Communication method, communication device, and communication system

Abstract

The embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a communication method, a communication device, and a communication system. The communication method is executed by a first access point (AP) device, and comprises: sending a first wireless frame to at least one second AP device, wherein the first wireless frame is used for sharing a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity (TXOP) with the second AP device; and receiving a second wireless frame sent by the second AP device, wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame of the first wireless frame, and the second wireless frame comprises resource information for the second AP device to perform a data transmission operation, the resource information comprising at least one of a second transmission duration required by the second AP device that is to be allocated by the first AP device to perform the data transmission operation, a data volume for the data transmission operation performed by the second AP device, and communication resource information for the second AP device to perform the data transmission operation. Thus, existing resource allocation mechanisms can be enhanced, so as to achieve inter-BSS interference mitigation, improve communication quality of service, and ensure requirements such as low-latency service latency.

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] 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. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This disclosure provides a communication method, communication device, and communication system to enhance resource allocation mechanisms.

[0004] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a communication method executed by a first access point device (AP), comprising:

[0005] Send a first radio frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first radio frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity TXOP with the second AP;

[0006] The second wireless frame sent by the second AP is received; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0007] Secondly, this disclosure also provides a communication method, executed by a second AP, comprising:

[0008] Receive a first wireless frame sent by a first AP; wherein the first wireless frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a TXOP with the second AP;

[0009] The system determines and sends a second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs the first AP to allocate for data transmission operations, the amount of data that the second AP needs to perform data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0010] Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device for performing the communication method described in the first or second aspect.

[0011] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0012] One or more processors;

[0013] The communication device is used to execute the communication method described in the first or second aspect of the embodiments of this disclosure.

[0014] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first AP and a second AP;

[0015] Wherein, the first AP is configured to implement the communication method described in the first aspect, and the second AP is configured to implement the communication method described in the second aspect.

[0016] 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.

[0017] 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.

[0018] In this embodiment, a first AP sends a first radio frame to at least one second AP to share a first transmission duration within the TXOP with the second AP; and receives a response frame (i.e., a second radio frame) sent by the second AP in response to the first radio frame; wherein, the second radio frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs the first AP to allocate for data transmission operations, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations; in this way, the first AP can obtain the transmission duration, data amount, and communication resource information involved in the actual data transmission operations performed by the second AP, thereby laying the groundwork for adjusting the transmission duration and communication resource information shared with the second AP, so as to further improve the efficiency of resource allocation, reduce interference between BSSs, improve the quality of communication services, and ensure low latency service requirements, which is suitable for UHR requirements.

[0019] 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

[0020] 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.

[0021] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of the communication system provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0022] Figure 2 is one of the interactive schematic diagrams of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0023] Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0024] Figure 4 is the third interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0025] Figure 5 is a fourth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0026] Figure 6 is the fifth interactive schematic diagram of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this disclosure;

[0027] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a scenario of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0028] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0029] Figure 9 is a second schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0030] Figure 10 is a structural schematic diagram of the first access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0031] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second access point device proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0032] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

[0033] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0034] This disclosure presents a communication method, communication device, and communication system.

[0035] In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a first access point device (AP), comprising:

[0036] Send a first radio frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first radio frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity TXOP with the second AP;

[0037] The second wireless frame sent by the second AP is received; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0038] In the above embodiments, the first AP can obtain the transmission duration, data volume, and communication resource information involved in the actual data transmission operation of the second AP, thereby laying the groundwork for adjusting the transmission duration and communication resource information shared with the second AP, so as to further improve the efficiency of resource allocation, reduce interference between BSSs, improve the quality of communication services, and ensure the latency of low-latency services, which is suitable for UHR requirements.

[0039] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the communication resource information includes at least one of the following:

[0040] The encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0041] In the above embodiments, the communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations may specifically include MCS information, spatial stream information, and transmission direction for performing data transmission operations.

[0042] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

[0043] In the above embodiments, the various communication resource information of the second AP performing data transmission operations can correspond to the transmission direction.

[0044] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes one or more of the following:

[0045] If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, then the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP.

[0046] If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0047] In the above embodiments, the first AP can try to meet the second AP's transmission duration requirements (i.e., the second transmission duration identified in the first identification information in the second radio frame). If the TXOP currently obtained by the first AP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, the first AP can allocate the second transmission duration to the second AP. If the TXOP currently obtained by the first AP is less than the second transmission duration, the first AP can try to allocate the transmission duration to the second AP without affecting the data transmission operations of other second APs. After the first AP reacquires the TXOP, the first AP can continue to allocate the transmission duration to the second AP until the second transmission duration is met.

[0048] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first radio frame includes one or more of first identification information and second identification information; the first identification information includes: identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: resource units allocated by the first AP to the second AP for transmitting a response frame of the first radio frame.

[0049] In the above embodiments, in the first wireless frame, the identification information of the second AP can be identified by the first identification information, and the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for sending the response frame of the first wireless frame can be identified by the second identification information.

[0050] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, when the number of the second APs includes at least two, the TA address of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address;

[0051] The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

[0052] In the above embodiments, when the number of second APs includes at least two, the first wireless frame can be broadcast, that is, the TA address of the first wireless frame is the broadcast address, and it carries the first identification information and the second identification information corresponding to each second AP.

[0053] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first radio frame includes a BSRP frame (buffer status report poll), the BSRP frame including a duration field, the duration field identifying the length of the TXOP.

[0054] In the above embodiments, the length of the TXOP acquired by the first AP can be carried in the Duration field of the first wireless frame.

[0055] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes one or more of third identification information and fourth identification information.

[0056] The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0057] The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0058] In the above embodiments, in the multi-AP coordination transmission mechanism, the first radio frame can be a multi-AP coordination transmission frame. Correspondingly, in the first radio frame, the third identification information can identify that the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation; and the fourth identification information can identify the strategy type of the first strategy for the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation initiated by the first radio frame.

[0059] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0060] A third radio frame is determined; wherein the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0061] The third wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0062] In the above embodiments, the first AP can inform the second AP through a third wireless frame that the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0063] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0064] The system receives a fourth radio frame sent by the second AP; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0065] In the above embodiment, the second AP can inform the first AP through the fourth wireless frame that the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0066] In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0067] A fifth radio frame is determined; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for use in multi-AP coordinated transmission;

[0068] The fifth wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0069] In the above embodiments, the first AP can allocate identification information to the second AP for coordinating transmission between multiple APs.

[0070] Secondly, embodiments of this disclosure propose a communication method executed by a second AP, comprising:

[0071] Receive a first wireless frame sent by a first AP; wherein the first wireless frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a TXOP with the second AP;

[0072] The system determines and sends a second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs the first AP to allocate for data transmission operations, the amount of data that the second AP needs to perform data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0073] In the above embodiments, after receiving the transmission duration allocated by the first AP, the second AP can inform the first AP of the actual transmission duration, data volume, and communication resource information involved in the data transmission operation through the second wireless frame. This facilitates the first AP to adjust the transmission duration and communication resource information shared with the second AP, thereby improving the efficiency of resource allocation, reducing interference between BSSs, enhancing communication service quality, and ensuring low latency service requirements, which is suitable for UHR requirements.

[0074] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the communication resource information includes at least one of the following:

[0075] The modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0076] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the amount of data correspond to the transmission direction.

[0077] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0078] If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, the first AP shall allocate the second transmission duration to the second AP.

[0079] If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, the third transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP is received; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, the fourth transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP is received; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0080] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first radio frame includes one or more of first identification information and second identification information; the first identification information includes: identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: resource units allocated by the first AP to the second AP for transmitting a response frame of the first radio frame.

[0081] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, when the number of the second APs includes at least two, the transmission address TA of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address;

[0082] The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

[0083] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first radio frame includes a BSRP frame, the BSRP frame including a duration field that identifies the length of the TXOP.

[0084] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame further includes one or more of third and fourth identification information.

[0085] The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0086] The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0087] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0088] The third radio frame sent by the first AP is received; wherein the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0089] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0090] A fourth radio frame is determined; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0091] The fourth wireless frame is sent to the first AP.

[0092] In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the method further includes:

[0093] The system receives a fifth radio frame sent by the first AP; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for inter-AP coordinated transmission.

[0094] 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.

[0095] Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication device, including:

[0096] One or more processors;

[0097] The communication device is used to execute either the optional implementation of the first aspect or the optional implementation of the second aspect.

[0098] Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first AP and a second AP; wherein the first AP is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the first aspect, and the second AP is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the second aspect.

[0099] 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.

[0100] 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.

[0101] 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.

[0102] 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.

[0103] 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.

[0104] 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."

[0105] 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.

[0106] 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.

[0107] 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.

[0108] In the embodiments disclosed herein, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0109] 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.

[0110] 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.

[0111] 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.

[0112] 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.

[0113] In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

[0114] In some embodiments, terms such as "time / frequency" and "time-frequency domain" refer to the time domain and / or frequency domain.

[0115] In some embodiments, terms such as “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc. can be used interchangeably. These descriptions all refer to the device taking corresponding actions under certain objective circumstances. They do not necessarily limit the time, nor do they require the device to have a judgment action when implementing it, nor do they mean that there must be other limitations.

[0116] 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”.

[0117] 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.

[0118] In some embodiments, "network" can be interpreted as devices included in a network (e.g., access network devices, core network devices, etc.).

[0119] 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.

[0120] In some embodiments, "link" can mean "connection" or "link"; in various embodiments, "connection" and "link" can be used interchangeably.

[0121] In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

[0122] In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

[0123] 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.

[0124] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a multi-AP coordination system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0125] As shown in Figure 1, the multi-AP coordination system 100 includes a first access point (AP) device 101 and a second access point device 102.

[0126] In some embodiments, the first access point device 101 and the second access point device 102 can be access points for mobile terminals to access the wired network. 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 Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11bf, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

[0127] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, AP and STA (station, site device) can be devices that support multiple connections. For example, they can be represented as Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) and Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD), respectively. AP MLD can represent an access point that supports multiple connection communication functions, and non-AP MLD can represent a site that supports multiple connection communication functions.

[0128] In some embodiments, the site equipment includes, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports 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 that supports 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, and a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

[0129] Specifically, the site equipment can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the repeater device 102 and the site equipment 103 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 are not limited to these.

[0130] 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] 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.

[0133] In a wireless local area network (WLAN), a Basic Service Set (BSS) can consist of an Access Point (AP) and one or more Stations (STAs) communicating with the AP. A BSS can connect to a Distribution System (DS) through its APs, and then connect to another BSS to form an Extended Service Set (ESS). As a first example, referring to Figure 7, AP1 and STA1 constitute BSS1, and AP2 and STA2 constitute BSS2. When the coverage areas of two or more BSSs overlap, they form an Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS), as shown in Figure 7, where BSS1 and BSS2 overlap to form an OBSS.

[0134] The existing 802.11 protocol mainly focuses on improving the throughput, rate, and access efficiency of a single BSS or AP, with limited research on collaborative transmission between multiple BSSs or APs. With the increasing number of frequency bands supported by Wi-Fi devices and the trend towards higher frequencies, coupled with the diversified needs of communication services, WLAN device deployments are becoming increasingly dense. Consequently, increasingly dense APs may lead to more inter-cell interference and increase the risk of access conflicts.

[0135] To further improve user service quality and overall network performance, in a UHR (User Access Regulator), while pursuing improvements in communication rate, latency, and reliability within a single BSS (Browser Service Separator), coordination among multiple access point (OBS) devices is also necessary. Through collaborative cooperation among multiple OBS devices, communication resource allocation can be more rationally optimized, communication quality can be guaranteed, access efficiency can be improved, and better network performance can be achieved. Multi-AP coordination mainly achieves goals such as BSS interference elimination, improved user service quality, and reduced latency by implementing coordination strategies such as time-frequency and frequency domain resource sharing, spatial multiplexing, or joint transmission among multiple APs. However, how to negotiate and establish multi-AP coordination, and how to establish efficient collaborative transmission among multiple APs, especially how to balance the time requirements for data transmission operations between multiple APs and minimize interference conflicts between OBSs, all require signaling control.

[0136] 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:

[0137] Step 201: The first AP sends a first radio frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first radio frame is used to share a first transmission duration within the TXOP with the second AP.

[0138] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first AP may be referred to as a Sharing AP or a TXOP owner. The second AP may be referred to as a Shared AP.

[0139] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes a BSRP frame (buffer status report poll), the BSRP frame including a duration field that identifies the length of the TXOP.

[0140] Optionally, the first radio frame may also include, but is not limited to, an initial control frame (ICF frame) or a MU-RTS frame (multiple user request to send).

[0141] Optionally, the number of second APs may include one or more, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0142] Optionally, when the first AP shares the first transmission duration within the TXOP with the second AP, the first AP may share all or part of the obtained TXOP with the second AP, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0143] Optionally, the first transmission duration corresponding to each second AP may be different or the same, and this disclosure does not limit this.

[0144] Optionally, to avoid OBSS interference between different APs, if there are multiple second APs, the first AP can divide its acquired TXOPs into different time periods and share a first transmission duration with each second AP. The first transmission duration is different for each second AP.

[0145] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes first identification information and / or second identification information; the first identification information includes: identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: resource units allocated by the first AP for the second AP to transmit a response frame of the first radio frame.

[0146] Optionally, if the number of second APs includes at least two, the first radio frame may include multiple user info fields, each carrying information corresponding to a second AP. For example, the user info field corresponding to a certain second AP may carry first identification information and second identification information corresponding to that second AP.

[0147] Optionally, the identification information of the second AP may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: the second AP's AID (association Identifier), MAC address (Media Access Control Address), BSS color (Basic Service Set color), and BSSID information. Optionally, if the second AP supports multi-link communication, i.e., the second AP is attached to an AP MLD, the identification information of the second AP may also be the MAC address of the second AP under its working link or the AP MLD address to which the second AP is attached. Regardless of whether the second AP supports single-link or multi-link communication, the AID of the second AP is its unique identifier.

[0148] Optionally, the identification information of the second AP can be shared by the first AP to the second AP during the establishment of the multi-AP coordination mechanism between the first AP and the second AP.

[0149] Optionally, if the number of second APs includes only one (i.e., there is only one Shared AP), the AID of the second AP can be fixed, for example, it can be 2048, and the RA address (receive address) of the first radio frame is the MAC address of the Shared AP. If the Shared AP is attached to the AP MLD, the RA address of the first radio frame is the MAC address of the second AP under its working link.

[0150] Optionally, the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for transmitting the response frame of the first radio frame, i.e., the uplink resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for transmitting the response frame of the first radio frame, may include: the channel bandwidth allocated by the first AP to the second AP for transmitting the response frame of the first radio frame.

[0151] Optionally, when the first AP allocates channel bandwidth for the second AP to transmit the response frame of the first radio frame, the entire channel bandwidth can be allocated to the second AP directly based on the operating bandwidth supported by the first AP. Alternatively, the operating bandwidth supported by the first AP can be divided into multiple RUs (resource units) [e.g., 26-tone RU, 52-tone RU, 106-tone RU, 242-tone RU, etc.; where tone represents the number of subcarriers, and 26-tone RU means 26 subcarriers]. Using RUs as units, the RUs, MRUs (Multiple Resource Units), and dRUs (distributed radio units) in the operating bandwidth supported by the first AP can be allocated to the second AP.

[0152] As an example, assuming there are three second APs, namely AP1, AP2 and AP3, if the first AP supports a working bandwidth of 40MHz, then the 40MHz channel bandwidth can be directly allocated to AP1, AP2 and AP3; or, 106-tone RU can be allocated to AP1, 106-tone RU+52-tone RU can be allocated to AP2, and 106-tone dRU can be allocated to AP3.

[0153] For example, when the first AP allocates channel resource information to three second APs (AP1, AP2, and STA3), the first radio frame includes user info fields corresponding to AP1, AP2, and AP3. Specifically, the user info field corresponding to AP1 includes first and second identification information for AP1; the user info field corresponding to AP2 includes second and third identification information for AP2; and the user info field corresponding to AP3 includes first and second identification information for AP3. For AP1, the first identification information identifies the AP1 identifier, and the second identification information identifies the channel bandwidth allocated to AP1 by the first AP.

[0154] Optionally, the bandwidth corresponding to the communication channel allocated by the first AP to the second AP should be less than or equal to the maximum operating bandwidth supported by the second AP.

[0155] For example, assuming the second AP includes AP4 and AP5, if the first AP supports a working bandwidth of 320MHz, AP4 supports a maximum working bandwidth of 160MHz, and AP5 supports a maximum working bandwidth of 160MHz, then the first AP can allocate P160MHz (i.e., primary channel-160MHz) to AP4, that is, allocate P160MHz of resources to AP4 for uplink and downlink communication; the first AP can allocate S160MHz (i.e., secondary channel-160MHz) to AP5, that is, allocate S160MHz of resources to AP5 for uplink and downlink communication.

[0156] In some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes the length of a TXOP and may also include first identification information.

[0157] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes the length of TXOP and may also include second identification information.

[0158] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes the length of TXOP and may also include first identification information and second identification information.

[0159] In some embodiments, when the number of the second APs includes at least two, the TA (transmission address) of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address;

[0160] The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

[0161] Optionally, if the number of second APs includes at least two, the first radio frame can be a broadcast frame, meaning that the first radio frame is simultaneously sent to each of the second APs. Accordingly, the transmission address of the first radio frame is the broadcast address.

[0162] Optionally, referring to the above, in the first wireless frame, if the number of second APs includes multiple, a user info field corresponding to each second AP may be included. The user info field corresponding to each second AP carries the first identification information and the second identification information corresponding to that second AP. That is, the number of first identification information and the number of second identification information are the same as the number of second APs.

[0163] In some embodiments, the first radio frame further includes one or more of third and fourth identification information.

[0164] The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0165] The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0166] Optionally, the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategy may include, but is not limited to, C-SR coordination (Coordination-Spatial Reuse, a coordination mechanism based on spatial multiplexing), C-TDMA coordination (Coordination-Time Division Multiple Access, also known as Co-TDMA), C-OFDMA coordination (Coordination-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access, a coordination mechanism based on orthogonal frequency division multiplexing), and C-beamforming (Coordination-beamforming, a coordination mechanism based on beamforming).

[0167] Optionally, the multi-AP coordination transmission strategy supported by each AP can be the same or different. That is, in the presence of multiple second APs, the multi-AP coordination transmission strategy supported by each second AP can be the same or different.

[0168] As an example, assuming that the first AP supports C-SR coordination, C-TDMA coordination, C-OFDMA coordination and beamforming, and the second AP supports C-TDMA coordination and C-beamforming, it can be determined that the same multi-AP coordination transmission strategies supported by the first AP and the second AP include C-TDMA coordination and C-beamforming.

[0169] In this embodiment of the disclosure, the C-OFDMA coordination strategy among multiple APs is used as an example, in which the first AP shares the transmission time within the TXOP with at least one second AP.

[0170] Optionally, the third identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordinate Request field, and the fourth identification information may include, but is not limited to, the M-AP Coordination Type field.

[0171] Optionally, when the M-AP Coordinate Request field is a first parameter value (e.g., 1), the first identification information indicates that the first radio frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation.

[0172] Taking the above-mentioned multi-AP coordination transmission strategies, including C-SR coordination, C-TDMA coordination, C-OFDMA coordination, and C-beamforming, as an example, the M-AP Coordination Type field can include two bits. When these two bits are "00", the strategy type of the first strategy is identified as C-SR coordination; when these two bits are "01", the strategy type of the first strategy is identified as C-TDMA coordination; when these two bits are "10", the strategy type of the first strategy is identified as C-OFDMA coordination; and when these two bits are "11", the strategy type of the first strategy is identified as C-beamforming.

[0173] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes the length of TXOP, and may also include first identification information and / or second identification information, and may also include third identification information and fourth identification information;

[0174] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes the length of TXOP, and may also include first identification information and / or second identification information, and may also include third identification information.

[0175] In some embodiments, the first radio frame includes the length of TXOP, and may also include first identification information and / or second identification information, and may also include fourth identification information.

[0176] The following describes the communication method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure, taking the communication between the first AP and one of the second APs as an example.

[0177] Step 202: The second AP determines the second wireless frame and sends the second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including one or more of the following: a second transmission duration allocated by the first AP for data transmission operations, the amount of data for data transmission operations by the second AP, and communication resource information for data transmission operations by the second AP. Correspondingly, the first AP receives the second wireless frame sent by the second AP.

[0178] Optionally, the second AP may send the second radio frame to the first AP within the resource unit allocated by the first AP for the response frame of the first radio frame.

[0179] Optionally, based on the transmission direction of the data transmission operation performed by the second AP, the data transmission operation of the second AP can be divided into: transmitting uplink data frames and / or transmitting downlink data frames. Correspondingly, the second transmission duration, the amount of data transmitted by the second AP, and the communication resource information for the data transmission operation of the second AP can also correspond to the transmission direction, that is: the second transmission duration may include: the transmission duration of uplink data frames and / or the transmission duration of downlink data frames; the amount of data transmitted by the second AP may include: the size information of the transmitted uplink data frames and / or the size information of the transmitted downlink data frames; the communication resource information for the data transmission operation of the second AP may include: the communication resource information required for transmitting uplink data frames and / or the communication resource information required for transmitting downlink data frames.

[0180] The following explanation uses the transmission direction without data transmission operation of the second AP as an example to illustrate the second transmission duration, the amount of data transmitted by the second AP, and communication resource information.

[0181] Optionally, the second transmission duration may include the duration required for the second AP to transmit data with at least one associated STA (i.e., STA or STAs), specifically the duration required for the second AP to transmit uplink and downlink data with its associated STA, and / or the duration required for P2P (peer to peer) data transmission between STAs associated with the second AP.

[0182] Optionally, the second transmission duration can be determined based on the length of the entire TXOP obtained by the first AP in the first wireless frame.

[0183] Optionally, the second transmission duration may be greater than or equal to the length of the entire TXOP acquired by the first AP, or it may be less than the length of the entire TXOP acquired by the first AP. In the case where the second transmission duration is less than the length of the entire TXOP acquired by the first AP, the second transmission duration may be less than or equal to the first transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP, or it may be greater than the first transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP.

[0184] Optionally, if the second transmission duration is longer than the first transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP, the first AP may reallocate the transmission duration to the second AP based on the acquired TXOP and the second transmission duration when subsequently sending MU-RTS TXS (Multi-user request to send TXOP sharing; MU stands for Multi-user, RTS stands for request to send, and TXS stands for TXOP sharing) frames to the second AP.

[0185] It is important to note that when the first AP reallocates transmission time to the second AP based on its acquired TXOP and second transmission duration, in order to reduce conflicts in OBSS, the transmission time reallocated by the first AP to the second AP should not be the same as the transmission time allocated by the second AP to other APs.

[0186] Optionally, the amount of data that the second AP performs in data transmission operations may include: the size information of the data frames used for data transmission between the second AP and at least one associated STA (i.e., STA or STAs), specifically including the size information of the data frames used for uplink and downlink data transmission between the second AP and its associated STA, and / or the size information of the data frames used for P2P data transmission between STAs associated with the second AP.

[0187] Optionally, the amount of data that the second AP performs data transmission operations may include: the size information of the data frame transmitted by the second AP, such as the number of bytes in the data frame transmitted by the second AP.

[0188] In some embodiments, the communication resource information includes at least one of the following:

[0189] The modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, spatial stream (SS) information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0190] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include MCS information.

[0191] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include spatial flow information.

[0192] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include the transmission direction of the second AP performing data transmission operations.

[0193] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include MCS information and spatial flow information.

[0194] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include spatial flow information and the transmission direction of the second AP for data transmission operations.

[0195] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include MCS information and the transmission direction of the second AP for data transmission operations.

[0196] In some embodiments, communication resource information may include MCS information, spatial flow information, and the transmission direction of the second AP for data transmission operations.

[0197] In some embodiments, when the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

[0198] Optionally, referring to the above, the communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations may include: communication resource information required for transmitting uplink data frames and / or communication resource information required for transmitting downlink data frames; that is, the MCS information may also include the MCS information corresponding to the uplink data frame and / or the MCS information corresponding to the downlink data frame, and the spatial flow information may also include the spatial flow information corresponding to the uplink data frame (e.g., the number of spatial flows required for transmitting uplink data frames) and / or the spatial flow information corresponding to the downlink data frame (e.g., the number of spatial flows required for transmitting downlink data frames).

[0199] Optionally, the second wireless frame may include a UL (uplink) / DL (downlink) flag bit, which indicates the transmission direction of the data transmission operation performed by the second AP. For example, setting the UL / DL flag bit to the fourth parameter value (e.g., "1") indicates that the transmission direction of the data transmission operation performed by the second AP is uplink; setting the UL / DL flag bit to the fifth parameter value (e.g., "0") indicates that the transmission direction of the data transmission operation performed by the second AP is downlink.

[0200] Optionally, the MCS information is associated with multiple communication parameters. For example, the communication parameters associated with the MCS information may include, but are not limited to: NSS (number of Spatial Streams), the modulation scheme supported by each spatial stream, the coding rate, BW, the transmission resource type [e.g., Resource Unit RU, Multiple Resource Unit (MRU), Distributed Resource Unit (dRU), UEQM, etc.], whether the device supports the BW punctured channel pattern, and at least one of the punctured channel densities supported by the device.

[0201] For example, for each communication parameter, the communication resource information may include the parameter values ​​supported by the second AP under each communication parameter. For example, for NSS, the maximum NSS supported by the second AP may be 4, 8, or 16. Taking modulation scheme as an example, the modulation scheme supported by a spatial stream supported by the second AP may 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 second AP may be 1 / 2, 2 / 3, 3 / 4, or 5 / 6. Taking BW as an example, the BW supported by the second AP may be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz. When the second AP supports BW punch channel mode, the punch channel density supported by the second AP may be at least one of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 320MHz.

[0202] For a communication device, the MCS information supported by the communication device can be found in Table 1.

[0203] Table 1:

[0204] 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 communication 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.

[0205] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes at least one of a sixth identification information, a seventh identification information, and an eighth identification information:

[0206] The sixth identification information identifies the second transmission duration; the seventh identification information identifies the data volume; and the eighth identification information identifies the communication resource information.

[0207] In the above embodiment, in the second wireless frame, the sixth identification information can identify the second transmission duration that the first AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations, the seventh identification information can identify the amount of data that the second AP needs to transmit, and the eighth identification information can identify the communication resource information of the second AP for data transmission operations.

[0208] Optionally, if the first radio frame includes third identification information and fourth identification information, the second radio frame may also include response information to the first radio frame, such as whether to accept the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP.

[0209] For example, the second radio frame includes a status field. If the status field is a second parameter value (e.g., "0"), it indicates that the second AP accepts the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP. If the status field is a third parameter value (e.g., "1"), it indicates that the second AP rejects the multi-AP coordination transmission negotiation initiated by the first AP.

[0210] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes sixth identification information, namely, the second AP requires the first AP to allocate a second transmission duration for data transmission operations.

[0211] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes seventh identification information, namely the amount of data that the second AP performs a data transmission operation.

[0212] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes eighth identification information, namely, communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0213] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes a sixth identification information and a seventh identification information, that is, the second AP needs the first AP to allocate a second transmission duration for data transmission operations and the amount of data for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0214] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes seventh identification information and eighth identification information, namely the amount of data for the second AP to perform data transmission operations and the communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0215] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes a sixth identification information and an eighth identification information, namely, the second AP needs the first AP to allocate a second transmission duration for data transmission operations and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0216] In some embodiments, the second wireless frame includes a sixth identification information, a seventh identification information, and an eighth identification information, namely, the second AP needs the first AP to allocate a second transmission duration for data transmission operations, the amount of data for data transmission operations by the second AP, and communication resource information for data transmission operations by the second AP.

[0217] In some embodiments, referring to FIG3, after the second AP sends the second radio frame to the first AP (i.e., step 202), the above method may further include one or more of the following steps 301:

[0218] Step 301: If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, allocate the second transmission duration to the second AP.

[0219] If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0220] In some embodiments, to minimize conflicts in OBSS, when transmitting data with the second AP within the second transmission duration, the transmission duration allocated by the first AP to other second APs also needs to be considered. Optionally, if the second transmission duration does not overlap with the transmission duration allocated by the first AP to other second APs, a second transmission duration can be allocated to the second AP; if the second transmission duration overlaps with the transmission duration allocated by the first AP to other second APs, a third transmission duration can be allocated to the second AP, that is, the transmission duration within the TXOP, excluding the transmission duration allocated by the first AP to other second APs; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration continues to be allocated to the second AP, such that the transmission duration allocated to the second AP satisfies the second transmission duration (i.e., the sum of the third and fourth transmission durations equals the second transmission duration), thereby avoiding any impact on the data transmission operation process of other second APs.

[0221] Of course, if the second AP reacquires the TXOP, the second AP can transmit data within the acquired TXOP until the data frame corresponding to the second AP is transmitted.

[0222] In the above embodiments, the first AP tries to meet the second AP's requirement for transmission duration (i.e., the second transmission duration identified in the first identification information in the second radio frame). When the TXOP currently obtained by the first AP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP so that the second AP can transmit data within the second transmission duration. When the TXOP currently obtained by the first AP is less than the second transmission duration, the first AP tries to allocate transmission duration to the second AP without affecting the data transmission operations of other second APs. After the first AP reacquires the TXOP, the first AP continues to allocate transmission duration to the second AP until the second transmission duration is met.

[0223] In some embodiments, if the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP.

[0224] In some embodiments, if the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0225] In some embodiments, if the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and if the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0226] In some embodiments, referring to FIG4, before the first AP sends the first radio frame to at least one second AP (i.e., step 201), the above method may further include:

[0227] Step 401, the first AP determines the third radio frame; wherein, the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0228] Optionally, the third radio frame may include a MAP Coordination element, which may include a MAP Coordination Control field and a MAP Coordination Parameter Information field.

[0229] Optionally, the first field in the MAP Coordination Control field can be used to identify whether the first AP supports multi-AP coordination transmission strategy; the second field in the MAP Coordination Control field can be used to identify the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process; and the Coordination Type subfield in the MAP Coordination Control field can be used to identify the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP.

[0230] Specifically, when the first field is set to the sixth parameter value (e.g., "1"), it can indicate that the first AP supports the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategy; when the first field is set to the seventh parameter value (e.g., "0"), it can indicate that the first AP does not support the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategy.

[0231] When the second field is set to the eighth parameter value (e.g., "1"), it can indicate that the first AP's identity information in the multi-AP coordination transmission process is the coordinating AP or the master AP; when the first field is set to the ninth parameter value (e.g., "0"), it can identify that the first AP's identity information in the multi-AP coordination transmission process is the coordinated AP or the slave AP.

[0232] Optionally, the specific setting method for the Coordination Type subfield can be found in the setting method of the fourth identification information mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0233] Step 402: The first AP sends the third radio frame to the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP receives the third radio frame sent by the first AP.

[0234] In some embodiments, referring to FIG5, before the first AP sends the first radio frame to at least one second AP (i.e., step 201), the above method may further include:

[0235] Step 501, the second AP determines the fourth radio frame; wherein, the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0236] Optionally, the specific frame structure of the fourth radio frame can be found in the frame structure of the third radio frame, and will not be described in detail here.

[0237] In step 502, the second AP sends a fourth radio frame to the first AP. Correspondingly, the first AP receives the fourth radio frame sent by the second AP.

[0238] Optionally, the execution order of steps 401 and 501 is not limited in this embodiment. In the specific execution process, it is ensured that step 402 is executed after step 401 and step 502 is executed after step 501. Figure 5 is just an example of step 401 and step 402 being executed before step 501.

[0239] In some embodiments, referring to FIG6, after the first AP receives the fourth radio frame sent by the second AP (i.e., step 501), the above method may further include:

[0240] Step 601, the first AP determines the fifth radio frame; wherein, the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for coordinating transmission among multiple APs.

[0241] Optionally, "the identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for coordinating transmission among multiple APs" can also be referred to as "the AP identifier allocated by the first AP to the second AP".

[0242] Optionally, the identification information assigned by the first AP to the second AP for inter-AP coordination transmission can be an AID (Association Identifier) ​​or other identification information. For example, if there are three second APs, the first AP can assign AP identifiers to each second AP as AP1, AP2, and AP3, respectively, to distinguish between the different second APs.

[0243] Optionally, the identification information of the second AP identified by the first identification information in the first wireless frame may be: the identification information assigned by the first AP to the second AP by the fifth identification information.

[0244] Step 602: The first AP sends the fifth radio frame to the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP receives the fifth radio frame sent by the first AP.

[0245] In some embodiments, this disclosure provides a method for C-TDMA coordination. In this method, basic flow signaling for the initial C-TDMA sharing mechanism is defined, enabling APs to share their acquired TXOPs with other APs, thereby reducing conflicts in OBSS, improving throughput, and meeting UHR requirements.

[0246] A. The Sharing AP (i.e., the first AP mentioned above) acquires a TXOP. At the start of this TXOP, the Sharing AP sends a polling frame / initial control frame (i.e., the first radio frame mentioned above) to the Shared AP (i.e., the second AP mentioned above). The purpose of the polling frame / initial control frame is to indicate that the Sharing AP can share its acquired TXOP with the Shared AP. The polling frame / initial control frame contains the identifier of the Shared AP (i.e., the content identified by the first identification information) and the uplink resource element (RU) of the Shared AP's response frame (i.e., the content identified by the second identification information).

[0247] The polling frame / initial control frame may contain multiple Shared AP information bits (i.e., multiple sets of first identification information and second identification information). If it contains multiple Shared AP information bits, the TA address of the initial control frame is the broadcast address.

[0248] Optionally, the polling frame / initial control frame can be a BSRP frame (buffer status report poll).

[0249] Optionally, the polling frame / initial control frame may include a duration field, which identifies the length of the entire TXOP obtained by the Sharing AP.

[0250] B. After receiving the polling frame / initial control frame, the Shared AP, after an interval of SIFS, sends a response frame to the Sharing AP based on the resources allocated by the Sharing AP (i.e., the uplink resource unit in step A). ​​(If the Shared AP needs the Sharing AP to share the TXOP with the Shared AP, the response frame (i.e., the second radio frame mentioned above) contains:

[0251] 1. Based on the length of the entire received TXOP, the duration of the Sharing AP sharing required by the Shared AP (i.e., the content identified by the sixth identification information), or the size information of the data frame that the Shared AP needs to transmit (i.e., the content identified by the seventh identification information), such as the number of bytes occupied by the data frame;

[0252] The duration information shared by the Sharing AP and required by the Shared AP is used by the Sharing AP when subsequently sending MU-RTS TXS frames to the Shared AP. The data frames that the Shared AP needs to transmit include uplink and downlink data frames.

[0253] 2. MCS information and SS information identify the communication parameters required during Shared AP communication (i.e., the content identified by the eighth identification information), and may include UL / DL identification information bits, etc.

[0254] Optionally, if the response frame includes UL / DL identification information bits, then the "duration information of the shared AP required by the Shared AP to share with the Sharing AP" in the response frame can be divided into DL segment and UL segment, that is, the duration information of the shared AP required to share the transmission of uplink data frames and the duration information of the shared AP required to share the transmission of downlink data frames; the "size information of the data frames to be transmitted by the Shared AP" in the response frame can also be divided into DL segment and UL segment, that is, the size information of the shared AP required to transmit uplink data frames and the size information of the shared AP required to transmit downlink data frames.

[0255] Optionally, the Sharing AP can try to meet the needs of the Shared AP based on the Sharing AP sharing duration information required by the Shared AP in the response frame. However, if the time length allocated in the subsequent MU-RTS TXS frame is insufficient to meet the Shared AP's requirement for "Sharing AP sharing duration information required by the Shared AP" in the response frame, then data transmission with the Shared AP can continue in another TXOP.

[0256] C. If multiple initial control frames are involved (e.g., identifying IDC, PS mode, multi-AP coordination), then:

[0257] The initial control frame includes a frame type identifier bit (i.e., the third identifier information mentioned above), indicating that the frame type of its initial control frame is a multi-AP coordination frame; and the type of multi-AP coordination can include C-TDMA, C-SR, and C-BF (beamforming) types, etc., then the multi-AP coordination frame includes a sub-type identifier bit (i.e., the fourth identifier information mentioned above), which indicates that the frame type of the multi-AP coordination frame sent by the Sharing AP is C-TDMA type, indicating that the Sharing AP shares its obtained TXOP with other APs.

[0258] D. Before the Sharing AP sends the initial control frame, the Sharing AP and the Shared AP need (i.e., the third and fourth radio frames mentioned above) to: 1. Carry a multi-AP coordination capability identifier to indicate whether it supports multi-AP coordination capabilities such as C-TDMA, C-SR, and C-BF; 2. Carry an identifier to indicate the specific type of multi-AP coordination capability it supports, such as C-TDMA, C-SR, and C-BF; 3. Carry an identifier (i.e., its identity information in the multi-AP coordination process, i.e., the fifth identifier information mentioned above) to indicate whether it can act as a coordinating AP (or master AP) or a coordinated AP (or slave AP).

[0259] Before a Sharing AP sends a polling frame / trigger frame, it assigns an identifier to a Shared AP, such as an AID or other identifier, to indicate its application in the subsequent multi-AP coordination mechanism.

[0260] 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.

[0261] 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.”

[0262] In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

[0263] 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.

[0264] 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.

[0265] 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.

[0266] 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 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 401 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 402 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, and step 602 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 201, step 202, and step 301 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 401 and step 402 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 501 and step 502 can be implemented as an independent embodiment. The combination of steps 601 and 602 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, as can the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 401 and 402, as can the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 501 and 502, as can the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 401, 402, 501 and 502, as can the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 401, 402, 501 and 502, as can the combination of steps 201, 202, 301, 401, 402, 501, 502, 601 and 602, but is not limited thereto.

[0267] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG7 may be referred to.

[0268] Figure 8 is a flowchart illustrating one of the communication methods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0269] As shown in Figure 8, the above method is executed by the first access point device (AP), and the method includes:

[0270] Step 801: Send a first radio frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first radio frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity TXOP with the second AP.

[0271] Step 802: Receive a second wireless frame sent by the second AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0272] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the communication resource information includes at least one of the following:

[0273] The encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0274] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

[0275] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes one or more of first identification information and second identification information; the first identification information includes: the identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for sending the response frame of the first wireless frame.

[0276] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the number of the second APs includes at least two, the TA address of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address;

[0277] The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

[0278] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first radio frame includes a BSRP frame, the BSRP frame includes a duration field, and the duration field identifies the length of the TXOP.

[0279] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first wireless frame further includes one or more of third and fourth identification information.

[0280] The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0281] The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0282] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes one or more of the following:

[0283] If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, then the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP.

[0284] If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0285] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0286] A third radio frame is determined; wherein the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0287] The third wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0288] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0289] The system receives a fourth radio frame sent by the second AP; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0290] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0291] A fifth radio frame is determined; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for use in multi-AP coordinated transmission;

[0292] The fifth wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

[0293] 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.

[0294] 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 801 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, step 802 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 801 and step 802 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0295] In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG8 may be referred to.

[0296] Figure 9 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a communication method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0297] As shown in Figure 9, the above method is executed by the second AP, and the above method includes:

[0298] Step 901: Receive a first wireless frame sent by the first AP; wherein the first wireless frame is used to share a first transmission duration within the TXOP with the second AP.

[0299] Step 902: Determine and send a second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0300] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the communication resource information includes at least one of the following:

[0301] The modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0302] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

[0303] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, after sending the second wireless frame to the first AP, the method further includes one or more of the following:

[0304] If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, the first AP shall allocate the second transmission duration to the second AP.

[0305] If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, the third transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP is received; and after the first AP reacquires the TXOP, the fourth transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP is received; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

[0306] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes one or more of first identification information and second identification information; the first identification information includes: the identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for sending the response frame of the first wireless frame.

[0307] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, when the number of the second APs includes at least two, the transmission address TA of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address;

[0308] The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

[0309] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first radio frame includes a BSRP frame, the BSRP frame includes a duration field, and the duration field identifies the length of the TXOP.

[0310] Optionally, in this embodiment of the present disclosure, the first wireless frame further includes one or more of third and fourth identification information.

[0311] The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation;

[0312] The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

[0313] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0314] The third radio frame sent by the first AP is received; wherein the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

[0315] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0316] A fourth radio frame is determined; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

[0317] The fourth wireless frame is sent to the first AP.

[0318] Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the method further includes:

[0319] The system receives a fifth radio frame sent by the first AP; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for inter-AP coordinated transmission.

[0320] 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.

[0321] 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.

[0322] 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 a separate embodiment, step 902 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, and the combination of step 901 and step 902 may be implemented as a separate embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

[0323] In some embodiments, other alternative implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 9 may be referred to.

[0324] 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.

[0325] 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.

[0326] 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).

[0327] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first access point device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The first access point device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 10, the first access point device 1000 may include at least one of a receiving module 1001, etc.

[0328] In some embodiments, the receiving module 1001 is configured to send a first wireless frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first wireless frame is configured to share a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity TXOP with the second AP.

[0329] The second wireless frame sent by the second AP is received; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP performs for data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0330] Optionally, the transceiver module 1001 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 402, 502, 602, 801, 802, but not limited thereto) executed by the first access point device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0331] Optionally, the first access point device 1000 may further include a processing module, which is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., step 401, step 601, but not limited thereto) executed by the first access point device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0332] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the processor and the determination module, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver, the sending module, and the receiving module.

[0333] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second access point device according to an embodiment of this disclosure. The second access point device is used to perform any of the above methods. In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 11, the second access point device 1100 may include a transceiver module 1101.

[0334] In some embodiments, the transceiver module 1101 is configured to receive a first wireless frame sent by a first AP; wherein the first wireless frame is configured to share a first transmission duration within a TXOP with the second AP.

[0335] The system determines and sends a second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs the first AP to allocate for data transmission operations, the amount of data that the second AP needs to perform data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

[0336] Optionally, the transceiver module 701 is used to execute at least one of the transceiver steps (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 402, 502, 602, 901, 902, but not limited thereto) executed by the second access point device in any of the above methods, which will not be elaborated here.

[0337] The aforementioned second access point device 1100 may include a processing module, which is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (such as step 202, step 501, step 902, but not limited thereto) executed by the second access point device in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

[0338] In some embodiments, the processing module can be interchanged with the processor and the determination module, and the transceiver module can be interchanged with the transceiver, the sending module, and the receiving module.

[0339] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1200 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The communication device 1200 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 1200 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.

[0340] As shown in Figure 12, the communication device 1200 is used to execute any of the above methods. In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 includes one or more processors 1201. The processor 1201 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 1200 is used to execute any of the above methods. Optionally, one or more processors 1201 are used to invoke instructions to cause the communication device 1200 to execute any of the above methods.

[0341] In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 further includes one or more transceivers 1202. When the communication device 1200 includes one or more transceivers 1202, the transceiver 1202 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 402, 502, 602, 801, 802, 901, 902, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1201 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 202, 401, 501, 601, 902, but not limited thereto). In optional embodiments, the transceiver may include a receiver and / or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated together. Optionally, terms such as transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, interface circuit, and interface can be used interchangeably; terms such as transmitter, transmitter unit, transmitter, and transmitter circuit can be used interchangeably; and terms such as receiver, receiver unit, receiver, and receiver circuit can be used interchangeably.

[0342] In some embodiments, the communication device 1200 further includes one or more memories 1203 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, one or more processors 1201 are used to invoke instructions stored in the memory 1203 to cause the communication device 1200 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, all or part of the memory 1203 may also be located outside the communication device 1200. In an optional embodiment, the communication device 1200 may include one or more interface circuits 1204. Optionally, the interface circuit 1204 is connected to the memory 1202 and can be used to receive data and / or instructions from the memory 1202 or other devices, and can be used to send data and / or instructions to the memory 1202 or other devices. For example, the interface circuit 1204 can read data and / or instructions stored in the memory 1202 and send the data and / or instructions to the processor 1201.

[0343] The communication device 1200 described in the above embodiments may be a network device or a terminal, but the scope of the communication device 1200 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the communication device 1200 may not be limited by FIG12. 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.

[0344] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1300 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the communication device 1200 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 1300 shown in Figure 13 can be referenced, but the invention is not limited thereto.

[0345] Chip 1300 includes one or more processors 1301. Chip 1300 is used to perform any of the methods described above.

[0346] In some embodiments, chip 1300 further includes one or more interface circuits 1302. Optionally, terms such as interface circuit, interface, and transceiver pin can be used interchangeably. In some embodiments, chip 1300 further includes one or more memories 1303 for storing data and / or instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1303 may be located outside of chip 1300. Optionally, interface circuit 1302 is connected to memory 1303, and interface circuit 1302 can be used to receive data and / or instructions from memory 1303 or other devices, and interface circuit 1302 can be used to send data and / or instructions to memory 1303 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 1302 can read data and / or instructions stored in memory 1303 and send the data and / or instructions to processor 1301.

[0347] In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1302 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method (e.g., steps 201, 202, 301, 402, 502, 602, 801, 802, 901, 902, but not limited thereto). The interface circuit 1302 performing the communication steps such as sending and / or receiving in the above-described method refers, for example, to the interface circuit 1302 performing data and / or instruction interaction between the processor 1301, chip 1300, memory 1303, or transceiver device. In some embodiments, the processor 1301 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 202, 401, 501, 601, 902, but not limited thereto).

[0348] 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.

[0349] 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.

[0350] 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.

[0351] 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 the first access point device (AP), including: Send a first radio frame to at least one second AP; wherein the first radio frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a transmission opportunity TXOP with the second AP; The second wireless frame sent by the second AP is received; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, and the resource information includes one or more of the following: the second AP needs the first AP to allocate a second transmission duration for data transmission operations, the amount of data for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The communication resource information includes at least one of the following: The encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

3. The communication method according to claim 2, characterized in that, When the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

4. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that, The method also includes one or more of the following: If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, then the second transmission duration is allocated to the second AP. If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, a third transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; After the first AP reacquires the TXOP, a fourth transmission duration is allocated to the second AP; wherein, the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

5. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes one or more of the first identification information and the second identification information; The first identification information includes: the identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for sending the response frame of the first radio frame.

6. The communication method according to claim 5, characterized in that, When the number of second APs includes at least two, the TA address of the first wireless frame is the broadcast address; The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

7. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The first radio frame includes a Buffer Status Report Polling Frame (BSRP), which includes a Duration field that identifies the length of the TXOP.

8. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first wireless frame also includes one or more of the third and fourth identification information. The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation; The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

9. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The method further includes: A third wireless frame is determined; wherein the third wireless frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP. The third wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

10. The communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a fourth radio frame sent by the second AP; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP.

11. The communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: A fifth radio frame is determined; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for use in multi-AP coordinated transmission; The fifth wireless frame is sent to the second AP.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Performed by the second AP, including: Receive a first wireless frame sent by a first AP; wherein the first wireless frame is used to share a first transmission duration within a TXOP with the second AP; The system determines and sends a second wireless frame to the first AP; wherein the second wireless frame is a response frame to the first wireless frame; the second wireless frame includes resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations, the resource information including at least one of the following: a second transmission duration that the second AP needs to allocate for data transmission operations from the first AP, the amount of data that the second AP needs to perform data transmission operations, and communication resource information for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

13. The communication method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The communication resource information includes at least one of the following: Modulation and coding scheme (MCS) information, spatial stream information, and the transmission direction for the second AP to perform data transmission operations.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, When the communication resource information includes the transmission direction, the second transmission duration and the data volume correspond to the transmission direction.

15. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 14, characterized in that, The method also includes one or more of the following: If the TXOP is greater than or equal to the second transmission duration, and the second transmission duration is greater than the first transmission duration corresponding to the second AP, the first AP shall allocate the second transmission duration to the second AP. If the TXOP is less than the second transmission duration, the third transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP is received; After the first AP reacquires the TXOP, it receives the fourth transmission duration allocated by the first AP to the second AP; wherein the third transmission duration is the transmission duration within the TXOP excluding the first transmission duration corresponding to other second APs; and the second transmission duration is the sum of the third transmission duration and the fourth transmission duration.

16. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 15, characterized in that, The first wireless frame includes one or more of the first identification information and the second identification information; The first identification information includes: the identification information of the second AP; the second identification information identifies: the resource unit allocated by the first AP to the second AP for sending the response frame of the first radio frame.

17. The communication method according to claim 16, characterized in that, When the number of second APs includes at least two, the transmission address TA of the first wireless frame is a broadcast address; The number of the first identification information, the number of the second identification information, and the number of the second AP are the same.

18. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 17, characterized in that, The first radio frame includes a BSRP frame, the BSRP frame including a duration field, the duration field indicating the length of the TXOP.

19. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 18, characterized in that, The first wireless frame also includes one or more of the third and fourth identification information. The third identification information indicates that the first wireless frame is used to initiate multi-AP coordinated transmission negotiation; The fourth identification information identifies: the strategy type of the first strategy; the first strategy is at least one of the multi-AP coordinated transmission strategies supported by both the first AP and the second AP.

20. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 19, characterized in that, The method further includes: The third radio frame sent by the first AP is received; wherein the third radio frame identifies: the first AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission strategy, the strategy type of the multi-AP coordination strategy supported by the first AP, and the identity information of the first AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as a coordinating AP or a master AP.

21. The communication method according to any one of claims 12 to 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: A fourth radio frame is determined; wherein the fourth radio frame identifies: the second AP supports a multi-AP coordination transmission policy, the policy type of the multi-AP coordination policy indicated by the second AP, and the identity information of the second AP in the multi-AP coordination transmission process as either a coordinated AP or a slave AP. The fourth wireless frame is sent to the first AP.

22. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: The system receives a fifth radio frame sent by the first AP; wherein the fifth radio frame includes fifth identification information; the fifth identification information includes: identification information allocated by the first AP to the second AP for inter-AP coordinated transmission.

23. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is used to perform the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 11 or claims 12 to 22.

24. A communication system, characterized in that, Including the first AP and the second AP; Wherein, the first AP is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 11, and the second AP is configured to implement the communication method of any one of claims 12 to 22.

25. 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 11, or performs the communication method as described in any one of claims 12 to 22.

26. 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 11, or implements the communication method of any one of claims 12 to 22.

Images