Communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. The communication method is performed by a Mobile AP MLD and comprises: determining a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame comprises first identification information, and the first identification information identifies that a first AP operating on a first link and affiliated with the Mobile AP MLD enters a first capability communication mode; sending, by means of a second link, the first radio frame to a non-AP MLD associated with the Mobile AP MLD, wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is a primary link among the at least one link; the first AP entering the first capability communication mode; and a second AP operating on the second link and affiliated with the Mobile AP MLD remaining in an active state. The embodiments of the present disclosure can further enhance the current communication mechanism, thereby reducing device power consumption while ensuring communication efficiency.

Description

Communication methods, communication equipment and communication systems Technical Field

[0001] This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method, communication device and communication system. Background Technology

[0002] Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology includes topics such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption.

[0003] Currently, in multi-link communication, it is difficult to reduce device power consumption while ensuring communication efficiency. Therefore, it is necessary to improve the current communication mechanism. Summary of the Invention

[0004] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, and communication system to further enhance existing communication mechanisms, thereby reducing device power consumption while ensuring communication efficiency.

[0005] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a Mobile AP MLD, the method comprising:

[0006] A first radio frame is determined; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode;

[0007] The first radio frame is sent to its associated non-AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0008] The first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0009] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication method performed by a non-AP MLD, the method comprising:

[0010] The system receives a first radio frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0011] Specifically, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0012] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device for performing the communication method described in the first or second aspect.

[0013] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0014] One or more processors;

[0015] The communication device is used to execute the communication method described in the first or second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0016] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a Mobile AP MLD and a non-AP MLD;

[0017] The Mobile AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the non-AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0018] Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the communication method as described in the first aspect of this disclosure, or to perform the communication method as described in the second aspect of this disclosure.

[0019] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a program product, including at least one of a program and instructions, wherein when the program or instructions are executed by a communication device, they implement the communication method described in the first aspect or the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0020] In this embodiment, the Mobile AP MLD informs the non-AP MLD via a first radio frame that the first AP, which is attached to the Mobile AP MLD and operates on a non-main link, is in a first capability communication mode. After sending the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode, and the second AP, which operates on the main link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active. In this way, the Mobile AP MLD can maintain low power consumption on the non-main link while continuing to communicate with the non-AP MLD through the main link, thereby reducing the power consumption of the Mobile AP MLD while ensuring normal communication between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD without affecting the communication efficiency between them.

[0021] Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure. Attached Figure Description

[0022] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 4 is the third interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 5 is a fourth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 6 is the fifth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0029] Figure 7 is a sixth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 8 is the seventh interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0032] Figure 10 is a second schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0033] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the Mobile AP MLD proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0034] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the non-AP MLD proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

[0035] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0036] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0037] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0038] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method, the method comprising:

[0039] A first radio frame is determined; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode;

[0040] The first radio frame is sent to its associated non-AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0041] The first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0042] In the above embodiment, the Mobile AP MLD informs the non-AP MLD of the communication mode of the AP attached to the Mobile AP MLD through the first radio frame. While maintaining the low power consumption of the AP under the non-main link, it continues to communicate with the non-AP MLD through the AP under the main link. This reduces the device power consumption of the Mobile AP MLD while ensuring normal communication between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, without affecting the communication efficiency between the two.

[0043] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode;

[0044] The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

[0045] In the above embodiments, when the Mobile AP MLD informs the non-AP MLD of the communication mode of the AP operating under the non-main link through the first radio frame, it can specifically inform the non-AP MLD of the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode.

[0046] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after the first AP enters the first capability communication mode and the second AP remains active, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0047] Send a first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or receive a response frame from the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU;

[0048] Receive the first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the second link; and / or send a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU;

[0049] After the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame for the second downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link;

[0050] The first link receives a second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode;

[0051] The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode. The second capability communication mode includes an active state.

[0052] In the above embodiments, the communication parameter values ​​in the first capability communication mode are smaller than those in the second capability communication mode. This allows the Mobile AP MLD to further conserve power in non-primary link conditions. After the first AP enters the first capability communication mode and the second AP remains active, the Mobile AP MLD can continue to communicate with the non-AP MLD via the primary link (i.e., the second link) (i.e., the transmission process of the first downlink PPDU, the first uplink PPDU, and the corresponding response frame). Furthermore, when the Mobile AP MLD needs to communicate with the non-AP MLD via the non-primary link (i.e., the first link), the AP (i.e., the first AP) in the non-primary link can switch to the second capability communication mode, and then communicate via both the primary and non-primary links (i.e., the transmission process of the second downlink PPDU and the corresponding response frame). Additionally, when the non-AP MLD needs to communicate with the Mobile AP MLD via the non-primary link, it can determine whether to respond to the non-AP MLD's trigger operation by using the second radio frame received in the primary link where normal communication is possible, and perform a communication mode switching operation with the non-AP MLD in the non-primary link.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, after receiving the second radio frame transmitted by the non-AP MLD through the first link, the process includes:

[0054] The first AP switches to the second capability communication mode based on the second wireless frame;

[0055] Receive the second uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or send a response frame for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0056] In the above embodiments, when the non-AP MLD needs to communicate with the Mobile AP MLD through a non-main link, the Mobile AP MLD can respond to the triggering operation of the non-AP MLD, and after the first AP under the non-main link switches to the second capability communication mode, it can communicate through the main link and the non-main link (i.e., the transmission process of the second uplink PPDU and the corresponding response frame).

[0057] In a second aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method performed by a non-AP MLD, the method comprising:

[0058] The system receives a first radio frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0059] Specifically, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0060] In the above embodiment, the non-AP MLD can obtain the communication mode of the auxiliary AP of the Mobile AP MLD through the first wireless frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD; and continue to communicate with the non-AP MLD through the AP under the main link, so as to reduce the device power consumption of the Mobile AP MLD while ensuring normal communication between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, without affecting the communication efficiency between the two.

[0061] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode;

[0062] The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after receiving the first radio frame transmitted by the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0064] Receive the first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; and / or send a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU;

[0065] Send a first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; and / or receive a response frame from the Mobile AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU;

[0066] Receives a second downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD via the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame sent to the Mobile AP MLD for the second downlink PPDU via the first link and the second link; wherein the first AP switches to a second capability communication mode;

[0067] A second radio frame is sent to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode;

[0068] The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the parameter value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode.

[0069] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, after sending the second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link, the process includes:

[0070] After the first AP switches from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame for the second uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0071] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, which is used to perform optional implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0072] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0073] One or more processors;

[0074] The communication device is used to execute either the optional implementation of the first aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0075] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a Mobile AP MLD and a non-AP MLD;

[0076] The Mobile AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the non-AP MLD is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0077] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementation described in the first or second aspect.

[0078] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0079] Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in an optional implementation of the first or second aspect.

[0080] Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the method described according to an optional implementation of the first or second aspect above.

[0081] It is understood that the aforementioned communication devices, communication systems, storage media, program products, computer programs, chips, or chip systems are all used to execute the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects they can achieve can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

[0082] This disclosure provides communication methods, communication devices, and communication systems. In some embodiments, the terms "communication method" and "signal transmission method," "wireless frame transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "information processing system" and "communication system."

[0083] This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

[0084] In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

[0085] The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

[0086] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0087] In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of A or B, at least one of A and B”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

[0088] In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and / or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether there is a branch B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether there is a branch A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, both A and B are executed. The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

[0089] In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of whether a branch B exists); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of whether a branch A exists); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, and C.

[0090] The prefixes "first," "second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects is found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields." "First" and "second" do not restrict whether the "fields" they modify are in the same message, nor do they restrict the order of "first field" and "second field." Similarly, if the descriptive object is a "level," the ordinal numbers preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" do not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of descriptive objects is not limited by ordinal numbers and can be one or more. For example, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. Furthermore, the objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the object being described is "device", then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the object being described is "information", then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

[0091] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0092] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0093] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “when…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device making a corresponding action under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to make a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0094] In some embodiments, the terms “greater than”, “greater than or equal to”, “not less than”, “more than”, “more than or equal to”, “not less than”, “higher than”, “higher than or equal to”, “not lower than”, and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not greater than”, “less than”, “less than or equal to”, “not more than”, “lower than”, “lower than or equal to”, “not higher than”, and “below”.

[0095] In some embodiments, devices, etc., may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as “device,” “equipment,” “circuit,” “network element,” “network function,” “network device,” “function,” “node,” “unit,” “section,” “system,” “network,” “chip,” “chip system,” “entity,” and “subject” are interchangeable.

[0096] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0097] In addition, terms such as "uplink" and "downlink" can be replaced with terms corresponding to inter-terminal communication (e.g., "side"). For example, uplink channel and downlink channel can be replaced with side channel, and uplink link and downlink link can be replaced with side link.

[0098] In some embodiments, "link" can mean "connection" or "link"; in various embodiments, "connection" and "link" can be used interchangeably.

[0099] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0100] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0101] Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

[0102] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0103] As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes a mobile AP MLD 101 and a multi-link site device (i.e., a multi-link non-access point device) 102.

[0104] To achieve higher throughput, devices supporting Multi-Link Operation (MLO) are called Multi-Link Devices (MLDs). With MLO technology, multiple links can be established across frequency bands between multi-link access point devices (AP MLDs) and multi-link site devices (Non-AP MLDs). After establishing multiple links, a non-AP MLD can use multiple links to communicate with an AP MLD.

[0105] In some embodiments, a Mobile AP MLD is a Mobility Multilink Access Point device. Optionally, for backward compatibility, a UHR mobile AP can also be a type of Mobile AP MLD.

[0106] In some embodiments, a multi-link access point device is an access point (AP) that supports multi-link communication functionality. An AP acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device with a wireless fidelity chip. Optionally, an AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0107] In some embodiments, the multi-link station device 102 is a station (STA) that supports multi-link communication functionality. A station device, for example, is an electronic device with wireless network access capabilities that provides frame delivery services to enable information transmission. Examples include wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals that support Wi-Fi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device supporting Wi-Fi communication, a car with Wi-Fi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0108] Specifically, the site equipment can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the site equipment can support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0109] It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0110] The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. ​​The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

[0111] The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called an Access Point (AP) device, while other sites in the BSS network that are not APs are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs. APs and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between APs and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

[0112] The next-generation Wi-Fi technology, Ultra High Reliability (UHR) 802.11bn, aims to improve the reliability of wireless LAN connections, reduce latency, and lower device-level power consumption. Since most UHRs are configured as MLD devices, and UHR APs and UHR STAs use multiple connectivity methods for data transmission (i.e., communication is achieved through multiple links established between the UHR AP MLD attached to the UHR AP and the UHR non-AP MLD attached to the UHR STA), power-saving mechanisms need further enhancement.

[0113] In some embodiments, a wireless access point (site) device can operate in a lower capability communication mode. In this lower capability communication mode, the wireless access point (site) can receive specific wireless frames, such as initial control frames (ICF frames), MU-RTS frames (multiple user request to send), or BFRP frames (Beamforming Report Poll). That is, when the wireless access point (site) device operates in a lower capability communication mode, its associated wireless site (access point) device can send an initial control frame to the wireless access point (site) device. Upon receiving the aforementioned specific wireless frame, the site (access point) device will switch to a higher capability communication mode to exchange frames with the wireless site (access point) device that sent the specific wireless frame. This can effectively reduce the energy consumption of the wireless access point (site) device to a certain extent and ensure timely and effective transmission of wireless data. The lower capability communication mode can refer to the wireless device operating at a 20MHz bandwidth, performing transmit and receive operations with a single spatial stream and a low-rate MCS.

[0114] In some embodiments, when the Mobile AP MLD supports NSTR (Nonsimultaneous transmit and receive) mode, the Mobile AP MLD can also be called an NSTR Mobile AP MLD. In this case, the NSTR Mobile AP MLD has a maximum of two links, and when it has two links, these two links are NSTR links to each other. The NSTR Mobile AP MLD designates one link as the primary link and the other as the non-primary link. The NSTR Mobile AP MLD only sends management frames such as Beacon frames and Probe Response frames, as well as multicast data frames, through the primary link. Furthermore, between an NSTR Mobile AP MLD and its associated non-AP MLD, it is not permitted for an affiliated AP (i.e., an AP operating on a non-primary link and attached to an NSTR Mobile AP MLD) to compete for the channel and initiate frame exchange with its associated non-AP STA (i.e., an AP operating on a non-primary link and attached to a non-AP MLD) through a non-primary link. Only when an affiliated AP (i.e., an AP operating on a primary link and attached to an NSTR Mobile AP MLD) and its associated non-AP STA (i.e., an AP operating on a primary link and attached to a non-AP MLD) initiate PPDU (Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit) transmission as TXOP holders can the affiliated AP on the non-primary link and its associated non-AP STA initiate PPDU transmission.

[0115] Therefore, if the auxiliary AP corresponding to the primary link of the NSTR Mobile AP MLD enters a lower capability mode, it will reduce the energy consumption of the wireless access point (site) equipment. However, for UHR STAs attached to non-AP MLDs, they can only exchange frames with the auxiliary AP corresponding to the primary link after requesting or instructing the AP corresponding to the primary link of the NSTR Mobile AP MLD to switch to a higher capability mode. For legacy STAs attached to non-AP MLDs (e.g., STAs supporting protocols prior to UHR), such as EHT non-AP MLDs (non-AP MLDs supporting the EHT protocol, EHT stands for Extremely High Throughput), the device is unaware that the NSTR Mobile AP MLD is in a lower capability mode. Thus, if the EHT non-AP MLD sends a UL PPDU to the NSTR Mobile AP MLD while the NSTR Mobile AP MLD is in a low capability mode, transmission may fail, severely impacting transmission efficiency.

[0116] Therefore, further standardization is needed on how to reduce the power consumption of Mobile AP MLD devices while ensuring transmission efficiency.

[0117] Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

[0118] Step 201, Mobile AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode.

[0119] Alternatively, the Mobile AP MLD can be an NSTR Mobile AP MLD.

[0120] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame may be a data frame, a control frame, or a management frame, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the type of frame. Optionally, the data frame may include, but is not limited to, a Quality of Service (QoS) data frame or a QoS null frame, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the type of frame. The control frame may include, but is not limited to, an ACK frame, a Block ACK frame, and a Trigger frame, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the type of frame. The management frame may include, but is not limited to, a Beacon frame, an Association Response frame, a Reassociation Response frame, and a Probe Response frame, and this embodiment of the disclosure does not limit the type of frame.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the parameter value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode.

[0122] Optionally, the first capability communication mode may also be referred to as a first power mode, dynamic power saving mode, low energy communication mode, low capability communication mode, low power communication mode, listening mode, or low power communication phase, etc., and this disclosure does not limit the name. The second capability communication mode may also be referred to as a second power mode, active communication state (e.g., active mode or active state), high energy capability communication mode, high capability communication mode, high power communication mode, etc., and this disclosure does not limit the name.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the parameter value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode.

[0124] Optionally, the same communication parameters (i.e., the above "at least one communication parameter") corresponding to the first capability communication mode or the second capability communication mode may include, but are not limited to, bandwidth, supported MCS methods, and the number of SSs.

[0125] As an example of "the first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one of the same communication parameters, and the parameter value of the communication parameter is less in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode", taking the communication parameter as the working bandwidth as an example, assuming that the device supports a working bandwidth of 20MHz (Mega Hertz) in the first capability communication mode, then in the second capability communication mode, the device supports a working bandwidth greater than 20MHz, for example, it can be any one or more of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz or 320MHz.

[0126] Optionally, in the first capability communication mode, the device supports a basic bandwidth of 20MHz (i.e., BW = 20MHz), the number of SSs is 1 (i.e., NSS = 1), and the maximum value of the MCS index is 5, meaning the MCS index value can be any value from 0 to 5, for example, an MCS index value of 5. In the second capability communication mode, the device supports a bandwidth greater than or equal to 20MHz, for example, any one or more of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz, the number of SSs can be greater than or equal to 1, and the MCS index can be greater than or equal to 5, for example, an MCS index value can be any value from 5 to 13. Optionally, the larger the value of the MCS index supported by the device, the greater the number of spatial streams supported by the device, and the greater the amount of data that can be transmitted.

[0127] In some embodiments, the first identification information may also identify that the first AP has entered power saving mode.

[0128] In some embodiments, the power-saving mode (e.g., the dynamic power-saving mode described above) may include a Doze State (also known as a hibernation state) and an Awake State (wake-up state).

[0129] Optionally, power-saving mode is relative to Active Mode (e.g., the aforementioned active communication state or active state). Active Mode allows the communication device to send or receive data; in Active Mode, all radio frequency links are active, resulting in higher power consumption (hereinafter referred to as "power consumption"). In power-saving mode, when the communication device enters the Awake State, its power consumption is the same as in the Active State, and it can still receive or send data. Doze State can be the opposite of Awake State; when the communication device enters the Doze State, its power consumption is very low, and it cannot perform transmit or receive operations.

[0130] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode;

[0131] The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

[0132] Optionally, the time required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode may include, but is not limited to: the time required for the first AP to switch from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode, the time required for the first AP to switch from the second capability communication mode to the first capability communication mode, the time required for the first AP to switch from the power saving mode to the second capability communication mode, the time required for the first AP to switch from the second capability communication mode to the power saving mode, or the longest time required for the switching operations mentioned above. This disclosure embodiment does not limit this.

[0133] In some embodiments, the duration of the first AP's first capability communication mode can be determined based on whether there is a periodic pattern in the duration of the first AP's first capability communication mode, thus determining whether the first AP periodically enters the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode.

[0134] Wherein, if the duration of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode has a periodic pattern, it can be determined that the first AP periodically enters the first capability communication mode, and the time information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode includes: the duration of the first AP in the first capability communication mode each time and the periodic information.

[0135] As an example, if the first AP needs to enter the first capability communication mode every 40 milliseconds (ms), and the duration of each time it is in the first capability communication mode is 10ms, it can be determined that the first AP periodically enters the first capability communication mode, and the period information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode is 40ms each time, and the duration of one period is 10ms.

[0136] If the duration of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode does not follow a periodic pattern, it can be determined that the first AP does not enter the first capability communication mode non-periodically, and the time information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode includes at least two of the following: the start time, duration, and end time of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode.

[0137] Wherein, if the time information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode includes the start time and duration of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode, the end time of the first AP in the first capability communication mode can be determined based on the start time and duration of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode; if the time information of the first AP in the first capability communication mode includes the duration and end time of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode, the start time of the first AP in the first capability communication mode can be determined based on the end time and duration of the first AP entering the first capability communication mode.

[0138] Step 202: The Mobile AP MLD sends a first radio frame to its associated non-AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link. Accordingly, the non-AP MLD receives the first radio frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD via the second link.

[0139] Optionally, when the Mobile AP MLD sends the first radio frame to its associated non-AP MLD via the second link, that is, the second AP sends the first radio frame to the second non-AP STA; wherein the second AP operates on the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, and the second non-AP STA operates on the second link and is attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0140] Optionally, the first link and the second link can be NSTR links to each other.

[0141] Optionally, the primary link and non-primary link in at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD can be designated according to the agreement or actual needs. This disclosure does not limit this. For example, if the link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD includes Link1 and Link2, Link1 can be designated as the primary link and Link2 as the non-primary link; or Link2 can be designated as the primary link and Link1 as the non-primary link.

[0142] Optionally, as described above, the Mobile AP MLD can send management frames such as Beacon and Probe Response frames, as well as multicast data frames, to the non-AP MLD via the primary link. Furthermore, the Mobile AP MLD and its associated non-AP MLD are not allowed to compete for the channel and initiate frame exchanges independently via the auxiliary AP corresponding to the non-primary link and the associated non-AP STA. Only when the auxiliary AP corresponding to the primary link initiates PPDU transmission as a TXOP holder with the associated non-AP STA can the auxiliary AP on the non-primary link initiate PPDU transmission with the associated non-AP STA.

[0143] Step 203: The first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0144] In this embodiment, the Mobile AP MLD informs the non-AP MLD via a first radio frame that the first AP, which is attached to the Mobile AP MLD and operates on a non-main link, is in a first capability communication mode. After sending the first radio frame to the non-AP MLD, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode, and the second AP, which operates on the main link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active. In this way, the Mobile AP MLD can maintain low power consumption on the non-main link while continuing to communicate with the non-AP MLD through the main link, thereby reducing the power consumption of the Mobile AP MLD while ensuring normal communication between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD without affecting the communication efficiency between them.

[0145] In some embodiments, after the first AP enters the first capability communication mode and the second AP remains active, the Mobile AP MLD can communicate with the non-AP MLD based on the communication modes of the first and second APs. Specifically, this can include the following methods:

[0146] The Mobile AP MLD sends a first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD sends a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU;

[0147] The non-AP MLD sends a first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU;

[0148] After the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, the Mobile AP MLD sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD sends a response frame for the second downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link;

[0149] The non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link; wherein the second radio frame instructs the first AP to switch from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode; after the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode according to the second radio frame, the non-AP MLD sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link and the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the first link and the second link.

[0150] The following descriptions, in conjunction with Figures 3 to 7, illustrate the operations following the first AP entering the first capability communication mode and the second AP remaining active (i.e., step 203) (i.e., the various ways in which the Mobile AP MLD communicates with the non-AP MLD based on the communication modes of the first and second APs described above):

[0151] Referring to Figure 3, after step 203, the above method may further include:

[0152] Step 301: The Mobile AP MLD sends a first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD sends a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU.

[0153] Accordingly, the non-AP MLD receives the first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD receives the response frame sent by the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU.

[0154] In this embodiment, the second AP remains active. Optionally, the first AP may be in a first capability communication mode.

[0155] Optionally, the Mobile AP MLD sends the first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link. That is, the second AP sends the first downlink PPDU to the second non-AP STA, which operates on the second link and is attached to the non-AP MLD, under the second link. The non-AP MLD sends a response frame for the first downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link. That is, the second non-AP STA sends a response frame for the first downlink PPDU to the second AP under the second link.

[0156] Optionally, the non-AP MLD receives the first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link, that is, the second non-AP STA receives the first downlink PPDU sent by the second AP under the second link. The Mobile AP MLD receives the response frame sent by the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU through the second link, that is, the second AP receives the response frame sent by the second non-AP STA for the first downlink PPDU under the second link.

[0157] As mentioned above, the second AP remains active, so the Mobile AP MLD can continue to send downlink PPDUs to the non-AP MLD via the second link, and / or the non-AP MLD can continue to send corresponding response information to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link.

[0158] Referring to Figure 4, after step 203, the above method may further include:

[0159] Step 401: The non-AP MLD sends a first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU.

[0160] Accordingly, the Mobile AP MLD receives the first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD receives a response frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU.

[0161] In this embodiment, the second AP remains active. Optionally, the first AP may be in a first capability communication mode.

[0162] Optionally, the non-AP MLD sends the first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; that is, the second non-AP STA sends the first uplink PPDU to the second AP under the second link. The Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame for the first uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; that is, the second AP sends a response frame for the first uplink PPDU to the second non-AP STA under the second link.

[0163] Optionally, the Mobile AP MLD receives the first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the second link; that is, the second AP receives the first uplink PPDU sent by the second non-AP STA under the second link. The non-AP MLD receives the response frame for the first uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; that is, the second non-AP STA receives the response frame for the first uplink PPDU sent by the second AP under the second link.

[0164] As mentioned above, the second AP remains active, so the non-AP MLD can continue to send uplink PPDUs to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, and / or the Mobile AP MLD can continue to send corresponding response information to the non-AP MLD via the second link.

[0165] Referring to Figure 5, in this embodiment, the second AP remains active. The first AP can be in a first capability communication mode. After step 203, the above method may further include:

[0166] Step 501, the Mobile AP MLD sends a first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD sends a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU.

[0167] Accordingly, the non-AP MLD receives the first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD receives the response frame sent by the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU.

[0168] Optionally, the specific implementation of step 501 can be found in step 301 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0169] Step 502, the non-AP MLD sends a first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU.

[0170] Accordingly, the Mobile AP MLD receives the first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD receives a response frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU.

[0171] Optionally, the specific implementation of step 502 can be found in step 401 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0172] Optionally, the execution order of steps 501 and 502 is not limited in the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0173] Referring to Figure 6, in this embodiment, the second AP remains active. The Mobile AP MLD actively controls the first AP to switch from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode. After step 203, the above method may further include:

[0174] Step 601: After the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, the Mobile AP MLD sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD sends a response frame for the second downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0175] Accordingly, the non-AP MLD receives the second downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD receives the response frame for the second downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0176] As described above, a Mobile AP MLD and its associated non-AP MLD are not allowed to compete for the channel and initiate frame exchange independently through the auxiliary AP corresponding to the non-primary link and the non-AP STA associated with that auxiliary AP. Only when the auxiliary AP corresponding to the primary link and the non-AP STA associated with that auxiliary AP initiate PPDU transmission as TXOP holders can the auxiliary AP on the non-primary link and its associated non-AP STA initiate PPDU transmission.

[0177] Optionally, the Mobile AP MLD sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the first and second links. Specifically, the second AP sends a downlink PPDU to the second non-AP STA via the second link, and the first AP sends a downlink PPDU to the first non-AP STA via the first link. The non-AP MLD sends a response frame for the second downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the first and second links. Specifically, the second non-AP STA sends a response frame for the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP via the second link, and the first non-AP STA sends a response frame for the downlink PPDU sent by the first AP via the first link. The first non-AP STA is the non-AP STA operating on the first link and attached to the non-AP MLD.

[0178] Optionally, the non-AP MLD receives the second downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link. That is, the second non-AP STA receives the downlink PPDU sent by the second AP under the second link, and the first non-AP STA receives the downlink PPDU sent by the first AP under the first link. The Mobile AP MLD receives response frames for the second downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link. That is, the first AP receives the response frames for the downlink PPDU sent by the first non-AP STA under the first link, and the second AP receives the response frames for the downlink PPDU sent by the second non-AP STA under the second link.

[0179] As described above, the first AP is in the first capability communication mode and cannot communicate with the first non-AP STA. When the Mobile AP MLD needs to send a downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the second link, it needs to wake up the first AP and control it to switch to the second capability communication mode.

[0180] As mentioned above, the first AP can only communicate with the first non-AP STA after it switches to the second capability communication mode; that is, after the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, the Mobile AP MLD can continue to send downlink PPDUs to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link, and / or the non-AP MLD can continue to send corresponding response information to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0181] Optionally, steps 301, 401, 501 and 502 described above may also be performed before step 601.

[0182] Referring to Figure 7, in this embodiment, the second AP remains active. The first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode upon triggering a non-AP MLD. After step 203, the method may further include:

[0183] Step 701: The non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode. Correspondingly, the Mobile AP MLD receives the second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD via the first link.

[0184] Optionally, the second radio frame may include, but is not limited to, an initial control frame (ICF frame), a MU-RTS frame (multiple user request to send), or a BFRP frame (Beamforming Report Poll).

[0185] As described above, the first AP is in the first capability communication mode and cannot communicate with the first non-AP STA, while the second AP is active. When the non-AP MLD needs to send an uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, the first AP needs to be woken up first and switched to the second capability communication mode. In this way, the non-AP MLD can send a second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link (i.e., the second non-AP MLD sends a second radio frame to the second AP under the first link), triggering the first AP to switch from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode.

[0186] Optionally, if the first radio frame indicates that the first AP is triggered to enter power saving mode, the second radio frame may indicate that the first AP switches from power saving mode to a second capability communication mode, wherein the second communication mode may be an active state.

[0187] Optionally, steps 301, 401, 501 and 502 described above may also be performed before step 701.

[0188] Referring to Figure 8, in this embodiment, the second AP remains active. The first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode upon triggering by the non-AP MLD. After step 601 (receiving the second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD via the first link), the method may further include:

[0189] Step 801: The first AP switches to the second capability communication mode according to the second wireless frame.

[0190] Step 802, the non-AP MLD sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or, the Mobile AP MLD sends a response frame for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0191] Accordingly, the Mobile AP MLD receives the second uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or, the non-AP MLD receives the response frame for the second uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0192] Optionally, after the Mobile AP MLD receives the second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link, the first AP can switch to the second capability communication mode in response to the second radio frame.

[0193] Optionally, the non-AP MLD sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the first and second links. Specifically, the first non-AP STA sends an uplink PPDU to the first AP via the first link, and the second non-AP STA sends an uplink PPDU to the second AP via the first link. The Mobile AP MLD sends response frames for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the first and second links. Specifically, the first AP sends a response frame for the uplink PPDU sent by the first non-AP STA via the first link, and the second AP sends a response frame for the uplink PPDU sent by the second non-AP STA via the second link.

[0194] Optionally, the Mobile AP MLD receives the second uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link. That is, the first AP receives the uplink PPDU sent by the first non-AP STA under the first link, and the second AP receives the uplink PPDU sent by the second non-AP STA under the first link. The non-AP MLD receives the response frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD for the second uplink PPDU through the first link and the second link. That is, the first non-AP STA receives the response frame sent by the first AP for the uplink PPDU sent by the first non-AP STA under the first link, and the second non-AP STA receives the response frame sent by the second AP for the uplink PPDU sent by the second non-AP STA under the second link.

[0195] As mentioned above, after the non-AP MLD wakes up the first AP and switches to the second capability communication mode, the first non-AP STA can communicate with the first AP; that is, after the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, the non-AP MLD can continue to send uplink PPDUs to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link, and / or the Mobile AP MLD can continue to send corresponding response information to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0196] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 2 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or combination of any number of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0197] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 3 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0198] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 4 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0199] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 5 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or combination of any number of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0200] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 6 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0201] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 7 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0202] Optionally, the process shown in Figure 8 can be implemented as a standalone embodiment, or each step or any combination of steps can be implemented as a standalone embodiment.

[0203] The processes shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2 and Figure 4 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 4 can be implemented as an independent embodiment (i.e., the process shown in Figure 5). The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 6 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 4, and Figure 6 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 5, and Figure 6 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2 and Figure 7 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 7, and Figure 8 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figure 2, Figure 3, and Figure 7 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The processes shown in Figures 2, 3, 7, and 8 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. (This is repeated four times in the original text.)

[0204] In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a power-saving method and process applicable to a Mobile AP MLD. Specifically, the Mobile AP (which supports multi-link communication, i.e., the Mobile AP MLD mentioned above) broadcasts the time and / or period during which the auxiliary AP (i.e., the second AP) where the non-primary link (i.e., the first link) is located operates in low-capability mode (i.e., the first capability communication mode) through the primary link (i.e., the second link mentioned above), and keeps the auxiliary AP where the primary link is located in active mode (i.e., the active state, Active mode); if the Mobile AP needs to send a DL PPDU (i.e., the second downlink PPDU mentioned above) through the non-primary link, the auxiliary AP where the non-primary link is located can actively switch to high-capability mode; if the associated non-AP MLD needs to send a UL PPDU (i.e., the second uplink PPDU mentioned above) through the non-primary link, it first sends an initial control frame through the primary link to instruct the auxiliary AP where the non-primary link is located to switch to high-capability mode before receiving the UL PPDU. Based on the method described above, a Mobile AP can reduce its power consumption by having a secondary AP connected to a non-primary link operate in low-capacity mode, while keeping the secondary AP connected to the primary link in active mode to ensure transmission efficiency. Specifically, this may include the following steps:

[0205] 1. A Mobile AP MLD that supports low-capability mode can send a first radio frame through a second link. The first radio frame carries first identification information, which indicates that the affiliated AP corresponding to the first link has entered low-capability mode.

[0206] The second link is the primary link designated by the Mobile AP MLD; the first link is the non-primary link of the Mobile AP MLD.

[0207] Optionally, the first identification information includes, but is not limited to:

[0208] The start time when the associated AP corresponding to the first link enters low-capacity mode;

[0209] The duration during which the associated AP corresponding to the first link is in low-capacity mode;

[0210] The interval between two consecutive low-capacity modes corresponding to the first link (i.e., the aforementioned periodic information);

[0211] The time required for the associated AP of the first link to switch from low capability mode to high capability mode (i.e., the time required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode).

[0212] 2. After the Mobile AP MLD sends the first radio frame, the auxiliary AP corresponding to the second link remains in Active mode, and the auxiliary AP corresponding to the second link (i.e. the aforementioned second AP) is in low-capability mode for the time indicated by the first identification information.

[0213] 3. When the Mobile AP MLD enters the low-capability mode identified by the first identification information, the Mobile AP MLD may perform the following operations:

[0214] 3.1. Send DL PPDU (i.e. the first downlink PPDU mentioned above) to its associated non-AP STA (i.e., a non-AP STA operating on the second link and attached to the non-AP MLD) via the second link, and / or receive the corresponding response sent by the non-AP STA (i.e., receive the response frame sent by the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU mentioned above).

[0215] 3.2. The associated AP corresponding to the first link (i.e. the first AP mentioned above) switches to high-capacity mode, sends DL PPDU (i.e. the second downlink PPDU mentioned above) to its associated non-AP MLD through the second link and the first link, and / or receives the corresponding response sent by the non-AP MLD (i.e. the response frame sent by the non-AP MLD for the second downlink PPDU mentioned above) through the second link and the first link.

[0216] 3.3. Receive the UL PPDU (i.e. the first uplink PPDU mentioned above) sent by its associated non-AP STA through the second link, and / or send a corresponding response (i.e. send a response frame for the first uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD mentioned above) through the second link.

[0217] 3.4. Receive a second radio frame sent by its associated non-AP MLD via the second link, wherein the second radio frame indicates that the auxiliary AP corresponding to the first link switches from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode; after the auxiliary AP corresponding to the first link switches from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode, the Mobile AP MLD receives the UL PPDU (i.e., the aforementioned second uplink PPDU) sent by its associated non-AP MLD via the second link and the first link, and / or sends a corresponding response (i.e., the aforementioned sending a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the second uplink PPDU) via the second link and the first link.

[0218] 4. When the Mobile AP MLD enters the low-capability mode identified by the first identification information, the non-AP MLD associated with the Mobile AP MLD can perform the following operations:

[0219] 4.1. Receive the DL PPDU (i.e. the first downlink PPDU) sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link, and / or respond through the second link (i.e., send a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU).

[0220] 4.2. The auxiliary AP corresponding to the first link switches to high-capacity mode, receives the DL PPDU (i.e. the second downlink PPDU) sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link and the first link, and / or responds through the second link and the first link (i.e., sends a response frame for the second downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD).

[0221] 4.3. Send a UL PPDU (i.e., the first uplink PPDU) to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, and / or receive a corresponding response (i.e., receive the response frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU).

[0222] 4.4. Send a second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, wherein the second radio frame indicates that the auxiliary AP corresponding to the first link switches from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode; after the auxiliary AP corresponding to the first link switches from a low-capability mode to a high-capability mode, the non-AP MLD sends a UL PPDU (i.e., the aforementioned second uplink PPDU) to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link and the first link, and / or receives a corresponding response (i.e., receives the aforementioned response frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD for the second uplink PPDU) via the second link and the first link.

[0223] Based on the power-saving method and process for Mobile AP MLD provided in the embodiments of this disclosure, Mobile AP MLD can reduce power consumption by having the auxiliary AP operating on the non-primary link operate in low-capacity mode; and keep the auxiliary AP on the primary link in active mode to ensure transmission efficiency.

[0224] The following describes the communication parameters corresponding to the first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode.

[0225] Optionally, in one communication mode, the MCS information supported by the device is associated with multiple communication parameters. For example, the communication parameters associated with the MCS information may include, but are not limited to: NSS, the modulation scheme supported by each spatial stream, coding rate, BW, device transmission resource type [e.g., Resource Unit RU, Multiple Resource Unit (MRU), Distributed Resource Unit (dRU), UEQM, etc.], whether the device supports BW punctured channel pattern, and at least one of the punctured channel density supported by the device.

[0226] For example, regarding each communication parameter, does the device support its specific parameter values? For instance, for NSS, the maximum NSS supported by the device could be 4, 8, or 16. Taking modulation schemes as an example, the modulation schemes supported by a spatial stream supported by the device could be at least one of Binary Phase Shift Keying (BPSK), Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK), Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM), 64-QAM, 256-QAM, 1024-QAM, and 4096-QAM. Taking coding rate as an example, the coding rate supported by a spatial stream supported by the device could be 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 4, or 5 / 6. Taking BW as an example, the BW supported by the device could be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz. When the device supports BW punch channel mode, the punch channel density supported by the device may be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz.

[0227] For a given device, the MCS information it supports can be found in Table 1.

[0228] Table 1:

[0229] As shown in Table 1, n, n+1, n+2, n+3, n+4, etc., are merely examples used to distinguish the differences between each row. Specific values ​​need to be adjusted according to the actual situation. In each row, the NSS, modulation, coding rate, transmission resource type, BW, whether puncturing is supported, and puncturing channel density corresponding to the device can be arbitrarily combined, and the corresponding MCS index value will differ under different combinations. For example, in the first row, the MCS index values ​​corresponding to different combinations can be t, t+1, t+2, ..., etc.

[0230] Optionally, the NSS in Table 1 may specifically include Rx NSS or Tx NSS. This disclosure does not limit this, and it can be set according to the actual situation.

[0231] In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to those described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

[0232] In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

[0233] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0234] In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

[0235] In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values ​​(e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

[0236] In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and / or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

[0237] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 501 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 601 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 801 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 201, step 202, and step 203 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. 1. The combination of steps 202, 203 and 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201, 202, 203 and 401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201, 202, 203, 501 and 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201, 202, 203 and 601 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201, 202, 203 and 701 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 201, 202, 203, 701 and 801 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0238] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG8 may be referred to.

[0239] Figure 9 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0240] As shown in Figure 9, the above method can be applied to Mobile AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0241] Step 901, determine the first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: the first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered the first capability communication mode.

[0242] Step 902: Send a first radio frame to its associated non-AP MLD via the second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link.

[0243] Step 903: The first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0244] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode;

[0245] The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

[0246] In some embodiments, after the first AP enters a first capability communication mode and the second AP remains active, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0247] Send a first downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or receive a response frame from the non-AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU;

[0248] Receive the first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the second link; and / or send a response frame to the non-AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU;

[0249] After the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame for the second downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link;

[0250] The first link receives a second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode;

[0251] The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode. The second capability communication mode includes an active state.

[0252] In some embodiments, after receiving the second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD via the first link, the process includes:

[0253] The first AP switches to the second capability communication mode based on the second wireless frame;

[0254] Receive the second uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or send a response frame for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0255] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0256] The communication method involved in the embodiments of this disclosure may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 901 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 902 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 903 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 901 and step 902 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 901, step 902 and step 903 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0257] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 9 may be referred to.

[0258] Figure 10 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0259] As shown in Figure 10, the above method can be applied to non-AP MLD, and the method includes:

[0260] Step 1001: Receive a first radio frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0261] Specifically, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0262] In some embodiments, the first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode;

[0263] The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

[0264] In some embodiments, after receiving the first radio frame transmitted by the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0265] Receive the first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the second link; and / or send a response frame to the Mobile AP MLD for the first downlink PPDU;

[0266] Send a first uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; and / or receive a response frame from the Mobile AP MLD for the first uplink PPDU;

[0267] Receives a second downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD via the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame sent to the Mobile AP MLD for the second downlink PPDU via the first link and the second link; wherein the first AP switches to a second capability communication mode;

[0268] A second radio frame is sent to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode;

[0269] The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode. The second capability communication mode includes an active state.

[0270] In some embodiments, after sending the second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link, the process includes:

[0271] After the first AP switches from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame for the second uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

[0272] In some embodiments, the steps and their optional implementations in other embodiments described before or after this embodiment, as well as other related parts in the specification, can be referred to, and will not be repeated here.

[0273] This disclosure also proposes an apparatus (also referred to as a communication device, etc.) for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Furthermore, another apparatus is proposed that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

[0274] It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

[0275] In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. Furthermore, it can also be a hardware circuit designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as an ASIC, such as a Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), a Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), or a Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU).

[0276] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the Mobile AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The Mobile AP MLD is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the Mobile AP MLD 1100 may include at least one of a processing module 1101, a transceiver module 1102, etc.

[0277] In some embodiments, the processing module 1101 is configured to determine a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that a first AP operating under a first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode.

[0278] The transceiver module 1102 described above is used to send a first radio frame to its associated non-AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link.

[0279] The aforementioned processing module 1101 is also used to trigger the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0280] Optionally, the processing module 1101 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps performed by the Mobile AP MLD in any of the above methods (e.g., steps 201, 203, 901, 903, but not limited thereto), which will not be described in detail here. The transceiver module 1102 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps performed by the Mobile AP MLD in any of the above methods (e.g., steps 202, 301, 401, 501, 502, 601, 701, 801, 902, but not limited thereto), which will not be described in detail here.

[0281] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the determining module and the processor, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver and the transceiver module.

[0282] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a non-AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The non-AP MLD is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 12, the non-AP MLD may include a transceiver module 1201.

[0283] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1201 is configured to receive a first radio frame sent by a Mobile AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link;

[0284] Specifically, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

[0285] Optionally, the transceiver module 1201 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 202, 301, 401, 501, 502, 601, 701, 801, 1001, but not limited thereto) of the non-AP MLD in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0286] In some embodiments, the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver and the transceiver module.

[0287] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1300 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 1300 can be a network device (e.g., access network device, core network device, etc.), a terminal (e.g., user equipment, etc.), a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the network device in implementing any of the above methods, or a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the terminal in implementing any of the above methods. The communication device 1300 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments; for details, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments.

[0288] As shown in Figure 13, the communication device 1300 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 1300 includes one or more processors 1301. The processor 1301 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be used to process communication protocols and communication data, and the central processing unit may be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Optionally, the communication device 1300 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 1301 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 1300 to execute any of the above methods.

[0289] In some embodiments, the communication device 1300 further includes one or more transceivers 1302. When the communication device 1300 includes one or more transceivers 1302, the transceiver 1302 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 301, 401, 501, 502, 601, 701, 801, 902, 1001, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1301 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 203, 901, 903, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, interface, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably; the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., can be used interchangeably.

[0290] In some embodiments, the communication device 1300 further includes one or more memories 1303 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 1301 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 1303 to cause the communication device 1300 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1303 may also be located outside the communication device 1300. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 1300 may include one or more interface circuits 1304. Optionally, the interface circuit 1304 is connected to the memory 1302 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 1302 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 1302 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1304 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 1302 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 1301.

[0291] The communication device 1300 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 1300 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 1300 may not be limited by FIG13. The communication device may be a standalone device or may be part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) a standalone integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a collection of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC collection may also include storage components for storing data, programs and / or instructions; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

[0292] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1400 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 1300 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 1400 shown in Figure 14 can be referenced, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0293] Chip 1400 includes one or more processors 1401. Chip 1400 is used to perform any of the above methods.

[0294] In some embodiments, chip 1400 further includes one or more interface circuits 1402. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 1400 further includes one or more memories 1403 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1403 may be located outside of chip 1400. Optionally, interface circuit 1402 is connected to memory 1403, and interface circuit 1402 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 1403 or other devices, and interface circuit 1402 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 1403 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1402 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 1403 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 1401.

[0295] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1402 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps 202, 301, 401, 501, 502, 601, 701, 801, 902, 1001, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 1402 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 1402 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 1401, chip 1400, memory 1403, or transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 1401 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 203, 901, 903, but not limited thereto).

[0296] The modules and / or devices described in the various embodiments, such as virtual devices, physical devices, and chips, can be combined or separated arbitrarily as needed. Optionally, some or all steps can also be performed collaboratively by multiple modules and / or devices, which is not limited here.

[0297] This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

[0298] This disclosure also proposes a program product, including a program and / or instructions, which, when executed by a communication device, cause the communication device to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product. Optionally, the program product is stored on the storage medium.

[0299] This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a Mobile AP MLD, the method includes: A first wireless frame is determined; wherein the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: the first access point device AP, which operates under the first link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, has entered the first capability communication mode; A first radio frame is sent to its associated multi-link non-access point device (non-AP MLD) via a second link; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link; The first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode; The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

3. The communication method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, After the first AP enters the first capability communication mode and the second AP remains active, the method further includes at least one of the following: Send a first downlink physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) to the non-AP MLD via the second link; and / or receive a response frame for the first downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD; The first uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD is received via the second link; And / or, send a response frame for the first uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD; After the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second downlink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; And / or, receive response frames for the second downlink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD via the first link and the second link; The first link receives a second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode; The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the parameter value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, After receiving the second radio frame sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link, the process includes: The first AP switches to the second capability communication mode based on the second wireless frame; Receive the second uplink PPDU sent by the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or send a response frame for the second uplink PPDU to the non-AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

5. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by a non-AP MLD, the method includes: The system receives a first radio frame sent by the Mobile AP MLD via a second link; wherein the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information indicating that: a first AP operating under the first link and attached to the Mobile AP MLD has entered a first capability communication mode; wherein the first link is a non-primary link among at least one link established between the Mobile AP MLD and the non-AP MLD, and the second link is the primary link among the at least one link; Specifically, the first AP enters the first capability communication mode; and the second AP, which operates under the second link and is attached to the Mobile AP MLD, remains active.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first identification information includes: the duration required for the first AP to enter the first capability communication mode and the time information of the first AP being in the first capability communication mode; The time information includes at least two of the following: start time, duration, and end time, and / or periodic information.

7. The communication method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, After receiving the first radio frame transmitted by the Mobile AP MLD via the second link, the method further includes at least one of the following: The first downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD is received via the second link; And / or, send a response frame for the first downlink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD; The first uplink PPDU is sent to the Mobile AP MLD via the second link; And / or, receive a response frame for the first uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD; Receive the second downlink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; And / or, receive a response frame for the second downlink PPDU sent to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link and the second link; wherein the first AP switches to the second capability communication mode; A second radio frame is sent to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link; wherein the second radio frame indicates that the first AP switches from a first capability communication mode to a second capability communication mode; The first capability communication mode and the second capability communication mode include at least one identical communication parameter, wherein the parameter value of the communication parameter is smaller in the first capability communication mode than in the second capability communication mode.

8. The communication method according to claim 7, characterized in that, After sending the second radio frame to the Mobile AP MLD via the first link, the process includes: After the first AP switches from the first capability communication mode to the second capability communication mode, it sends a second uplink PPDU to the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link; and / or receives a response frame for the second uplink PPDU sent by the Mobile AP MLD through the first link and the second link.

9. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4 or claims 5 to 8.

10. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, When the instruction is executed on the communication device, the communication device performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 4, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 5 to 8.

11. A program product comprising at least one of a program and instructions, characterized in that, When at least one of the programs or instructions is executed by a communication device, it implements the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 4, or the communication method of any one of claims 5 to 8.

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