Channel switching method and apparatus, and device

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a channel switching method and apparatus, and a device. The method is applied to an access point multi-link device, wherein the access point multi-link device is provided with a plurality of links, which comprise a first link and a second link. The method comprises: when a primary channel and a non-primary channel access (NPCA) primary channel of a first link are subjected to interference, an access point multi-link device sending a first frame to a station multi-link device on a primary channel of a second link, wherein the first frame comprises channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the first link; or when the primary channel of the first link is subjected to interference, the access point multi-link device sending a second frame to the station multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link or the NPCA primary channel of the first link, wherein the second frame comprises channel binding information of the first link.

Description

Channel switching methods, apparatus and equipment

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411729631.7, filed on November 28, 2024, entitled “Channel Switching Method, Apparatus and Device”, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communications, and more specifically, to a channel switching method, apparatus, and device. Background Technology

[0004] In order to improve the utilization of frequency domain resources, the Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) mechanism has been introduced. Based on this NPCA mechanism, nodes can switch to the NPCA primary channel for data transmission when the primary channel is interfered with.

[0005] However, the existing NPCA mechanism mainly focuses on single links and has not been designed for multi-link scenarios. Furthermore, the existing NPCA mechanism does not consider the situation where the NPCA main channel is also interfered with, or the inconsistency between the channel interference detected by the site and the access point. Therefore, the existing NPCA mechanism needs to be enhanced to ensure the reliability of data transmission. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a channel switching method, apparatus, and device.

[0007] In a first aspect, a channel switching method is provided, applied to an access point multi-link device, the access point multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the method comprising:

[0008] When interference occurs on the primary channel and non-primary channel access to the NPCA primary channel of the first link, the access point multi-link device sends a first frame to the site multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link. The first frame includes channel switching information for the NPCA primary channel of the first link; or

[0009] If the primary channel of the first link is interfered with, the access point multi-link device sends a second frame to the site multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link or on the NPCA primary channel of the first link. The second frame includes the channel binding information of the first link.

[0010] In some implementations, the first frame includes a first element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0011] The first field is used to indicate the link information of the first link;

[0012] The second field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0013] The third field is used to indicate the waiting time information for the first link's NPCA main channel to switch to the target channel;

[0014] The fourth field is used to indicate the effective duration of the NPCA main channel of the first link switching to the target channel.

[0015] In some implementations, the first frame further includes a second element, which carries channel switching information for the second link, wherein the second element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0016] The fifth field is used to indicate the channel information in which the handover is performed in the second link;

[0017] The sixth field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0018] The seventh field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0019] In some implementations, the first frame includes an eighth field for indicating the punctured channel information in the first link.

[0020] In some implementations, the second frame includes a third element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0021] The ninth field is used to indicate the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0022] The tenth field is used to indicate the effective duration information of the content indicated by the eighth field.

[0023] In some implementations, the fourth frame includes an eleventh field, which indicates the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link reported by the site multilink device.

[0024] In some implementations, the fifth frame includes a twelfth field indicating whether the site multilink device needs to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0025] In some implementations, the sixth frame includes a thirteenth field and a fourteenth field, wherein the thirteenth field is used to indicate the jammed channel of the first link, and the fourteenth field is used to indicate the NAV information of the jammed channel.

[0026] Secondly, a channel switching method is provided, applied to a site multi-link device, the site multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the method comprising:

[0027] When interference occurs on the primary channel and non-primary channel access to the NPCA primary channel of the first link, the site multi-link device receives a first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link. The first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the first link; or

[0028] When the main channel of the first link is interfered with, the site multi-link device receives a second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The second frame includes the channel binding information of the first link.

[0029] In some implementations, before the site multilink device receives the second frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes:

[0030] The site multi-link device sends a third frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission.

[0031] If no response frame is received for the third frame, the site multilink device sends a fourth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link. The fourth frame is used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multilink device.

[0032] In some implementations, before the site multilink device receives the first or second frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes:

[0033] The site multi-link device receives a fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode.

[0034] The site multi-link device sends a sixth frame to the access point multi-link device on the second link, and the sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0035] In some implementations, before the site multi-link device receives the second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method further includes:

[0036] The site multi-link device receives the fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to instruct the site multi-link device to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0037] The site multi-link device sends a sixth frame to the access point multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0038] In some implementations, before the site multilink device receives the first frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes:

[0039] The site multi-link device receives a fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate switching the second link from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0040] The site multilink device sends a sixth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0041] In some implementations, the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0042] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0043] The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to switch to the target channel;

[0044] The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel;

[0045] The first indication information is used to indicate the channel bound to the first link or the bandwidth of the first link when the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched to the target channel;

[0046] Information on the reason for the NPCA main channel switching of the first link.

[0047] In some implementations, the first frame further includes channel switching information for the second link, wherein the channel switching information for the second link includes at least one of the following:

[0048] Information on the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0049] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0050] In some implementations, the first frame further includes puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link, wherein the puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0051] The punctured channel information in the first link;

[0052] The puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link.

[0053] In some implementations, the channel binding information of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0054] The second indication information is the channel information of the first link rebinding when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, or the bandwidth information after the first link rebinds the channel.

[0055] The validity period of the second indication information;

[0056] Information regarding the reason for the first link rebinding the channel.

[0057] In some implementations, the first frame includes a first element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0058] The first field is used to indicate the link information of the first link;

[0059] The second field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0060] The third field is used to indicate the waiting time information for the first link's NPCA main channel to switch to the target channel;

[0061] The fourth field is used to indicate the effective duration of the NPCA main channel of the first link switching to the target channel.

[0062] In some implementations, the first frame further includes a second element, which carries channel switching information for the second link, wherein the second element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0063] The fifth field is used to indicate the channel information in which the handover is performed in the second link;

[0064] The sixth field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0065] The seventh field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0066] In some implementations, the first frame includes an eighth field for indicating the punctured channel information in the first link.

[0067] In some implementations, the second frame includes a third element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0068] The ninth field is used to indicate the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0069] The tenth field is used to indicate the effective duration information of the content indicated by the eighth field.

[0070] In some implementations, the fourth frame includes an eleventh field, which indicates the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link reported by the site multilink device.

[0071] In some implementations, the fifth frame includes a twelfth field indicating whether the site multilink device needs to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0072] In some implementations, the sixth frame includes a thirteenth field and a fourteenth field, wherein the thirteenth field is used to indicate the jammed channel of the first link, and the fourteenth field is used to indicate the NAV information of the jammed channel.

[0073] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, the communication device being an access point multi-link device or disposed within an access point multi-link device, the access point multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the communication device comprising:

[0074] The transmitting module is configured to transmit a first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access to the NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, transmit a second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

[0075] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which is a site multi-link device or is installed in the site multi-link device, the site multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the communication device comprising:

[0076] The receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, receive a second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

[0077] Fifthly, an access point multilink device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the methods described in the first aspect or its various implementations.

[0078] Sixthly, a site multi-link device is provided, including a processor and a memory. The memory is used to store a computer program, and the processor is used to call and run the computer program stored in the memory to perform the methods in the second aspect or its various implementations described above.

[0079] In a seventh aspect, a chip is provided for implementing the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations. Specifically, the chip includes: a processor for calling and running a computer program from a memory, causing a device on which the chip is installed to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0080] Eighthly, a readable storage medium is provided for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0081] Ninthly, a computer program product is provided, including computer program instructions that cause a computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0082] In a tenth aspect, a computer program is provided that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods of any one of the first to second aspects or their respective implementations.

[0083] This application provides an NPCA scheme for multi-link scenarios. When both the primary channel and the NPCA primary channel on the first link are interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel switching information of the NPAC primary channel of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link. In this way, the STA MLD can perform NPCA primary channel switching based on the NPAC primary channel switching information of the first link, and then perform data transmission based on the switched NPCA primary channel. This ensures that the AP MLD and STA MLD have a consistent understanding of the NPCA primary channel for data transmission, guaranteeing data transmission reliability. Alternatively, when the primary channel on the first link is interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel binding information of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link or the NPCA primary channel of the first link. This channel binding information is the channel binding information for rebinding the first link when the primary channel of the first link is interfered with. In this way, the STA MLD can determine the available channels on the first link based on the channel binding information of the first link, and then perform data transmission on the available channels of the first link, ensuring data transmission reliability. Attached Figure Description

[0084] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application.

[0085] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of an available channel when the secondary channel is interfered with.

[0086] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a usable channel based on preamble punching technology.

[0087] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0088] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0089] Figure 6 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0090] Figures 7 to 11 are schematic diagrams of the channel binding method provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0091] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of signaling interaction for another channel switching method provided in this application embodiment.

[0092] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of an interference asymmetry scenario detected by AP MLD and STA MLD according to an embodiment of this application.

[0093] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0094] Figure 15 is a signaling interaction diagram of another channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0095] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of another scenario of interference asymmetry detected by AP MLD and STA MLD according to an embodiment of this application.

[0096] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0097] Figure 18 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0098] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0099] Figure 20 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0100] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0101] Figure 22 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0102] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0103] Figure 24 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0104] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of a channel binding method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0105] Figure 26 is a signaling interaction diagram of a channel switching method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0106] Figure 27 is a schematic format of a first frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0107] Figure 28 is a schematic format of a channel switching notification element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0108] Figure 29 is a schematic format of a Mesh Channel Switch Parameters element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0109] Figure 30 is a schematic format of a current link channel indication element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0110] Figure 31 is a schematic format of a fourth frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0111] Figure 32 is a schematic format of a fifth frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0112] Figure 33 is a schematic format of a sixth frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0113] Figure 34 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0114] Figure 35 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0115] Figure 36 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0116] Figure 37 is a schematic block diagram of a chip provided according to an embodiment of this application.

[0117] Figure 38 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0118] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only a part of the embodiments of this application, and not all of them. All other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without creative effort regarding the embodiments of this application are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0119] It should be noted that, in this document, the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such a process, method, article, or apparatus. Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second," etc., used herein are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a particular order.

[0120] It should be noted that, in the embodiments of this application, "at least one item" refers to one item or more items, "more items" refers to two items or more, and "at least two items" refers to two items or more. "At least one of the following items" or similar expressions can refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one item of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0121] It should be noted that in the embodiments of this application, "and / or" indicates that the connected objects can have three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three scenarios: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following objects have an "or" relationship.

[0122] It should be understood that the "instruction" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a direct instruction or an indirect instruction. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being obtainable through A; or it can mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, where B is obtainable through C, for example, B and C are related.

[0123] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, and specifically to any of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 series protocols used in WLANs, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, and future 802.11 protocols. The methods provided in this application can be implemented by communication devices in a wireless communication system or by chips or processors within those devices. Accordingly, the communication device supports communication using the IEEE 802.11 series protocols. Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using a network deploying IEEE 802.11 as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to IEEE 802.11, primarily used in Europe), wide area network (WAN), WLAN, personal area network (PAN), ultra-wideband (UWB) based wireless PAN systems, sensing systems, or other networks now known or to be developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0124] In the WiFi protocol, a station (abbreviated as STA) includes access point stations (abbreviated as AP STA) and non-access point stations (abbreviated as non-AP station). For the sake of simplicity, access point stations are usually called access points (abbreviated as AP), and non-access point stations are called stations (abbreviated as STA).

[0125] Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication system 100 applicable to an embodiment of this application. The communication system 100 may include an access point 110 and a station 120. The station 120 can access the network through the access point 110.

[0126] Access points can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0127] The site can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0128] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between access points and stations, or communication between stations, or communication between access points.

[0129] An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0130] In some scenarios, access points and sites can be devices used in vehicle networking, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0131] In some scenarios, the access point can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) with a WiFi chip or a network device (such as a router).

[0132] In the embodiments of this application, the site may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless device in industrial control, set-top box, wireless device in self-driving, vehicle communication device, wireless device in remote medical care, wireless device in smart grid, wireless device in transportation safety, wireless device in smart city or smart home, wireless device, wireless communication chip, etc. that support WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0133] It should be understood that Figure 1 only illustrates one access point and two sites. Optionally, the communication system 100 may include multiple access points or other numbers of sites, which is not limited in this application embodiment.

[0134] Optionally, the communication system 100 may also include other devices, such as network controllers, gateways, and other network entities, which are not limited in this application.

[0135] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the channel bonding technology related to this application will be described.

[0136] The IEEE 802.11n standard introduced channel bonding technology, allowing two 20MHz channels to be bonded together to form a 40MHz channel. It also defines the concepts of a primary channel (PC) and a secondary channel. The primary channel is used to transmit control and management frames, ensuring compatibility with legacy equipment; the secondary channel can be bonded to the primary channel to increase transmission bandwidth and improve data transmission rates.

[0137] The IEEE 802.11ac and IEEE 802.11ax standards further extend channel bonding technology, supporting the bonding of multiple 20MHz channels together to form 80MHz, 160MHz, and non-contiguous 80MHz+80MHz channel bandwidths. The IEEE 802.11be standard supports channel bandwidths up to 320MHz; higher bandwidth means higher data transmission rates and significantly improved throughput. However, the 802.11 standard stipulates that when the secondary channel is busy and the primary channel is idle, the node can operate only on the primary channel. But if the primary channel is busy, even if the secondary channel is idle, the node cannot transmit on the idle secondary channel, leading to wasted bandwidth resources. Furthermore, the larger the bandwidth, the lower the channel utilization. Assuming the Basic Service Set (BSS) has an operating bandwidth of 80MHz, at time T1, when the primary 20MHz channel is busy, the remaining 60MHz of idle bandwidth cannot be used, resulting in wasted bandwidth resources. At time T2, when both the primary 20MHz channel and the secondary 60MHz channel are idle, the entire 80MHz bandwidth can be used to transmit data.

[0138] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the multi-link operation (MLO) related to this application will be described.

[0139] Multi-Link Operation (MLO) is a key technology in IEEE 802.11be that allows devices to transmit data in parallel across multiple links in the same or different frequency bands (such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz). This effectively improves throughput, reduces latency, and enhances network reliability. Access points that support multi-link operation are called Access Point Multi-Link Devices (AP MLDs), and stations that support multi-link operation are called Station Multi-Link Devices (STA MLDs) or Non-AP Multi-Link Devices (Non-AP MLDs).

[0140] MLO has two operating modes: Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (STR) mode and Non-Simultaneous Transmit and Receive (NSTR) mode, also known as asynchronous mode and synchronous mode. Specifically, in STR mode, each link operates completely independently, allowing multiple links to simultaneously send and receive data. This means that the transmission direction of each link can be different, and the transmission end time does not need to be aligned.

[0141] NSTR mode does not allow multiple links to simultaneously transmit and receive data; that is, the transmission direction of each link must be the same, and the transmission end time of each link must be aligned. The 802.11be standard specifies that an NSTR mobile AP MLD can have a maximum of two links, and these two links must operate in an NSTR link pair. One link in this pair serves as the primary link of the AP MLD and cannot be disabled or removed. The other link in the NSTR link pair is the secondary link and can be disabled or removed. The secondary link is only available when the primary link is available. The NSTR mobile AP MLD should only transmit beacon frames, probe response frames, and group-addressed data frames on the primary link. However, regardless of the operating mode, if the primary channel is busy, the node will not transmit on the idle secondary channel even if the secondary channel is idle.

[0142] To meet the energy-saving requirements of multi-link devices, 802.11be proposes two operating modes: Enhanced Multi-Link Single Radio (EMLSR) mode and Enhanced Multi-Link Multi-Radio (EMLMR) mode. EMLSR mode allows a non-AP MLD to have only one active link (capable of transmitting and receiving), but can be in listening mode on multiple links. The AP MLD can send an Initial Control Frame (ICF) to the STA on one of the listening links. Upon receiving the ICF from the AP MLD, the STA switches to that link to send an Initial Control Response Frame and performs data transmission on that link. The difference between EMLMR and EMLSR modes is that the AP can send ICFs on multiple listening links, and after waking up a previously listening link, no link switching is required; multiple links can be active simultaneously and transmit data concurrently.

[0143] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the preamble punching technology related to this application will be described.

[0144] Prior to the IEEE 802.11ax standard, the primary channel could only be bound to multiple adjacent idle secondary channels. If one of the secondary channels was interfered with, such as channel 56 in Figure 2, even if the other secondary channels 60 and 64 were idle, the node could only transmit data on the primary 20MHz channel, which greatly wasted bandwidth resources.

[0145] To reduce resource waste, the IEEE 802.11ax standard introduced preamble puncturing. This technique allows STAs to shield busy secondary channels while bundling remaining discontinuous available channels during 80MHz or 160MHz transmissions. As shown in Figure 3, a node can shield channel 56 and use channels 52+60+64 for communication. Although still operating at an 80MHz channel bandwidth, the actual transmission uses a 60MHz bandwidth, effectively placing channel 56 in a null state. It's important to note that the primary channel cannot be punctured in preamble puncturing; the 802.11ax / be standard specifies the permitted channel locations. Preamble puncturing technology allows for more efficient use of spectrum resources, fully utilizing idle channels even when some channels are interfered with.

[0146] To address the issue of idle sub-channels being unusable due to a busy primary channel in channel bonding, the IEEE 802.11bn Task Group (TGbn) introduced Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) technology. Currently, NPCA technology has been incorporated into the 11bn standard draft's Spec Framework Document (SFD). Specifically, this operating mode allows nodes to temporarily switch primary channels for transmission when the primary channel is busy due to Overlapping Basic Service Set (OBSS) interference or other undefined conditions, thereby improving frequency resource utilization.

[0147] The TGbn SFD stipulates that only one NPCA primary channel can exist within a BSS. When the BSS primary channel is busy due to OBSS interference or other conditions, the AP or STA can compete for the NPCA primary channel. Furthermore, the STA cannot simultaneously detect or decode frames from both the primary and secondary channels and obtain Network Allocation Vector (NAV) information. When an AP or STA obtains a Transmission Opportunity (TXOP) on the NPCA primary channel, it will confirm the channel handover through ICF and Initial Control Response (ICR) frames before starting data transmission. The AP and STA must switch back to the primary channel before it becomes idle (NAV=0). Assuming a BSS bandwidth of 80MHz, when the primary 20MHz channel is busy, the remaining 60MHz bandwidth is unusable under the existing transmission mechanism, resulting in wasted bandwidth resources. However, under the NPCA mechanism, the AP and STA can temporarily switch to the NPCA primary channel and continue transmitting data using the remaining 60MHz of idle bandwidth.

[0148] However, the relevant NPCA mechanism has the following problems:

[0149] 1. TGbn SFD specifies that only one NPCA main channel can be set up, but it does not take into account the situation where the main channel is interfered with, and the NPCA main channel may also be interfered with at the same time. In this case, even if you switch to the NPCA main channel, you cannot transmit, resulting in a waste of bandwidth resources.

[0150] 2. Multi-link is one of the key technologies of Wi-Fi, but the existing NPCA mechanism does not have a design scheme for multi-link NPCA mechanism.

[0151] 3. In wireless communication scenarios, due to the hidden node problem, the AP and STA may not be able to observe the interference at the same time, which means that the AP and STA cannot trigger the NPCA main channel switching operation at the same time. As a result, one node switches to the NPCA main channel to send data, while the other node does not switch to the NPCA main channel to receive data, resulting in data transmission failure.

[0152] This application provides an NPCA scheme for multi-link scenarios. When both the primary channel and the NPCA primary channel on the first link are interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel switching information of the NPAC primary channel of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link. In this way, the STA MLD can perform NPCA primary channel switching based on the NPAC primary channel switching information of the first link, and then perform data transmission based on the switched NPCA primary channel. This ensures that the AP MLD and STA MLD have a consistent understanding of the NPCA primary channel for data transmission, guaranteeing data transmission reliability. Alternatively, when the primary channel on the first link is interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel binding information of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link or the NPCA primary channel of the first link. This channel binding information is the channel binding information for rebinding the first link when the primary channel of the first link is interfered with. In this way, the STA MLD can determine the available channels on the first link based on the channel binding information of the first link, and then perform data transmission on the available channels of the first link, ensuring data transmission reliability.

[0153] The technical solutions of this application are described in detail below through specific embodiments. The above-mentioned related technologies are optional solutions and can be combined with the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application in any way, all of which fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0154] Figure 4 is a schematic interactive diagram of a channel switching method 200 according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4, the method 200 includes at least the following:

[0155] S210, when the main channel of the first link and the NPCA main channel are interfered with, the access point multi-link device (i.e., AP MLD) sends a first frame to the site multi-link device (i.e., STA MLD) on the main channel of the second link. The first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or

[0156] When the primary channel of the first link is interfered with, the access point multi-link device sends a second frame to the site multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link, which is the NPCA primary channel of the first link. The second frame includes the channel binding information of the first link.

[0157] In some embodiments, interference to the main channel of the first link may be detected by the AP MLD, or determined by the AP MLD based on the interference information reported by the STA MLD, or determined by the AP MLD based on the response of the STA MLD on the main channel of the first link.

[0158] In some embodiments, interference to the NPCA main channel of the first link may be detected by the AP MLD, or determined by the AP MLD based on the interference information reported by the STA MLD, or determined by the AP MLD based on the response of the STA MLD on the NPCA main channel of the first link.

[0159] In some embodiments, the AP MLD has multiple links, each link corresponding to an AP. Interference on the main channel or NPCA main channel of the first link can be detected by the AP corresponding to the first link in the AP MLD, or it can be determined based on the interference information reported by the STA MLD.

[0160] In some embodiments, interference to the primary channel of the first link may include OBSS interference, for example, the AP MLD receives an OBSS frame on the primary channel of the first link, which may indicate TXOP, and the primary channel of the first link is busy before the TXOP ends; or, interference to the primary channel of the first link may also include other interference, such as radar interference, Bluetooth interference, UWB interference, Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interference, 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) signal interference, etc., which are not limited in this application.

[0161] In some embodiments, interference to the NPCA main channel of the first link may include OBSS interference to the NPCA main channel of the first link, for example, when the AP MLD receives an OBSS frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link. Alternatively, interference to the NPCA main channel of the first link may also include other interferences, such as radar interference, Bluetooth interference, UWB interference, BLE interference, 3GPP signal interference, etc. This application does not limit this.

[0162] In some embodiments, both the AP MLD and STA MLD are in STR mode. That is, multiple links of the AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit or receive data simultaneously; in other words, multiple links are in transmit / receive mode at the same time.

[0163] In other embodiments, the AP MLD is in STR mode and the STA MLD is in EMLSR mode. That is, for the STA MLD, only one link is active (i.e., only one link is in transmit / receive mode), and multiple links can be in listening mode simultaneously.

[0164] In some embodiments, the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0165] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0166] The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to switch to the target channel;

[0167] The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel;

[0168] The first indication information is used to indicate the channel bound to the first link or the bandwidth of the first link when the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched to the target channel;

[0169] The reason for the NPCA main channel switching of the first link, or the reason for rebinding the channel of the first link.

[0170] In some embodiments, the target information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to be switched to may include, but is not limited to: the channel number of the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched, or the center frequency of the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched.

[0171] Optionally, the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched can be an interference-free channel in the first link, or it can be an interference-free channel in other links (such as the second link). That is, the AP MLD can perform intra-link channel switching or cross-link channel switching on the NPCA main channel of the first link. This application does not limit this.

[0172] For example, when both the AP MLD and STA MLD are in STR mode, the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched can be an interference-free channel in the first link, or it can be an interference-free channel in the second link.

[0173] For example, when the AP MLD is in STR mode and the STA MLD is in EMLSR mode, the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched can be an interference-free channel in the first link.

[0174] In some embodiments, the waiting time information for the switching of the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel can refer to the switching delay from the time the AP MLD sends the first frame to the time the NPCA primary channel of the first link switches to the target channel. This can be understood as the countdown time from the time the AP MLD sends the first frame to the time the NPCA primary channel of the first link switches to the target channel. This switching delay can be the maximum waiting time for the STA MLD to switch the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel.

[0175] Optionally, the waiting time information can be time information in units of Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) intervals.

[0176] In some embodiments, the effective duration information for switching the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel can refer to the duration for which the target channel serves as the new NPCA primary channel of the first link. Alternatively, the switching duration for the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel can also be understood as the waiting time for the NPCA primary channel of the first link to switch back to the original NPCA primary channel, or the waiting time for the primary channel of the first link to switch back to the original primary channel. Since the interference to the NPCA primary channel of the first link is temporary, the switching from the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel is a temporary channel switch. Therefore, a switching duration can be set, after which the switchback to the original NPCA primary channel can be performed.

[0177] In some embodiments, the AP MLD and STA MLD can switch the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel for data transmission by exchanging ICF frames and ICR frames. This effective duration information can refer to the time when the AP MLD sends an ICF to the TXOP end indicated by the OBSS frame received on the primary channel of the first link.

[0178] In some embodiments, when both the primary channel and the NPCA primary channel of the first link are interfered with, the AP MLD can rebind the channel of the first link and indicate the channel information (or the secondary channel information of the first link) or the bandwidth information after the channel rebinding of the first link to the STA MLD through the first indication information.

[0179] In some embodiments, the channels rebound to the first link may include only the remaining channels from the original channels bound to the first link, excluding the main channel and the NPCA main channel. In this case, the bandwidth of the first link is reduced.

[0180] In other embodiments, the channels rebound on the first link may include not only the remaining channels in the original channels bound to the first link, excluding the main channel and the NPCA main channel, but also at least one channel in the second link. That is, the embodiments of this application can support channel binding across links.

[0181] In some embodiments, the AP MLD can determine the channel to be rebound on the first link based on the traffic volume of the service to be transmitted on the first link. For example, when the traffic volume of the service to be transmitted is small, the channel can be rebound within the first link. Or, when the traffic volume of the service to be transmitted is large, the channel can be rebound across links to increase the bandwidth of the first link in order to meet the service transmission requirements of large traffic volume.

[0182] In some embodiments, the reason information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to perform a handover may include, but is not limited to, interference, such as OBSS interference, or radar interference, Bluetooth interference, UWB interference, BLE interference, 3GPP signal interference, etc.

[0183] In some embodiments, the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of the first link is switched can be an interference-free secondary channel in the first link, or it can be an interference-free channel in the second link, such as the primary channel of the second link, or the NPCA primary channel of the second link, or the secondary channel of the second link. In this case, in order to ensure normal data transmission of the second link, it is necessary to switch the primary channel and / or the NPCA primary channel of the second link.

[0184] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes channel switching information of the second link, wherein the channel switching information of the second link may include channel switching information of the primary channel of the second link and / or channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the second link.

[0185] In some embodiments, the channel switching information of the primary channel of the second link may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0186] Information about the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched, such as the channel number or center frequency;

[0187] The waiting time information for the primary channel of the second link to switch to the target channel;

[0188] The effective duration information for switching the primary channel of the second link to the target channel.

[0189] In some embodiments, the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the second link may include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0190] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched;

[0191] The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the second link to switch to the target channel;

[0192] The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the second link to the target channel.

[0193] The meaning of each of the above information is explained in the specific implementation of the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0194] It should be noted that the handover of the primary channel and / or NPCA primary channel of the second link to the target channel can also be considered as a temporary channel handover. The duration of the handover of the primary channel and / or NPCA primary channel of the second link to the target channel is the same as the duration of the handover of the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel. That is, the effective duration information of the handover of the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel is equivalent to the effective duration information of the handover of the primary channel or NPCA primary channel of the second link to the target channel. Similarly, the waiting duration information of the handover of the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel is equivalent to the waiting duration information of the handover of the primary channel or NPCA primary channel of the second link to the target channel. Therefore, the channel handover information of the primary channel of the second link can only include the information of the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched, and the channel handover information of the NPCA primary channel of the second link can only include the information of the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of the second link is switched.

[0195] In one specific embodiment, when the switching of the primary channel of the first link to the target channel causes a change in the primary channel of the second link (e.g., the target channel to which the primary channel of the first link switches is the location of the primary channel of the second link), the AP MLD can indicate the channel switching information of the primary channel of the second link to the STA MLD, such as the information of the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link switches, such as the channel number or center frequency.

[0196] In another specific embodiment, when the switching of the NPCA primary channel of the first link to the target channel causes a change in the NPCA primary channel of the second link (e.g., the target channel switched to by the NPCA primary channel of the first link is the location of the NPCA primary channel of the second link), the AP MLD can indicate the channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the second link to the STA MLD, such as the information of the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of the second link is switched, such as the channel number or center frequency.

[0197] In another specific embodiment, when the switching of the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel causes changes in both the main channel and the NPCA main channel of the second link (e.g., the target channel switched by the NPCA main channel of the first link is the location of the main channel of the second link, the main channel of the second link switches to the location of the NPCA main channel of the second link, or the NPCA main channel of the second link switches to a new channel), the AP MLD can indicate to the STA MLD the channel switching information of the main channel of the second link (e.g., the information of the target channel to which the main channel of the second link switches, such as the channel number or center frequency) and the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the second link (e.g., the information of the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link switches, such as the channel number or center frequency).

[0198] In some embodiments, the first frame may also include puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link.

[0199] For example, when both the primary channel of the first link and the primary channel of the NPCA are interfered with, and the primary channel of the first link and the primary channel of the NPCA are not adjacent, the AP MLD can punch holes in the NPCA primary channel of the first link when rebinding the channel of the first link.

[0200] In some embodiments, the puncture information of the interfered channel in the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0201] The punctured channel information in the first link, such as the channel number or center frequency;

[0202] The puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link.

[0203] It should be noted that the puncturing of the interfered channel in the first link can also be considered temporary. It can be assumed that the interfered channel in the first link is punctured during the duration of the NPCA main channel switching to the target channel in the first link. That is, the puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link and the effective duration information of the NPCA main channel switching to the target channel in the first link are equivalent. Therefore, the first frame can only indicate one effective duration information and does not need to indicate the puncturing duration information. The effective duration information can be considered as the puncturing duration information.

[0204] The following describes the NPCA scheme provided in this application under the condition that the main channel of the first link and the NPCA main channel are interfered with, in conjunction with specific embodiments.

[0205] The following explanation uses an example of multiple links, including two links (Link1 and Link2), each with four 20MHz channels. However, this method is also applicable to other frequency bands or channel bandwidths, such as 160MHz, 320MHz, 2.4GHz+2.4GHz, 6GHz+6GHz, etc., and the number of links can also be other than these. Optionally, the two links can be two links in the same frequency band, such as dual 5G links in the same frequency, where both Link1 and Link2 are 5GHz links. The AP MLD includes AP1 and AP2, corresponding to Link1 and Link2 respectively, and the STA MLD includes STA1 and STA2, corresponding to Link1 and Link2 respectively.

[0206] In the embodiments of this application, for ease of distinction and explanation, the original primary channel of link 1 is denoted as P1, the original NPCA primary channel of link 1 is denoted as NP1, the target channel (or target NPCA primary channel) to which the NPCA primary channel of link 1 is switched is denoted as target NP1, the original primary channel of link 2 is denoted as P2, the original NPCA primary channel of link 2 is denoted as NP2, the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of link 2 is switched is denoted as target NP2, and the target channel to which the primary channel of link 2 is switched is denoted as target P2.

[0207] Example 1:

[0208] In this embodiment 1, the bandwidth of link 1 is bound to 80MHz by four 20MHz channels. Among them, P1 and S1-1 are the main channel of link 1 and the NPCA main channel, respectively, and P2 and S2-3 are the main channel of link 2 and the NPCA main channel, respectively. The main channel of link 1 and the NPCA main channel are adjacent.

[0209] In this embodiment 1, both AP1 and STA1 detected that the main channel of link 1 was busy due to OBSS interference, and the NPCA main channel of link 1 was also busy due to OBSS interference.

[0210] In this embodiment 1, the AP MLD can rebind the channels of link 1. The rebinded channels can include channels of link 2 adjacent to link 1. For example, the rebinded channels of link 1 can include S1-2, S1-3, S2-1, and S2-2. The target channel to which the primary NPA channel of link 1 is switched can be selected from the secondary channels of link 1, such as S1-3 or S1-2, or it can be selected from the idle secondary channels of link 2, such as S2-1 or S2-2. Figure 5 only uses the selection of S1-3 as the target NPA channel of link 1 as an example, and this application is not limited to this.

[0211] The specific interaction process may include the steps shown in Figure 6:

[0212] Step 1: AP MLD detected that both the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA were affected by OBSS interference.

[0213] Step 2: AP MLD sends the first frame on the main channel of Link 2.

[0214] The first frame may include channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of link 1, such as the target channel S1-3 to which the NPCA main channel of link 1 is switched, the waiting time for the NPCA main channel of link 1 to switch to S1-3, the effective time for the NPCA main channel of link 1 to switch to S1-3, and the channel binding information of link 1, such as the channel information of link 1 after rebinding, or the bandwidth information after link 1 rebinds the channel.

[0215] Step 3: After the waiting time specified during the interval between the first frame sent by the AP MLD, the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1, and the STA MLD replies with an ICR frame on the re-bonded link 1;

[0216] Step 4: During the effective duration, AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the re-bonded link 1.

[0217] It should be noted that the channel bonding method for Link 1 is only an example. In other embodiments, the AP MLD can also perform channel bonding of different specifications according to the traffic volume of AP1. For example, when the traffic volume of AP1 is large, cross-link channel bonding can be performed on Link 1, such as bonding Link 1 with S2-1 and S2-2 of Link 2 to meet the data transmission of large traffic volumes. Alternatively, as shown in Figure 7, when the traffic volume of AP1 is small, the operating bandwidth of Link 1 can be reduced. For example, the NPCA primary and secondary channels can be bonded within Link 1. For example, the uninterrupted channels S1-2 and S1-3 of Link 1 can be bonded, and the target NPCA primary channel of Link 1 can be selected from S1-2 and S1-3. For example, S1-3 can be used as the target NPCA primary channel of Link 1. In this case, the bandwidth of Link 1 after bonding is 40MHz.

[0218] Example 2:

[0219] In this embodiment 2, the bandwidth of link 1 is bound to 80MHz by four 20MHz channels. Among them, P1 and S1-1 are the main channel of link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, respectively, and the main channel of link 1 and the main channel of NPCA are adjacent to each other.

[0220] In this embodiment 2, both AP1 and STA1 detected that the main channel of link 1 was busy due to OBSS interference, and the NPCA main channel of link 1 was also busy due to OBSS interference.

[0221] In this embodiment 2, the AP MLD can rebind the channel of link 1. For example, when the traffic volume of AP1 is high, the channel of link 1 can be rebinded. For example, the bound channel may include the channel of link 2 that is adjacent to link 1. In this embodiment 2, the channel rebinded to link 1 may include the main channel of link 2 or the main channel of NPCA. Therefore, channel switching needs to be performed on the main channel of link 2 or the main channel of NPCA at the same time.

[0222] Example 2-1: The channel bound to Link 1 includes the NPCA main channel of Link 2.

[0223] In this case, considering that Link 2 also has transmission requirements when Link 1 triggers the NPCA mechanism, in order to ensure the normal operation of Link 2, it is necessary to perform channel switching on the NPCA main channel of Link 2.

[0224] As shown in Figure 8, the channels rebound for Link 1 can include S1-2, S1-3, S2-1, and S2-2. S2-1 is the original NPCA primary channel of Link 2. In this case, the NPCA primary channel of Link 2 can be switched to another idle secondary channel in Link 2, such as S2-3. The target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 is switched can be selected from the secondary channels of Link 1, such as S1-3 or S1-2, or it can be selected from the idle secondary channels of Link 2, such as S2-1 or S2-2. Figure 8 only uses the selection of S2-1 as the target NPCA primary channel of Link 1 as an example; this application is not limited to this.

[0225] Example 2-2: The channel bound to link 1 includes the main channel of link 2.

[0226] In this case, considering that Link 2 also has transmission requirements when Link 1 triggers the NPCA mechanism, in order to ensure the normal operation of Link 2, it is necessary to perform channel switching on the main channel of Link 2.

[0227] As shown in Figure 9, the channels rebound for Link 1 can include S1-2, S1-3, P2, and S2-1, where P2 is the primary channel for Link 2. In this case, the primary channel for Link 2 can be switched to another available secondary channel in Link 2, such as S2-2. The target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 is switched can be selected from the secondary channels of Link 1, such as S1-3 or S1-2, or it can be selected from the available secondary channels of Link 2, such as P2 or S2-1. Figure 9 only uses the selection of S1-3 as the target NPCA primary channel for Link 1 as an example, and this application is not limited to this.

[0228] The interaction process in this embodiment 2 is similar to the interaction flow in Figure 6, except that:

[0229] For Example 2-1, in addition to the channel switching information of the NPA main channel of Link 1, the first frame also needs to include the channel switching information of the NPA main channel of Link 2, such as the target channel to which the NPA main channel of Link 2 is switched, such as S2-3.

[0230] For Example 2-2, in addition to the channel switching information of the NPA main channel of Link 1, the first frame also needs to include the channel switching information of the main channel of Link 2, such as the target channel to which the main channel of Link 2 is switched, for example, S2-2.

[0231] Example 3:

[0232] In this embodiment 3, the bandwidth of Link 1 is bound to 80MHz by four 20MHz channels. Among them, P1 and S1-1 are the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, respectively, and the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA are adjacent. P2 and S2-1 are the main channel of Link 2 and the main channel of NPCA, respectively.

[0233] In this embodiment 3, both AP1 and STA1 detected that the main channel of link 1 was busy due to OBSS interference, and the NPCA main channel of link 1 was also busy due to OBSS interference.

[0234] In this embodiment 3, the AP MLD can rebind the channel of link 1. For example, when the traffic volume of AP1 is high, the channel of link 1 can be rebinded. For example, the bound channel may include the channel of link 2 that is adjacent to link 1. In this embodiment 3, the channel rebinded to link 1 may include the main channel of link 2 and the main channel of NPCA. In order to ensure the normal operation of link 2, it is necessary to perform channel switching on the main channel of link 2 and the main channel of NPCA at the same time.

[0235] As shown in Figure 10, the channels rebound for Link 1 can include S1-2, S1-3, P2, and S2-1. In this case, the primary channel of Link 2 can be switched to another idle secondary channel in Link 2, such as S2-2, and the NPCA primary channel of Link 2 can be switched to another idle secondary channel in Link 2, such as S2-3. The target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 is switched can be selected from the secondary channels of Link 1, such as S1-3 or S1-2, or it can be selected from the idle channels of Link 2, such as P2 or S2-1. Figure 10 only uses the selection of P2 as the target NPCA primary channel of Link 1 as an example, and this application is not limited to this.

[0236] The interaction process in this embodiment 3 is similar to the interaction flow in Figure 6, except that:

[0237] In Embodiment 3, in addition to the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of Link 1, the first frame also needs to include the channel switching information of the main channel of Link 2, such as the target channel to which the main channel of Link 2 is switched (e.g., S2-2), and the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of Link 2, such as the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of Link 2 is switched (e.g., S2-3).

[0238] Example 4:

[0239] In this embodiment 4, the bandwidth of Link 1 is bound to 80MHz by four 20MHz channels. Among them, P1 and S1-2 are the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, respectively, and the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA are adjacent to each other. P2 and S2-3 are the main channel of Link 2 and the main channel of NPCA, respectively.

[0240] In this embodiment 4, both AP1 and STA1 detected that the main channel of link 1 was busy due to OBSS interference, and the NPCA main channel of link 1 was also busy due to OBSS interference.

[0241] In embodiments 1-3 above, the main channel of link 1 and the NPCA main channel of link 2 are adjacent. In this embodiment 4, the main channel of link 1 and the NPCA main channel are not adjacent. In this case, when the AP MLD rebinds the channel of link 1, it can bind it with the adjacent channel of link 2. As shown in Figure 11, the channels rebinded by link 1 may include S1-1, S1-2, S1-3 and S2-1. Since S1-2 is the original NPCA main channel of link 1 and is subject to interference, in this case, the AP MLD can use preamble puncturing technology to puncture S1-2. After S1-2 is punctured, link 1 can use the remaining 60MHz for data transmission. The AP MLD can select the target NPCA main channel of link 1 from S1-1, S1-3 and S2-1. Figure 11 only uses the selection of S2-1 as the target NPCA main channel of link 1 as an example, but this application is not limited to this.

[0242] The interaction process of this embodiment 4 includes the steps shown in Figure 12:

[0243] Step 1: AP MLD detected that both the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA were interfered with.

[0244] Step 2: AP MLD sends the first frame on the main channel of Link 2.

[0245] The first frame may include channel switching information for the NPCA main channel of Link 1 and channel puncturing information for Link 1, such as the punctured channel S1-2. Optionally, it may also include the puncturing duration of S1-2.

[0246] Step 3: After the AP MLD sends the first frame after the specified waiting time, the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on Link 1 after performing preamble puncturing, and the STA MLD replies with an ICR frame on Link 1 after performing preamble puncturing.

[0247] Step 4: Within the effective duration (i.e., the puncturing duration), AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on link 1 after the preamble puncturing is performed.

[0248] In some embodiments of this application, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel binding information of the first link to the STA MLD on the NPCA main channel of the first link or the main channel of the second link.

[0249] In some embodiments, the channel binding information of the first link includes, but is not limited to, at least one of the following:

[0250] The second indication information is the channel information of the first link rebinding when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, or the bandwidth information after the first link rebinds the channel.

[0251] The waiting time information for the first link to rebind the channel, or in other words, the effective time information of the channel rebinded by the first link;

[0252] The validity period of the second indication information;

[0253] Information on the reason for rebinding the first link to a channel.

[0254] That is, in the embodiments of this application, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, the AP MLD can rebind the channel of the first link and instruct the STA MLD to re-execute the channel binding information after rebinding the channel of the first link. The channel binding information of the first link can be regarded as a temporary channel binding. Therefore, the effective duration of the channel binding can be set. After the effective duration, the original channel binding of the first link can be restored.

[0255] In some embodiments, the waiting time information for the first link to rebind the channel can indicate the waiting time from when the AP MLD sends the second frame until the channel rebinding of the first link takes effect, that is, the waiting time for the temporary channel binding to take effect.

[0256] In some embodiments, the validity duration information of the second indication information can be understood as the validity duration of the temporary channel binding, or the waiting time for the original channel binding to be restored to the first link.

[0257] In some embodiments, the reason information for rebinding the first link can indicate that the main channel of the first link is interfered with, such as by OBSS interference, or by other interferences, such as by radar interference, Bluetooth interference, UWB interference, BLE interference, 3GPP signal interference, etc.

[0258] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method 200 further includes:

[0259] The access point multi-link device sends a third frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission.

[0260] Optionally, the second frame is sent without receiving a response frame to the third frame.

[0261] For example, if both the AP MLD and STA MLD detect interference on the primary channel of the first link, both can trigger the NPCA mechanism to switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link for data transmission. However, if only one of the AP MLD and STA MLD detects interference on the primary channel of the first link, and the party that detected the interference switches to the NPCA primary channel of the first link to send the third frame, the other party will not switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link and will not respond to the third frame. Therefore, in this embodiment, the AP MLD can switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link to send the third frame after detecting interference on the primary channel of the first link. However, since the STA MLD does not detect interference on the primary channel of the first link and does not switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link, the AP MLD cannot receive the response frame from the STA MLD for the third frame. Therefore, the AP MLD can send a second frame on the primary channel of the second link without receiving the response frame from the STA MLD for the third frame. This second frame carries the channel binding information of the first link. Furthermore, the AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data on the re-bound channel of the first link based on this channel binding information.

[0262] Optionally, the third frame can be an ICF frame, and the response frame of the third frame can be an ICR frame.

[0263] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the first frame or the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method 200 further includes:

[0264] The access point multilink device receives a fourth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The fourth frame is used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multilink device.

[0265] Optionally, the second frame is sent upon receipt of the fourth frame.

[0266] For example, after detecting interference with the main channel of the first link and the main channel of the NPCA, the STA MLD can send a fourth frame on the main channel of the second link. Upon receiving the fourth frame, the AP MLD can send a first frame to the STA MLD on the main channel of the second link, which carries the channel switching information of the main channel of the NPCA of the first link.

[0267] Optionally, before the access point multi-link device receives the fourth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the second link, the method further includes:

[0268] The site multi-link device sends a third frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission. The fourth frame is sent when the site multi-link device does not receive a response frame for the third frame.

[0269] For example, after detecting interference on the primary channel of the first link, the STA MLD can switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link to send the third frame. However, since the AP MLD has not switched to the NPCA primary channel of the first link, the STA MLD cannot receive the AP MLD's response frame for the third frame. Therefore, the STA MLD can send the fourth frame on the primary channel of the second link without receiving the AP MLD's response frame for the third frame. The AP MLD can send the second frame to the STA MLD on the primary channel of the second link after receiving the fourth frame, which carries the channel binding information of the first link.

[0270] In some embodiments, the fourth frame may indicate interference information detected by STA MLD on the first link.

[0271] Optionally, the fourth frame may indicate at least one of the following:

[0272] Whether the STA MLD is interfered with in the first link;

[0273] The STA MLD is subject to interference on the first link.

[0274] The NAV information of the STA MLD on the interfered channel of the first link.

[0275] Therefore, the AP MLD can determine the channel and / or link that the STA MLD is interfering with, as well as the corresponding NAV information, based on the fourth frame. Thus, when the STA MLD detects interference but the AP MLD does not, the AP MLD can obtain the information about the channel and / or link that the STA MLD is interfering with, as well as the corresponding NAV information, based on the fourth frame.

[0276] In some embodiments, the NAV information of the interfered channel can be used by the AP MLD to determine the validity duration information of the second indication information (i.e., the duration of the temporary channel binding of the first link). In this embodiment, since the STA MLD detects the primary channel of the first link, or the primary channel of the first link and the NPCA primary channel are interfered with, but the AP MLD does not detect interference on the first link (e.g., the STA MLD can receive an OBSS frame on the primary channel of the first link or the NPCA primary channel, but the AP does not receive an OBSS frame on the primary channel of the first link or the NPCA primary channel), the STA MLD determines the NAV information of the primary channel of the first link or the NPCA primary channel based on the TXOP indicated in the received OBSS frame, and reports the NAV information to the AP MLD so that the AP can configure the validity duration information.

[0277] The above describes the NPCA mechanism under symmetrical interference detected by AP MLD and STA MLD in conjunction with Examples 1-4. The following describes the NPCA mechanism under asymmetrical interference detected by AP MLD and STA MLD in conjunction with Example 5.

[0278] Example 5: Interference asymmetry detected by AP MLD and STA MLD

[0279] Example 5-1: The AP MLD detected interference, while the STA MLD did not.

[0280] For example, if the AP MLD is inside the OBSS and the STA MLD is outside the OBSS, then the AP MLD can detect the OBSS interference, while the STA MLD cannot detect the OBSS interference.

[0281] As shown in Figure 13, AP MLD1 is located within the OBSS, while STA MLD1 is located outside the OBSS, resulting in asymmetric interference detection between AP MLD1 and STA MLD1. In this embodiment 5-1, the bandwidth of link 1 is bound to an 80MHz bandwidth by four 20MHz channels. Specifically, P1 and S1-1 are the main channel and NPCA main channel of link 1, respectively, and are adjacent to each other. P2 and S2-2 are the main channel and NPCA main channel of link 2, respectively. AP MLD1 includes AP1 and AP2, corresponding to link 1 and link 2, respectively. STA MLD1 includes STA1 and STA2, corresponding to link 1 and link 2, respectively.

[0282] In this embodiment 5-1, AP MLD1 can rebind the channel of link 1. For example, as shown in Figure 14, the channels rebinded to link 1 may include S1-1, S1-2, S1-3 and S2-1.

[0283] When AP MLD1 detects interference on the main channel P1 of Link 1, AP MLD1 can switch to the NPCA main channel S1-1 of Link 1 for data transmission. However, at this time, STA1 in STA MLD1 does not detect OBSS interference on the main channel of Link 1 and will not switch to work on the NPCA main channel. Therefore, it cannot receive frames sent by AP MLD1 on the NPCA main channel.

[0284] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 5-1 may include the steps shown in Figure 15:

[0285] Step 1: AP MLD detected interference on the main channel P1 of link 1.

[0286] Step 2: AP MLD switches to the NPCA main channel S1-1 of Link 1 to send ICF frames, but STA MLD does not switch to the NPCA main channel of Link 1 because it does not detect interference on the main channel P1 of Link 1. Therefore, AP MLD does not receive STA MLD's ICR frames on the NPCA main channel of Link 1.

[0287] Step 3: After waiting for a period of time, if the AP MLD does not receive a reply from the STA MLD, the AP MLD can send a second frame on the main channel of link 2, which carries the channel binding information of link 1, such as the channels rebound by link 1 (e.g., S1-1, S1-2, S1-3 and S2-1), the effective duration information and waiting duration information of the channels rebound by link 1.

[0288] Step 4: After the waiting time specified during the second frame interval sent by the AP MLD, the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1, and the STA MLD replies with an ICR frame on the re-bonded link 1.

[0289] Step 5: During the effective duration, AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the re-bonded link 1.

[0290] It should be noted that Example 5-1 only illustrates the case where the AP MLD detects interference on the main channel of Link 1. This NPCA scheme can also be applied to situations where the AP MLD detects interference on both the main channel of Link 1 and the NPCA main channel. The signaling interaction process is similar, except that step 2 can be omitted, and the AP MLD sends the first frame on the main channel of Link 2. That is, when interference is detected on both the main channel of Link 1 and the NPCA main channel, the AP MLD can send the first frame directly on the main channel of Link 2 without switching to the NPCA main channel of Link 1 to send the ICF frame, carrying the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of Link 1. Optionally, it can also carry the channel switching information of Link 2 and / or the channel puncturing information of Link 1. For specific implementation, refer to the relevant implementations in Examples 1-4, which will not be repeated here for simplicity.

[0291] Example 5-2: STA MLD detected interference, AP MLD did not detect interference.

[0292] For example, if the STA MLD is inside the OBSS and the AP MLD is outside the OBSS, then the STA MLD can detect the OBSS interference, but the AP MLD cannot detect the OBSS interference.

[0293] As shown in Figure 16, STA MLD1 is located within the OBSS, while AP MLD1 is located outside the OBSS, resulting in asymmetric interference detection between AP MLD1 and STA MLD1. In this embodiment 5-2, the bandwidth of link 1 is bound to an 80MHz bandwidth by four 20MHz channels. P1 and S1-1 are the main channel and NPCA main channel of link 1, respectively. The main channel and NPCA main channel of link 1 are adjacent. P2 and S2-2 are the main channel and NPCA main channel of link 2, respectively. AP MLD1 includes AP1 and AP2, corresponding to link 1 and link 2, respectively. STA MLD1 includes STA1 and STA2, corresponding to link 1 and link 2, respectively.

[0294] In this embodiment 5-2, AP MLD1 can rebind the channel of link 1. For example, as shown in Figure 17, the channels rebinded to link 1 may include S1-1, S1-2, S1-3 and S2-1.

[0295] When STA MLD1 detects interference on the main channel P1 of Link 1, STA MLD1 will switch to the NPCA main channel S1-1 of Link 1 for data transmission. However, at this time, STA1 in AP MLD1 does not detect OBSS interference on the main channel of Link 1 and will not switch to work on the NPCA main channel. Therefore, it cannot receive frames sent by STA MLD1 on the NPCA main channel.

[0296] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 5-2 may include the steps shown in Figure 18:

[0297] Step 1: STA MLD detected interference on the main channel P1 of Link 1.

[0298] Step 2: STA MLD switches to the NPCA main channel S1-1 of Link 1 to send ICF frames, but AP MLD does not switch to the NPCA main channel of Link 1 because it does not detect interference on the main channel P1 of Link 1. Therefore, STA MLD does not receive AP MLD's ICR frames on the NPCA main channel of Link 1.

[0299] Step 3: If the STA MLD does not receive a reply from the AP MLD, then after the Short Inter-Frame Space (SIFS), the STA MLD can send a fourth frame on the main channel of Link 2 to indicate the NAV information of the interfered channel of Link 1 detected by the STA MLD.

[0300] Step 4: After the AP MLD receives the fourth frame, after an interval of SIFS, it can send the second frame on the main channel of link 2. The second frame carries the channel binding information of link 1, such as the channels rebound by link 1 (e.g., S1-1, S1-2, S1-3 and S2-1), the effective duration information and waiting duration information of the channels rebound by link 1.

[0301] Step 5: After the waiting time specified during the second frame interval sent by the AP MLD, the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1, and the STA MLD replies with an ICR frame on the re-bonded link 1;

[0302] Step 6: During the effective duration, AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the re-bonded link 1.

[0303] It should be noted that Example 5-2 only illustrates the case where the STA MLD detects interference on the main channel of Link 1. This NPCA scheme can also be applied to situations where the STA MLD detects interference on both the main channel of Link 1 and the NPCA main channel. The signaling interaction process is similar, except that step 2 can be omitted, and the AP MLD sends the first frame on the main channel of Link 2. That is, when interference is detected on both the main channel of Link 1 and the NPCA main channel, the STA MLD can send the ICF frame directly on the main channel of Link 2 without switching to the NPCA main channel of Link 1.

[0304] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the first frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method 200 further includes:

[0305] The access point multilink device sends a fifth frame to the site multilink device on the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode;

[0306] The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0307] Optionally, in this embodiment, the AP MLD can be in a normal multi-link mode, such as STR mode, and the STA MLD can be in EMLSR mode. That is, multiple links of the AP MLD are active, while only one link of the STA MLD is in transmit / receive mode. The first link is the link that the STA MLD is currently active.

[0308] For example, when the AP MLD detects interference on both the primary channel of the first link and the NPCA primary channel, the AP MLD can send a fifth frame on the second link to instruct the second link to switch from listen mode to transmit / receive mode, i.e., to switch the second link to an active link. Further, after receiving the sixth frame from the STA MLD on the second link, the AP MLD then sends a second frame on the primary channel of the second link.

[0309] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first frame may not indicate the waiting time information for the NPCA primary channel of the first link to switch to the target channel. This waiting time information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay. For example, the EMLSR Transition Delay may be indicated in the EML Capabilities field, which may be carried in the frame interaction when the STA MLD enters EMLSR mode.

[0310] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method 200 further includes:

[0311] The access point multi-link device sends a third frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission.

[0312] If no response frame is received for the third frame, the access point multilink device sends a fifth frame on the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate switching the second link from listening mode to transceiver mode;

[0313] The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0314] Optionally, in this embodiment, the AP MLD can be in a normal multi-link mode, such as STR mode, and the STA MLD can be in EMLSR mode. That is, multiple links of the AP MLD are active, while only one link of the STA MLD is in transmit / receive mode. The first link is the link that the STA MLD is currently active.

[0315] For example, when the AP MLD detects interference on the primary channel of the first link, it can switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link and send a third frame indicating the switch to the NPCA primary channel for data transmission. However, if the STA MLD does not detect interference on the primary channel of the first link, it will not switch to the NPCA primary channel and will not respond to the third frame. In this case, since the second link is not an active link for the STA MLD, if the AP MLD wants to send a second frame indicating the channel binding information of the first link through the second link, it needs to switch the second link to an active link, that is, switch the second link from listening mode to transmit / receive mode. Therefore, before sending the second frame on the second link, the AP MLD can first send a fifth frame on the second link, indicating the switch from listening mode to transmit / receive mode. After receiving the sixth frame from the STA MLD on the second link, it then sends the second frame on the primary channel of the second link.

[0316] Optionally, in this embodiment, the waiting duration information corresponding to the second indication information may not be indicated in the second frame. The waiting duration information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay. For example, the EMLSR Transition Delay may be indicated in the EML Capabilities field, which may be carried in the frame interaction when the STA MLD enters EMLSR mode.

[0317] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method 200 further includes:

[0318] The access point multi-link device sends a fifth frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to indicate the interference information received by the site multi-link device, such as whether interference is detected, the interfered link, the interfered channel information, and the NAV information of the interfered channel.

[0319] The access point multi-link device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0320] Optionally, in this embodiment, the AP MLD can be in normal multi-link mode, and the STA MLD can be in EMLSR mode. That is, multiple links of the AP MLD are simultaneously in transmit / receive mode, that is, multiple links of the AP MLD are active. Only one link of the STA MLD is in transmit / receive mode, that is, only one link of the STA MLD is active. Multiple links of the STA MLD are simultaneously in listen mode, and the first link is the link that the STA MLD is currently active.

[0321] For example, when the STA MLD detects interference on the primary channel of the first link, it can switch to the NPCA primary channel of the first link and send a third frame indicating a switch to the NPCA primary channel for data transmission. However, if the AP MLD does not detect interference on the primary channel of the first link, it will not switch to the NPCA primary channel and will not respond to the third frame. If the AP MLD transmits downlink data to the STA MLD through the primary channel of the first link but does not receive feedback confirmation from the STA MLD, the AP MLD can attempt to send a fifth frame on the NPCA primary channel of the first link, instructing the STA MLD to provide feedback on the interference information, such as whether interference is detected, the information of the interfered channel, and the NAV information of the interfered channel. The STA MLD can then provide feedback on the NPCA primary channel of the first link with a sixth frame, which can carry the interference information received by the STA MLD, such as whether interference is detected, the information of the interfered channel, and the NAV information of the interfered channel. The AP MLD can determine the time for the primary channel of the first link to switch back to its original primary channel based on the sixth frame, i.e., the effective duration information corresponding to the temporary channel binding of the first link mentioned above. Furthermore, the AP MLD can send a second frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link. Furthermore, the AP MLD and STA can transmit data based on the temporary channel binding of the first link within this effective duration.

[0322] In some embodiments of this application, before the access point multilink device sends the first frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the method 200 further includes:

[0323] The access point multi-link device sends a fifth frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to indicate the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0324] If no response frame is received for the fifth frame, the access point multilink device sends the fifth frame to the site multilink device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0325] The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame from the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0326] For example, if the STA MLD detects interference on both the primary channel and the NPCA primary channel of the first link, it cannot receive data transmitted by the AP MLD across the entire frequency band of the first link. Therefore, the STA MLD will not send an acknowledgment to the AP MLD. The AP MLD, without receiving acknowledgment from the STA MLD, can attempt to send a fifth frame on the NPCA primary channel of the first link, indicating the STA MLD's interference information, such as whether interference is detected, the information of the interfered channel, and the NAV information of the interfered channel. If the STA MLD cannot receive this fifth frame, it will not reply with a sixth frame to the AP MLD. The AP MLD can then send a fifth frame on the second link, indicating the STA MLD's interference information, such as whether interference is detected, the information of the interfered channel, and the NAV information of the interfered channel. The STA MLD can then reply with a sixth frame on the second link, which may carry the interference information received by the STA MLD. The AP MLD can determine the aforementioned effective duration information based on the sixth frame. Furthermore, the AP MLD can send the first frame on the main channel of the second link, and furthermore, the AP MLD and STA can transmit data based on the temporary channel binding of the first link within this effective duration.

[0327] Optionally, in this embodiment, the first frame may not indicate the waiting time information for the NPCA primary channel of the first link to switch to the target channel. This waiting time information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay. For example, the EMLSR Transition Delay may be indicated in the EML Capabilities field, which may be carried in the frame interaction when the STA MLD enters EMLSR mode.

[0328] The NPCA mechanism in the STA MLD working EMLSR mode provided in this application embodiment is described below with reference to Embodiment 6.

[0329] In this embodiment 6, both Link 1 and Link 2 of AP MLD are in an active state, while Link 1 is currently active in STA MLD, and Link 2 is in listening mode.

[0330] Example 6-1: Interference was detected by both AP MLD and STA MLD on the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA.

[0331] In this embodiment 6-1, as shown in Figure 19, the AP MLD can rebind link 1. Since the two links of the STA MLD are not active at the same time in EMLSR mode, cross-link channel binding cannot be performed on link 1. Therefore, the AP MLD can perform channel binding on the uninterrupted channels of link 1, that is, the bound channels include channels S1-2 and S1-3, for example, selecting S1-2 or S1-3. Figure 19 only uses the selection of S1-3 as the target NPA main channel of link 1 as an example, but this application is not limited to this.

[0332] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 6-1 may include the steps shown in Figure 20:

[0333] Step 1: The AP MLD detected interference on both the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA.

[0334] Step 2: The AP MLD sends the fifth frame on link 2, for example, by sending the fifth frame on link 2 in a non-HT repeat manner, to indicate that link 2 is switched from listening mode to transmit / receive mode.

[0335] Step 3: Based on the fifth frame STA MLD, switch to link 2 to reply with the sixth frame.

[0336] Step 4: The AP MLD transmits the first frame on the primary channel of Link 2, which carries information about the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 has switched, the effective duration of the switch from the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 to the target channel, and the channel information of Link 1 being rebounded. Optionally, the first frame may not indicate the waiting duration information for the switch from the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 to the target channel; this waiting duration information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0337] Step 5: After the waiting period (i.e., EMLSR Transition Delay), the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1.

[0338] In steps 2-5, link 1 is in listening mode and link 2 is in transmit / receive mode.

[0339] Step 6: After the SIFS interval, the STA MLD sends an ICR frame on the rebounded link 1. After that, the AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the rebounded link 1 within the valid duration.

[0340] In step 6, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0341] It should be noted that this embodiment 6-1 can also be applied to scenarios where the AP MLD detects interference in the main channel of link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, but the STA MLD does not detect interference in the main channel of link 1 and the main channel of NPCA. The signaling interaction process is similar and will not be described again here.

[0342] Example 6-2: The AP MLD detected interference on the main channel of Link 1, while the STA MLD did not detect interference on the main channel of Link 1.

[0343] In this embodiment 6-2, the AP MLD can rebind link 1. Since the two links of the STA MLD are not active at the same time in EMLSR mode, cross-link channel binding cannot be performed on link 1. Therefore, the AP MLD can perform channel binding on the uninterrupted channels of link 1, as shown in Figure 21. The newly bound channels include channels S1-1, S1-2 and S1-3.

[0344] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 6-2 may include the steps shown in Figure 22:

[0345] Step 1: The AP MLD detected interference on the main channel of Link 1.

[0346] Step 2: The AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the NPCA main channel of Link 1. Since the STA MLD does not detect interference on the main channel of Link 1, it will not switch to the NPCA main channel of Link 1 and therefore will not respond to the AP MLD.

[0347] In steps 1 and 2, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0348] Step 3: If the AP MLD does not receive the ICR frame from the STA MLD, the AP MLD sends a fifth frame on link 2, for example, by sending the fifth frame on link 2 in a non-HT repeat manner, to indicate that link 2 should be switched from listening mode to transmit / receive mode.

[0349] Step 4: Based on the fifth frame STA MLD, switch to link 2 to reply with the sixth frame.

[0350] Step 5: The AP MLD sends a second frame on the primary channel of link 2, which carries the channel binding information of link 1, such as the channel information rebound on link 1 and the effective duration information corresponding to the rebound channel. Optionally, the second frame may not indicate the waiting duration information for the rebound channel of link 1 to take effect; this waiting duration information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0351] In steps 3-5, link 1 is in listening mode and link 2 is in transmit / receive mode.

[0352] Step 6: After the waiting period (i.e., EMLSR Transition Delay), the AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1.

[0353] Step 7: After SIFS, STA MLD sends an ICR frame on the rebounded link 1. After that, AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the rebounded link 1 within the valid duration.

[0354] In steps 6 and 6, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0355] Example 6-3: The STA MLD detected interference on the main channel of Link 1, while the AP MLD did not detect interference on the main channel of Link 1.

[0356] In this embodiment 6-3, the AP MLD can rebind link 1. Since the two links of the STA MLD are not active at the same time in EMLSR mode, cross-link channel binding cannot be performed on link 1. Therefore, the AP MLD can bind the uninterrupted channels of link 1, as shown in Figure 23. The newly bound channels include channels S1-1, S1-2 and S1-3.

[0357] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 6-3 may include the steps shown in Figure 24:

[0358] Step 1: STA MLD detected interference on the main channel of Link 1.

[0359] Step 2: The STA MLD sends an ICF frame on the NPCA main channel of Link 1. Since the AP MLD does not detect interference on the main channel of Link 1, it will not switch to the NPCA main channel of Link 1 and therefore will not respond to the STA MLD.

[0360] Step 3: If the AP sends downlink data to the STA MLD on the main channel of Link 1, but does not receive feedback confirmation from the STA MLD, the AP MLD can send the fifth frame on the NPCA main channel of Link 1 to request the STA MLD to provide feedback on the interference information, such as whether it is being interfered with, the channel information of the interference, and the NAV information of the interference channel.

[0361] Step 4: The STA MLD sends the sixth frame on the primary channel of Link 1 to provide feedback on the interference information received by the STA MLD, such as the NAV information of the interfered channel. The AP MLD can determine the time to switch back to the original primary channel of Link 1 for data transmission based on this NAV information, that is, the effective duration information of the channel re-bound by Link 1.

[0362] Step 5: The AP MLD sends the second frame on the NPCA main channel of link 1, which carries the channel binding information of link 1, such as the channel information of link 1 being rebound and the effective duration information of the channel corresponding to the rebound channel of link 1.

[0363] Step 6: After SIFS, AP MLD sends an ICF frame on the re-bonded link 1.

[0364] Step 7: After SIFS, STA MLD sends ICR on the rebounded link 1. After that, AP MLD and STA MLD can transmit data based on the rebounded link 1 within the valid duration.

[0365] In steps 1-7, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0366] Example 6-4: STA MLD detected interference on the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, while AP MLD did not detect interference.

[0367] In this embodiment 6-4, the AP MLD can rebind link 1. Since the two links of the STA MLD are not active at the same time in EMLSR mode, cross-link channel binding cannot be performed on link 1. Therefore, the AP MLD can bind the uninterrupted channels of link 1, as shown in Figure 25. The newly bound channels include channels S1-2 and S1-3. The target channel to which the NPCA main channel of link 1 is switched can be S1-2 or S1-3. Figure 25 only uses the selection of S1-3 as the target NPCA main channel of link 1 as an example, but this application is not limited to this.

[0368] The specific interaction process of this embodiment 6-4 may include the steps shown in Figure 26:

[0369] Step 1: When the STA MLD detects interference on both the main channel of Link 1 and the main channel of NPCA, but the AP MLD does not detect interference, the STA MLD cannot receive the data transmitted by the AP MLD across the entire frequency band of Link 1.

[0370] Step 2: If the AP MLD does not receive an acknowledgment from the STA MLD on Link 1, the AP MLD can first send the fifth frame on the NPCA main channel of Link 1 to indicate the interference information received by the STA MLD, such as whether it is being interfered with, the channel information of the interference, and the NAV information of the interfered channel.

[0371] In steps 1 and 2, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0372] Step 3: Since the STA MLD detects interference on the NPCA main channel of link 1, the STA MLD cannot receive the fifth frame sent by the AP MLD. If the AP MLD does not receive the response frame from the STA MLD, it can switch to link 2 to send the fifth frame and request the STA MLD to provide feedback on the interference information.

[0373] Step 4: STA MLD switches to link 2 based on the fifth frame to reply with the sixth frame.

[0374] Step 5: The AP MLD transmits the first frame on the primary channel of Link 2, which carries information about the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 has switched, the effective duration of the switch from the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 to the target channel, and the channel information of Link 1 being rebounded, etc. Optionally, the first frame may not indicate the waiting duration information for the switch from the NPCA primary channel of Link 1 to the target channel; this waiting duration information can be obtained through EMLSR Transition Delay.

[0375] In steps 4-6, link 1 is in listening mode and link 2 is in transmit / receive mode.

[0376] Step 6: After the waiting period (i.e., EMLSR Transition Delay), the AP MLD sends an ICF on the rebound link 1.

[0377] Step 7: The STA MLD sends an ICR on the re-bonded link 1. After that, the AP MLD and the STA MLD can transmit data based on the re-bonded link 1 within the valid duration.

[0378] In steps 6 and 7, link 1 is in transmit / receive mode, and link 2 is in listen mode.

[0379] The frame format design involved in the embodiments of this application will be described below with reference to specific examples.

[0380] In some embodiments, the first frame, the second frame, or the channel switching notification frame, or the NPCA Switch Announcement frame, the NPCA main channel switching notification frame, or other names may be used, and this application does not limit them.

[0381] In some embodiments, the first frame or the second frame may be a broadcast frame.

[0382] In some embodiments, the first frame may be a newly defined Spectrum Management Action frame. For example, the first frame may include a Spectrum Management Action field. When the Spectrum Management Action field takes a first value, it indicates that the frame is used to notify the NPA channel of channel switching information. Optionally, the first value may be a reserved value of the Spectrum Management Action field, such as any value from 5 to 255.

[0383] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first element for carrying channel switching information for the NPCA primary channel.

[0384] In some embodiments, the first element is also called a channel switch announcement element.

[0385] In some embodiments, the first element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0386] The first field is used to indicate the link information of the first link;

[0387] The second field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0388] The third field is used to indicate the waiting time information for the first link's NPCA main channel to switch to the target channel;

[0389] The fourth field is used to indicate the effective duration of the NPCA main channel of the first link switching to the target channel.

[0390] In some embodiments, the first field, also known as the target NPA link identifier field, is used to indicate the link identifier (Link ID) indicating channel switching, such as the link identifier corresponding to the first link. Each link identifier corresponds to an AP associated with the AP MLD, and different APs associated with the AP MLD correspond to different link identifiers.

[0391] In some embodiments, the second field may be a New Channel Number, which indicates the target channel to which the NPA primary channel of the first link is switched.

[0392] In some embodiments, the third field, or Channel Switch Count field, is used to indicate the waiting time for this channel switch.

[0393] In some embodiments, the fourth field, or Channel Switch Time field, is used to indicate the effective duration of this channel switch, and may also be used to indicate the puncturing duration of the punctured channel.

[0394] Optionally, the fourth field can be encoded as a single byte, where B6 to B0 are set to the time, and the highest bit B7 is used to indicate the unit of time. For example, a B7 value of 0 indicates a time unit of 2TU, and a value of 1 indicates a time unit of 100TU.

[0395] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes a second element, the second element being used to carry channel switching information of the second link, wherein the second element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0396] The fifth field is used to indicate the channel information in which the handover is performed in the second link;

[0397] The sixth field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0398] The seventh field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0399] Optionally, the fifth field can be used to indicate that no link switching is performed in the second link, or that the main channel in the second link is switched, or that the NPCA main channel in the second link is switched, or that both the main channel and the NPCA main channel in the second link are switched.

[0400] Optionally, the fifth field, also known as the Channel Indication field, uses different values ​​of the fourth field to indicate different channel information for performing a handover in the second link.

[0401] Optionally, the sixth field, also known as the current link main channel switching information field, is used to indicate the target channel to which the main channel of the current link (e.g., the second link) that sent the first frame is switched.

[0402] Optionally, the seventh field, also known as the current link NPCA channel switching information field, is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the current link (e.g., the second link) that sent the first frame is switched.

[0403] In some embodiments, the first frame includes an eighth field for indicating the punctured channel information in the first link, such as the channel number of the punctured channel or the center frequency, wherein the puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link may be the effective duration information indicated by the third field.

[0404] In some embodiments, the first frame may further include a fourth element for determining the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0405] Figure 27 is a schematic format of a first frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 27, the first frame may include a target NPA link identifier field, used to indicate the link identifier of the target link performing channel switching. The first frame also includes a channel switch announcement element (corresponding to the first element), used to indicate the channel switching information of the NPA primary channel of the first link. The first frame may also include a secondary channel offset element (corresponding to the fourth element), used to determine the channel information rebound by the first link or the bandwidth information after the first link re-channels. The first frame may also include a bandwidth indication element, used to indicate the punctured channel information in the first link. Optionally, the first frame may include a Mesh Channel Switch Parameters element to indicate the reason information for the NPA primary channel of the first link performing channel switching. Optionally, the first frame may also include a current link channel indication element (corresponding to the second element), used to indicate the channel switching information of the second link.

[0406] Figure 28 is a schematic format of a channel handover notification element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 28, the channel handover notification element may include the following fields:

[0407] The new channel number field is used to indicate the channel number of the target channel to which the NPCA primary channel of the first link is switched;

[0408] The channel handover delay field is used to indicate the waiting time (i.e., handover delay) for the first link to switch from the NPCA primary channel to the target channel;

[0409] The channel switching time field is used to indicate the effective duration (i.e., switching duration) for the first link's NPCA primary channel to switch to the target channel.

[0410] Figure 29 is a schematic format of a Mesh Channel Switch Parameters element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 29, the Mesh Channel Switch Parameters element may include a reason code field, used to indicate the reason information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to perform channel switching, such as being affected by OBSS interference. Optionally, when the reason code field takes a second value, it indicates that the reason for performing channel switching is being affected by OBSS interference. Optionally, the second value can be 72.

[0411] Figure 30 is a schematic format of a current link channel indication element provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 30, the current link channel indication element may include the following fields:

[0412] The channel indication field is used to indicate the channel change information in the current link, or in other words, the channel information in the current link where channel switching is performed;

[0413] The current link primary channel switching information field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel in the current link is switched, such as the channel number or center frequency.

[0414] The Current Link NPCA Primary Channel Switching Information field is used to indicate the target channel information to which the NPCA primary channel in the current link is switched, such as the channel number or center frequency.

[0415] Optionally, the channel indication field can be 2 bits, and the different values ​​of these 2 bits are used to indicate the validity of the following two fields.

[0416] In this way, different values ​​for this field can be used to flexibly allocate channel resources and ensure operating bandwidth. For example, a value of 0 indicates that there is no channel switching in the current link, and the following two fields are invalid. A value of 1 indicates that the NPCA main channel of the current link is performing a channel switch, and the current link NPCA main channel switching information field is valid. A value of 2 indicates that the main channel of the current link is performing a channel switch, and the current link main channel switching information field is valid. A value of 3 indicates that both the main channel of the current link and the NPCA main channel are performing channel switches, and both the current link main channel switching information field and the current link NPCA main channel switching information field are valid.

[0417] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a third element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0418] The ninth field is used to indicate the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0419] The tenth field is used to indicate the effective duration information of the content indicated by the eighth field.

[0420] In some embodiments, the second frame can adopt the frame structure design of the first frame, with the difference being that: the content indicated in the first field is invalid, that is, no handover is performed on the NPCA main channel of the first link; the waiting time information indicated in the second field can be the waiting time information for the channel to take effect after being rebound by the first link; and the valid duration information indicated in the third field can be the valid duration information corresponding to the second indication information.

[0421] In some embodiments, the fourth frame includes an eleventh field for indicating NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link reported by the site multilink device.

[0422] Optionally, the fourth frame can be designed based on the Clear Channel Assessment (CCA) report, and the fourth frame may be called the CCA Report Enhanced frame.

[0423] Optionally, the eleventh field can be implemented using a reserved field in the CCA Report frame, or a new field can be added to the CCA Report frame to indicate the NAV information of the first link of the interfered channel reported by the site's multi-link device.

[0424] Figure 31 is a schematic format of a fourth frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 31, the fourth frame may include an NAV information field, used to indicate the NAV information of the interfered channel reported by the STA MLD. The fourth frame also includes the following fields:

[0425] The channel number field indicates the channel number of the channel (i.e., the interfered channel) corresponding to the reported NAV information;

[0426] The measurement start time field indicates the start time when the CCA reported the measurement.

[0427] The Measurement Duration field indicates the duration of the CCA-reported measurement; optionally, it can be in TU units.

[0428] The CCA occupancy field indicates the percentage of time the channel is busy during the measurement duration; optionally, it can be set to a resolution of microseconds.

[0429] In some embodiments, the fifth frame includes a twelfth field for indicating whether the site multi-link device needs to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. For example, the twelfth field can be 1 bit, where a value of 0 indicates that the STA MLD does not need to report NAV information, and a value of 1 indicates that the STA MLD needs to report NAV information.

[0430] Optionally, the fifth frame can be an ICF frame. For example, the fifth frame can be designed based on the Multi-user Request to Send (MU-RTS) frame, and the fifth frame may also be called a MU-RTS Enhanced frame.

[0431] Optionally, the twelfth field can be implemented using a reserved field in the MU-RTS frame, or a new field can be added to the MU-RTS frame to indicate whether STA MLD needs to feed back NAV information.

[0432] Figure 32 is a schematic format of a fifth frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 32, the fifth frame may include a common channel field, and the common information field may include an NAV reporting indication field (corresponding to the twelfth field), used to indicate whether the STA MLD reports NAV information. Optionally, the NAV reporting indication field can be 1 bit, with a value of 0 indicating that the STA MLD does not report NAV information, and a value of 1 indicating that the STA MLD reports NAV information.

[0433] Optionally, the public information field of the fifth frame may include a trigger type field, which may indicate a new trigger type. For example, the trigger type field may indicate a third value, indicating whether the frame is used to indicate whether STA MLD feedback NAV information is required. Optionally, the third value may be a reserved value of the trigger type field, such as any one of values ​​9 to 15.

[0434] In some embodiments, the sixth frame includes a thirteenth field and a fourteenth field, the thirteenth field being used to indicate the jammed channel of the first link, and the fourteenth field being used to indicate the NAV information of the jammed channel.

[0435] Optionally, the sixth frame can be an ICR frame. For example, the sixth frame can be designed based on a Clear To Send (CTS) frame, or a CTS Enhanced frame.

[0436] Optionally, the thirteenth and fourteenth fields can be implemented using reserved fields in the CTS frame, or additional fields can be added to the CTS frame to indicate the NAV information fed back by the STA MLD.

[0437] Figure 33 is a schematic format of a sixth frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 33, the sixth frame may include a NAV information field, which may include a channel number field and a NAV duration field. The channel number field is used to indicate the channel number of the interfered channel of the first link, and the NAV duration field is used to indicate the NAV duration of the interfered channel.

[0438] It should be noted that only the fifth and sixth frames, which are based on the MU-RTS and CTS frame design, are used as examples for illustration. They can also be designed based on other initial control frames, such as the Buffer Status Report Poll (BRSP) frame and the Buffer Status Report (BSR) frame. This application does not limit the design of these frames.

[0439] In summary, the proposed embodiments provide an NPCA scheme for multi-link scenarios. When both the primary channel and the NPCA primary channel on the first link are interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel switching information of the NPAC primary channel of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link. In this way, the STA MLD can perform NPCA primary channel switching based on the NPAC primary channel switching information of the first link, and then perform data transmission based on the switched NPCA primary channel. This ensures that the AP MLD and STA MLD have a consistent understanding of the NPCA primary channel for data transmission, guaranteeing data transmission reliability. Alternatively, when the primary channel on the first link is interfered with, the AP MLD can indicate the channel binding information of the first link to the STA MLD via the primary channel of the second link or the NPCA primary channel of the first link. This channel binding information is the channel binding information for rebinding the first link when the primary channel of the first link is interfered with. In this way, the STA MLD can determine the available channels on the first link based on the channel binding information of the first link, and then perform data transmission on the available channels of the first link, ensuring data transmission reliability.

[0440] In addition, AP MLD can dynamically select a new NPCA primary channel from the available channels of the first or second link. The channel information or bandwidth information rebound on the first link is beneficial to improving channel utilization.

[0441] In addition, the AP MLD can flexibly adjust the number of channels bound to the first link or the working channel bandwidth according to the traffic volume on the first link, which can realize the flexible allocation of channel resources among multiple links.

[0442] In addition, when the interference detected by AP MLD and STA MLD is inconsistent, the party that detects the interference can notify the party that does not detect the interference to switch to the NPCA main channel through other links, thereby improving transmission reliability and reducing transmission latency.

[0443] In addition, AP MLD and STA MLD can switch the NPCA main channel of one link and the main channel and / or NPCA main channel of another link through a single signaling interaction, reducing signaling overhead.

[0444] Additionally, when the STA MLD is in EMLSR mode, if the interference detected by the AP MLD and the STA MLD is inconsistent, the AP MLD can instruct the STA MLD that is being interfered with to report the interference information through the initial control frame, which can help the AP MLD determine the information announced by the NPCA Switch Announcement frame.

[0445] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above with reference to Figures 4 to 33. The device embodiments of this application have been described in detail below with reference to Figures 34 to 37. It should be understood that the device embodiments correspond to the method embodiments, and similar descriptions can be referred to the method embodiments.

[0446] Figure 34 shows a schematic block diagram of a communication device 500 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 500 can be an access point multi-link device, or a component within an access point multi-link device, such as a chip, circuit, or module.

[0447] As shown in Figure 34, the communication device 500 includes:

[0448] The sending module 510 is configured to send a first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, the access point multi-link device sends a second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

[0449] In some embodiments, the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0450] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0451] The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to switch to the target channel;

[0452] The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel;

[0453] The first indication information is used to indicate the channel bound to the first link or the bandwidth of the first link when the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched to the target channel;

[0454] Information on the reason for the NPCA main channel switching of the first link.

[0455] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes channel switching information for the second link, wherein the channel switching information for the second link includes at least one of the following:

[0456] Information on the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0457] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0458] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link, wherein the puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0459] The punctured channel information in the first link;

[0460] The puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link.

[0461] In some embodiments, the channel binding information of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0462] The second indication information is the channel information of the first link rebinding when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, or the bandwidth information after the first link rebinds the channel.

[0463] The validity period of the second indication information;

[0464] Information regarding the reason for the first link rebinding the channel.

[0465] In some embodiments, before the sending module 510 sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the sending module 510 is further configured to:

[0466] A third frame is sent to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission. The second frame is sent when no response frame to the third frame is received.

[0467] In some embodiments, the communication device 500 further includes: a receiving module, configured to receive a fourth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the second link before the sending module 510 sends the first frame or the second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the fourth frame being used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multi-link device, the second frame being sent upon receiving the fourth frame.

[0468] In some embodiments, before the sending module 510 sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the sending module 510 is further configured to:

[0469] A third frame is sent to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission.

[0470] If no response frame is received for the third frame, a fifth frame is sent on the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode;

[0471] The communication device 500 further includes a receiving module, configured to receive a sixth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the second link, wherein the sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0472] In some embodiments, before the sending module 510 sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the sending module 510 is further configured to:

[0473] On the NPCA main channel of the first link, a fifth frame is sent to the site multilink device, the fifth frame being used to instruct the site multilink device to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link;

[0474] The communication device 500 further includes a receiving module, configured to receive a sixth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the sixth frame including NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0475] In some embodiments, before the sending module 510 sends the first frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the sending module 510 is further configured to:

[0476] On the second link, a fifth frame is sent to the site multilink device, the fifth frame being used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode;

[0477] The communication device 500 further includes a receiving module, configured to receive a sixth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the second link, wherein the sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0478] In some embodiments, before the sending module 510 sends the first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the sending module 510 is further configured to:

[0479] On the NPCA main channel of the first link, a fifth frame is sent to the site multi-link device. The fifth frame is used to indicate the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0480] If no response frame for the fifth frame is received, the fifth frame is sent to the site multilink device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0481] The communication device 500 further includes a receiving module for receiving a sixth frame from the site multi-link device on the second link, the sixth frame including NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0482] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first element, the first element including at least one of the following fields:

[0483] The first field is used to indicate the link information of the first link;

[0484] The second field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0485] The third field is used to indicate the waiting time information for the first link's NPCA main channel to switch to the target channel;

[0486] The fourth field is used to indicate the effective duration of the NPCA main channel of the first link switching to the target channel.

[0487] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes a second element, the second element being used to carry channel switching information of the second link, wherein the second element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0488] The fifth field is used to indicate the channel information in which the handover is performed in the second link;

[0489] The sixth field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0490] The seventh field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0491] In some embodiments, the first frame includes an eighth field for indicating punctured channel information in the first link.

[0492] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a third element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0493] The ninth field is used to indicate the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0494] The tenth field is used to indicate the effective duration information of the content indicated by the eighth field.

[0495] In some embodiments, the fourth frame includes an eleventh field for indicating NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link reported by the site multilink device.

[0496] In some embodiments, the fifth frame includes a twelfth field for indicating whether the site multilink device needs to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0497] In some embodiments, the sixth frame includes a thirteenth field and a fourteenth field, the thirteenth field being used to indicate the jammed channel of the first link, and the fourteenth field being used to indicate the NAV information of the jammed channel.

[0498] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module unit may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip. The aforementioned processing module may be one or more processors.

[0499] It should be understood that the apparatus 500 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the access point multilink device in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 500 are respectively to implement the corresponding process of the access point multilink device in the embodiments of FIG4 to FIG33. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0500] Figure 35 is a schematic block diagram of another communication device 600 according to an embodiment of this application. The communication device 600 can be a site multi-link device, or a component within a site multi-link device, such as a chip, circuit, or module. The communication device 600 of Figure 35 includes:

[0501] The receiving module 610 is configured to receive a first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, receive a second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

[0502] In some embodiments, the communication apparatus further includes: a transmitting module, configured to transmit a third frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link before the receiving module 610 receives a second frame transmitted by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the third frame being used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission; and

[0503] If no response frame is received for the third frame, a fourth frame is sent from the second link to the access point multilink device. The fourth frame is used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multilink device.

[0504] In some embodiments, the receiving module 610 is further configured to: receive a fifth frame sent by the access point multilink device on the second link before the receiving module 610 receives the first frame or the second frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate switching the second link from the listening mode to the transceiver mode.

[0505] The communication device 600 further includes a sending module, configured to send a sixth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link, the sixth frame being a response frame to the fifth frame.

[0506] In some embodiments, the receiving module 610 is further configured to: receive a fifth frame sent by the access point multilink device on the NPCA main channel of the first link before the receiving module 610 receives a second frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the fifth frame being used to instruct the site multilink device to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link; and send a sixth frame to the access point multilink device on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the sixth frame including NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0507] In some embodiments, before the receiving module 610 receives the first frame sent by the access point multilink device on the main channel of the second link, the receiving module 610 is further configured to:

[0508] On the second link, a fifth frame sent by the access point multilink device is received. The fifth frame is used to indicate switching the second link from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0509] The communication device 600 further includes a transmitting module for transmitting a sixth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link, the sixth frame including NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0510] In some embodiments, the channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0511] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0512] The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to switch to the target channel;

[0513] The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel;

[0514] The first indication information is used to indicate the channel bound to the first link or the bandwidth of the first link when the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched to the target channel;

[0515] Information on the reason for the NPCA main channel switching of the first link.

[0516] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes channel switching information for the second link, wherein the channel switching information for the second link includes at least one of the following:

[0517] Information on the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0518] Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0519] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link, wherein the puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0520] The punctured channel information in the first link;

[0521] The puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link.

[0522] In some embodiments, the channel binding information of the first link includes at least one of the following:

[0523] The second indication information is the channel information of the first link rebinding when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, or the bandwidth information after the first link rebinds the channel.

[0524] The validity period of the second indication information;

[0525] Information regarding the reason for the first link rebinding the channel.

[0526] In some embodiments, the first frame includes a first element, the first element including at least one of the following fields:

[0527] The first field is used to indicate the link information of the first link;

[0528] The second field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched;

[0529] The third field is used to indicate the waiting time information for the first link's NPCA main channel to switch to the target channel;

[0530] The fourth field is used to indicate the effective duration of the NPCA main channel of the first link switching to the target channel.

[0531] In some embodiments, the first frame further includes a second element, the second element being used to carry channel switching information of the second link, wherein the second element includes at least one of the following fields:

[0532] The fifth field is used to indicate the channel information in which the handover is performed in the second link;

[0533] The sixth field is used to indicate the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched;

[0534] The seventh field is used to indicate the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

[0535] In some embodiments, the first frame includes an eighth field for indicating punctured channel information in the first link.

[0536] In some embodiments, the second frame includes a third element, which includes at least one of the following fields:

[0537] The ninth field is used to indicate the channel information of the first link after rebinding or the bandwidth information of the first link after rebinding the channel.

[0538] The tenth field is used to indicate the effective duration information of the content indicated by the eighth field.

[0539] In some embodiments, the fourth frame includes an eleventh field for indicating NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link reported by the site multilink device.

[0540] In some embodiments, the fifth frame includes a twelfth field for indicating whether the site multilink device needs to report NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

[0541] In some embodiments, the sixth frame includes a thirteenth field and a fourteenth field, the thirteenth field being used to indicate the jammed channel of the first link, and the fourteenth field being used to indicate the NAV information of the jammed channel.

[0542] Optionally, in some embodiments, the aforementioned transmitting or receiving module may be a communication interface or transceiver, or an input / output interface of a communication chip or system-on-a-chip.

[0543] It should be understood that the apparatus 600 according to the embodiments of this application may correspond to the site multi-link device in the method embodiments of this application, and the above and other operations and / or functions of each unit in the apparatus 600 are respectively to implement the corresponding process of the site multi-link device in the method embodiments shown in FIG4 to FIG33. For the sake of brevity, they will not be described in detail here.

[0544] Figure 36 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 700 shown in Figure 36 includes a processor 710, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0545] Optionally, as shown in FIG36, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 720. The processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application. For example, when the communication device 700 is a site multi-link device, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the site multi-link device, achieving the same technical effect. When the communication device 700 is an access point multi-link device, the processor 710 can call and run a computer program from the memory 720 to implement the various steps of the method embodiments executed by the access point multi-link device, achieving the same technical effect.

[0546] Alternatively, the memory 720 may be a separate device independent of the processor 710, or it may be integrated into the processor 710.

[0547] Optionally, as shown in FIG36, the communication device 700 may further include a transceiver 730, and the processor 710 may control the transceiver 730 to communicate with other devices. Specifically, it may send information or data to other devices or receive information or data sent by other devices.

[0548] Optionally, transceiver 730 may include a transmitter and a receiver. Transceiver 730 may further include antennas, and the number of antennas may be one or more.

[0549] Figure 37 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip according to an embodiment of this application. The chip 800 shown in Figure 37 includes a processor 810, which can call and run computer programs from memory to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0550] Optionally, as shown in FIG37, chip 800 may further include memory 820. Processor 810 can retrieve and run computer programs from memory 820 to implement the methods in the embodiments of this application.

[0551] Alternatively, the memory 820 may be a separate device independent of the processor 810, or it may be integrated into the processor 810.

[0552] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an input interface 830. The processor 810 can control the input interface 830 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to acquire information or data sent by other devices or chips.

[0553] Optionally, the chip 800 may also include an output interface 840. The processor 810 can control the output interface 840 to communicate with other devices or chips, for example, to output information or data to other devices or chips.

[0554] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the access point in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the access point in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0555] Optionally, the chip can be applied to the site in the embodiments of this application, and the chip can implement the corresponding processes implemented by the site in the various methods of the embodiments of this application. For the sake of brevity, it will not be described in detail here.

[0556] It should be understood that the chip mentioned in the embodiments of this application may also be referred to as a system-on-a-chip, system chip, chip system, or system-on-a-chip, etc.

[0557] Figure 38 is a schematic block diagram of a communication system 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 38, the communication system 900 includes a site multi-link device 910 and an access point multi-link device 920.

[0558] The site multi-link device 910 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the site multi-link device in the above method, and the access point multi-link device 920 can be used to implement the corresponding functions implemented by the access point multi-link device in the above method. For the sake of brevity, these will not be elaborated here.

[0559] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities. In implementation, the steps of the above method embodiments can be completed by integrated logic circuits in the processor's hardware or by instructions in software form. The processor described above can be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, or discrete hardware components. It can implement or execute the methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly embodied in the execution of a hardware decoding processor, or executed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor. The software modules can be located in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, or other mature storage media in the art. The storage medium is located in memory, and the processor reads information from the memory and, in conjunction with its hardware, completes the steps of the above method.

[0560] It is understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. The non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. The volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), Dynamic Random Access Memory (DRAM), Synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), Double Data Rate SDRAM (DDR SDRAM), Enhanced Synchronous DRAM (ESDRAM), Synchlink DRAM (SLDRAM), and Direct Rambus RAM (DR RAM). It should be noted that the memory used in the systems and methods described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0561] It should be understood that the above-described memory is exemplary and not a limiting description. For example, the memory in the embodiments of this application may also be static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct memory bus RAM (DR RAM), etc. That is to say, the memory in the embodiments of this application is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0562] This application also provides a readable storage medium storing a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above method embodiments.

[0563] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the access point multilink device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0564] Optionally, the readable storage medium can be applied to the site multilink device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0565] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program that, when executed by a processor, implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0566] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the access point multilink device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0567] Optionally, the computer program product can be applied to the site multilink device in the embodiments of this application, and the computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0568] This application also provides a computer program. When executed by a processor, this computer program implements the various processes of the above-described method embodiments.

[0569] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the access point multilink device in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the access point multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0570] Optionally, the computer program can be applied to the site multilink device in the embodiments of this application. The computer program causes the processor to execute the corresponding process implemented by the site multilink device in the method embodiments of this application. To avoid repetition, it will not be described again here.

[0571] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0572] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0573] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0574] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0575] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0576] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0577] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A channel switching method applied to an access point multi-link device, the access point multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the method comprising: When the primary channel and non-primary channel access to the NPCA primary channel of the first link are interfered with, the access point multi-link device sends a first frame to the site multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link. The first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the first link. or If the primary channel of the first link is interfered with, the access point multi-link device sends a second frame to the site multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link or on the NPCA primary channel of the first link. The second frame includes the channel binding information of the first link.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein, The channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link includes at least one of the following: Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched; The waiting time information for the NPCA main channel of the first link to switch to the target channel; The effective duration information for switching the NPCA main channel of the first link to the target channel; The first indication information is used to indicate the channel bound to the first link or the bandwidth of the first link when the NPCA main channel of the first link is switched to the target channel; Information on the reason for the NPCA main channel switching of the first link.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, The first frame also includes channel switching information for the second link, wherein the channel switching information for the second link includes at least one of the following: Information on the target channel to which the primary channel of the second link is switched; Information on the target channel to which the NPCA main channel of the second link is switched.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein, The first frame also includes puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link, wherein the puncturing information of the interfered channel in the first link includes at least one of the following: The punctured channel information in the first link; The puncturing duration information of the punctured channel in the first link.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, wherein, The channel binding information of the first link includes at least one of the following: The second indication information is the channel information of the first link rebinding when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, or the bandwidth information after the first link rebinds the channel. The validity period of the second indication information; Information regarding the reason for the first link rebinding the channel.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multi-link device sends the second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The access point multi-link device sends a third frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission. The second frame is sent when no response frame to the third frame is received.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multi-link device sends the first frame or the second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The access point multilink device receives a fourth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The fourth frame is used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multilink device. The second frame is sent upon receiving the fourth frame.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multilink device sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method further includes: The access point multi-link device sends a third frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission. If no response frame is received for the third frame, the access point multilink device sends a fifth frame on the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate switching the second link from listening mode to transceiver mode; The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multilink device sends the second frame to the site multilink device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method further includes: The access point multi-link device sends a fifth frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to instruct the site multi-link device to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. The access point multi-link device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multi-link device sends the first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The access point multilink device sends a fifth frame to the site multilink device on the second link, the fifth frame being used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode; The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame sent by the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, wherein, Before the access point multi-link device sends the first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The access point multi-link device sends a fifth frame to the site multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to indicate the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. If no response frame is received for the fifth frame, the access point multilink device sends the fifth frame to the site multilink device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. The access point multilink device receives the sixth frame from the site multilink device on the second link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

12. A channel switching method applied to a site multi-link device, the site multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, the method comprising: When the primary channel and non-primary channel access to the NPCA primary channel of the first link are interfered with, the site multi-link device receives the first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the primary channel of the second link. The first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA primary channel of the first link. or When the main channel of the first link is interfered with, the site multi-link device receives a second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The second frame includes the channel binding information of the first link.

13. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Before the site multi-link device receives the second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The site multi-link device sends a third frame on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The third frame is used to request a switch to the NPCA main channel of the first link for data transmission. If no response frame is received for the third frame, the site multilink device sends a fourth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link. The fourth frame is used to indicate the network allocation vector (NAV) information of the interfered channel of the first link detected by the site multilink device.

14. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Before the site multi-link device receives the first or second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The site multi-link device receives a fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate that the second link is switched from listening mode to transceiver mode. The site multi-link device sends a sixth frame to the access point multi-link device on the second link, and the sixth frame is a response frame to the fifth frame.

15. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Before the site multi-link device receives the second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the method further includes: The site multi-link device receives the fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The fifth frame is used to instruct the site multi-link device to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. The site multi-link device sends a sixth frame to the access point multi-link device on the NPCA main channel of the first link. The sixth frame includes NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

16. The method according to claim 12, wherein, Before the site multi-link device receives the first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link, the method further includes: The site multi-link device receives a fifth frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the second link. The fifth frame is used to indicate switching the second link from listening mode to transceiver mode and to report the NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link. The site multilink device sends a sixth frame to the access point multilink device on the second link, the sixth frame including NAV information of the interfered channel of the first link.

17. A communication apparatus, wherein the communication apparatus is an access point multi-link device or is disposed in an access point multi-link device, the access point multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, wherein, The communication device includes: The transmitting module is configured to transmit a first frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access to the NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, transmit a second frame to the site multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

18. A communication apparatus, wherein the communication apparatus is a site multi-link device or is disposed in the site multi-link device, the site multi-link device having multiple links, the multiple links including a first link and a second link, wherein, The communication device includes: The receiving module is configured to receive a first frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link when the main channel and non-main channel access NPCA main channel of the first link are interfered with; the first frame includes channel switching information of the NPCA main channel of the first link; or, when the main channel of the first link is interfered with, receive a second frame sent by the access point multi-link device on the main channel of the second link or on the NPCA main channel of the first link, the second frame including channel binding information of the first link.

19. A communication device, comprising: A processor and a memory for storing a computer program, the processor for calling and running the computer program stored in the memory to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16.

20. A readable storage medium for storing a computer program that causes a computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 16.

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