Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and an apparatus. The method comprises: a first node sends a first frame, then sends a second frame, and then receives a first control frame, wherein first indication information comprised in the first frame indicates a first handover delay, second indication information comprised in the second frame indicates a second handover delay, and the second handover delay is used for a second node to determine the length of a padding field comprised in the first control frame. When the first node needs to use the second handover delay during a next channel handover, the first node can send the second frame to the second node, so that when the second node schedules the first node, the second node accurately uses the second handover delay to determine the length of the padding field comprised in the first control frame. Therefore, the second node can schedule the first node on the basis of actual handover delay requirements of the first node, thereby enabling handover delays for channel handover to better meet actual scenario requirements.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] Cross-reference to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411750684.7, filed on November 29, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0004] With the development of wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) technology, increasingly higher demands are being placed on the channel utilization and power consumption of Wi-Fi devices. Researchers are exploring several dynamic bandwidth adjustment or dynamic channel switching mechanisms to improve channel utilization or reduce power consumption, such as the dynamic sub-band operation (DSO), non-primary channel access (NPCA), and dynamic power save (DPS) mechanisms discussed in the Wi-Fi 8 standard.

[0005] In the DSO mechanism, the station (STA) sends a channel switching delay to the access point (AP). The AP then determines the length of the padding field in the initial control frame based on the channel switching delay. The AP can then send an initial control frame to the STA to trigger the STA to switch to the secondary channel for data transmission. After the data transmission is completed, the STA switches back to the primary channel from the secondary channel.

[0006] In the DPS mechanism, the STA is detected in a low-bandwidth state by default. When data needs to be transmitted to the STA, the AP will first send a control frame to trigger the STA to switch to a high-bandwidth state. Then, high-speed transmission is performed through the high-bandwidth state. After the transmission is completed, the STA switches back to the low-bandwidth state to save power.

[0007] The NPCA mechanism works as follows: if the primary channel of a STA is occupied by an overlapped basic service set (OBSS) transmission, and a secondary channel becomes available, the STA switches to the secondary channel to attempt channel contention and data transmission. Then, before the OBSS transmission ends, the STA switches back to the primary channel.

[0008] However, the currently discussed DSO, NPCA, and DPS mechanisms all use a single channel handover delay for channel switching. But in practical applications, different application scenarios may correspond to different channel handover delays; that is, the channel handover delay may vary with the application scenario. The current solution uses a single channel handover delay for multiple application scenarios, leading to a waste of channel resources in some applications. Furthermore, this single channel handover delay cannot meet the channel handover delay requirements of various application scenarios. Summary of the Invention

[0009] This application provides a communication method and apparatus to provide more channel switching delay, so that the channel switching delay used for channel switching is more in line with the actual scenario requirements, and helps to meet the channel switching delay requirements under different application scenarios.

[0010] In a first aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a first frame, wherein the first frame includes first indication information, which indicates a first switching delay. The first switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. Then, the first node can send a second frame, wherein the second frame includes second indication information, which indicates a second switching delay. The second switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. Then, the first node can receive a first control frame, wherein the first control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the second frame is sent, used to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0011] In this method, if the first frame does not include indication information (such as the second indication information) for indicating the second handover delay, and if the first node needs to use a longer channel handover delay (such as the second handover delay) in the next channel handover, the first node can send a request frame (such as the second frame) to the second node. This request frame includes indication information (such as the second indication information) to indicate the second handover delay. This allows the second node to accurately use the longer channel handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover when scheduling the first node. As a result, the second node can schedule the first node according to the actual handover delay requirements of the first node, which helps to make the channel handover delay used for channel handover more in line with the actual scenario requirements and provides greater flexibility.

[0012] Secondly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: The first node sends a first frame, wherein the first frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate a first switching delay, which is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second indication information is used to indicate a second switching delay, which is also used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. Then, the first node can send a second frame, wherein the second frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first node to use the second switching delay during the next channel switching. Then, the first node can receive a first control frame, wherein the first control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the second frame is sent, used to trigger the first node to perform a channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0013] In this method, if the first frame includes indication information (e.g., the second indication information) for indicating the second handover delay, and if the first node needs to use a longer channel handover delay (e.g., the second handover delay) in the next channel handover, the first node can send a request frame (e.g., the second frame) to the second node. This request frame includes indication information (e.g., the third indication information) to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay in the next channel handover. This allows the second node to accurately use the longer channel handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover when scheduling the first node. This enables the second node to schedule the first node according to its actual handover delay requirements, making the channel handover delay used more consistent with the actual scenario requirements and providing greater flexibility.

[0014] In one possible implementation provided by the first or second aspect, the method further includes:

[0015] The first node receives a second control frame, which can be a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the second control frame can be determined according to the first switching delay.

[0016] In the above implementation, if the second node does not receive a request frame from the first node, the second node can use a shorter channel switching delay (e.g., a first switching delay) to determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame used to trigger the first node's channel switching when scheduling the first node. Alternatively, if the second node needs to schedule the first node after sending the first control frame or before receiving the second frame, it can also use a shorter channel switching delay (e.g., a first switching delay) to determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame used to trigger the first node's channel switching. This allows for flexible use of the switching delay, ensuring that the sent control frame matches the first node's actual channel switching requirements.

[0017] In one possible implementation provided by the first or second aspect, the method further includes:

[0018] The first node receives a third control frame, wherein the third control frame may be the first control frame successfully received after the first frame is sent to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame may be the first control frame successfully received after the Basic Service Set (BSS) channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame may be the first control frame successfully received after the channel bandwidth changes or the channel location changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the third control frame may be determined according to the second handover delay.

[0019] The above implementation method is for the scenario where the first node uses the second handover delay for the first time to perform channel handover. It can effectively use the second handover delay when the first node switches to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to for the first time.

[0020] In one possible implementation provided by the first or second aspect, the first node sends the second frame if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0021] The time since the last transmission of the second frame is greater than or equal to the first threshold; or,

[0022] The temperature change at the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0023] In the above implementation, when at least one of the above conditions is met, it can be determined that the radio frequency parameters on the channel or bandwidth to be switched to may be inaccurate (or invalid). In this case, the first node sending the second frame is more accurate and more reasonable.

[0024] In one possible implementation provided by the first or second aspect, the second indication information may include at least one of the following: a value of the second switching delay, or an identifier of the second switching delay.

[0025] In one possible implementation provided in the first or second aspect, the second frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0026] The above implementation method allows for more flexible delivery of the second frame, which can meet different needs.

[0027] Thirdly, this application provides a communication method that can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. For example, the following describes the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives a first frame, wherein the first frame includes first indication information, the first indication information indicating a first switching delay, the first switching delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; then, the second node can receive a second frame, wherein the second frame includes second indication information, the second indication information indicating a second switching delay, the second switching delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; then, the second node can send a first control frame, wherein the first control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after the second frame is sent, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, and the length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0028] The technical effects achievable in the third aspect are similar to those achievable in the first aspect, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0029] Fourthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. For example, the following describes the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: The second node receives a first frame, wherein the first frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate a first switching delay, which is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second indication information is used to indicate a second switching delay, which is also used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. Then, the second node can receive a second frame, wherein the second frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first node to use the second switching delay during the next channel switching. Then, the second node can send a first control frame, wherein the first control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after the second frame to trigger the first node to perform a channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0030] The technical effects achievable in the fourth aspect are similar to those achievable in the second aspect above, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0031] In one possible implementation provided in the third or fourth aspect, the method further includes:

[0032] The second node sends a second control frame, which is a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the second control frame is determined according to the first switching delay.

[0033] The technical effects achievable by the above implementation methods can be referred to the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0034] In one possible implementation provided in the third or fourth aspect, the method further includes:

[0035] The second node sends a third control frame, wherein the third control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after the first frame is received to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after the BSS channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after the channel bandwidth changes or the channel position changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the third control frame is determined according to the second handover delay.

[0036] The technical effects achievable by the above implementation methods can be referred to the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0037] In one possible implementation provided in the third or fourth aspect, the second indication information may include at least one of the following: a value of the second switching delay, or an identifier of the second switching delay.

[0038] In one possible implementation provided in the third or fourth aspect, the second frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0039] The technical effects achievable by the above implementation methods can be referred to the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0040] Fifthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. For example, the following describes the execution of the communication method by the first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a seventh frame, wherein the seventh frame includes fourth indication information, which can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. Then, the first node sends an eighth frame, wherein the eighth frame includes fifth indication information, which indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. Then, the first node receives a fifth control frame, wherein the fifth control frame is the first control frame successfully received by the first node after the eighth frame, used to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined based on the second padding duration.

[0041] In this method, if the seventh frame does not include indication information for the second padding duration (such as the fifth indication information), and if the first node needs to use a longer channel handover delay (such as the second handover delay) in the next channel handover, the first node can send a request frame (such as the eighth frame) to the second node. This request frame includes indication information (such as the fifth indication information) to indicate the second padding duration. This allows the second node to accurately use the second padding duration to directly determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover when scheduling the first node. As a result, the second node can schedule the first node according to its actual handover delay requirements, which helps to make the channel handover delay used for channel handover more in line with the actual scenario requirements and provides greater flexibility.

[0042] Sixthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) in the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by the first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a seventh frame, wherein the seventh frame includes fourth indication information and fifth indication information, the fourth indication information being used to indicate a first padding duration, the first padding duration being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame, the fifth indication information being used to indicate a second padding duration, the second padding duration being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame; then, the first node sends an eighth frame, wherein the eighth frame includes eighth indication information, the eighth indication information being used to indicate that the second padding duration is used to determine the padding field included in the control frame; then, the first node receives a fifth control frame, wherein the fifth control frame is the first control frame successfully received by the first node after the eighth frame for triggering channel switching by the first node, and the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined according to the second padding duration.

[0043] In this method, if the seventh frame includes indication information for indicating the second padding duration (e.g., the fifth indication information), and if the first node needs to use a longer channel handover delay (e.g., the second handover delay) in the next channel handover, the first node can send a request frame (e.g., the eighth frame) to the second node. This request frame includes indication information (e.g., the eighth indication information) to instruct the second node to use the second padding duration to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame. This allows the second node to accurately use the second padding duration to directly determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel handover when scheduling the first node. As a result, the second node can schedule the first node according to the actual handover delay requirements of the first node, which helps to make the channel handover delay used for channel handover more in line with the actual scenario requirements and provides greater flexibility.

[0044] In one possible implementation provided in the fifth or sixth aspect, the method further includes:

[0045] The first node receives the sixth control frame, which can be a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the sixth control frame can be determined according to the first padding duration.

[0046] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation method provided in the first aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0047] In one possible implementation provided in the fifth or sixth aspect, the method further includes:

[0048] The first node receives the seventh control frame, which can be the first control frame successfully received after the first frame is sent to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the seventh control frame can be the first control frame successfully received after the Basic Service Set (BSS) channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the seventh control frame can be the first control frame successfully received after the channel bandwidth changes or the channel location changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the third control frame can be determined according to the second padding duration.

[0049] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation methods, please refer to the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above; they will not be repeated here.

[0050] In one possible implementation provided in the fifth or sixth aspect, the first node sends the eighth frame if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0051] The time since the last eighth frame was sent is greater than or equal to the first threshold; or,

[0052] The temperature change at the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0053] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0054] In one possible implementation provided in the fifth or sixth aspect, the fifth indication information may include at least one of the following: a numerical value of the second filling duration, or an identifier of the second filling duration.

[0055] In one possible implementation provided in the fifth or sixth aspect, the eighth frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0056] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0057] In a seventh aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives a seventh frame, wherein the seventh frame includes fourth indication information, which can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. Then, the second node receives an eighth frame, wherein the eighth frame includes fifth indication information, which indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. Then, the second node sends a fifth control frame, wherein the fifth control frame is the first control frame successfully sent by the first node after the eighth frame to trigger channel switching by the first node, and the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined based on the second padding duration.

[0058] The technical effects achievable in the seventh aspect are similar to those achievable in the fifth aspect above, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0059] Eighthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: The second node receives a seventh frame, wherein the seventh frame includes fourth indication information and fifth indication information. The fourth indication information can be used to indicate a first padding duration, which is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The fifth indication information indicates a second padding duration, which is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. Then, the second node receives an eighth frame, wherein the eighth frame includes eighth indication information, which is used to indicate that the second padding duration is used to determine the padding field included in the control frame. Then, the second node sends a fifth control frame, wherein the fifth control frame is the first control frame successfully sent by the first node after the eighth frame to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined based on the second padding duration.

[0060] The technical effects achievable in the eighth aspect are described in the same way as those achievable in the sixth aspect above, and will not be repeated here.

[0061] In one possible implementation provided in the seventh or eighth aspect, the method further includes:

[0062] The second node sends a sixth control frame, which can be a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the sixth control frame can be determined according to the first padding duration.

[0063] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0064] In one possible implementation provided in the seventh or eighth aspect, the method further includes:

[0065] The second node sends a seventh control frame, which can be the first control frame successfully sent after the first frame is sent to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the seventh control frame can be the first control frame successfully sent after the Basic Service Set (BSS) channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the seventh control frame can be the first control frame successfully sent after the channel bandwidth changes or the channel location changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the third control frame can be determined according to the second padding duration.

[0066] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0067] In one possible implementation provided in the seventh or eighth aspect, the fifth indication information may include at least one of the following: a numerical value of the second filling duration, or an identifier of the second filling duration.

[0068] In one possible implementation provided in the seventh or eighth aspect, the eighth frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0069] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0070] Ninthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a third frame, wherein the third frame includes first indication information used to indicate a first handover delay; subsequently, the first node sends a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame includes second indication information used to indicate a second handover delay, wherein the channel handover time used by the first node for the first channel handover after the transmission of the fourth frame is the second handover delay.

[0071] Tenthly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) in the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a third frame, wherein the third frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information indicating a first handover delay and the second indication information indicating a second handover delay; then, the first node sends a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame includes third indication information, the third indication information indicating that the first node will use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover, wherein the channel handover time used by the first node for the first channel handover after the fourth frame is sent is the second handover delay.

[0072] In the method provided in the ninth or tenth aspect, the first node can directly use the second switching delay to perform the first channel switch after sending the fourth frame, without the second node needing to send a control frame to trigger the first node to perform the next channel switch. This helps to save signaling overhead and enables the first node to autonomously choose to perform channel switch, thereby improving the initiative of the first node in channel switch and making channel switch more flexible.

[0073] In one possible implementation provided in the ninth or tenth aspect, the channel switching time used by the first node for channel switching after the transmission of the fourth frame, excluding the first channel switching, is the first switching delay.

[0074] In the above implementation, if the first node uses a shorter channel handover delay (e.g., the first handover delay) in the next channel handover, then the first node does not need to send a request frame (e.g., the fourth frame) to the second node. This allows the request frame to be sent on demand, and makes the transmission of the request frame more reasonable and accurate. This implementation also allows for flexible use of the handover delay, matching the handover delay used with the actual channel handover requirements of the first node.

[0075] In one possible implementation provided in the ninth or tenth aspect, the first node sends the fourth frame if at least one of the following conditions is met:

[0076] The time since the last fourth frame was sent is greater than or equal to the first threshold; or,

[0077] The temperature change of the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0078] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0079] In one possible implementation provided in the ninth or tenth aspect, the second indication information may include at least one of the following: a value of the second switching delay, or an identifier of the second switching delay.

[0080] In one possible implementation provided in the ninth or tenth aspect, the fourth frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0081] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0082] Eleventhly, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives a third frame, wherein the third frame includes first indication information used to indicate a first switching delay; subsequently, the second node receives a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame includes second indication information used to indicate a second switching delay.

[0083] In a twelfth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives a third frame, wherein the third frame includes first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information indicating a first handover delay and the second indication information indicating a second handover delay; subsequently, the second node receives a fourth frame, wherein the fourth frame includes third indication information, the third indication information indicating that the first node will use the second handover delay during the next channel handover.

[0084] For the technical effects that can be achieved in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved in the ninth or tenth aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0085] In one possible implementation provided in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the second indication information may include at least one of the following: a value of the second switching delay, or an identifier of the second switching delay.

[0086] In one possible implementation provided in the eleventh or twelfth aspect, the fourth frame may be one of the following frames: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

[0087] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved by the corresponding implementation methods provided in the first or second aspect above, which will not be repeated here.

[0088] In a thirteenth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends first indication information, second indication information, and a time threshold. The first indication information indicates a first switching delay, and the second indication information indicates a second switching delay. The first switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. Afterward, the first node can receive a fourth control frame, wherein the fourth control frame triggers the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined based on the first switching delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0089] In this method, by using a transmission time threshold, the second node can clearly determine under what circumstances the first handover delay is used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover, and under what circumstances the second handover delay is used. This allows the second node to effectively select the corresponding handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame, and the corresponding handover delay can meet the first node's current channel handover delay requirements. Consequently, the control frames issued by the second node are more in line with the first node's channel handover needs. Furthermore, this method eliminates the need for the first node to send a request frame to the second node to trigger the second node to issue the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover (i.e., the control frame corresponding to the second handover delay), thus saving signaling overhead.

[0090] In one possible implementation, the previous channel handover may include: the previous channel handover using a second handover delay.

[0091] In one possible implementation, the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or...

[0092] The first and second indication information are contained in the fifth frame, and the time threshold is contained in the sixth frame, wherein the fifth and sixth frames are not the same; or,

[0093] The first indication information is contained in the fifth frame, and the second indication information and the time threshold are contained in the sixth frame.

[0094] In the above implementation, the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold can be carried in the same frame or in different frames, which makes the transmission of the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold more flexible.

[0095] In a fourteenth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives first indication information, second indication information, and a time threshold. The first indication information indicates a first switching delay, and the second indication information indicates a second switching delay. The first switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second switching delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. Afterward, the second node can send a fourth control frame, wherein the fourth control frame is used to trigger the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined based on the first switching delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

[0096] The technical effects achievable in aspect fourteen are described in the same way as those achievable in aspect thirteen above, and will not be repeated here.

[0097] In one possible implementation, the previous channel handover may include: the previous channel handover using a second handover delay.

[0098] In one possible implementation, the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or...

[0099] The first and second indication information are contained in the fifth frame, and the time threshold is contained in the sixth frame, wherein the fifth and sixth frames are not the same; or,

[0100] The first indication information is contained in the fifth frame, and the second indication information and the time threshold are contained in the sixth frame.

[0101] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the technical effects that can be achieved in aspect thirteen above, which will not be repeated here.

[0102] In a fifteenth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a first node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the first node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a first node. The method may include the following steps: the first node sends a sixth indication information, a seventh indication information, and a time threshold. The sixth indication information indicates a first padding duration, and the seventh indication information indicates a second padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. Afterward, the first node can receive an eighth control frame, which triggers the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame is determined based on the first padding duration, or the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame is determined based on the second padding duration.

[0103] In this method, by using a transmission time threshold, the second node can clearly determine under what circumstances the first padding duration should be used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover, and under what circumstances the second padding duration should be used. This allows the second node to effectively select the corresponding padding duration to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame, and the corresponding padding duration can meet the first node's current channel handover latency requirements. Consequently, the control frames issued by the second node are more in line with the first node's channel handover needs. Furthermore, this method eliminates the need for the first node to send a request frame to the second node to trigger the second node to issue the control frame (i.e., the control frame corresponding to the second padding duration) used to trigger the first node's channel handover, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0104] In one possible implementation, the previous channel handover may include: the previous channel handover using a second handover delay.

[0105] In one possible implementation, the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or,

[0106] The sixth and seventh indication information are contained in the ninth frame, and the time threshold is contained in the tenth frame, wherein the ninth and tenth frames are not the same; or,

[0107] The sixth indication information is contained in the ninth frame, and the seventh indication information and the time threshold are contained in the tenth frame.

[0108] In the above implementation, the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold can be carried in the same frame or in different frames, which makes the transmission of the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold more flexible.

[0109] In a sixteenth aspect, this application provides a communication method, which can be executed by a second node or a module (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip) within the second node. Optionally, the method can also be implemented by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. Exemplarily, the following example illustrates the execution of the communication method by a second node. The method may include the following steps: the second node receives sixth indication information, seventh indication information, and a time threshold. The sixth indication information indicates a first padding duration, and the seventh indication information indicates a second padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. Afterward, the second node may send an eighth control frame, which triggers the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame is determined based on the first padding duration, or the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame is determined based on the second padding duration.

[0110] The technical effects achievable in aspect sixteen are described in the same way as those achievable in aspect fifteen above, and will not be repeated here.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the previous channel handover may include: the previous channel handover using a second handover delay.

[0112] In one possible implementation, the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or,

[0113] The sixth and seventh indication information are contained in the ninth frame, and the time threshold is contained in the tenth frame, wherein the ninth and tenth frames are not the same; or,

[0114] The sixth indication information is contained in the ninth frame, and the seventh indication information and the time threshold are contained in the tenth frame.

[0115] For the technical effects that can be achieved by the above implementation method, please refer to the corresponding implementation method provided in aspect 15 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0116] In a seventeenth aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, including units or means for performing various steps of any of the implementation methods described in the first, second, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth, or fifteenth aspects.

[0117] For example, the communication device can be a first node, or a module within the first node (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip). The communication device has the function of implementing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the first, second, fifth, sixth, ninth, tenth, thirteenth, or fifteenth aspects described above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0118] In an eighteenth aspect, this application provides a communication apparatus, including units or means for performing various steps of any of the implementation methods described in the third, fourth, seventh, eighth, eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth, or sixteenth aspects.

[0119] For example, the communication device can be a second node, or a module within the second node (such as a processor, processing unit, chip system, circuit, or chip). The communication device has the function of implementing the methods in any of the possible implementations of the third, fourth, seventh, eighth, eleventh, twelfth, fourteenth, or sixteenth aspects described above. This function can be implemented in hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions.

[0120] In a nineteenth aspect, this application provides a communication device that has the functions described in the first to sixteenth aspects above. For example, the communication device includes modules, units, or means that perform the operations described in the first to sixteenth aspects above. The functions, units, or means can be implemented by software, or by hardware, or by hardware executing corresponding software.

[0121] In one possible implementation, the communication device may include a transceiver unit (or communication module, transceiver module, or communication unit for sending and receiving data). Optionally, the communication device may further include a processing unit (or processing module). The transceiver unit can be used to send and receive signals to enable communication between the communication device and other devices; for example, the transceiver unit can be used to send data to other communication devices. The processing unit can be used to perform some internal operations of the communication device. The functions performed by the transceiver unit and the processing unit may correspond to the operations described in the first to sixteenth aspects above.

[0122] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor that can be coupled to a memory. The memory can store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first to sixteenth aspects above. The processor can execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, causing the communication device to implement the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects above when the computer programs or instructions are executed.

[0123] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor and a memory, the memory of which may store necessary computer programs or instructions for implementing the functions described in the first to sixteenth aspects above. The processor may execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory, and when the computer programs or instructions are executed, cause the communication device to implement the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects above.

[0124] In one possible implementation, the communication device includes a processor and a transceiver (or communication interface or interface circuitry), wherein the processor is used to communicate with other devices via the transceiver and to execute the methods in any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects described above. The transceiver is used to enable the communication device to communicate with other devices, for example, to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor of the communication device to other communication devices, such as the transmission or reception of data and / or signals. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, circuit, bus, module, or other type of communication interface.

[0125] It is understood that, in the nineteenth aspect mentioned above, the processor can be implemented in hardware or software. When implemented in hardware, the processor can be a logic circuit, integrated circuit, etc.; when implemented in software, the processor can be a general-purpose processor that reads software code stored in memory. Furthermore, there can be one or more processors, and one or more memories. The memory can be integrated with the processor, or the memory and processor can be separately configured. In specific implementations, the memory can be integrated with the processor on the same chip, or it can be configured on different chips. This application does not limit the type of memory or the configuration of the memory and processor.

[0126] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a possible communication system, which may include a first node and a second node mentioned in any of the first to sixteenth aspects above. The functional implementation of the first node or the second node can be found in the relevant descriptions mentioned in any of the first to sixteenth aspects above, and will not be repeated here.

[0127] For example, the number of first or second nodes can be one or more.

[0128] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a computer program product comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device (or computer), cause the communication device (or computer) to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects described above.

[0129] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device (or computer), cause the communication device (or computer) to perform the method in any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects described above.

[0130] In a twentieth aspect, this application provides a chip that may include a processor and may also include a memory (or the chip may be coupled to the memory). The chip executes program instructions in the memory to cause the chip to perform any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects described above. Here, "coupling" refers to two components being directly or indirectly connected to each other, such as coupling referring to an electrical connection between two components.

[0131] In a twenty-fourth aspect, this application also provides a chip system including a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing any possible implementation of any of the first to sixteenth aspects described above. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing programs and data necessary for the computer device. The chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0132] Based on the implementation methods provided in the above aspects, this application can be further combined to provide more implementation methods. Attached Figure Description

[0133] Figure 1 illustrates a scenario diagram of an infrastructure BSS provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0134] Figure 2 illustrates a schematic diagram of transmission within a TXOP provided by an embodiment of this application.

[0135] Figure 3 illustrates, exemplarily, a channel partitioning diagram of a 160MHz wide bandwidth channel provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0136] Figure 4 illustrates an exemplary network architecture diagram of a WLAN provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0137] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0138] Figure 6a illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a block confirmation frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0139] Figure 6b illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a public information field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0140] Figure 6c illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a special user information field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0141] Figure 7 illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a data frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0142] Figure 8a illustrates, exemplarily, a schematic diagram of the format or structure of an HT control field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0143] Figure 8b illustrates, by way of example, the structural diagram of the A-control subfield in an HE-type HT control field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0144] Figure 8c illustrates a schematic diagram of the structure of a control subfield provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0145] Figure 9 illustrates a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0146] Figure 10 illustrates a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0147] Figure 11 illustrates a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0148] Figure 12 illustrates a flowchart of another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0149] Figure 13 illustrates a schematic diagram of a possible communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0150] Figure 14 illustrates a schematic diagram of another possible communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0151] Before introducing the technical solutions provided in this application, some of the terms used in this application will be explained in order to facilitate understanding by those skilled in the art.

[0152] (1) Basic Service Set (BSS)

[0153] A Base Station Service (BSS) is the basic infrastructure of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 local area network, consisting of several stations (STAs). Different types of BSSs have different topologies formed by their member STAs. Based on differences in topology, function, etc., BSSs can be divided into Infrastructure BSSs (IBSSs), Independent BSSs (IBSSs), etc.

[0154] Figure 1 illustrates a scenario of an Infrastructure BSS. As shown in Figure 1, BSS1, BSS2, and BSS3 are three Infrastructure BSSs for the distribution system (DS). From a site topology perspective, one special site within the Infrastructure BSS acts as the access point to the DS; this site is called the access point (AP), and the other sites are called non-AP STAs. All non-AP STAs access the DS through the AP.

[0155] It should be understood that when referring to "sites in BSS" or similar expressions in this application, the site referred to can be either an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0156] An overlapping basic service set (OBSS) refers to a BSS whose coverage areas overlap and use the same channel. To reduce signal coverage dead zones, APs may be deployed with overlapping coverage areas; due to limited spectrum, the same channel may be reused by multiple BSSs. Thus, it's possible for BSSs with overlapping coverage areas to use the same channel. As shown in Figure 1, AP1 and AP2 are each other's OBSS (or, AP1 is AP2's OBSS, and AP2 is AP1's OBSS). BSSs that are each other's OBSSs can communicate with each other, but mutual interference may occur.

[0157] (2) Transmission opportunity (TXOP)

[0158] In the IEEE 802.11 protocol, information is transmitted in units of physical-layer protocol data units (PPDUs). Typically, a device needs to transmit multiple PPDUs to complete a single service interaction. If backoff is required before each PPDU transmission, transmission efficiency is low. Therefore, the protocol introduces TXOP to allow stations that have completed backoff to efficiently transmit multiple PPDUs.

[0159] Specifically, after backoff, a station gains a period of time, known as TXOP, during which the time interval between adjacent PPDUs (referring to the PPDU received and sent by the station, or the PPDU sent by the station and the PPDU sent by the station) is only a short interframe space (SIFS), without requiring backoff. The station declares the length of this TXOP period at the beginning, and other stations will parse this length and avoid competing for the channel during this period.

[0160] The station that acquires a TXOP by avoiding contention is called the TXOP holder (or TXOP holder, i.e., the station that sends the first frame within the TXOP); the station that communicates with the TXOP holder within the TXOP is called the TXOP responder (or TXOP responder, i.e., the station other than the TXOP holder that participates in the transmission within the TXOP). For example, as shown in Figure 2, STA1 and STA2 transmit within the TXOP. STA1 first sends PPDU 1, then STA2 sends PPDU 2, then STA1 sends PPDU 3 and PPDU 4, and finally STA2 sends PPDU 5. Adjacent PPDUs are spaced 15 seconds apart. Within this TXOP, STA3 and STA4 do not participate in the transmission; that is, STA3 and STA4 cannot send PPDUs within this TXOP to avoid interfering with the transmission within the TXOP.

[0161] Generally, the length of a TXOP ranges from 0.5 milliseconds to 5 milliseconds.

[0162] (3) Main channel access

[0163] Large bandwidth channels (e.g., 20MHz and above) are divided into multiple 20MHz sub-channels. For example, an 80MHz channel can be divided into four 20MHz sub-channels, and a 160MHz channel can be divided into eight 20MHz sub-channels. Among these 20MHz sub-channels, one is the primary 20MHz channel, and the remaining 20MHz sub-channels are non-primary 20MHz channels. For example, Figure 3 shows a 160MHz channel divided into eight 20MHz sub-channels, including one primary 20MHz channel and seven non-primary 20MHz channels.

[0164] The main channel plays a crucial role in 802.11 protocol communication. In the CSMA / CA mechanism, a station's determination of whether the medium is idle largely depends on the state of the main channel. Specifically, the station performs energy detection (ED) on each sub-channel and preamble detection (PD) on the main channel. If the energy of each sub-channel is greater than or equal to a threshold, or if a preamble is detected on the main channel, a Wi-Fi signal can be considered present. ED has lower hardware requirements but lower accuracy, while PD provides higher accuracy but has higher hardware requirements. Considering the complexity of PD implementation, the protocol does not require stations to perform PD on channels other than the main channel or outside the operating bandwidth.

[0165] It should be understood that, for a site, its operating bandwidth refers to the frequency range of the site's current hardware configuration.

[0166] It should also be understood that "PD on the main channel" as used in this application can also be understood as "main channel access".

[0167] For example, if the PD result of the primary 20MHz channel is "air interface busy," a backoff process is initiated until a TXOP is obtained after the backoff is completed. Transmission can then be performed on the primary 20MHz channel within this TXOP. Within this TXOP, the station can also transmit on non-primary 20MHz channels. If a non-primary 20MHz channel is "air interface busy," but the primary 20MHz channel is idle, transmission can also be performed on the primary 20MHz channel and other non-primary 20MHz channels.

[0168] (4) Non-primary channel access (NPCA)

[0169] The primary channel access mechanism is logically sound and simple to operate. However, as device deployments become denser and bandwidth increases, the spectrum utilization efficiency resulting from primary channel access decreases. For example, with a site having 160MHz bandwidth, if only the primary channel is detected as busy, while all other non-primary channels are detected as idle, according to the primary channel access mechanism, this site cannot use any channel and must back off. However, in reality, the other non-primary channels are idle, and theoretically, they can be used for transmission. Therefore, the Wi-Fi 8 protocol is discussing non-primary channel access, i.e., instead of backing off when the primary channel is busy, transmission is performed through idle non-primary channels. In this case, the site performs PD (Power-On Delivery) and channel access on the non-primary channel. In short, NPCA (Non-Primary Channel Access) is a mechanism for APs or non-AP STAs to use non-primary channels for transmission after the TXOP (Turn-On Point) is preempted by the OBSS (Overhead Switch).

[0170] (5) Dynamic sub-band operation (DSO)

[0171] When the bandwidth of the access point (AP) is greater than that of the non-AP STAs, there is a problem of not being able to fully utilize the AP's larger bandwidth capability. For example, if the AP's bandwidth is 160MHz and the non-AP STA's bandwidth is 80MHz, then even if the AP has a 160MHz capability, the non-AP STA can only send and receive PPDUs with a maximum bandwidth of 80MHz. Given existing protocol specifications that require the primary channel for transmission and reception, in this example, the AP's secondary 80MHz bandwidth cannot be used. Even worse, if the bandwidth of all non-AP STAs associated with the AP is less than or equal to 80MHz, then the AP's secondary 80MHz bandwidth will not be used at all.

[0172] To improve channel utilization of high-bandwidth access points (APs), the Wi-Fi 8 protocol discusses the concept of Distributed Single-Side Array (DSO). Specifically, at the start of a TXOP (Turn-Off Point), the AP removes non-AP STAs from their operational channels. During the TXOP, the AP and non-AP STAs communicate using the AP's secondary channels, and the non-AP STAs switch back to their operational channels at the end of the TXOP. For example, consider an AP with a bandwidth of 320MHz and a non-AP STA with a bandwidth of 80MHz. The 320MHz bandwidth of the AP includes a primary 80MHz channel, a secondary 80MHz channel, and a secondary 160MHz channel. At the start of TXOP, the non-AP STA switches from the AP's primary 80MHz channel to the lower 80MHz channel of the AP's secondary 160MHz channel (i.e., the 80MHz channel that is closer to the secondary 80MHz channel within the secondary 160MHz channel) to transmit with the AP. When TXOP ends, it switches back to the AP's primary 80MHz channel to transmit with the AP.

[0173] Different non-AP STAs can be assigned to different sub-channels of the AP. Therefore, the AP can utilize DSO to distribute non-AP STAs across its entire bandwidth, thus fully utilizing the AP's large bandwidth characteristics. In DSO, "dynamic" means that the effective range of the assigned sub-channel is only one TXOP. Under the DSO mechanism, the TXOP for a non-AP STA communicating with the AP on a channel other than its operating channel is referred to as a DSO TXOP in this embodiment.

[0174] The embodiments of this application will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0175] The following describes the communication systems to which the communication method provided in this application is applicable. It should be noted that this description is for the convenience of those skilled in the art and does not constitute a limitation on the scope of protection claimed in this application.

[0176] This application's embodiments can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, for example, to IEEE 802.11 system standards, such as 802.11bn, Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) 7, Extremely High Throughput (EHT), 802.11bf, and next-generation standards of 802.11bn, such as Wi-Fi 9 or even later. Alternatively, this application's embodiments can also be applied to WLAN systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, this application's embodiments can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and future communication systems.

[0177] The following examples illustrate how the embodiments of this application can be applied to WLAN scenarios. It should be understood that WLAN standards, starting with 802.11a / g, have evolved through 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and the currently discussed 802.11bn. 802.11n can also be referred to as high throughput (HT); 802.11ac as very high throughput (VHT); 802.11ax as high efficiency (HE) or Wi-Fi 6; 802.11be as EHT or Wi-Fi 7; and 802.11bn as UHR or Wi-Fi 8. Standards prior to HT, such as 802.11a / b / g, can be collectively referred to as non-high throughput (Non-HT).

[0178] Figure 4 illustrates a network architecture diagram of a WLAN to which this application embodiment can be applied. As shown in Figure 4, the WLAN includes one access point (AP) 1 and several stations (STAs) associated with AP 1. AP 1 and its associated STAs can constitute a BSS. In this BSS, the STAs associated with AP 1 (e.g., STA1, STA2, etc.) can receive radio frames sent by AP 1 and can also send radio frames to AP 1. STAs can also communicate with each other. The method of this application embodiment can be applied to communication between APs and STAs, and also to communication between APs. For example, APs can communicate with each other through a distributed system (DS). This application embodiment can also be applied to communication between STAs. It should be understood that the network architecture shown in Figure 4 is only an example. The actual network architecture shown in Figure 4 may include other devices, and the number of APs and STAs shown in Figure 4 is only an example. The actual number of APs and / or STAs may be more or less.

[0179] The embodiments of this application can be applied to the communication system / scenario within the same BSS shown in Figure 4, and may also be applicable to the communication system / scenario of OBSS.

[0180] It should be noted that the network architecture shown in Figure 4 (also referred to as the communication system architecture) does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture to which the embodiments of this application can be applied. The method provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to various wireless communication systems, such as Wi-Fi systems, 6G communication systems, or various future mobile communication systems, and this application is not limited thereto.

[0181] Access points, which are the points through which terminal devices (such as mobile phones) access wired (or wireless) networks, are primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. They can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, access points can be terminal devices (such as mobile phones) or network devices (such as routers) with Wi-Fi chips, or wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals with access point functionality. Access points can be devices that support the 802.11bn standard. Access points can also be devices that support various wireless local area networks (WLAN) standards of the 802.11 family, including 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11bn next generation.

[0182] A site can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. For example, a site can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc. Optionally, the site can support the 802.11bn standard. The site can also support various wireless local area network (WLAN) standards of the 802.11 family, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, and 802.11bn next-generation.

[0183] For example, access points and sites can be devices used in the Internet of Vehicles (IoV), 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.

[0184] The AP and STA involved in the embodiments of this application can be APs and STAs that comply with the IEEE 802.11 system standard. An AP is a device deployed in a wireless communication network to provide wireless communication functions for its associated STAs. The AP can serve as the hub of the communication system and is typically a network-side product that supports the MAC and PHY of the 802.11 system standard. Examples include base stations, routers, gateways, repeaters, communication servers, switches, or bridges. The base station can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, repeater stations, etc. For ease of description, the devices mentioned above are collectively referred to as APs. STAs are typically terminal products that support the media access control (MAC) and physical layer (PHY) of the 802.11 system standard, such as mobile phones and laptops.

[0185] The communication system architecture or network architecture and business scenarios described in the embodiments of this application are for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of communication system or network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to similar technical problems.

[0186] As described in the background section, for the currently discussed DSO mechanism (or DSO scenario), NPCA mechanism (or NPCA scenario), and DPS mechanism (or DPS scenario), the channel switching delay used when a node (or device) performs channel switching is singular, meaning there is only one channel switching delay. This results in multiple application scenarios corresponding to a single channel switching delay, leading to a waste of channel resources in some application scenarios. For example, if the single channel switching delay is set to be large, it will cause some resource waste (such as wasted information bits for padding or wasted switching time) when a smaller channel switching delay is required in some application scenarios. As a result, the single channel switching cannot meet the actual channel switching delay requirements of the application scenario.

[0187] In view of this, this application provides a communication method to provide more channel switching latency, so that the channel switching latency used for channel switching is more in line with the actual needs of the scenario, and helps to meet the channel switching latency requirements under different application scenarios.

[0188] The specific implementation of the communication method in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. It is understood that this application uses the first node and the second node as examples of the execution subjects in the interaction illustration, but this application does not limit the execution subjects of the interaction illustration. For example, the method executed by the first node in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the first node (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the first node; similarly, the method executed by the second node in this application can also be executed by a module applied to the second node (e.g., a chip, chip system, or processor), or by a logical node, logical module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second node. For example, the first node can be the STA shown in Figure 4, and the second node can be the AP shown in Figure 4.

[0189] Figure 5 illustrates a flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the network architecture shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 5, the method includes:

[0190] Step 501: The first node sends the first frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the first frame.

[0191] For example, the first frame could be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. Alternatively, the first frame could also be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first and second nodes to establish a DSO mechanism, such as a DSO mechanism initiation frame or a DSO mechanism notification frame. Or, the first frame could also be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first and second nodes to establish a DPS mechanism, such as a DPS mechanism initiation frame or a DPS mechanism notification frame.

[0192] The first frame is illustrated below with several possible examples.

[0193] Example a1: The first frame includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate the first handover delay.

[0194] In one possible implementation, the first handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame, which is sent by the second node to the first node to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover.

[0195] Understandably, the first handover delay can refer to the default handover delay (or channel handover delay) used by the first node. Alternatively, the first handover delay can refer to the handover delay used when the RF parameters of the bandwidth to be switched to (which can be understood as the bandwidth to which the node needs to switch) or the channel to be switched to (which can be understood as the channel to which the node needs to switch) have been calibrated. For example, the bandwidth to be switched to can refer to which bandwidth the first node is scheduled to use for data transmission (or communication), such as the first node switching from the primary 20MHz bandwidth to the primary 80MHz bandwidth for data transmission. The channel to be switched to can refer to which channel the first node is scheduled to use for data transmission, such as the first node switching from the primary 80MHz channel to the secondary 80MHz channel for data transmission.

[0196] For example, the first handover delay can be a relatively short handover delay.

[0197] Example a2: The first frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the first handover delay, and the second indication information can be used to indicate the second handover delay.

[0198] In one possible implementation, the second handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when it receives the second frame sent by the first node. This control frame is sent by the second node to the first node to trigger the first node to perform channel handover.

[0199] The first handover delay may be different from the second handover delay. For example, the second handover delay may be greater than the first handover delay.

[0200] Understandably, the second handover delay can refer to the handover delay required when the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to need to be calibrated.

[0201] For example, when the first node needs to calibrate the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to, a relatively long time (such as milliseconds) needs to be reserved for the first node to perform RF calibration. This relatively long time, plus the other time spent on channel switching, is the second switching delay.

[0202] Step 502: The first node sends the second frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the second frame.

[0203] The second frame (which can be understood as a request message or request frame) can be used to trigger the second node to use the second handover delay to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame. This control frame is sent by the second node to the first node and is used to trigger the first node to perform channel handover.

[0204] In one possible implementation, the first node may send the second frame if at least one of the following conditions p1 and p2 is met.

[0205] Condition p1: The time since the last second frame was sent is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0206] Understandably, the last time the second frame was sent could refer to the time when the first node last sent a frame instructing the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover, or it could refer to the time when the first node last used the second handover delay to perform a channel handover.

[0207] Optionally, the statement that the time since the last transmission of the second frame is greater than or equal to the first threshold can be replaced by describing it as "the time interval since the first node last calibrated the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to is greater than the first threshold".

[0208] Condition p2: The temperature change (or magnitude of change) of the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0209] For example, the temperature of the first node can refer to the temperature of the first node's radio frequency (RF) devices (or RF modules or RF devices, such as RF chips), or it can refer to other RF-related devices of the first node, and so on. Temperature change refers to the current temperature relative to the temperature when the first node last transmitted the frame instructing it to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover, or relative to the temperature since the first node last calibrated the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to.

[0210] The second frame is illustrated below with several possible examples.

[0211] Example a1': The second frame includes second indication information, which is used to indicate the second handover delay.

[0212] If the first frame does not include indication information indicating the second handover delay, the second frame may include second indication information indicating the second handover delay.

[0213] Example a2': The second frame includes third indication information, which is used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover.

[0214] If the first frame includes indication information indicating the second handover delay, the second frame may not include indication information indicating the second handover delay, but may simply include indication information (such as third indication information) for indicating the use of the second handover delay.

[0215] For example, the second indication information may include at least one of the value of the second handover delay and the identifier of the second handover delay.

[0216] For example, when the second indication information includes a value for the second handover delay, the second node can determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame based on the value of the second handover delay. When the second indication information includes an identifier for the second handover delay, the second node can obtain the value of the second handover delay based on the identifier. Then, the second node can determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame based on the obtained value of the second handover delay.

[0217] Optionally, the value of the second switching delay can be a fixed value or a variable value (or a changing value).

[0218] For example, when the value of the second handover delay is a fixed value, if the first node carries indication information indicating the second handover delay in the first frame, then when the first node sends the second frame, it does not need to carry indication information indicating the specific value of the second handover delay in the second frame. It only needs to carry one indication information to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover.

[0219] For example, when the value of the second handover delay is variable, regardless of whether the first node carries indication information indicating the second handover delay in the first frame, the first node needs to carry indication information in the second frame to indicate the changed value of the second handover delay. That is, the value of the second handover delay carried by the first node in each second frame can be different. In this way, this example allows the first node to report the corresponding second handover delay based on the actual situation, thereby avoiding prolonged use of the longest channel handover delay (such as the second handover delay).

[0220] Understandably, the RF calibration of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to can be divided into multiple calibration steps (or calibration stages), such as power calibration, direct current (DC) calibration, in-phase / quadrature (IQ) mismatch calibration, and digital pre-distortion (DPD) calibration. Each calibration step (or calibration stage) requires a different calibration period. In this case, if the time interval since the last calibration is greater than or equal to a third threshold (e.g., time threshold t1), then a calibration step within that time interval needs to be recalibrated. That is, if one of the multiple calibration steps meets the corresponding calibration period, recalibration is performed. Thus, the first node can determine the second switching delay used for the next channel switch based on the calibration time required for that calibration step, the calibration times required for other calibration steps besides that one, and the other times required for a channel switch. Understandably, in this example, the calibration time required for all calibration steps other than this one is a defined (or fixed) value that does not change.

[0221] If the time interval since the last calibration is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold (e.g., time threshold t2), then two calibration steps within that time interval need to be recalibrated. That is, two of the aforementioned calibration steps meet their respective calibration cycles and need to be recalibrated. The fourth threshold is greater than or equal to the third threshold. Thus, the first node can determine the second handover delay to use during the next channel handover based on the calibration times required for these two calibration steps, the calibration times required for other calibration steps besides these two, and the other times required for a channel handover. Understandably, in this example, the calibration times required for other calibration steps besides these two are a fixed value and do not change.

[0222] If the time interval since the last calibration is greater than or equal to the fifth threshold (e.g., time threshold t3), then three calibration steps within that time interval need to be recalibrated. That is, if three of the aforementioned calibration steps meet their respective calibration cycles, recalibration is required. The fifth threshold is greater than or equal to the fourth threshold. Similarly, there are other cases where multiple calibration steps need to be recalibrated, which will not be listed here. When three of the aforementioned calibration steps need to be recalibrated, the first node can determine the second handover delay to use during the next channel handover based on the calibration time required for those three calibration steps, the calibration time required for other calibration steps besides those three, and the other time required for a channel handover. It is understood that in this example, the calibration time required for other calibration steps besides those three is a specific value (or a fixed value) that has not changed.

[0223] It should be understood that in the above example, the first node can know the specific time (or duration) required for the next RF calibration with relatively accurate information. Therefore, the first node can accurately determine the second switching delay required for the next channel switch based on the specific time required for the next RF calibration and the other time required for a channel switch. Then, the first node can carry an indication message in the second frame to explicitly indicate the specific value of the second channel switching delay.

[0224] For example, the second frame can be, but is not limited to, a block acknowledge (BA) frame, an initial control frame (ICF), a data frame (such as a quality of service data (QoSData) frame), or a null data frame (such as a QoS Null).

[0225] The following examples illustrate the implementation of a second frame as a BA frame, ICF frame, data frame, or empty data frame.

[0226] Example A1: The second frame is a BA frame.

[0227] In one possible implementation, the second or third indication information may be carried in a reserved field included in the block acknowledgment control field of the BA frame. For example, this reserved field may be a reserved field for 802.11be.

[0228] Please refer to Figure 6a, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a BA frame provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6a, the BA frame may include fields such as frame control, duration, receiver address (RA), transmitter address (TA), block acknowledgment control (BA control), block acknowledgment information (BA information), and frame check sequence (FCS). The block acknowledgment control field may include multiple fields, such as two reserved fields, BA type, no memory kept, memory configuration tag, management acknowledge (management ACK), and traffic identifier information (TID_info).

[0229] For example, the frame control field occupies 2 bytes (byte or octet), the duration or duration field occupies 2 bytes, the receive address field occupies 6 bytes, the send address occupies 6 bytes, the block acknowledgment control field occupies 2 bytes, the number of bytes occupied by the block acknowledgment information field is variable, and the frame check sequence occupies 4 bytes. Within the block acknowledgment control field, one reservation field occupies 1 bit, another reservation field occupies 4 bits, the block acknowledgment type field occupies 4 bits, the no memory reservation field occupies 1 bit, the memory configuration tag field occupies 1 bit, the management acknowledgment field occupies 1 bit, and the service identifier information field occupies 4 bits.

[0230] Optionally, the second or third indication information may be carried in a 1-bit reserved field in the BA frame, or it may be carried in a 4-bit reserved field in the BA frame.

[0231] In one example, when the BA frame includes second indication information, the second indication information may occupy one or more bits to indicate the second handover delay.

[0232] The following example uses a BA frame that includes second or third indication information. For instance, when the second indication information includes the value of the second handover delay, the second indication information can be carried in a 4-bit reserved field in the BA frame. For example, one or more bits in the 4-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay.

[0233] For example, when the second indication information includes an identifier of the second handover delay, the second indication information can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field in the BA frame. For instance, 1 bit of the 1-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier of the second handover delay. Alternatively, the second indication information can also be carried in a 4-bit reserved field in the BA frame. For instance, 1 bit of the 4-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier of the second handover delay.

[0234] For example, when the second indication information includes the value of the second handover delay and the identifier of the second handover delay, the second indication information can be carried in the 4-bit reserved field in the BA frame. For instance, 1 bit of the 4-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier of the second handover delay, and one or more bits of the remaining bits of the 4-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay.

[0235] In another example, when the BA frame includes third indication information, this third indication information can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field or a 4-bit reserved field within the BA frame. For instance, when the third indication information is carried in a 1-bit reserved field, 1 bit of the 1-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover. When the third indication information is carried in a 4-bit reserved field, 1 bit of the 4-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover.

[0236] Example A2: The second frame is ICF.

[0237] For example, an ICF can be a reused trigger frame, such as a multi-user request to send frame or a buffer status report poll (BSPR), or it can be a newly defined trigger frame.

[0238] In one possible implementation, the second or third indication information can be carried in a reserved field included in the common information field of the trigger frame.

[0239] Please refer to Figure 6b, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a public information field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6b, the common information fields may include trigger type, uplink length (UL length) field, more trigger frames (TF), carrier sense required (CS required), uplink bandwidth (UL BW), guard interval and high efficiency / extremely high throughput-long training field type / TXOP sharing mode, GI and HE / EHT-LTF type / TXS mode, four reserved fields, number of high efficiency / extremely high throughput-long training field symbols, number of HE / EHT-LTF symbols, low-density parity check extra symbol segment (LDPC extra symbol segment), access point transmission power (AP transmission power, AP Tx power), and pre-forward error correction padding factor (pre-FEC padding). Fields include factor, packet extension disambiguity (PE disambiguity), uplink spatial reuse (UL spatial reuse), high efficiency / ultra-high throughput P160 (HE / EHT P160), special user information field flag, ultra-high throughput reserved (EHT reserved), and trigger dependent common information. Here, P160 represents a bandwidth of 160MHz.

[0240] For example, the trigger type field occupies 4 bits, the uplink length field occupies 12 bits, the more trigger frames field occupies 1 bit, the uplink bandwidth field occupies 2 bits, the carrier sense requirement field occupies 1 bit, the guard interval and high efficiency / ultra-high throughput - long training field type / transmission opportunity sharing mode field occupies 2 bits, one reservation field occupies 1 bit, another reservation field occupies 1 bit, yet another reservation field occupies 3 bits, and the high efficiency / ultra-high throughput - long training field... The field symbol quantity field occupies 3 bits, the low-density parity check extra symbol segmentation field occupies 1 bit, the access point transmit power field occupies 6 bits, the padding parameter field before forward error correction occupies 2 bits, the data packet extended fuzzy field occupies 1 bit, the uplink space multiplexing field occupies 16 bits, the high efficiency / ultra-high throughput main 160 field occupies 1 bit, the special user information field identifier field occupies 1 bit, the ultra-high throughput reserved field occupies 7 bits, and the number of bits of the common information field related to the trigger frame is variable.

[0241] Optionally, the second or third indication information may be carried in a 1-bit reserved field in the common information field included in the ICF frame, or it may be carried in a 3-bit reserved field in the ICF frame.

[0242] In one example, when the ICF frame includes second indication information, the second indication information may occupy one or more bits to indicate the second handover delay.

[0243] The following example illustrates how a common information field in an ICF frame may include second or third indication information. For instance, when the second indication information includes a value for the second handover delay, it can be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame. For example, one or more bits from the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay. As another example, when the second indication information includes an identifier for the second handover delay, it can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame. For example, one bit from that 1-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier for the second handover delay. Optionally, the second indication information can also be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame. For example, one bit from the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier for the second handover delay. For example, when the second indication information includes the value of the second handover delay and the identifier of the second handover delay, the second indication information can be carried in the 3-bit reserved field of the common information field included in the ICF frame. For example, 1 bit of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier of the second handover delay, and one or more bits of the remaining bits of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay.

[0244] In another example, when the ICF frame includes third indication information, this third indication information can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame, or it can be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame. For example, when the third indication information is carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame, 1 bit of the 1-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover. When the third indication information is carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the common information field of the ICF frame, 1 bit of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover.

[0245] In another possible implementation, the second or third indication information can be carried in a reserved field included in the special user information field of the trigger frame. For example, this reserved field could be a reserved field for 802.11be.

[0246] Please refer to Figure 6c, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a special user information field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6c, the special user information field may include association identifier 12 (AID12), physical layer version identifier (PHY version identifier), uplink bandwidth extension (UL BW extension), ultra-high throughput spatial reuse 1 (EHT spatial reuse 1), ultra-high throughput spatial reuse 2 (EHT spatial reuse 2), universal signal field disregard and validate (U-SIG disregard and validate), reserved fields, and trigger dependent user information, etc.

[0247] For example, the association identifier 12 field occupies 12 bits, the physical layer version identifier occupies 3 bits, the uplink bandwidth extension field occupies 2 bits, the ultra-high throughput space multiplexing 1 field occupies 4 bits, the ultra-high throughput space multiplexing 2 field occupies 4 bits, the common signal field ignore and valid field occupies 12 bits, the reserved field occupies 3 bits, and the number of bits of the user information field related to the trigger frame is variable.

[0248] The second or third indication information may be carried in the special user information field, including a 3-bit reserved field, included in the ICF frame.

[0249] In one example, when the ICF frame includes second indication information, the second indication information may occupy one or more bits to indicate the second handover delay.

[0250] The following example illustrates how a special user information field within an ICF frame may include second or third indication information. For instance, when the second indication information includes a value for the second handover delay, it can be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the special user information field of the ICF frame. For example, one or more bits from the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay. As another example, when the second indication information includes an identifier for the second handover delay, it can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the special user information field of the ICF frame. For example, 1 bit from that 1-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier for the second handover delay. Optionally, the second indication information can also be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the special user information field of the ICF frame. For example, 1 bit from the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier for the second handover delay. For example, when the second frame includes the value of the second handover delay and the identifier of the second handover delay, the second indication information can be carried in the 3-bit reserved field of the special user information field included in the ICF frame. For example, 1 bit of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the identifier of the second handover delay, and one or more bits of the remaining bits of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to indicate the value of the second handover delay.

[0251] In another example, when the ICF frame includes third indication information, this third indication information can be carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the Special User Information field of the ICF frame, or it can be carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the Special User Information field of the ICF frame. For example, when the third indication information is carried in a 1-bit reserved field within the Special User Information field of the ICF frame, 1 bit of the 1-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover. When the third indication information is carried in a 3-bit reserved field within the Special User Information field of the ICF frame, 1 bit of the 3-bit reserved field can be used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover.

[0252] Example A3: The second frame is a data frame or an empty data frame.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the second or third indication information can be carried in the high throughput (HT control) field of a data frame or an empty data frame. Further, the second or third indication information can be carried in the aggregation control (A-control) field within the HT control field.

[0254] The following section uses the second frame as an example to introduce the relevant fields of the data frame.

[0255] For example, consider a data frame where the HT control field carries second or third indication information. Referring to Figure 7, the data frame includes a frame control field as well as other fields such as duration, addresses 1 to 4, sequence control, quality of service (QoS) control, frame body, and frame check sequence (FCS). The frame control field indicates whether the data frame contains an HT control field. If the frame control field indicates the presence of an HT control field, then the data frame shown in Figure 7 also includes an HT control field.

[0256] For example, the HT control field is 4 bytes long and has three types, indicated or represented by bits B0 and B1. Figure 8a shows a structural diagram (or format diagram) of the HT control field. When B0 = 0, it indicates that the HT control field is of type HT; when B0 = 1 and B1 = 0, it indicates that the HT control field is of type VHT; and when B0 = 1 and B1 = 1, it indicates that the HT control field is of type HE. Furthermore, the AC constraint shown in Figure 8a refers to the access category constraint, and the RDG shown in Figure 8a refers to the reverse direct grant.

[0257] For the HT control field of type HE, the B2-B31 part is called the A-control subfield.

[0258] As shown in Figure 8b, the A-control subfield can include a control list (i.e., one or more control subfields) and a padding field.

[0259] Figure 8c shows a schematic diagram of the structure of each control subfield. Referring to Figure 8c, the control subfield can include a control ID (4 bits) and a control information field. The values ​​for the control ID (4 bits) are shown in Table 1 below. It should be understood that "see xxxx" in Table 1 refers to the relevant section in the current 802.11be draft version: Draft P802.11be_D6.0.

[0260] In one possible implementation, in the control subfield shown in Figure 8c, where the control information field is used to carry the second frame, the control ID value can be an integer from 10 to 14 (inclusive) in Table 1. In this example, a control ID value of 10-14 is used to indicate that the corresponding control information subfield carries the second frame.

[0261] Table 1

[0262] Step 503: The second node sends the first control frame. Correspondingly, the first node receives the first control frame.

[0263] The first control frame can refer to the first control frame successfully received by the first node after the second frame, used to trigger channel switching by the first node; alternatively, the first control frame can refer to the first control frame successfully sent by the second node after receiving the second frame, used to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined by the second node based on the second switching delay. For example, the first control frame can be an initial control frame.

[0264] For example, the first control frame may include indication information indicating the channel to be switched to or the bandwidth to be switched to.

[0265] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the first control frame, the first node can perform channel switching according to the first control frame.

[0266] Optionally, the second node may also send a second control frame. The first node can then receive the second control frame. The first node can then perform channel switching based on the second control frame. The second control frame can be any control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the second control frame is determined by the second node based on the first switching delay. For example, the second control frame could be an initial control frame.

[0267] In one example, the second control frame can be sent by the second node after receiving the first frame. For instance, after the second node receives the first frame, but has not yet received the second frame, if the second node competes for a transmission opportunity, it can schedule the first node onto a specific bandwidth or channel when data transmission with the first node is needed. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay. Afterward, the second node sends the second control frame. Alternatively, if the primary channel is busy and data transmission with the first node is needed on another secondary channel, the second node can schedule the first node onto a secondary channel. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay. The second node then sends the second control frame. Or, if the first node's current bandwidth is narrow but efficient data transmission with the first node is needed on a larger bandwidth, the second node can schedule the first node onto a larger bandwidth for efficient data transmission. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay. Then, the second node sends a second control frame. It should be understood that after the first node finishes transmitting data with the second node, it can automatically switch back to its original bandwidth or channel.

[0268] In another example, the second control frame can be sent by the second node after sending the first control frame. For instance, after the second node sends the first control frame, and at this time the second node does not receive a second frame, if the second node competes for a transmission opportunity, it can schedule the first node onto a certain bandwidth or channel for subsequent data transmission with the first node. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay. Afterward, the second node sends the second control frame. Optionally, the second node can also schedule the first node onto a secondary channel for subsequent data transmission with the first node when the primary channel is busy and data transmission with the first node needs to be performed on another secondary channel. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay. The second node then sends the second control frame. Alternatively, the second node can schedule the first node onto a larger bandwidth for efficient data transmission when the bandwidth of the first node is narrow and efficient data transmission with the first node needs to be performed on a larger bandwidth. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the second control frame based on the first handover delay.

[0269] For example, consider a scenario where the first node uses the first handover delay for all channel handovers from the first to the nth, and the second frame is a request frame. If the first node determines that the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to which it is to be switched have not been calibrated for a considerable period (meaning the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to which it is to be switched have become invalid and require recalibration), or if it determines that the temperature of the first node's RF module has changed significantly (meaning the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to which it is to be switched are inaccurate and require recalibration), the first node can send a request frame to the second node. The request frame includes an indication that instructs the first node to use the second handover delay during the n+1th channel handover. After receiving the request frame, if the second node wins the transmission opportunity, it will schedule the first node onto a specific bandwidth or channel when it needs to transmit data. The second node can then determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the n+1th channel handover based on the second handover delay. After completing the bandwidth or channel switch, the first node can transmit data with the second node on the new bandwidth or channel, and automatically switch back to the original bandwidth or channel after the data transmission is complete. Optionally, in one or more channel switches after the (n+1)th channel switch by the first node, the second node can automatically use the first switch delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the one or more channel switches, without the first node sending a request frame to indicate the use of the first switch delay. For example, if the first node needs to perform the (n+2)th channel switch, the second node can automatically use the first switch delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the (n+2)th channel switch, without the first node sending a request frame to indicate the first switch delay.

[0270] Understandably, when the first node first switches to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to, it needs to use the second channel switching delay. In this case, the second node can send a control frame (such as a third control frame) to the first node to trigger the first node's initial switch to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to. The length of the padding field included in this control frame is determined by the second node based on the second switching delay.

[0271] For example, consider the third control frame as the control frame used to trigger the first node's initial handover to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to. The second node can send the third control frame. The first node can then receive the third control frame. The first node can then perform a channel handover based on the third control frame. The length of the padding field included in the third control frame is determined by the second node based on the second handover delay. For example, the third control frame could be the initial control frame.

[0272] Optionally, the third control frame can be sent from the second node to the first node immediately after the first node and the second node have just established an association. Alternatively, the third control frame can be sent from the second node to the first node immediately after the first node and the second node have just activated the DSO, DPS, or NPCA mechanism during the association establishment process. Alternatively, the third control frame can be sent from the second node to the first node immediately after the first node has just selected a new channel or bandwidth to be switched to. Alternatively, the third control frame can be sent from the second node to the first node immediately after the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS.

[0273] Optionally, when the first node and the second node have just established an association, or when the first node and the second node have just enabled the DSO or DPS mechanism during the association establishment process, or when the first node has just selected a new channel or bandwidth to be switched to, or when the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS, the first node can pre-switch to the channel or bandwidth to be switched to for RF calibration. This way, when the first node needs to switch to the channel or bandwidth to be switched to for data transmission with the second node, the first node can use the first switching delay to perform channel switching. The second node can determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel switching based on the first switching delay.

[0274] The third control frame is illustrated below with several possible examples.

[0275] Example B1: The third control frame can refer to the first control frame that the first node successfully receives after sending the first frame, which is used to trigger the first node to switch channels.

[0276] Understandably, from the perspective of the second node, the third control frame can also refer to the first control frame successfully sent by the second node after receiving the first frame, which is used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching.

[0277] For example, when the first node and the second node have just established an association, or when the first node and the second node have just enabled the DSO or DPS mechanism during the association establishment process, or when a new channel or bandwidth to be switched to has just been selected for the first node, or when the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS, the second handover delay is used by default when the first node first switches to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to for the first time. Therefore, the first node does not need to send a second frame. After receiving the first frame, the second node can determine the length of the padding field included in the third control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the first channel switch, based on the second handover delay. Then, the second node sends the second control frame to the first node.

[0278] For example, when the first node and the second node have just established an association, or when the first node and the second node have just enabled the DSO or DPS mechanism during the association establishment process, or when the first node has just selected a new channel or bandwidth to be switched to, or when the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS, the second node can, after receiving the second frame from the first node, determine the length of the padding field included in the third control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the first channel switch, based on the second handover delay. Afterwards, the second node can send the second control frame to the first node.

[0279] Example B2: The third control frame can refer to the first control frame received successfully after a BSS channel handover, which is used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover.

[0280] Understandably, from the perspective of the second node, the third control frame can also refer to the first control frame sent successfully after a BSS channel handover, used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover. For example, a BSS channel handover can mean switching from one working channel to another new working channel, such as switching from a 5GHz working channel to a 6GHz working channel. In other words, the second node selects a new working channel for its BSS, and all nodes within that BSS communicate on the new working channel.

[0281] For example, if the second node selects a new working channel for its BSS, the second handover delay is used by default when the first node first switches to the channel to be switched to for the first time. Therefore, the first node does not need to send a second frame. After receiving the first frame, the second node can determine the length of the padding field in the third control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the first channel handover, based on the second handover delay. Then, the second node sends the second control frame to the first node.

[0282] For example, if the second node selects a new operating channel for its BSS, the second node can, after receiving the second frame from the first node, determine the length of the padding field in the third control frame used to trigger the first node's initial channel handover, based on the second handover delay. Then, the second node can send the second control frame to the first node.

[0283] Example B3: The third control frame can refer to the first control frame successfully received after a change in channel bandwidth or channel location, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching.

[0284] Understandably, from the perspective of the second node, the third control frame can also refer to the first control frame successfully sent after a change in channel bandwidth or channel location, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. For example, during DPS operation, the first node switches from a small bandwidth to a large bandwidth. Let's assume the small bandwidth is always 20MHz, while the large bandwidth can be selected differently depending on the communication service rate. When the service rate is low, selecting a large bandwidth of 80MHz is sufficient. Later, as the service rate increases, this MHz needs to be selected as the large bandwidth to meet the service rate requirements. When the first node instructs the second node to adjust the large bandwidth from 80MHz to 160MHz, the first node only performs RF calibration for the 80MHz bandwidth, not for the 160MHz bandwidth. Therefore, initially, a second switching delay (a larger switching delay) is needed to perform RF calibration on the 160MHz bandwidth. After that, with the calibration information for the 160MHz bandwidth, calibration is no longer necessary each time, and the first switching delay (a smaller switching delay) can be used. Channel position change refers to switching from one target DSO channel position to another. This can be understood as selecting a new DSO channel for the first node to switch to. For example, the first node supports a bandwidth of 80MHz and operates by default on the primary 80MHz channel. After DSO is enabled, the first node negotiates with the second node to select the secondary 80MHz channel as the target DSO. Therefore, the second node will schedule the first node to the secondary 80MHz channel during the scheduling process. Later, because the first node detects significant interference on the secondary 80MHz channel, it negotiates with the second node to switch the target DSO channel to the higher 80MHz channel within the secondary 160MHz channel range. When switching DSO channels, there is no RF calibration information for the high 80MHz channel in the second 160MHz channel, but no RF calibration information for the high 80MHz channel in the third 160MHz channel. Therefore, at the beginning of the DSO channel switching, a second switching delay (a larger switching delay) is required to perform RF calibration on the high 80MHz channel in the second 160MHz channel. After that, with the calibration information for the high 80MHz channel in the second 160MHz channel, calibration is no longer required every time, so the first switching delay (a smaller switching delay) can be used.

[0285] For example, when the first node and the second node have just established an association, or when the first node and the second node have just enabled the DSO or DPS mechanism during the association establishment process, or when the first node has just selected a new channel or bandwidth to switch to, or when the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS, if the first node switches to a certain channel or bandwidth for the first time to transmit data with the second node, the second handover delay can be used by default when the first node switches to the channel to be switched to for the first time. Therefore, the first node does not need to send a second frame. After receiving the first frame, the second node can determine the length of the padding field included in the third control frame used to trigger the first node to perform the first channel handover based on the second handover delay. Afterwards, the second node sends the second control frame to the first node.

[0286] For example, when the first node and the second node have just established an association, or when the first node and the second node have just activated the DSO or DPS mechanism during the association establishment process, or when the first node has just selected a new channel or bandwidth to switch to, or when the second node has selected a new working channel for its BSS, if the first node switches to a certain channel or bandwidth for the first time to transmit data with the second node, the second node can, after receiving the second frame from the first node, determine the length of the padding field included in the third control frame used to trigger the first node's first channel switch based on the second handover delay. Afterwards, the second node can send the second control frame to the first node.

[0287] As can be seen from steps 501 to 503 above, the first node can provide the second node with one or more channel switching delays (such as the first switching delay and the second switching delay). If the first node needs to use a longer channel switching delay (such as the second switching delay) in the next channel switching, the first node can send a request frame (such as the second frame) to the second node. The request frame includes an indication information (such as the second indication information) to indicate the second switching delay, or the request frame includes an indication information (such as the third indication information) to indicate that the first node should use the second switching delay in the next channel switching. This allows the second node to accurately use the longer channel switching delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching when scheduling the first node. This allows the second node to schedule the first node according to the actual switching delay requirements of the first node, which helps to make the channel switching delay used for channel switching more in line with the actual scenario requirements and is more flexible. Furthermore, if the second node does not receive a request frame from the first node, the second node can use a shorter channel switching delay (such as a first switching delay) when scheduling the first node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform a channel switching.

[0288] Understandably, the communication method shown in Figure 5 above can be applied to DSO or DPS scenarios.

[0289] For example, consider a STA as the first node, an AP as the second node, an association request frame as the first frame, and a request frame 1 as the second frame. When the communication method shown in Figure 5 is applicable to a DSO or DPS scenario, the STA can send an association request frame to the AP during the association establishment process. The AP then receives the association request frame from the STA. The association request frame may carry a first handover delay, or it may carry both a first handover delay and a second handover delay. If the STA needs to use the second handover delay in the next channel handover, it can send request frame 1 to the AP. Request frame 1 includes an indication (e.g., a second indication) to indicate the second handover delay, or it may include an indication (e.g., a third indication) to instruct the STA to use the second handover delay in the next channel handover. After receiving request frame 1, if the AP wins a transmission opportunity and needs to transmit data with the STA, the AP can determine the length of the padding field in a control frame used to trigger a channel handover at the first node, based on the second handover delay. The AP can then send the control frame to the STA to schedule the STA to the channel to be switched to (such as the secondary channel) for data transmission.

[0290] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the network architecture shown in Figure 4. As shown in Figure 9, the method includes:

[0291] Step 901: The first node sends the seventh frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the seventh frame.

[0292] For example, the seventh frame could be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. Alternatively, the seventh frame could also be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first node and the second node to establish a DSO mechanism, such as a DSO mechanism initiation frame or a DSO mechanism notification frame. Or, the seventh frame could also be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first node and the second node to establish a DPS mechanism, such as a DPS mechanism initiation frame or a DPS mechanism notification frame.

[0293] The seventh frame will be introduced through several possible examples below.

[0294] Example b1: The seventh frame includes a fourth indication, which can be used to indicate the first fill duration.

[0295] In one possible implementation, the first padding duration can be directly used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame, which is sent by the second node to the first node to trigger the first node to perform channel switching.

[0296] The first filling duration can be determined based on the first switching delay. For a description of the first switching delay, please refer to the relevant introduction above; it will not be repeated here.

[0297] For example, the first handover delay can be greater than the first padding duration. For instance, the first handover delay can be the sum of the first padding duration, the frame check sequence length, and the short inter frame space (SIFS).

[0298] Example b2: The seventh frame includes a fourth indication and a fifth indication. The fourth indication can be used to indicate the first fill duration, and the fifth indication can be used to indicate the second fill duration.

[0299] In one possible implementation, the second padding duration can be directly used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when it receives the second frame sent by the first node. This control frame is sent by the second node to the first node to trigger the first node to perform channel switching.

[0300] The first fill duration can be different from the second fill duration. For example, the second fill duration can be longer than the first fill duration.

[0301] The second filling duration can be determined based on the second switching delay. For a description of the second switching delay, please refer to the above introduction regarding the first switching delay; it will not be repeated here.

[0302] For example, the second handover delay can be greater than the second padding duration. For instance, the second handover delay can be the sum of the second padding duration, the frame check sequence length, and the frame interval.

[0303] Step 902: The first node sends the eighth frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the eighth frame.

[0304] The eighth frame (e.g., a request frame) may indicate a second padding duration used to trigger the second node, which can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. This fifth control frame is sent by the second node to the first node to trigger the first node to perform a channel switch.

[0305] The eighth frame is illustrated below with several possible examples.

[0306] Example b1': The eighth frame includes the fifth indication information, which is used to indicate the second padding duration.

[0307] If the seventh frame does not include indication information indicating the second fill duration, the eighth frame may include second indication information indicating the second fill duration.

[0308] Example b2': The eighth frame includes the eighth indication information, which is used to instruct the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame using the second padding duration.

[0309] If the seventh frame includes an indication of the second padding duration, the second frame may not include the indication of the second padding duration, but may simply include an indication (such as a third indication) for indicating how to use the second padding duration to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame.

[0310] Understandably, for the details not described in the eighth frame, please refer to the relevant introduction about the second frame in step 502 above. Simply replace the second frame with the eighth frame, replace the switching delay with the filling duration, replace the first indication information with the fourth indication information, and replace the second indication information with the fifth indication information. This will not be elaborated here.

[0311] In one possible implementation, the first node may send the eighth frame if at least one of the following conditions q1 and q2 is met.

[0312] Condition q1: The time since the last eighth frame was sent is greater than or equal to the first threshold.

[0313] Understandably, the last time the eighth frame was sent could refer to the time when the first node last sent a frame instructing the first node to use the second handover delay during the next channel handover, or it could refer to the time when the first node last used the second handover delay to perform a channel handover.

[0314] Optionally, the statement that the time since the last transmission of the eighth frame is greater than or equal to the first threshold can be replaced by describing it as "the time interval since the first node last calibrated the RF parameters of the bandwidth or channel to be switched to is greater than the first threshold".

[0315] Condition q2: The temperature change of the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

[0316] For example, the temperature of the first node could refer to the temperature of the radio frequency (RF) devices within the first node, or it could refer to other RF-related devices within the first node, and so on. For a description of temperature changes, please refer to the relevant introduction to temperature changes in step 502 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0317] Step 903: The second node sends the fifth control frame. Correspondingly, the first node receives the fifth control frame.

[0318] The fifth control frame can refer to the first control frame successfully received by the first node after the eighth frame, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. Alternatively, the first control frame can refer to the first control frame successfully sent by the second node after receiving the eighth frame, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. For example, the fifth control frame can be the initial control frame.

[0319] For example, the fifth control frame may include indication information indicating the channel to be switched to or the bandwidth to be switched to.

[0320] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the fifth control frame, the first node can perform channel switching according to the fifth control frame.

[0321] Optionally, the second node may also send a sixth control frame. The first node can then receive the sixth control frame. The first node can then perform channel switching based on the sixth control frame. The sixth control frame can be any control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field in the sixth control frame is determined by the second node based on the first padding duration. For example, the sixth control frame could be the initial control frame. It is understood that any details not described here can be found in the relevant description of step 503 above; simply replace "the first control frame with the fifth control frame, the second control frame with the sixth control frame, and replace determining the length of the padding field in the control frame using the first switching delay with determining the length of the padding field in the control frame using the first padding duration." This will not be elaborated further here.

[0322] Understandably, when the first node first switches to the desired bandwidth or channel, it needs to utilize the second channel switching delay. In this case, the second node can send a control frame (such as the seventh control frame) to the first node to trigger its initial switch to the desired bandwidth or channel. The length of the padding field in this control frame is determined by the second node based on the second padding duration.

[0323] For example, let's take the seventh control frame as an example, used to trigger the first node's initial switch to the bandwidth or channel to be switched to. The second node can send the seventh control frame. Then, the first node can receive the seventh control frame. The first node can then perform a channel switch based on the seventh control frame. The length of the padding field in the seventh control frame is determined by the second node based on the second padding duration. For example, the seventh control frame can be the initial control frame. It is understood that any details not described here can be found in the relevant description of step 503 above; simply replace "the third control frame with the seventh control frame, the first frame with the seventh frame, the second frame with the eighth frame, and replace determining the length of the padding field in the control frame using the second switching delay with determining the length of the padding field in the control frame using the second padding duration." This will not be elaborated further here.

[0324] As can be seen from steps 901 to 903 above, the first node can provide the second node with one or more padding durations (such as the first padding duration and the second padding duration). If the first node needs to use a longer channel switching delay (such as the second switching delay) in the next channel switching, the first node can send a request frame (such as the second frame) to the second node. The request frame includes an indication to indicate the second padding duration, or the request frame includes an indication to instruct the second node to use the second padding duration to determine the padding field included in the control frame. This allows the second node to accurately use the second padding duration to directly determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching when scheduling the first node. This enables the second node to schedule the first node according to the actual switching delay requirements of the first node, which helps to make the channel switching delay used for channel switching more in line with the actual scenario requirements and is more flexible. Understandably, compared to the communication method shown in Figure 5, where the second node needs to calculate the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame based on the second switching delay, the communication method shown in Figure 9 does not require the second node to calculate this; the second padding duration can be directly used as the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame.

[0325] Furthermore, if the second node does not receive a request frame from the first node, the second node can use the first padding duration (i.e., the padding duration corresponding to a shorter channel handover delay, such as the first handover delay) to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover when scheduling the first node. Understandably, compared to the communication method shown in Figure 5, where the second node needs to calculate the length of the padding field in the sixth control frame based on the first handover delay, the communication method shown in Figure 9 does not require this calculation; the second node can directly use the first padding duration as the length of the padding field in the sixth control frame.

[0326] Understandably, the communication method shown in Figure 9 above can be applied to DSO or DPS scenarios.

[0327] For example, consider a STA as the first node, an AP as the second node, a seventh frame as an association request frame, and a eighth frame as request frame 2. When the communication method shown in Figure 9 is applicable to a DSO or DPS scenario, the STA can send an association request frame to the AP during the association establishment process. The AP then receives the association request frame from the STA. This association request frame may carry a first padding duration, or it may carry both a first padding duration and a second padding duration. If the STA needs to use a second handover delay in the next channel handover, it can send request frame 2 to the AP. Request frame 2 may indicate the second padding duration of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform the next channel handover. After receiving request frame 2, if the AP competes for a transmission opportunity and needs to transmit data with the STA, the AP can determine the length of the padding field in a control frame used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover, based on the second padding duration. The AP can then send this control frame to the STA to schedule the STA to the channel to be switched to (e.g., a secondary channel) for data transmission.

[0328] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the network architecture shown in Figure 4.

[0329] As shown in Figure 10, the method includes:

[0330] Step 1001: The first node sends the third frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the third frame.

[0331] For example, the third frame could be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame. Alternatively, the third frame could also be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first and second nodes to establish the NPCA mechanism, such as an NPCA mechanism initiation frame or an NPCA mechanism notification frame.

[0332] The third frame is illustrated below with several possible examples.

[0333] Example c1: The third frame includes first indication information, which can be used to indicate the first handover delay.

[0334] For a description of the first handover delay, please refer to the above introduction on the first handover delay; it will not be repeated here.

[0335] Example c2: The third frame includes first indication information and second indication information. The first indication information can be used to indicate the first handover delay, and the second indication information can be used to indicate the second handover delay.

[0336] For a description of the second handover delay, please refer to the above introduction on the second handover delay; it will not be repeated here.

[0337] The third frame allows the second node to promptly and accurately obtain the switching delay that the first node may use when switching channels. This enables the second node to clearly know when the first node may complete the channel switching and when to transmit data with the first node on the switched channel.

[0338] Step 1002: The first node sends the fourth frame. Correspondingly, the second node receives the fourth frame.

[0339] The fourth frame will be introduced through several possible examples below.

[0340] Example c1': The fourth frame (which can be understood as a request message or request frame) includes second indication information, which can be used to indicate the second handover delay.

[0341] If the third frame does not include indication information indicating the second handover delay, the fourth frame may include second indication information indicating the second handover delay.

[0342] Example c2': The fourth frame includes third indication information, which can be used by the first node to use the second handover delay when making the next channel handover.

[0343] If the third frame includes indication information indicating the second handover delay, the fourth frame may not include indication information indicating the second handover delay, but may simply include indication information (such as third indication information) for indicating the use of the second handover delay.

[0344] The fourth frame allows the second node to accurately and promptly obtain the handover delay used by the first node for the next channel handover. This enables the second node to accurately wait for the first node to complete the channel handover before transmitting data on the new channel, facilitating channel handover alignment and ensuring effective communication between the two parties. It is understood that any details not fully described in the fourth frame can be found in the description of the second frame in step 502 above; simply replace the second frame with the fourth frame. Further elaboration is omitted here.

[0345] Optionally, the first node may send a fourth frame if at least one of the following conditions is met: the time since the last fourth frame was sent is greater than or equal to a first threshold, or the temperature change of the first node is greater than or equal to a second threshold. For a description of the relevant condition, please refer to the relevant introduction in step 502 above; simply replace the second frame with the fourth frame, and it will not be repeated here.

[0346] In this embodiment of the application, after the first node sends the fourth frame, it can use the second switching delay as the channel switching time for the first channel switching after the fourth frame is sent. In this way, the first node can use the second switching delay to perform the first channel switching after sending the fourth frame.

[0347] Optionally, for any one or more channel switches performed after the transmission of the fourth frame, excluding the first channel switch, the first node may use the first switching delay to perform such one or more channel switches. In other words, the first switching delay can be understood as the channel switching time used by the first node for any one or more channel switches performed after the transmission of the fourth frame, excluding the first channel switch.

[0348] Understandably, the first node can also use the first switching delay to perform one or more channel switching operations before sending the fourth frame.

[0349] For example, consider two adjacent fourth frames (such as request frame 1 and request frame 2). Request frame 1 is sent before request frame 2. The first node can use the second handover delay to perform the first channel handover after sending request frame 1. Thus, except for the first channel handover, the channel handover time used for one or more channel handovers between the first channel handover and request frame 2 is all within the first handover delay.

[0350] Optionally, the second node can also send a frame similar to a third frame to the first node to inform it of the possible handover delay during channel switching. This allows the first node to know when the second node might complete the channel switching and when to transmit data with it on the new channel. Alternatively, the second node can send a frame similar to a fourth frame to inform it of the specific handover delay to use in the next channel switch. This allows the first node to accurately wait for the second node to complete the channel switch before transmitting data on the new channel, facilitating channel switching alignment and ensuring effective communication between the two nodes.

[0351] As can be seen from steps 1001 and 1002 above, the first node can directly use the second switching delay to perform the first channel switch after sending the fourth frame, without the second node needing to send a control frame to trigger the first node to perform the next channel switch. This helps save signaling overhead and allows the first node to autonomously choose to perform the channel switch, thereby improving the first node's initiative in channel switching and making the channel switching more flexible. Furthermore, the first node only sends a request frame (e.g., the fourth frame) to the second node when the next channel switch requires a longer channel switching delay (e.g., the second switching delay). This allows the second node to effectively know the specific time required for the first node's next channel switch, so the second node can clearly know how long it needs to wait before transmitting data with the first node on the switched channel, thus helping to achieve channel switching alignment and ensuring effective communication between the two parties. If the first node uses a shorter channel switching delay (e.g., the first switching delay) for the next channel switch, then the first node does not need to send a request frame (e.g., the fourth frame) to the second node.

[0352] Understandably, the communication method shown in Figure 10 above can be applied to NPCA scenarios. For example, consider a STA as the first node, an AP as the second node, an association request frame as the third frame, and a request frame 3 as the fourth frame. The STA can send an association request frame to the AP during the association establishment process. The AP then receives the association request frame from the STA. This association request frame can carry a first handover delay, or it can carry both a first handover delay and a second handover delay. If the STA needs to use the second handover delay in the next channel handover, it can send request frame 3 to the AP. Request frame 3 can instruct the STA to use the second handover delay in the next channel handover. If the STA needs to perform its first channel handover after sending request frame 3, the STA can directly use the second handover delay for the first channel handover after sending request frame 3, without the AP needing to issue a control frame to trigger the STA to perform the first channel handover after sending request frame 3. Furthermore, if the first node needs to perform another channel switch or yet another channel switch after the first channel switch, the first node can directly use the first switching delay to perform the second channel switch or yet another channel switch after the first channel switch.

[0353] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the network architecture shown in Figure 4.

[0354] As shown in Figure 11, the method includes:

[0355] Step 1101: The first node sends the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold. Correspondingly, the second node receives the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold.

[0356] The first indication information is used to indicate the first handover delay, and the second indication information is used to indicate the second handover delay.

[0357] For example, the first handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than a time threshold. The second handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than a time threshold. For a detailed description of the first and second handover delays, please refer to the above introduction on the first and second handover delays; they will not be repeated here.

[0358] For example, the previous channel handover may include one of the following: a previous channel handover using a first handover delay, or a previous channel handover using a second handover delay. That is, it can be understood that the previous channel handover may refer to the previous channel handover using the first handover delay, or the previous channel handover may refer to the previous channel handover using the second handover delay.

[0359] In one possible implementation, the first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold can be contained in the same frame (e.g., the fifth frame). For example, this same frame could be an association request frame or a reassociation request frame, or it could be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first node and the second node to establish a DSO mechanism, such as a DSO mechanism initiation frame or a DSO mechanism notification frame, or it could be a frame sent during the negotiation between the first node and the second node to establish a DPS mechanism, such as a DPS mechanism initiation frame or a DPS mechanism notification frame.

[0360] In another possible implementation, the first and second indication information can be included in the fifth frame, and the time threshold can be included in the sixth frame. The fifth and sixth frames are not the same; that is, they are two independent frames. For example, the fifth frame might be an association request frame, and the sixth frame might be a DSO mechanism initiation frame or a DPS mechanism initiation frame.

[0361] In another possible implementation, the first indication information can be included in the fifth frame, and the second indication information and the time threshold can be included in the sixth frame.

[0362] Understandably, by sending a time threshold, the first node can help the second node clearly determine under what circumstances the first handover delay is used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel handover, and under what circumstances the second handover delay is used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel handover. This allows the second node to effectively select the corresponding handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame, and the corresponding handover delay can meet the first node's current channel handover delay requirements. Consequently, the control frames sent by the second node can better meet the first node's channel handover needs.

[0363] Step 1102: The second node sends the fourth control frame. Correspondingly, the first node receives the fourth control frame.

[0364] The fourth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. For example, the fourth control frame can be the initial control frame.

[0365] For example, the fourth control frame may include indication information indicating the channel to be switched to or the bandwidth to be switched to.

[0366] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the fourth control frame, the first node can perform channel switching according to the fourth control frame.

[0367] In one possible implementation, the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame may be determined by the second node based on the first switching delay.

[0368] For example, consider the previous channel handover using the second handover delay. If the second node needs to transmit data with the first node, and if the second node competes for a transmission opportunity, then when the second node determines that the time interval between the first node's next channel handover and the previous channel handover using the second handover delay is less than a time threshold, it can determine the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame based on the first handover delay. Afterward, the second node can send the fourth control frame to the first node.

[0369] In another possible implementation, the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame may be determined by the second node based on the second switching delay.

[0370] For example, continuing with the previous channel handover using the second handover delay, if the second node needs to transmit data with the first node, and the second node competes for a transmission opportunity, then when the second node determines that the time interval between the first node's next channel handover and the previous channel handover using the second handover delay is greater than or equal to a time threshold, it can determine the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame based on the second handover delay. Afterwards, the second node can send the fourth control frame to the first node.

[0371] Understandably, in the example above, to utilize the channel or bandwidth more efficiently, after winning a transmission opportunity, the second node can schedule the first node to a channel (e.g., a secondary channel) or bandwidth (e.g., a larger bandwidth) to transmit data with the second node. In this way, the second node can choose an appropriate switching delay (e.g., a first switching delay or a second switching delay) to determine a control frame, which triggers the first node's channel switching.

[0372] As can be seen from steps 1101 and 1102 above, by using the transmission time threshold, the second node can clearly determine under what circumstances the first handover delay is used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover, and under what circumstances the second handover delay is used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover. This allows the second node to effectively select the corresponding handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame, and the corresponding handover delay can meet the first node's current channel handover delay requirements. Consequently, the control frame issued by the second node can better meet the first node's channel handover needs. In addition, this method does not require the first node to send a request frame to the second node to trigger the second node to issue the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel handover (i.e., the control frame corresponding to the second handover delay), thus saving signaling overhead.

[0373] Understandably, the communication method shown in Figure 11 above can be applied to DSO, DPS, or NPCA scenarios.

[0374] When the communication method shown in Figure 11 is applied to an NPCA scenario, the second node does not need to send control frames to the first node. For example, consider a STA as the first node and an AP as the second node. The STA can send a first indication message, a second indication message, and a time threshold to the AP. In the NPCA scenario, the time threshold can be used by the AP to determine the interval at which the STA performs a channel switch using the second handover delay, and it can also be used by the AP to determine the channel switching time required for one or more channel switches by the STA within the interval, which is the first handover delay. Thus, after receiving the first indication message, the second indication message, and the time threshold, the AP can determine the interval at which the STA performs a channel switch using the second handover delay based on the time threshold. For example, consider a time threshold of 1 second. After sending the first indication message, the second indication message, and the time threshold, the STA can perform a channel switch every 1 second using the second handover delay. Furthermore, the channel switching time used by the STA for one or more channel switches within the 1-second interval is the first handover delay.

[0375] When the communication method shown in Figure 11 is applicable to DSO or DPS scenarios, the second node needs to send a control frame to the first node. For example, continuing with the example of the first node being the STA and the second node being the AP, the STA can send a first indication message, a second indication message, and a time threshold to the AP. In the DSO or DPS scenario, the time threshold can be used by the AP to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform a channel handover when the time interval between the STA's next channel handover and the previous channel handover is less than the time threshold, and by using a second handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform a channel handover when the time interval between the STA's next channel handover and the previous channel handover is greater than or equal to the time threshold. In this way, after receiving the first handover delay, the second handover delay, and the time threshold, the AP can determine which handover delay to use based on the time threshold to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform channel handover. This allows the AP to control which handover delay corresponds to which control frame is sent, which helps to enable the AP to actively control the channel handover time of the STA. Of course, the STA does not need to send a request frame to instruct the AP to use the second handover delay to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame.

[0376] Figure 12 is a flowchart illustrating another communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method is applicable to the network architecture shown in Figure 4.

[0377] As shown in Figure 12, the method includes:

[0378] Step 1201: The first node sends the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold. Correspondingly, the second node receives the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold.

[0379] The sixth indication information is used to indicate the first filling duration, and the seventh indication information is used to indicate the second filling duration.

[0380] For example, the first padding duration can be used by the second node to directly determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than a time threshold. The second padding duration can be used by the second node to directly determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than a time threshold. For a detailed description of the first and second padding durations, please refer to the above introduction regarding the first and second padding durations; they will not be repeated here.

[0381] Understandably, for the content not described in detail in step 1201, please refer to the relevant introduction in step 1101 above. Simply replace the first switching delay with the first filling duration and the second switching delay with the second filling duration. It will not be elaborated here.

[0382] Step 1202: The second node sends the eighth control frame. Correspondingly, the first node receives the eighth control frame.

[0383] The eighth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. For example, the eighth control frame can be the initial control frame.

[0384] For example, the eighth control frame may include indication information indicating the channel to be switched to or the bandwidth to be switched to.

[0385] In this embodiment of the application, after receiving the eighth control frame, the first node can perform channel switching according to the eighth control frame.

[0386] In one possible implementation, the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined by the second node based on the first padding duration.

[0387] In another possible implementation, the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined by the second node based on the second padding duration.

[0388] Understandably, for the content not described in detail in step 1202, please refer to the relevant introduction in step 1102 above. Simply replace the fourth control frame with the eighth control frame, replace the first switching delay with the first padding duration, and replace the second switching delay with the second padding duration. It will not be elaborated here.

[0389] As can be seen from steps 1201 to 1202 above, by using the transmission time threshold, the second node can clearly determine under what circumstances the first padding duration should be used to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the first node's channel switching, and under what circumstances the second padding duration should be used. This allows the second node to effectively select the corresponding padding duration to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame, and the corresponding padding duration can meet the first node's current channel switching delay requirements. Consequently, the control frame issued by the second node can better meet the first node's channel switching needs. Furthermore, this method eliminates the need for the first node to send a request frame to the second node to trigger the second node to issue the control frame (i.e., the control frame corresponding to the second padding duration) used to trigger the first node's channel switching, thus saving signaling overhead.

[0390] Understandably, the communication method shown in Figure 12 above can be applied to DSO or DPS scenarios.

[0391] When the communication method shown in Figure 12 is applicable to DSO or DPS scenarios, the second node needs to send a control frame to the first node. For example, continuing with the example of the first node being the STA and the second node being the AP, the STA can send a sixth indication message, a seventh indication message, and a time threshold to the AP. In the DSO or DPS scenario, the time threshold can be used by the AP to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform a channel handover when the time interval between the STA's next channel handover and the previous channel handover is less than the time threshold, and by using a second padding duration to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform a channel handover when the time interval between the STA's next channel handover and the previous channel handover is greater than or equal to the time threshold. In this way, after receiving the sixth indication information, the seventh indication information, and the time threshold, the AP can determine which padding duration to use based on the time threshold to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame used to trigger the STA to perform channel switching. This allows the AP to control which padding duration corresponds to the control frame, which helps to enable the AP to actively control the channel switching time of the STA. Of course, the STA does not need to send a request frame to instruct the AP to use the second padding duration to determine the length of the padding field in the control frame.

[0392] It is understood that, in order to achieve the functions in the above embodiments, the first node and the second node include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, based on the units and method steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed in this application, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application scenario and design constraints of the technical solution.

[0393] Figures 13 and 14 are schematic diagrams illustrating possible communication devices provided in embodiments of this application. These communication devices can be used to implement the functions of the first node or the second node in the above method embodiments, and thus can also achieve the beneficial effects of the above method embodiments. In the embodiments of this application, the communication device can be a first node or a second node, or it can be a module (such as a chip) applied to the first node or the second node.

[0394] The communication device 1300 shown in Figure 13 includes a transceiver unit 1320 (or a communication module, transceiver module, or communication unit for sending and receiving data). Optionally, the communication device 1300 may further include a processing unit 1310 (or a processing module). The communication device 1300 can be used to implement the functions of the first node or the second node in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5, 9, 10, 11, and 12. For example, the transceiver unit 1320 can perform the receiving and sending actions performed by the first node or the second node in the above method embodiments. The processing unit 1310 can perform other actions besides the sending and receiving actions performed by the first node or the second node in the above method embodiments.

[0395] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a first frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send a second frame. In one example, the first frame may include first indication information, which indicates a first handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second frame includes second indication information, which indicates a second handover delay. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. In another example, the first frame includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information indicates a first handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second indication information indicates a second handover delay. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second frame includes third indication information, which indicates that the first node should use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive the first control frame. The first control frame can be the first control frame successfully received after the second frame is sent, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5, or to perform channel switching according to the first control frame, etc.

[0396] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG5 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive a first frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a second frame. In one example, the first frame may include first indication information, which indicates a first handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second frame includes second indication information, which indicates a second handover delay. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. In another example, the first frame includes a first indication information and a second indication information. The first indication information indicates a first handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second indication information indicates a second handover delay. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame. The second frame includes third indication information, which indicates that the first node should use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to transmit the first control frame. The first control frame can be the first control frame successfully sent after the second frame to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the second node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 5, or generating the first control frame, etc.

[0397] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a seventh frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send an eighth frame. In one example, the seventh frame includes fourth indication information, which can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The eighth frame includes fifth indication information, which indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. In another example, the seventh frame includes both fourth and fifth indication information. The fourth indication information can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The fifth indication information indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The eighth frame includes eighth indication information, which indicates that the second padding duration is used to determine the padding field included in the control frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive the fifth control frame. The fifth control frame can be the first control frame successfully received by the first node after the eighth frame, used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined according to the second padding duration. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9, or to perform channel switching according to the fifth control frame, etc.

[0398] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG9 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive the seventh frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive the eighth frame. In one example, the seventh frame includes fourth indication information, which can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The eighth frame includes fifth indication information, which indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. In another example, the seventh frame includes both fourth and fifth indication information. The fourth indication information can be used to indicate a first padding duration. The first padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The fifth indication information indicates a second padding duration. The second padding duration is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame. The eighth frame includes eighth indication information, which indicates that the second padding duration is used to determine the padding field included in the control frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send the fifth control frame. The fifth control frame can be the first control frame successfully sent by the first node after the eighth frame to trigger channel switching by the first node. The length of the padding field included in the fifth control frame is determined according to the second padding duration. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the second node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 9, or generating the fifth control frame, etc.

[0399] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG10: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a third frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send a fourth frame. In one example, the third frame includes first indication information, which indicates a first handover delay, and the fourth frame includes second indication information, which indicates a second handover delay. In another example, the third frame includes first and second indication information, where the first indication information indicates the first handover delay and the second indication information indicates the second handover delay, and the fourth frame includes third indication information, which indicates that the first node should use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover. The channel handover time used by the first node for the first channel handover after the fourth frame is sent is the second handover delay. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG10, or performing channel handover, etc.

[0400] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG10: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive a third frame. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a fourth frame. In one example, the third frame includes first indication information, which indicates a first handover delay, and the fourth frame includes second indication information, which indicates a second handover delay. In another example, the third frame includes first and second indication information, where the first indication information indicates the first handover delay and the second indication information indicates the second handover delay, and the fourth frame includes third indication information, which indicates that the first node should use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG10, etc.

[0401] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG11 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send first indication information, second indication information, and a time threshold. The first indication information indicates a first handover delay, and the second indication information indicates a second handover delay. The first handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than the time threshold. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive a fourth control frame. The fourth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame can be determined based on the first handover delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame can also be determined based on the second handover delay. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 11, or to perform channel switching according to the fourth control frame, etc.

[0402] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG11 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive first indication information, second indication information, and a time threshold. The first indication information indicates a first handover delay, and the second indication information indicates a second handover delay. The first handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second handover delay can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than the time threshold. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send a fourth control frame. The fourth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform a channel handover. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame can be determined based on the first handover delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame can also be determined based on the second handover delay. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the second node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 11, or to generate a fourth control frame, etc.

[0403] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the first node in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to send a sixth indication information, a seventh indication information, and a time threshold. The sixth indication information indicates a first padding duration, and the seventh indication information indicates a second padding duration. The first padding duration can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second padding duration can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to receive an eighth control frame. The eighth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined based on the first padding duration, or the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined based on the second padding duration. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12, or to perform channel switching according to the eighth control frame, etc.

[0404] When the communication device 1300 is used to implement the function of the second node in the method embodiment shown in FIG12 above: the transceiver unit 1320 is used to receive a sixth indication information, a seventh indication information, and a time threshold. The sixth indication information indicates a first padding duration, and the seventh indication information indicates a second padding duration. The first padding duration can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second padding duration can be used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel switch and the previous channel switch of the first node is greater than the time threshold. The transceiver unit 1320 is also used to send an eighth control frame. The eighth control frame can be used to trigger the first node to perform a channel switch. The length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined based on the first padding duration, or the length of the padding field included in the eighth control frame can be determined based on the second padding duration. The processing unit 1310 is used to perform corresponding processing operations, such as calling the transceiver unit 1320 to execute the transceiver actions required by the first node in the method embodiment shown in Figure 12 above, or to generate the eighth control frame, etc.

[0405] For a more detailed description of the processing unit 1310 and the transceiver unit 1320, please refer to the relevant descriptions in the method embodiments shown in Figures 5, 9, 10, 11 and 12 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0406] It should be understood that the transceiver unit 1320 in the embodiments of this application can be implemented by a transceiver or transceiver-related circuit components, and the processing unit 1310 can be implemented by a processor or processor-related circuit components.

[0407] It should be noted that the module division in the embodiments of this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, exist as separate physical entities, or have two or more units integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional units.

[0408] If the integrated unit is implemented as a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a 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 all or part 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, or a server, etc.) or processor to execute all or part of the steps of the methods of the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as a USB flash drive, a portable hard drive, a read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk.

[0409] The communication device 1400 shown in Figure 14 includes a processor 1410. Optionally, the communication device 1400 may also include at least one of a memory 1420, a transceiver 1430, and an antenna 1440.

[0410] Transceiver 1430 may be a transceiver unit, transceiver, or transceiver circuit, etc., used to implement transceiver functions. Transceiver 1430 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be a receiver or receiving circuit, etc., used to implement the receiving function; the transmitter may be a transmitter or transmitting circuit, etc., used to implement the transmitting function.

[0411] The memory 1420 may store a computer program, software code, or instructions 1450, which may also be referred to as firmware. The processor 1410 can control the communication device 1400 by running the computer program, software code, or instructions 1460 of the processor 1410, or by calling the computer program, software code, or instructions 1450 stored in the memory 1420, to implement the embodiments described above. The processor 1410 may be a central processing unit (CPU), and the memory 1420 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or a random access memory (RAM).

[0412] The processor 1410 and transceiver 1430 described in this application can be disposed on an integrated circuit (IC), analog IC, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), mixed signal IC, application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), printed circuit board (PCB), or electronic device.

[0413] The modules included in the communication device 1400 are merely illustrative examples, and this application does not impose any limitations on them.

[0414] When the communication device 1400 is used to implement the above method embodiment, the processor 1410 can implement the function of the processing unit 1310, and the transceiver 1430 can implement the function of the transceiver unit 1320.

[0415] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a possible communication system. This communication system may include a first node and a second node. The first node can be used to implement the technical solutions related to the first node in the above embodiments, and the second node can be used to implement the technical solutions related to the second node in the above embodiments.

[0416] Based on the same concept, this application also provides a computer program product, which includes a computer program or instructions that, when run on a communication device (or computer), cause the communication device (or computer) to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0417] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device (or computer), cause the communication device (or computer) to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments.

[0418] The storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access. For example, but not limited to, a computer-readable medium can include RAM, ROM, EEPROM, CD-ROM or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer.

[0419] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a chip, which may include a processor and a memory (or the chip may be coupled to the memory). The processor executes program instructions in the memory to cause the chip to perform the methods provided in the above embodiments. Here, "coupling" means that two components are directly or indirectly connected to each other, such as coupling can refer to an electrical connection between two components.

[0420] Based on the same concept, embodiments of this application also provide a chip system, which includes a processor for supporting a computer device in implementing the functions involved in the first or second node in the above embodiments. In one possible implementation, the chip system further includes a memory for storing necessary programs and data of the computer device. This chip system may be composed of chips or may include chips and other discrete devices.

[0421] It is understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, transistor logic devices, hardware components, or any combination thereof. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0422] The method steps in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, erasable programmable read-only memory, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, registers, hard disks, portable hard disks, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Alternatively, the ASIC can reside in a communication device. Of course, the processor and storage medium can also exist as discrete components in the communication device.

[0423] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer programs or instructions. A computer program is a set of instructions that directs each step of an action of an electronic computer or other device with message processing capabilities. It is typically written in a programming language and runs on a target architecture. When the computer program or instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are performed, in whole or in part. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer program or instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program or instructions can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium, such as a floppy disk, hard disk, or magnetic tape; it can also be an optical medium, such as a digital video optical disc; or it can be a semiconductor medium, such as a solid-state drive. The computer-readable storage medium can be volatile or non-volatile, or it can include both types of storage media.

[0424] In the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0425] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A alone, A and B simultaneously, or B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects; in the formulas of this application, the character " / " indicates a "division" relationship between the preceding and following related objects.

[0426] It is understood that the various numerical designations used in the embodiments of this application are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The order of the process numbers described above does not imply the order of execution; the execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first node, the method includes: Send a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, the first handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; Send a second frame, the second frame including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay, the second handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; The first control frame is received. The first control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the second frame is sent, which is used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

2. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first node, the method includes: A first frame is sent, the first frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, the first handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay, the second handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; Send a second frame, the second frame including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover; The first control frame is received. The first control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the second frame is sent, which is used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

3. The method as described in claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The method further includes: A second control frame is received. The second control frame is a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the second control frame is determined according to the first switching delay.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive a third control frame, wherein the third control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the first frame is sent to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the Basic Service Set (BSS) channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully received after the channel bandwidth changes or the channel position changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field in the third control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The second frame is sent if at least one of the following conditions is met: The time since the last transmission of the second frame is greater than or equal to the first threshold; or, The temperature change of the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The second instruction information includes at least one of the following: The value of the second switching delay; or, The identifier of the second switching delay.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The second frame is one of the following: block confirmation frame, initial control frame, data frame, or empty data frame.

8. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second node, the method includes: Receive a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, the first handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; Receive a second frame, the second frame including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay, the second handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; Send the first control frame, which is the first control frame successfully sent after the second frame is received to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

9. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second node, the method includes: A first frame is received, the first frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, the first handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay, the second handover delay being used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the first control frame; Receive a second frame, the second frame including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover; Send the first control frame, which is the first control frame successfully sent after the second frame is received to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the first control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

10. The method as described in claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a second control frame, which is a control frame other than the first control frame used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the second control frame is determined according to the first switching delay.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a third control frame, which is the first control frame successfully sent after the first frame is received to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully received after BSS channel switching to trigger the first node to perform channel switching, or the third control frame is the first control frame successfully sent after channel bandwidth changes or channel position changes to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field in the third control frame is determined based on the second switching delay.

12. The method according to any one of claims 8-11, characterized in that, The second instruction information includes at least one of the following: The value of the second switching delay; or, The identifier of the second switching delay.

13. The method according to any one of claims 8-12, characterized in that, The second frame is one of the following: block confirmation frame, initial control frame, data frame, or empty data frame.

14. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first node, the method includes: Send a third frame, the third frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay; Send a fourth frame, the fourth frame including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay; The channel switching time used by the first node to perform the first channel switching after the fourth frame is sent is the second switching delay.

15. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first node, the method includes: Send a third frame, the third frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, and the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay; Send a fourth frame, the fourth frame including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover; The channel switching time used by the first node to perform the first channel switching after the fourth frame is sent is the second switching delay.

16. The method as described in claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The channel switching time used by the first node for channel switching after the fourth frame is excluding the first channel switching, is the first switching delay.

17. The method according to any one of claims 14-16, characterized in that, The fourth frame is sent if at least one of the following conditions is met: The time since the last fourth frame was sent is greater than or equal to the first threshold; or, The temperature change of the first node is greater than or equal to the second threshold.

18. The method according to any one of claims 14-17, characterized in that, The second instruction information includes at least one of the following: The value of the second switching delay; or, The identifier of the second switching delay.

19. The method according to any one of claims 14-18, characterized in that, The fourth frame is one of the following: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second node, the method includes: Receive a third frame, the third frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay; A fourth frame is received, the fourth frame including second indication information, the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second node, the method includes: A third frame is received, the third frame including first indication information and second indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate a first handover delay, and the second indication information being used to indicate a second handover delay; A fourth frame is received, the fourth frame including third indication information, the third indication information being used to instruct the first node to use the second handover delay when performing the next channel handover.

22. The method as described in claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The second instruction information includes at least one of the following: The value of the second switching delay; or, The identifier of the second switching delay.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The fourth frame is one of the following: a block confirmation frame, an initial control frame, a data frame, or an empty data frame.

24. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the first node, the method includes: Send a first indication message, a second indication message, and a time threshold. The first indication message indicates a first handover delay, and the second indication message indicates a second handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than the time threshold. A fourth control frame is received, which is used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined according to the first switching delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

25. The method as described in claim 24, characterized in that, The last channel switch included: The previous channel handover was performed using the second handover delay.

26. The method as described in claim 24 or 25, characterized in that, The first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or, The first indication information and the second indication information are included in the fifth frame, and the time threshold is included in the sixth frame; the fifth frame and the sixth frame are not the same; or, The first indication information is included in the fifth frame, and the second indication information and the time threshold are included in the sixth frame.

27. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to the second node, the method includes: The system receives first indication information, second indication information, and a time threshold. The first indication information indicates a first handover delay, and the second indication information indicates a second handover delay. The first handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is less than the time threshold. The second handover delay is used by the second node to determine the length of the padding field included in the control frame when the time interval between the next channel handover and the previous channel handover of the first node is greater than the time threshold. A fourth control frame is sent, which is used to trigger the first node to perform channel switching. The length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined according to the first switching delay, or the length of the padding field included in the fourth control frame is determined according to the second switching delay.

28. The method as described in claim 27, characterized in that, The last channel switch included: The previous channel handover was performed using the second handover delay.

29. The method as described in claim 27 or 28, characterized in that, The first indication information, the second indication information, and the time threshold are contained in the same frame; or, The first indication information and the second indication information are included in the fifth frame, and the time threshold is included in the sixth frame; the fifth frame and the sixth frame are not the same; or, The first indication information is included in the fifth frame, and the second indication information and the time threshold are included in the sixth frame.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, It includes modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 8-13, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 14-19, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 20-23, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 24-26, or modules or units for performing the method as described in any one of claims 27-29.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes processor and interface circuitry; The interface circuit is used to receive signals from other communication devices and transmit them to the processor, or to send signals from the processor to other communication devices. The processor is configured to implement, via logic circuitry or by executing code instructions, the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14-19, or the method as described in any one of claims 20-23, or the method as described in any one of claims 24-26, or the method as described in any one of claims 27-29.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed by a communication device, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-7, or the method as described in any one of claims 8-13, or the method as described in any one of claims 14-19, or the method as described in any one of claims 20-23, or the method as described in any one of claims 24-26, or the method as described in any one of claims 27-29 to be implemented.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the method of any one of claims 1-7, or the method of any one of claims 8-13, or the method of any one of claims 14-19, or the method of any one of claims 20-23, or the method of any one of claims 24-26, or the method of any one of claims 27-29 to be implemented.

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