-BF transmission based on the precoding matrix. For example, in the scenario of Figure 3, STA21 can calculate a precoding matrix based on the collected uplink channel information fed back by AP1 and AP2 to ensure that the interference to AP1 is zero when STA21 performs C-BF transmission.

[0279] In some embodiments of this application, in order to avoid the Carrier Sense Multiple Access (CSMA) mechanism restricting the data transmitted by the STA, it is necessary to ensure that the STAs participating in C-BF transmission transmit simultaneously and are aligned in time. The triggering method of C-BF transmission on the STA side is described below with reference to Figures 19 to 24.

[0280] Optionally, in some embodiments of this application, for a BSS, the number of STAs participating in uplink C-BF is one. That is, only one STA in each BSS participates in C-BF.

[0281] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG19, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0282] Step 1: The second access point sends a seventh frame to the first site, which is used to trigger the first site to perform C-BF transmission.

[0283] That is, in the embodiments of this application, the main AP can directly trigger the STA to perform C-BF transmission through the seventh frame. For ease of distinction and explanation, this C-BF transmission triggering method is referred to as uplink C-BF transmission triggering method one.

[0284] Therefore, the seventh frame can be used to trigger C-BF transmission for OBSS STAs; that is, the seventh frame needs to enable STA addressing across BSSs. For example, the primary AP can address STAs using CGID, CAID, and AID.

[0285] In some embodiments of this application, as shown in FIG20, method 200 or method 300 may further include:

[0286] Step 1: The second access point sends the twelfth frame to the first access point. The twelfth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the seventh frame to the first station. The seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission.

[0287] Step 2: The first access point sends a seventh frame to the first site, which is used to trigger the first site to perform C-BF transmission.

[0288] That is, in the embodiments of this application, the primary AP can trigger its associated STA to perform C-BF transmission by sending the seventh frame from the AP through the twelfth frame. For ease of distinction and explanation, this C-BF transmission triggering method is referred to as uplink C-BF transmission triggering method two.

[0289] The frame design in the above-mentioned C-BF transmission triggering mode one and C-BF transmission triggering mode two is described below. In some embodiments, the seventh frame is also called the uplink beamforming trigger (UL BF TF) frame, or the uplink C-BF trigger frame, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0290] In some embodiments, the seventh frame may indicate the target STA that triggers the C-BF transmission. The target STA may include an associated STA or an OBSS STA.

[0291] In some embodiments, the seventh frame may also indicate the cooperation parameters for the triggered C-BF transmission, such as the contention window parameter or the Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) parameter for C-BF transmission, to ensure that multiple STAs participating in C-BF transmission start transmitting and stop transmitting at the same time, avoiding mutual interference caused by uplink transmissions not being executed simultaneously among multiple STAs participating in C-BF transmission.

[0292] In some embodiments, the seventh frame includes at least one of the following fields:

[0293] The first identifier field is used to indicate the identifier of the multi-AP cooperative set to which the associated AP of the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission belongs, such as the CGID of the multi-AP cooperative set;

[0294] The second identifier field is used to indicate the identifier of the associated AP of the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission, such as the CAID of the associated AP;

[0295] The third identifier field is used to indicate the identifier of the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission, such as the STA's AID;

[0296] The fourth indication field (or Transmission Mode field) is used to indicate the transmission type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0297] The fifth indication field (or BF mode field) is used to indicate the BF type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0298] The sixth indication field is used to indicate the contention reference parameter or transmission opportunity (TXOP) parameter corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame.

[0299] In some embodiments, the fourth indication field may be used to indicate at least one of the following transmission types:

[0300] In-BSS UL SU Transmission;

[0301] In-BSS UL MU Transmission;

[0302] Uplink single-user transport across BSS (OBSS UL SU Trans);

[0303] Uplink multi-user transport across BSS (OBSS UL MU Trans).

[0304] In some embodiments, the fourth indication field can be 2 bits, and different values ​​of these 2 bits are used to indicate different transmission types. Table 4 shows a correspondence between the values ​​of the fourth indication field and their corresponding meanings provided in an embodiment of this application, but this application is not limited to this, as long as each meaning corresponds to a unique value.

[0305] Table 4

[0306] In some embodiments, the fifth indication field indicates the BF type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame, such as whether it is an uplink C-BF transmission. For example, the fifth indication field can be 1 bit, with a value of 0 indicating that the transmission triggered by the seventh frame is not a C-BF transmission (e.g., UL MU transmission), and a value of 1 indicating that the transmission triggered by the seventh frame is an uplink C-BF transmission.

[0307] In some embodiments, the sixth indication field is used to indicate the size of the contention window (CW), which is a contention window used for C-BF transmission. For example, the sixth indication field includes a minimum CW field (ECWmin) and / or a maximum CW field (ECWmax), wherein the minimum contention window size CWmin is determined based on CWmin = 2. ECWmin -1 determines the minimum contention window size CWmax based on CWmax = 2. ECWmax -1 confirms. Optionally, ECWmin can be set to be equal to ECWmax to ensure that multiple STAs participating in C-BF transmission receive the same size contention window.

[0308] Figure 21 illustrates a frame format diagram of a seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 21, the seventh frame may include a Common Info field and a User Info List field, the User Info List field indicating the user information that triggered participation in C-BF.

[0309] Figure 22 is a schematic format diagram of some fields of the Common Info field of a seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 22, bit B56 in the Common Info field can be the UHR User Info Field Flag to indicate whether the seventh frame belongs to UHR. For example, when B56 is 0, it means that the seventh frame belongs to UHR.

[0310] Figure 23 is a schematic format diagram of a User Info List field in the seventh frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 23, the User Info List may include the following fields:

[0311] The AID12 field is used to indicate the AID corresponding to the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission in the seventh frame;

[0312] CAID is used to indicate the CAID of the associated AP of the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission in the seventh frame;

[0313] The CGID field is used to indicate the CAID of the multi-AP cooperative set to which the STA that triggered the C-BF transmission in the seventh frame belongs.

[0314] In some embodiments, the User Info List field may further include at least one of the following fields:

[0315] The Transmission Mode field is used to indicate the transmission type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0316] The BF (Beamforming Mode) field indicates the BF type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0317] The ECWmin field is used to indicate the minimum contention window size corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0318] The ECWmax field indicates the maximum contention window size corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame.

[0319] In some embodiments, the User Info List field may further include a Forward Error Correction (FEC) Length (UL FEC Length) field, where a value of 0 in the UL FEC Length field indicates the LDPC code length specified by 802.11be, and a value of 1 in the UL FEC Length field indicates twice the LDPC code length specified by 802.11be.

[0320] In some embodiments, the User Info List field may further include an uplink UHR modulation and coding scheme (MCS) (UL UHR-MCS) field, which may be 6 bits.

[0321] In some embodiments, the Beamforming Mode field, ECWmin field, and ECWmax field can be carried in the Trigger Dependent User Info field of the User Info List field.

[0322] Figure 24 shows a schematic format diagram of the Trigger Dependent User Info field in a User Info List field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 24, the Trigger Dependent User Info field may include the following fields:

[0323] The Beamforming Mode field indicates the type of Beamforming Mode (BF) for the transmission triggered by the seventh frame, such as whether it is an uplink C-BF.

[0324] The ECWmin field is used to indicate the minimum contention window size corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame;

[0325] The ECWmax field indicates the maximum contention window size corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame.

[0326] In some embodiments, the twelfth frame is referred to as UL BF MAP-TF, or may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0327] In some embodiments, the twelfth frame may adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the foregoing embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the seventh value (e.g., 0), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the twelfth frame. Since the receiving end of the twelfth frame is the AP, in one implementation, the User Info List field of the twelfth frame may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0328] It should be noted that the above-mentioned uplink channel detection triggering method, uplink channel information feedback method, uplink channel information collection completion feedback method, and uplink C-BF transmission triggering method can be combined arbitrarily, and this application does not limit them.

[0329] In some embodiments of this application, the uplink channel detection process and the uplink channel feedback process of a site can be executed sequentially. For example, after the uplink channel detection process and the uplink channel feedback process of one site are completed, the uplink channel detection process and the uplink channel feedback process of the next site are executed. Specifically, for example, the second access point can trigger the uplink channel detection process of the second site after triggering the uplink channel detection process of the first site and knowing that the uplink channel information of the first site has been collected.

[0330] In other embodiments of this application, the uplink channel detection process of all stations may be performed after the uplink channel detection process of all stations has been completed. This application does not limit the specific timing.

[0331] In some embodiments of this application, the uplink channel detection process of multiple stations can be executed jointly or in parallel. For example, the main AP can trigger multiple STAs to start the uplink channel detection process simultaneously through the first frame.

[0332] The following description, using the specific scenario in Figure 25 as an example, with the first frame being ULSR, the second frame being NDPA, the third frame being NDP, the fourth frame being BFRP, the fifth frame being BFR, the sixth frame being ULSA, the seventh frame being UL BF TF, the eighth frame being ULSR MAP TF, the ninth frame being ULSR, the tenth frame being BFR MAP-TF, the eleventh frame being ULSA MAP TF, and the twelfth frame being UL BF MAP-TF, in conjunction with Figures 26 to 30, illustrates the uplink C-BF method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0333] In the scenario shown in Figure 25, the multi-AP collaboration set includes AP1 and AP2. AP1 is associated with STA11, STA12, and STA13, and AP2 is associated with STA21, STA22, and STA23. Among them, the STAs participating in C-BF include STA13 and STA22, which are located within the OBSS area. AP1 is a slave AP or a shared AP, and AP2 is a master AP or a shared AP.

[0334] Figure 26 shows a schematic interactive diagram of an uplink C-BF scheme based on the above-mentioned uplink channel detection triggering method one, uplink channel information feedback method one, and uplink channel information collection completion feedback method one.

[0335] As shown in Figure 26, the uplink C-BF method may include the following steps:

[0336] Step 1: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger STA13, which is in the OBSS area, to start the uplink channel probe process.

[0337] Step 2: In response to the ULSR, STA13 sends an NDPA to instruct APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information. This probe list includes STA13's associated APs and STA13's OBSS APs, such as AP2.

[0338] That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, an NDPA frame addresses an AP using CAID and CGID.

[0339] Step 3: STA13 sends an NDP (Network Decision Program), which is used by APs in the probe list to perform channel estimation and obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the uplink CSI between STA13 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA13, and AP2 can obtain the uplink CSI between STA13 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA13.

[0340] Step 4: STA13 sends a BFRP frame, triggering the APs in the probe list to feed back uplink channel information.

[0341] This BFRP frame is a cross-BSS BFRP frame. For example, the BFRP frame addresses the AP using CAID and CGID.

[0342] Step 5: The APs in the probe list send BFR frames to STA13 based on BFRP frames, which carry uplink CSI.

[0343] For example, the BFR frame fed back by AP1 includes the CSI (or BSS CSI) between STA13 and AP1, which can be used by STA13 to calculate the data channel; the BFR frame fed back by AP2 includes the CSI (or OBSS CSI) between STA13 and AP2, which can be used by STA13 to calculate the interference channel.

[0344] Step 6: After collecting the CSI feedback from the AP in the probe list, STA13 sends ULSA to AP2 to notify AP2 that the uplink CSI collection is complete.

[0345] Furthermore, AP2 can trigger the next STA (e.g., STA22) to perform the aforementioned channel probing and channel feedback processes. The specific process is similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0346] Figure 27 shows a schematic interactive diagram of an uplink C-BF scheme based on the above-mentioned uplink channel detection triggering method 2, uplink channel information feedback method 1, and uplink channel information collection completion feedback method 2.

[0347] As shown in Figure 27, the uplink C-BF scheme may include the following steps:

[0348] Step 1: AP2 sends a ULSR MAP TF to AP1 to trigger AP1 to send a ULSR. This ULSR is used to trigger the uplink channel probe process of AP1's associated STA.

[0349] Step 2: AP1 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger STA13 to start the uplink channel detection process.

[0350] Step 3: STA13 sends NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0351] This probe list can include associated APs of STA13 and OBSS APs of STA13, such as AP2. That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, the NDPA frame addresses the AP via CAID and CGID.

[0352] Step 4: STA13 sends an NDP (Network Decision Protocol) to the APs in the probe list. Based on the NDP, APs perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the CSI (Channel Identity System) between STA13 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA13, and AP2 can obtain the CSI between STA13 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA13.

[0353] Step 5: STA13 sends a BFRP frame, triggering uplink channel information feedback from APs in the probe list. This BFRP frame is a cross-BSS BFRP frame. For example, the BFRP frame addresses the AP using CAID and CGID.

[0354] Step 6: The AP in the probe list sends a BFR frame to STA13 based on the BFRP frame, which carries the uplink CSI.

[0355] For example, the BFR frame fed back by AP1 includes the CSI (or BSS CSI) between STA13 and AP1, which can be used by STA13 to calculate the data channel; the BFR frame fed back by AP2 includes the CSI (or OBSS CSI) between STA13 and AP2, which can be used by STA13 to calculate the interference channel.

[0356] Step 7: After collecting the CSI feedback from the AP in the probe list, STA13 sends ULSA to AP1 to notify AP1 that the uplink CSI collection is complete.

[0357] Step 8: AP1 sends a ULSA MAP TF to AP2 to inform AP2 that STA13 has completed the collection of uplink CSI. This allows AP2 to know that STA13 has completed the collection of uplink CSI, and can further trigger the next STA (e.g., STA22) to perform the above channel probing and channel feedback processes. The specific process is similar and will not be described in detail here.

[0358] Figure 28 is a schematic interactive diagram of another uplink C-BF scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. The difference between Figure 28 and the examples shown in Figures 26 and 27 is that Figure 28 performs the channel feedback process for all STAs after completing the channel detection process for all STAs, and adopts the aforementioned uplink channel detection triggering method one and uplink channel information feedback method two. As shown in Figure 28, the following steps may be included:

[0359] Step 1: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger STA13, which is in the OBSS area, to start the uplink channel probe process.

[0360] Step 2: STA13 sends NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0361] This probe list can include associated APs of STA13 and OBSS APs of STA13, such as AP2. That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, the NDPA frame addresses the AP via CAID and CGID.

[0362] Step 3: STA13 sends an NDP (Network Decision Protocol) to the APs in the probe list. Based on the NDP, APs perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the CSI (Channel Identity System) between STA13 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA13, and AP2 can obtain the CSI between STA13 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA13.

[0363] Step 4: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger the uplink channel detection process in STA22.

[0364] Step 5: STA22 sends NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0365] This probe list can include the associated APs of STA22 and the OBSS APs of STA22, such as AP1. That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, the NDPA frame addresses the AP via CAID and CGID.

[0366] Step 6: STA22 sends an NDP (Network Decision Protocol) to the APs in the probe list. Based on the NDP, APs perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the CSI (Channel Identity System) between STA22 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA22, and AP2 can obtain the CSI between STA22 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA22.

[0367] Step 7: AP2 sends a BFR frame to STA13, which carries the CSI between STA13 and AP2.

[0368] AP2 can also send a BFR to STA22, which carries the CSI between STA22 and AP2.

[0369] Step 8: AP2 sends a BFR MAP TF to AP1 to trigger AP1 to feed back uplink CSI.

[0370] Step 9: AP1 sends a BFR frame to STA13, which carries the CSI between STA13 and AP1.

[0371] AP1 can also send a BFR to STA22, which carries the CSI between STA22 and AP1.

[0372] Figure 29 is a schematic interactive diagram of another uplink C-BF scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. The difference between Figure 29 and the examples shown in Figures 26 and 27 is that Figure 29 performs the channel feedback process for all STAs after completing the channel detection process for all STAs, and adopts the above-mentioned uplink channel detection triggering method one and uplink channel information feedback method one. As shown in Figure 29, the following steps may be included:

[0373] Step 1: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger STA13, which is in the OBSS area, to start the uplink channel probe process.

[0374] Step 2: STA13 sends NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0375] This probe list can include associated APs of STA13 and OBSS APs of STA13, such as AP2. That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, the NDPA frame addresses the AP via CAID and CGID.

[0376] Step 3: STA13 sends an NDP (Network Decision Protocol) to the APs in the probe list. Based on the NDP, APs perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the CSI (Channel Identity System) between STA13 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA13, and AP2 can obtain the CSI between STA13 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA13.

[0377] Step 4: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger the uplink channel detection process in STA22.

[0378] Step 5: STA22 sends NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0379] This probe list can include the associated APs of STA22 and the OBSS APs of STA22, such as AP1. That is, this NDPA is a cross-BSS NDPA frame. For example, the NDPA frame addresses the AP via CAID and CGID.

[0380] Step 6: STA22 sends an NDP (Network Decision Protocol) to the APs in the probe list. Based on the NDP, APs perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information. For example, AP1 can obtain the CSI (Channel Identity System) between STA22 and AP1 based on the NDP sent by STA22, and AP2 can obtain the CSI between STA22 and AP2 based on the NDP sent by STA22.

[0381] Step 7: AP2 sends a trigger frame to STA13 to trigger STA13 to send a BFRP frame.

[0382] Step 8: STA13 sends a BFRP frame to trigger the APs in the probe list to respond with uplink CSI.

[0383] Step 9: The AP in the probe list sends a BFR frame to STA13, which carries the uplink CSI feedback from the AP.

[0384] Step 10: AP2 sends a trigger frame to STA22 to trigger STA22 to send a BFRP frame.

[0385] Step 11: STA22 sends a BFRP frame to trigger the APs in the probe list to feed back uplink CSI.

[0386] Step 12: The AP in the probe list sends a BFR frame to STA22, which carries the feedback uplink CSI.

[0387] Based on the uplink channel information feedback method 2 in Figure 28, AP1 and AP2 feed back the uplink CSI to the corresponding STA via DL OFDMA. In this case, the STA needs to receive the BFR frames from all APs before calculating the precoding matrix. However, based on the uplink channel information feedback method 1 in Figure 29, the STA triggers all APs to feed back BFR frames via BFRP frames, which can collect the CSI of all APs at once, reducing the delay in calculating the precoding matrix and thus reducing the delay in C-BF transmission.

[0388] It should be noted that in the examples of Figures 28 and 29, the aforementioned uplink channel detection triggering method two can also be used to trigger the STA to start the uplink channel detection process, and this application does not limit this.

[0389] Figure 30 is a schematic interaction diagram of another uplink C-BF scheme provided in the embodiments of this application. The difference from the previous example is that Figure 30 adopts a joint channel detection scheme and uses the uplink channel information feedback method one described above. As shown in Figure 30, the following steps may be included:

[0390] Step 1: AP2 sends a ULSR, which is used to trigger multiple STAs (e.g., STA22 and STA13) to start the uplink channel probe process.

[0391] Step 2: STA13 and STA22 send NDPA to instruct the APs in the probe list to provide uplink channel information.

[0392] Step 3: STA13 and STA22 send NDP, which is used by APs in the probe list to perform channel estimation based on NDP to obtain uplink channel information.

[0393] Step 4: AP2 sends a trigger frame to STA13 to trigger STA13 to send a BFRP frame.

[0394] Step 5: STA13 sends a BFRP frame to trigger the APs in the probe list to respond with uplink CSI.

[0395] Step 6: The AP in the probe list sends a BFR frame to STA13, which carries the feedback uplink CSI.

[0396] Step 7: AP2 sends a trigger frame to STA22 to trigger STA22 to send a BFRP frame.

[0397] Step 8: STA22 sends a BFRP frame to trigger the APs in the probe list to respond with uplink CSI.

[0398] Step 9: The AP in the probe list sends a BFR frame to STA22, which carries the feedback uplink CSI.

[0399] It should be noted that the example in Figure 30 can also adopt the aforementioned uplink channel information feedback method two, and this application does not limit it to this.

[0400] In summary, the uplink C-BF scheme provided in this application allows the main AP to trigger the STA to start the uplink channel detection process through the first or eighth frame, thereby enabling the STA to detect the uplink channel. Based on the uplink channel information obtained from the uplink channel detection, the precoding matrix for uplink C-BF can be calculated for uplink C-BF transmission. This is beneficial for improving the anti-interference capability of uplink transmission of STAs in overlapping areas, and can also improve system throughput and reduce the latency of uplink low-latency services.

[0401] In the foregoing embodiments, the scheme in which the STA sends NDPA and NDP for the AP to perform channel estimation and obtain uplink channel information can be called an explicit channel detection scheme. In this application embodiment, uplink channel information can also be obtained through an implicit channel detection scheme.

[0402] The following, with reference to Figure 31, describes an implicit channel detection scheme provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 31, the method 400 may include the following steps:

[0403] S401, the second access point sends a second frame to the first site. The second frame is used to notify that a third frame will be sent.

[0404] S402, the second access point sends a third frame to the first site. The third frame is used by the first site to perform channel estimation and obtain downlink channel information between the second access point and the first site.

[0405] S403, the second access point sends the thirteenth frame to the first access point to trigger the first access point to send the second frame;

[0406] S404, the first access point sends a second frame to notify that a third frame will be sent;

[0407] S405, the first access point sends a third frame to the first site. The third frame is used by the first site to perform channel estimation and obtain downlink channel information between the first access point and the first site.

[0408] In method 400, the first station can process the acquired downlink channel information based on channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information. For example, it can process the acquired downlink channel information between the second access point and the first station based on channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information between the first station and the second access point, or it can process the acquired downlink channel information between the first access point and the first station based on channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information between the first station and the first access point.

[0409] Therefore, this implicit channel detection scheme does not require the access point to perform channel estimation and channel feedback. The station uses the downlink signal sent by the access point to perform channel estimation, and then uses channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information, which helps to reduce the signaling interaction process and reduce the latency of C-BF transmission.

[0410] In some embodiments, the second frame may include, but is not limited to, an NDAP frame.

[0411] In some embodiments, the third frame may include, but is not limited to, an NDP frame.

[0412] In some embodiments, the thirteenth frame can be used to indicate the target AP that triggers the transmission of the second frame. Therefore, the thirteenth frame needs to address the AP, for example, by addressing the AP through CAID and CGID.

[0413] In some embodiments, the thirteenth frame is also called NDPA MAT TF, or it may be replaced with other names, which are not limited in this application.

[0414] In some embodiments, the thirteenth frame can adopt the frame format design of the MAP trigger frame in the foregoing embodiments. For example, when the TX Operation field takes the eighth value (e.g., 6), it indicates that the MAP trigger frame is the thirteenth frame. Since the receiving end of the thirteenth frame is the AP, in some implementations, the user information list of the thirteenth frame may include the CAID field, CGID field, OBSS Mode field, TX Operation field, and Need ACK field.

[0415] The following description, in conjunction with the specific scenario in Figure 25, using the second frame as an NDPA frame, the third frame as an NDP frame, and the thirteenth frame as an NDPA MAP-TF as an example, and in conjunction with Figure 32, illustrates the implicit channel detection scheme provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0416] As shown in Figure 32, this implicit channel detection scheme may include the following steps:

[0417] Step 1: AP2 sends an NDPA frame;

[0418] Step 2: AP2 sends an NDP frame;

[0419] Correspondingly, STA22 and STA13 calculate the downlink CSI based on the NDP frame sent by AP2, and then calculate the uplink CSI using channel reciprocity.

[0420] Step 3: AP2 sends NDPA MAP TF to trigger AP1 to send NDPA frame.

[0421] Step 4: AP1 sends an NDPA frame.

[0422] Step 5: AP1 sends an NDP frame.

[0423] Correspondingly, STA22 and STA13 calculate the downlink CSI based on the NDP frame sent by AP1, and then calculate the uplink CSI using channel reciprocity, and further calculate the uplink CSI based on the precoding matrix.

[0424] Step 6: AP1 sends an ACK to AP2 to indicate that the NDP frame transmission is complete, so that AP2 can send the seventh or twelfth frame to trigger STA to perform C-BF transmission.

[0425] In the implicit channel detection scheme of the method 400 example, the second access point and the first access point send the second frame and the third frame sequentially. This implicit channel detection scheme is also called the implicit sequential channel detection scheme. The embodiments of this application also provide an implicit joint channel detection scheme.

[0426] The following, with reference to Figure 33, describes another implicit channel detection scheme provided by an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 33, the method 400 may include the following steps:

[0427] S411, the second access point sends the thirteenth frame, which is used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to send the second frame simultaneously;

[0428] S412, the first access point and the second access point simultaneously send the second frame to the first site to notify that a third frame will be sent;

[0429] S413, the first access point and the second access point simultaneously send a third frame to the first site. The third frame is used by the site to perform channel estimation and obtain downlink channel information.

[0430] In some embodiments, the second and third frames sent by the first and second access points are located at different frequency points or frequencies, that is, the first and second access points use frequency division to perform channel detection in a multi-AP cooperative scenario.

[0431] Furthermore, the first station can process the acquired downlink channel information based on channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information. For example, it can process the acquired downlink channel information between the second access point and the first station using channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information between the first station and the second access point, or it can process the acquired downlink channel information between the first access point and the first station using channel reciprocity to obtain uplink channel information between the first station and the first access point.

[0432] The specific implementation of the thirteenth frame is described in detail in the embodiment shown in Figure 31, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0433] The following uses the specific scenario in Figure 25, where the second frame is an NDPA frame, the third frame is an NDP frame, and the thirteenth frame is an NDPA MAP-TF, as an example, and in conjunction with Figure 34, to illustrate another implicit channel detection scheme provided by the embodiments of this application.

[0434] As shown in Figure 34, this implicit channel detection scheme may include the following steps:

[0435] Step 1: AP2 sends NDPA MAP TF, triggering AP1 and AP2 to simultaneously send NDAP frames;

[0436] Step 2: AP2 and AP1 simultaneously send NDPA frames;

[0437] Step 3: AP2 and AP1 simultaneously send NDP frames.

[0438] Correspondingly, STA22 and STA13 calculate the downlink CSI based on the NDP frames sent by AP1 and AP2, then calculate the uplink CSI using channel reciprocity, and further calculate the precoding matrix based on the uplink CSI.

[0439] Step 4: AP2 sends the seventh frame (i.e. UL BF TF) to STA22 and STA13 to trigger the STA to perform C-BF transmission.

[0440] In summary, the uplink C-BF scheme provided in this application allows multiple APs to sequentially send NDPA and NDP frames for STAs to acquire uplink channel information. Alternatively, the master AP can trigger multiple APs to simultaneously send NDPA and NDP frames for STAs to acquire uplink channel information, thereby achieving implicit uplink channel detection. Furthermore, a precoding matrix for uplink C-BF transmission can be calculated based on the uplink channel information obtained from implicit uplink channel detection, and uplink C-BF transmission can then be performed based on this precoding matrix. This improves the anti-interference capability of uplink transmission for STAs in overlapping areas, increases system throughput, and reduces the latency of uplink low-latency services.

[0441] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 6 to 34. The device embodiments of this application have been described in detail below with reference to Figures 35 to 41. It should be understood that the device embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be referred to the method embodiments.

[0442] Figure 35 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1000 can be a first station, or a component within the first station, such as a chip, circuit, or module. The communication device 1000 of Figure 35 includes:

[0443] The receiving module 1010 is used to receive a first frame sent by the second access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process.

[0444] The transmitting module 1020 is used to transmit a second frame, which is used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and to transmit a third frame, which is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0445] In some embodiments, the sending module 1020 is further configured to: send a fourth frame, the fourth frame being used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0446] The receiving module 1010 is further configured to: receive a fifth frame sent by the first access point and the second access point, the fifth frame including feedback uplink channel information.

[0447] In some embodiments, the sending module 1020 is further configured to: send a sixth frame to the second access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; or

[0448] A sixth frame is sent to the first access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0449] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1010 is further configured to: receive a seventh frame sent by the first access point, the seventh frame being used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, the precoding matrix being determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points; or

[0450] The first station receives a seventh frame sent by the second access point. The seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix. The precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points.

[0451] It should be noted that the frame design of the first, second, third, fifth, sixth, and seventh frames mentioned above refers to the relevant description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0452] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0453] It should be understood that the communication device 1000 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the first station in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 1000 are respectively to implement the corresponding process of the first station (e.g., STA13 or STA22) in the method embodiments shown in FIG6 to FIG34. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0454] Figure 36 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1100 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 may be a second access point, or a component within the second access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0455] As shown in Figure 36, the communication device 1100 includes:

[0456] The sending module 1110 is used to send a first frame, which is used to trigger at least one station to start the uplink channel detection process. The at least one station includes a first station, which is associated with a first access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0457] The receiving module 1120 is configured to receive a second frame sent by the first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and to receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0458] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1120 is further configured to: receive a fourth frame sent by the first station, the fourth frame being used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0459] The sending module 1110 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

[0460] In some embodiments, the sending module 1110 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point; and

[0461] A tenth frame is sent to the first access point, the tenth frame being used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station.

[0462] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1120 is further configured to: receive a sixth frame sent by the first station, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; or

[0463] The first access point sends an eleventh frame, which is used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0464] In some embodiments, the sending module 1110 is further configured to: send a seventh frame to the first station, wherein the seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, the precoding matrix being determined based on uplink channel information fed back from multiple access points; or

[0465] The twelfth frame is sent to the first access point, wherein the twelfth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the seventh frame to the first station, and the seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on the precoding matrix, wherein the precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points.

[0466] It should be noted that the frame design of the first, second, third, fifth, tenth, sixth, eleventh, seventh, and twelfth frames mentioned above refers to the relevant description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0467] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0468] It should be understood that the communication device 1100 according to the embodiments of this application can correspond to the second access point in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 1100 are respectively to implement the corresponding process of the second access point in the method embodiments shown in FIG6 to FIG34. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0469] Figure 37 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1200 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 may be a second access point, or a component within the second access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0470] As shown in Figure 37, the communication device 1200 includes:

[0471] The sending module 1210 is used to send an eighth frame to the first access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0472] The receiving module 1220 is configured to receive a second frame sent by a first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information, the first station being a station associated with the first access point; and to receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0473] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1220 is further configured to: receive a fourth frame sent by the first station, the fourth frame being used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0474] The sending module 1210 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

[0475] In some embodiments, the sending module 1210 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point; and

[0476] A tenth frame is sent to the first access point, the tenth frame being used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station.

[0477] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1220 is further configured to: receive a sixth frame sent by the first station, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; or

[0478] The first access point sends an eleventh frame, which is used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0479] In some embodiments, the sending module 1210 is further configured to: send a seventh frame to the first station, wherein the seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, the precoding matrix being determined based on uplink channel information fed back from multiple access points; or

[0480] The twelfth frame is sent to the first access point, wherein the twelfth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the seventh frame to the first station, and the seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on the precoding matrix, wherein the precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points.

[0481] It should be noted that the frame design of the eighth, ninth, second, third, fifth, tenth, sixth, eleventh, seventh, and twelfth frames mentioned above refers to the relevant description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0482] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0483] It should be understood that the communication device 1200 according to the embodiments of this application can correspond to the second access point in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the communication device 1200 are respectively to implement the corresponding process of the second access point in the method embodiments shown in FIG6 to FIG34. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0484] Figure 38 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1300 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1300 may be a first access point, or a component within the first access point, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0485] As shown in Figure 38, the communication device 1300 includes:

[0486] The receiving module 1310 is used to receive the eighth frame sent by the second access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set.

[0487] The sending module 1320 is used to send a ninth frame to the first station, the ninth frame being used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process, wherein the first station is the station associated with the first access point;

[0488] The receiving module 1310 is further configured to: receive a second frame sent by the first station, the second frame being used to indicate uplink channel information fed back by the first access point and the second access point; and

[0489] The third frame sent by the first station is received. The third frame is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

[0490] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1310 is further configured to: receive a fourth frame sent by the first station, the fourth frame being used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information;

[0491] The sending module 1320 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

[0492] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1310 is further configured to: receive a tenth frame sent by the second access point, the tenth frame being used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station;

[0493] The sending module 1320 is further configured to: send a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

[0494] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1310 is further configured to: receive a sixth frame sent by the first station, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information;

[0495] The sending module 1320 is further configured to: send an eleventh frame to the second access point, the eleventh frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

[0496] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1310 is further configured to: receive a twelfth frame sent by the first access point, the twelfth frame being used to trigger the first access point to send a seventh frame to the first station, the seventh frame being used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, the precoding matrix being determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points;

[0497] The sending module 1320 is further configured to: send a seventh frame to the first station.

[0498] It should be noted that the frame design of the eighth, ninth, second, third, fifth, tenth, sixth, eleventh and twelfth frames mentioned above refers to the relevant description in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0499] Figure 39 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 700 shown in Figure 39 includes a processor 710, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0500] Optionally, as shown in FIG39, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 720. The processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application. For example, when the communication device 700 is a station, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the station, achieving the same technical effect. When the communication device 700 is an access point, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the access point, achieving the same technical effect.

[0501] Alternatively, the memory 720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0502] Optionally, as shown in FIG39, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver 730, and the processor 710 may control the transceiver 730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0503] Optionally, transceiver 730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 730 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0504] Figure 40 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of this application. The chip 800 shown in Figure 40 includes a processor 810, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0505] Optionally, as shown in FIG40, chip 800 may further include memory 820. Processor 810 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 820 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0506] Alternatively, the memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810, or it may be integrated into the processor 810.

[0507] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an input interface 830. The processor 810 can control the input interface 830 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0508] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an output interface 840. The processor 810 can control the output interface 840 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0509] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the access point in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0510] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the site in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0511] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0512] Figure 41 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 41, the communication system 900 includes a first access point 910, a second access point 920, and a first station 930.

[0513] The first access point 910 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the first access point in the above method, the second access point 920 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the second access point in the above method, and the first station 930 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the first station in the above method. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0514] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0515] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0516] It should be understood that the above-described memory is exemplary and not a limiting description. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0517] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above method embodiments.

[0518] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0519] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0520] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0521] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0522] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0523] This application also provides a computer program. When executed by a processor, this computer program implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0524] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0525] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0526] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software 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.

[0527] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0528] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0529] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0530] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0531] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0532] 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. An uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, applied to a first site associated with a first access point, comprising: The first station receives a first frame sent by the second access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process. The first station sends a second frame, which is used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; The first station sends a third frame, which is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

2. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: The first station sends a fourth frame, which is used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information. The first station receives a fifth frame sent by the first access point and the second access point, the fifth frame including feedback uplink channel information.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, further comprising: The first station sends a sixth frame to the second access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; or The first station sends a sixth frame to the first access point, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, further comprising: The first station receives a seventh frame sent by the first access point. This seventh frame triggers the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, which is determined based on uplink channel information fed back from multiple access points; or... The first station receives a seventh frame sent by the second access point. The seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix. The precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points.

5. An uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, comprising: The second access point sends a first frame, which is used to trigger at least one site to start the uplink channel detection process. The at least one site includes a first site, which is associated with a first access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The second access point receives a second frame sent by the first site, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; The second access point receives a third frame sent by the first site. The third frame is used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

6. An uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, comprising: The second access point sends an eighth frame to the first access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The second access point receives a second frame sent by the first site. The second frame is used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information. The first site is the site associated with the first access point. The second access point receives a third frame sent by the first site. The third frame is used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, further comprising: The second access point receives the fourth frame sent by the first site, and the fourth frame is used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; The second access point sends a fifth frame to the first site, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

8. The method according to any one of claims 5-7, further comprising: The second access point sends a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point; The second access point sends a tenth frame to the first access point, and the tenth frame is used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station.

9. The method according to any one of claims 5-8, further comprising: The second access point receives the sixth frame sent by the first station, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; or The second access point receives the eleventh frame sent by the first access point, the eleventh frame being used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

10. The method according to any one of claims 5-9, further comprising: The second access point sends a seventh frame to the first station, wherein the seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, the precoding matrix being determined based on uplink channel information fed back from multiple access points; or The second access point sends a twelfth frame to the first access point, wherein the twelfth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a seventh frame to the first site, and the seventh frame is used to trigger the first site to perform C-BF transmission based on a precoding matrix, wherein the precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points.

11. An uplink cooperative beamforming (C-BF) method, comprising: The first access point receives the eighth frame sent by the second access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first access point sends a ninth frame to the first site, the ninth frame being used to trigger the first site to initiate the uplink channel detection process, wherein the first site is the site associated with the first access point; The first access point receives a second frame sent by the first site, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; The first access point receives a third frame sent by the first station. The third frame is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

12. The method according to claim 11, further comprising: The first access point receives the fourth frame sent by the first station, and the fourth frame is used to trigger the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; The first access point sends a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

13. The method according to claim 11 or 12, further comprising: The first access point receives the tenth frame sent by the second access point, and the tenth frame is used to trigger the first access point to feed back uplink channel information to the first station; The first access point sends a fifth frame to the first station, the fifth frame including uplink channel information fed back by the second access point.

14. The method according to any one of claims 11-13, further comprising: The first access point receives the sixth frame sent by the first station, the sixth frame being used to instruct the first station to complete the collection of uplink channel information; The first access point sends an eleventh frame to the second access point, the eleventh frame being used to instruct the first site to complete the collection of uplink channel information.

15. The method according to any one of claims 11-14, further comprising: The first access point receives the twelfth frame sent by the first access point. The twelfth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the seventh frame to the first station. The seventh frame is used to trigger the first station to perform C-BF transmission based on the precoding matrix. The precoding matrix is ​​determined based on uplink channel information fed back by multiple access points. The first access point sends the seventh frame to the first site.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, wherein the first frame includes a public information field, the public information field including at least one of the following fields: The first field is used to indicate the collaboration type corresponding to the first frame; The second field is used to indicate the receiver type of the first frame; The third field is used to indicate whether the first frame was triggered across the underlying service set (BSS). Length field; Used to indicate the transmission time length of the frame triggered by the first frame; The length unit field indicates the unit corresponding to the transmission time length of the frame triggered by the first frame.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-16, wherein the first frame includes a user information list field, the user information list field including at least one of the following fields: The first identifier field is used to indicate the multi-access point collaboration set to which the associated access point of the site triggered by the first frame belongs; The second identifier field is used to indicate the associated access point of the site triggered by the first frame; The third identifier field is used to indicate the site that triggered the first frame; The first indication field is used to indicate that the receiver of the first frame and the sender of the first frame belong to the same BSS or that the BSS to which the receiver of the first frame belongs and the BSS to which the sender of the first frame belongs are OBSS. The second indication field is used to indicate the transmission operation type corresponding to the first frame; The third indication field is used to indicate whether a response is needed to the first frame.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1-17, wherein the second frame includes a user information list field, the user information list field being used to indicate the target access point for feeding back uplink channel information.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein the user information list fields include: The first identification field is used to indicate the multi-access point cooperative set to which the target access point that feeds back uplink channel information belongs; The second identifier field is used to indicate the target access point that feeds back uplink channel information.

20. The method according to claim 2, 7 or 12, wherein the fourth frame includes a user information list field, the user information list field being used to indicate the target access point that triggers feedback uplink channel information.

21. The method according to claim 20, wherein the user information list fields include: The first identification field is used to indicate the multi-access point cooperative set to which the target access point that triggered the feedback uplink channel information belongs; The second identifier field is used to indicate the target access point that triggers the feedback of uplink channel information.

22. The method according to claim 4, 10, or 15, wherein the seventh frame includes a user information list field, the user information list field comprising at least one of the following fields: The first identifier field is used to indicate the multi-access point collaboration set to which the associated access point of the site that triggered the C-BF transmission belongs; The second identifier field is used to indicate the associated access point of the site that triggered the execution of C-BF transmission; The third identifier field is used to indicate the site that triggered the C-BF transmission; The fourth indication field is used to indicate the transmission type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame; The fifth indication field is used to indicate the BF type of the transmission triggered by the seventh frame; The sixth indication field is used to indicate the contention reference parameter or transmission opportunity (TXOP) parameter corresponding to the transmission triggered by the seventh frame.

23. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein the eighth frame includes a public information field, the public information field including at least one of the following fields: The first field is used to indicate the collaboration type corresponding to the eighth frame; The second field is used to indicate the receiver type of the eighth frame; The third field is used to indicate whether the eighth frame was triggered across the underlying service set (BSS). Length field; Used to indicate the transmission time length of the frame triggered by the eighth frame; The length unit field is used to indicate the unit corresponding to the transmission time length of the frame triggered by the eighth frame.

24. The method according to any one of claims 11-15, wherein the eighth frame includes a user information list field, the user information list field including at least one of the following fields: The first identification field is used to indicate the multi-access point cooperation set to which the access point triggered by the eighth frame belongs; The second identification field is used to indicate the access point triggered by the eighth frame; The first indication field is used to indicate that the receiver of the eighth frame and the sender of the eighth frame belong to the same BSS or that the BSS to which the receiver of the eighth frame belongs and the BSS to which the sender of the ninth frame belongs are OBSS. The second indication field is used to indicate the transmission operation type corresponding to the eighth frame; The third indication field is used to indicate whether a response is needed to the eighth frame.

25. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a first station, or is disposed in a first station, the first station being associated with a first access point, the communication device comprising: The receiving module is used to receive a first frame sent by the second access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The first frame is used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process. The transmitting module is used to transmit a second frame, which is used to indicate that the first access point and the second access point should feed back uplink channel information. And send a third frame, which is used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

26. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a second access point, or is disposed in a second access point, the communication device comprising: The sending module is used to send a first frame, which is used to trigger at least one station to start the uplink channel detection process. The at least one station includes a first station, which is associated with a first access point. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The receiving module is configured to receive a second frame sent by the first station, the second frame being used to instruct the first access point and the second access point to feed back uplink channel information; and to receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

27. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a second access point, or is disposed in a second access point, the communication device comprising: The sending module is used to send an eighth frame to the first access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send a ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The receiving module is used to receive a second frame sent by the first station. The second frame is used to indicate that the first access point and the second access point feed back uplink channel information. The first station is a station associated with the first access point. And receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

28. A communication device, wherein the communication device is a first access point, or is disposed in a first access point, the communication device comprising: The receiving module is used to receive the eighth frame sent by the second access point. The eighth frame is used to trigger the first access point to send the ninth frame. The ninth frame is used to trigger the site associated with the first access point to start the uplink channel detection process. The first access point and the second access point belong to a multi-access point cooperative set. The sending module is used to send a ninth frame to the first station, the ninth frame being used to trigger the first station to start the uplink channel detection process, wherein the first station is the station associated with the first access point; The receiving module is further configured to: receive a second frame sent by the first station, wherein the second frame is used to indicate that the first access point and the second access point feed back uplink channel information; And receive a third frame sent by the first station, the third frame being used by the first access point and the second access point to perform channel estimation to obtain uplink channel information.

29. A communication device comprising: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 24.

30. A chip comprising: A processor for retrieving and running a computer program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 24.

31. A readable storage medium for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 24.

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