Communication method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and provides a communication method and apparatus. In the method, when an AP and a non-AP STA are triggered to switch from a primary channel to an NPCA primary channel, on the basis of first time information at which the non-AP STA performs an NPCA operation, the AP updates second time information at which the AP performs the NPCA operation. In this way, even if the non-AP STA and the AP are triggered by TXOPs of different OBSSs to perform NPCA, on the basis of a time at which the non-AP STA performs the NPCA operation, the AP can still control a time at which the AP performs the NPCA operation, thereby avoiding a situation in which the AP and the non-AP STA cannot communicate on different channels, reducing the probability of transmission failure, and improving the channel utilization efficiency.

Description

A communication method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411793632.8, filed on December 6, 2024, entitled "A Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and apparatus. Background Technology

[0003] When an access point (AP) communicates with a non-access point station (non-AP STA, or simply STA), if the primary channel is busy, the AP and STA can switch to a sub-channel of a non-primary channel to attempt access, which is called non-primary channel access (NPCA).

[0004] After a device (AP or STA) triggers an NPCA, the duration it remains on the NPCA main channel depends on the duration of the transmission opportunity (TXOP) across overlapping basic service sets (OBSSs) for the triggering device. However, the TXOPs of the OBSSs that the AP and STA can discover on the main channel may differ. For example, STA1 can discover the TXOP of OBSS1, STA2 can discover the TXOP of OBSS2, while the AP can discover TXOP2 of both OBSS1 and OBSS2.

[0005] If the STA and AP are triggered by TXOP of different OBSS, the NPCA end time of AP and STA may be different. If AP or STA switches back to the main channel first, STA and AP will not be able to communicate on the NPCA main channel, which will lead to transmission failure and reduce channel utilization efficiency. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can avoid situations where AP and STA cannot communicate on different channels, reduce the probability of transmission failure, and improve channel utilization efficiency.

[0007] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: an AP receiving a first frame from a non-access point station (non-AP STA), the first frame including first information indicating first time information of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation when triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; and the AP updating second time information of the AP performing NPCA operation based on the first time information.

[0008] Based on the method in the first aspect, when the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel, the AP updates the second time information of the NPCA operation based on the first time information of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. In this way, even if the non-AP STA and the AP are triggered to perform NPCA by TXOP of different OBSSs, the AP can control the time of its own NPCA operation based on the time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation, avoiding the situation where the AP and non-AP STA cannot communicate on different channels, reducing the probability of transmission failure and improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0009] For example, if the AP delays its NPCA operation based on the first-time information of the non-AP STA, it can avoid the problem of the AP finding that the main channel is still occupied when switching back to the main channel. The AP can continue to use the NPCA main channel for transmission, improving channel utilization efficiency. If the AP advances its NPCA operation based on the first-time information of the non-AP STA, it can avoid being in a blind state regarding the main channel when switching back to the main channel, thus avoiding affecting the transmissions that are currently taking place on the main channel.

[0010] Optionally, the first time information includes the end time of the non-AP STA performing the NPCA operation. The second time information includes the end time of the AP performing the NPCA operation.

[0011] The end time for a non-AP STA to perform an NPCA operation can be the end time of the NPCA operation set when the non-AP STA is triggered to perform the NPCA operation. Similarly, the end time for an AP to perform an NPCA operation can be the end time of the NPCA operation set when the AP is triggered to perform the NPCA operation.

[0012] The first information can directly indicate the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, such as the first information carrying the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first time information can indirectly indicate the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, such as the first information carrying the start time and duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, in which case the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA can be the start time plus the duration. For example, if the first information carries the duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, then the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA can be the end time of the PPDU carrying the duration information plus the duration.

[0013] In this way, by controlling the end time of its own NPCA operation based on the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation, the probability of transmission failure can be reduced and the channel utilization efficiency can be improved.

[0014] In this scenario, a non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by the first TXOP of the first OBSS. The end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA is determined based on the end time of the first TXOP. In other words, the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA can be set according to the first TXOP of the OBSS that triggered the non-AP STA to perform the NPCA operation.

[0015] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes identification information of the first OBSS; the AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operation based on the first time information, which may include: if the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operation based on the first time information.

[0016] The first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, meaning the AP can be interfered with by the first OBSS, or in other words, the AP will be affected by the first OBSS. Specifically, this manifests in at least one of the following: the AP can detect the Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) sent by the first OBSS; the AP can identify the first OBSS's identification information and decode the first OBSS's PPDU; the AP can detect the first OBSS's TXOP; the first OBSS can trigger the AP to perform an NPCA operation; or the AP can have its NAV set by the PPDU sent by the first OBSS. In other words, the AP is within the influence range of this OBSS.

[0017] Thus, if the AP is interfered with / affected by the first OBSS, the second time information is updated based on the first time information. Conversely, if the AP is not interfered with / affected by the first OBSS, the AP does not update the second time information, thereby avoiding unnecessary updates and wasting resources.

[0018] Optionally, the identification information of the first OBSS includes information about the basic service set color (BSS color) of the first OBSS.

[0019] Of course, the identification information of the first OBSS may also include the basic service set identifier (BSSID) of the first OBSS, the AP ID of the first OBSS set in multi-AP coordination, etc., without limitation.

[0020] Optionally, the AP is triggered by the second OBSS to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; if the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation according to the first time information, which may include: if the first OBSS and the second OBSS are different, and the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation according to the first time information.

[0021] When the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel by different OBSSs, and the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information based on the first time information. If the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel by the same OBSS, the AP and non-AP STA will not have different perspectives. The time information for the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation and the AP performing NPCA operation (as mentioned above, the first time information and the second time information) will be the same, and the AP does not need to update the second time information for the AP performing NPCA operation. In this way, unnecessary updates can be avoided, that is, resources can be avoided.

[0022] In one possible implementation, the AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operations based on the first time information, which may include: if the second time indicated by the second time information is different from the first time indicated by the first time information, the AP updates the second time information based on the first time information.

[0023] The difference between the second time and the first time can include the first time being earlier or later than the second time. If the first time is earlier than the second time, the AP extends the second time to the first time; if the first time is later than the second time, the AP shortens the second time to the first time.

[0024] Optionally, the communication method may further include: if the second time is the same as the first time, the AP does not update the second time information. This avoids unnecessary updates.

[0025] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes second information indicating the bandwidth of the first TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; the communication method may further include: if the bandwidth of the first TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the second TXOP, the AP updates the available bandwidth for NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP; wherein the second TXOP is the TXOP that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0026] The available bandwidth for the AP to perform NPCA operation can be the maximum bandwidth available to the AP during NPCA. The bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP can be less than or equal to the difference between the AP's operating bandwidth and the bandwidth of the first TXOP. In other words, the bandwidth occupied by the first TXOP on the main channel is not overlapping with the bandwidth available for the AP to perform NPCA operation. This avoids the AP affecting the first TXOP and also prevents the AP's transmission on the NPCA main channel from being affected by the first TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0027] In one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: the AP sending a second frame to the non-AP STA, the second frame including third information, the third information indicating that the time for the AP to perform NPCA operation is the first time indicated by the first time information.

[0028] After updating the second time information based on the first time information, the AP replies with a second frame to the non-AP STA, indicating that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is the first time, so that the non-AP STA can determine that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is the same as the end time of the AP's NPCA operation.

[0029] Optionally, the communication method may also include: the AP sending third information via group addressed (or multicast).

[0030] The AP sends third information via multicast, enabling multiple or all non-AP STAs associated with the AP to receive the third information. For example, the AP can send a second frame via multicast, with the second frame carrying the third information.

[0031] In this way, non-AP STAs associated with AP can update their own NPCA operation time according to the time when AP performs NPCA operations, thus avoiding communication failure with AP.

[0032] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes any of the following: an initial control frame (ICF), an initial control response frame (ICR), a control response frame (CRF), a quality of service data (QoSData) frame, or a QoS null frame.

[0033] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICF, the ICF is any of the following: a multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, a buffer status report poll (BSRP) frame, a multi-user block ack request (MU-BAR) frame, or a trigger frame of the first type. The ICF includes a Special User Info field, and the first information is located in the Special User Info field.

[0034] The first type could be a trigger frame type that will be added in a future protocol.

[0035] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICR or CRF, the ICR or CRF is a Multi-STA BlockAck (Multi-STA BA) frame or a second type of response frame. The ICR or CRF includes a per association identifier traffic identifier info (Per AID TID Info) field, with the first information located in the Per AID TID Info field.

[0036] The second type could be a response frame type added in a future protocol.

[0037] Optionally, when the first frame is a QoSData frame or a QoS Null frame, the first frame includes an aggregated control (A-Control) field.

[0038] The A-Control field is used to indicate information related to the aforementioned NPCA, such as first information, second information, and OBSS identification information.

[0039] It is understandable that during NPCA, both the AP and non-AP STA can indicate NPCA-related information, such as first information, second information, and OBSS identification information, in ICF and ICR, as well as in QoS Data and QoS Null frames. This allows both the AP and non-AP STA to indicate the above information in both control and data frames, enabling the counterpart station to update NPCA-related parameters more promptly.

[0040] Secondly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a non-AP STA sending a first frame to an AP, the first frame including first information, the first information indicating the first time information of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation when triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; and the non-AP STA receiving a second frame from the AP, the second frame including third information, the third information indicating that the time of the AP performing NPCA operation is the first time indicated by the first time information.

[0041] Optionally, the first time is the end time for NPCA operations performed on non-AP STAs.

[0042] Optionally, a non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by the first TXOP of the first OBSS, and the end time of the non-AP STA performing the NPCA operation is determined according to the end time of the first TXOP of the non-AP STA.

[0043] Optionally, the first frame includes identification information of the first OBSS, which includes information about the BSS color of the first OBSS.

[0044] Optionally, the first frame includes second information indicating the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0045] In one possible implementation, before the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the communication method may further include: the non-AP STA receiving a third frame from the AP, the third frame including fourth information, the fourth information being second time information indicating that the AP is performing NPCA operation, the second time indicated by the second time information being different from the first time.

[0046] Optionally, the third frame includes fifth information, which indicates the bandwidth of the second TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; the method further includes: if the bandwidth of the second TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the first TXOP, the non-AP STA updates the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP; the first TXOP is the TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0047] The available bandwidth for a non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations can be the maximum bandwidth available to the non-AP STA during NPCA. The bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP can be less than or equal to the difference between the operating bandwidth of the non-AP STA and the bandwidth of the second TXOP, and the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations does not overlap with the bandwidth of the second TXOP. This avoids the non-AP STA affecting the second TXOP and also prevents the non-AP STA's transmission on the NPCA main channel from being affected by the second TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0048] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes any of the following: an initial control frame (ICF), an initial control response frame (ICR), a control response frame (CRF), a quality of service data (QoSData) frame, or a quality of service null (QoS Null) frame.

[0049] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICF, the ICF is any of the following: a Multi-User Request to Send a MU-RTS frame, a Buffer Status Report Polling BSRP frame, a Multi-User Block Acknowledgment Request MU-BAR frame, or a trigger frame of the first type. The ICF includes a Special User Info field, and the first information is located in the Special User Info field.

[0050] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICR or CRF, the ICR or CRF is a Multi-STA BlockAck frame or a second type of response frame. The ICR or CRF includes a Per AID TID Info field for per associated identifier traffic identifier information, with the first information located in the Per AID TID information field.

[0051] Optionally, when the first frame is a QoSData frame or a QoS Null frame, the first frame includes the A-Control field.

[0052] It is understood that the technical effects of the method in the second aspect mentioned above can also be referred to the relevant introduction in the first aspect mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0053] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, comprising: an AP receiving a first frame from a non-AP STA, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information indicating the bandwidth of a first TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. If the bandwidth of the first TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of a second TXOP, the AP updates the available bandwidth for NPCA operation based on the bandwidth of the first TXOP. Wherein, the second TXOP is the TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0054] Based on the third method, it is known that the AP updates its available bandwidth for NPCA operation according to the bandwidth of the first TXOP that triggers the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation, ensuring that the available bandwidth for NPCA operation does not overlap with the bandwidth of the first TXOP. This avoids the AP affecting the first TXOP and also prevents the AP's transmission on the NPCA main channel from being affected by the first TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0055] Optionally, the AP updates the available bandwidth for NPCA operation based on the bandwidth of the first TXOP, which may include: the AP updating the available bandwidth for NPCA operation to a bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0056] The available bandwidth for AP to perform NPCA operation is less than or equal to the bandwidth excluding the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0057] It is understood that the technical effects of the method in the third aspect mentioned above can also refer to the relevant introductions of any of the first or second aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0058] Fourthly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a non-AP STA receiving a second frame from an AP, the second frame including second indication information, the second indication information indicating the bandwidth of a second TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. If the bandwidth of the second TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the first TXOP, the non-AP STA updates its available bandwidth for NPCA operation based on the bandwidth of the second TXOP. Wherein, the first TXOP is the TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0059] Based on the method in the fourth aspect, the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation is updated according to the bandwidth of the second TXOP that triggers the AP to perform NPCA operation, ensuring that the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation does not overlap with the bandwidth of the second TXOP. This avoids the non-AP STA affecting the second TXOP and also prevents the non-AP STA's transmission on the NPCA main channel from being affected by the second TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0060] Optionally, updating the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations based on the bandwidth of the second TXOP may include: the non-AP STA updating the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations to a bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP.

[0061] Among them, the available bandwidth for non-AP STAs to perform NPCA operations is less than or equal to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP.

[0062] It is understood that the technical effects of the method in the fourth aspect mentioned above can also refer to the relevant introductions of any of the first to third aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0063] Fifthly, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first station receiving a first frame from a second station, the first frame including first information indicating a first network allocation vector (NAV) value set by the second station during a Non-Main Channel Access (NPCA) operation; and the first station updating the time of the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value.

[0064] Based on the method in the fifth aspect, it is known that the second station does not need to additionally indicate the end time of the NPCA operation. Instead, it utilizes the NAV information that will definitely be included during frame interaction. The first station can update the time of the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value set by the second station, which can solve the problem of reduced channel utilization efficiency caused by different perspectives in NPCA.

[0065] In one possible implementation, the first frame is an Initial Control Frame (ICF), and the communication method may further include: the first station determining that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the time when the first station performs the NPCA operation.

[0066] Because the second station ensures that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than or equal to the end time of the second station's NPCA operation when setting the first NAV value, if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation, the first station cannot determine whether the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation.

[0067] Only if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station can the first station determine that the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the second station is later than the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station. Therefore, the first station updates the time of its NPCA operation based on the first NAV value, for example, by extending the end time of the NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0068] In this way, unnecessary updates can be avoided when the first station cannot determine whether the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation. Furthermore, at this time, the first station updates its NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value, effectively extending the NPCA operation time. This avoids the problem of the first station finding the main channel still occupied when switching back, allowing the first station to continue using the NPCA main channel for transmission and improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0069] In another possible implementation, the first frame is an Initial Control Response (ICR) frame. Before the first station receives the first frame from the second station, the method further includes: the first station sending an Initial Control Response (ICF) to the second station, the ICF including second information indicating a second NAV value set by the first station during the NPCA operation. The first station updating the NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value may include: if the first station determines that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than the end time corresponding to the second NAV value, the first station updates the NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value.

[0070] After the first station sends an ICF (Initial Frame Message) to the second station indicating the second NAV value, the second station, upon determining that the end time corresponding to the second NAV value is later than the end time of its NPCA (Non-Penalty-Adjustable Action) operation, sends an ICR (Initial Frame Message) to the first station, carrying the first NAV value. In other words, if the first station receives an ICR from the second station, and the end time corresponding to the first NAV value indicated in the ICR is earlier than the end time corresponding to the second NAV value, it means that the second station has already compared the end time corresponding to the second NAV value with the end time of its NPCA operation. At this point, the first station can determine that the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of its own NPCA operation. The first station can then update the NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value, such as shortening the end time of the NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0071] In this way, the end time of the NPCA operation can be updated even when the first station knows that the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation. Furthermore, by adjusting its own NPCA operation end time according to the first NAV value set by the second station, the first station avoids being in a blind state regarding the main channel when switching back, thus preventing any impact on ongoing transmissions on the main channel.

[0072] Optionally, the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation is the end time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation.

[0073] In one possible implementation, the first frame also includes identification information of the first OBSS that triggers the second station to perform NPCA operation; the first station updates the time of the first station performing NPCA operation according to the first NAV value, which may include: if the first station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the first station updates the time of the first station performing NPCA operation according to the first NAV value.

[0074] Optionally, the identification information of the first OBSS includes information about the BSS color of the first OBSS.

[0075] It is understood that the technical effects of the method in the fifth aspect mentioned above can also refer to the relevant introductions of any of the first to fourth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0076] Sixthly, a communication method is provided, the method comprising: a second station sending a first frame to a first station, the first frame including first information indicating a first NAV value set by the second station during an NPCA operation; and the second station receiving a second frame from the first station, the second frame including third information indicating that the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation is the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0077] In one possible implementation, the first frame is an ICR; before the second station sends the first frame to the first station, the method further includes: the second station receiving an ICF from the first station, the ICF including second information indicating a second NAV value set by the first station on the NPCA main channel. The second station sending the first frame to the first station may include: if the end time corresponding to the second NAV value is later than the end time of the second station's NPCA operation, the second station sends the first frame to the first station.

[0078] It is understood that the technical effects of the method in the sixth aspect mentioned above can also refer to the relevant introductions of any of the first to fifth aspects mentioned above, and will not be repeated here.

[0079] A seventh aspect provides a communication device. The communication device includes a processor configured to perform the method of any one of the embodiments of the first to sixth aspects.

[0080] In one possible implementation, the communication device of the seventh aspect may further include a transceiver. This transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used by the communication device of the seventh aspect to communicate with other communication devices.

[0081] In one possible implementation, the communication device of the seventh aspect may further include a memory. This memory may be integrated with the processor or disposed separately. The memory may be used to store computer programs and / or data relating to the methods of any of the embodiments of the first to sixth aspects.

[0082] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the seventh aspect can be referred to the technical effects of any of the embodiments in the first to sixth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0083] Eighthly, a communication device is provided. The communication device includes a processor coupled to a memory, the processor being configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, such that the communication device performs the method of any one of the embodiments of the first to sixth aspects.

[0084] In one possible implementation, the communication device may further include a transceiver. The transceiver may be a transceiver circuit or an interface circuit. The transceiver can be used for communication between the communication device and other communication devices.

[0085] In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes the memory for storing the aforementioned computer program or instructions. Optionally, the memory and processor are integrated together.

[0086] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device described in the eighth aspect can be referred to the technical effects of any of the embodiments in the first to sixth aspects, and will not be repeated here.

[0087] Ninthly, a communication system is provided. The communication system includes an access point (AP) and a non-AP STA. The AP is used to perform the communication methods described in the first and third aspects above, and the non-AP STA is used to perform the communication methods described in the second and fourth aspects above.

[0088] A tenth aspect provides a communication system. The communication system includes a first station and a second station. The first station is used to execute the communication method described in the fifth aspect, and the second station is used to execute the communication method described in the sixth aspect.

[0089] Eleventh aspect: A computer-readable storage medium is provided, comprising: a computer program or instructions; when the computer program or instructions are executed, causing the method as described in any of the first to sixth aspects above to be implemented.

[0090] In a twelfth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions that, when executed, cause the method as described in any of the embodiments of the first to sixth aspects above to be implemented. Attached Figure Description

[0091] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of NPCA;

[0092] Figure 2 shows the AP and non-AP STA diagrams for different perspective problems in NPCA;

[0093] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of OBSS's TXOP;

[0094] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of this application is applicable;

[0095] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of this application is applicable;

[0096] Figure 6 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0097] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the operating bandwidth of AP and non-AP STA provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0098] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the general format of the trigger frame provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0099] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the Multi-STA BA provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0100] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the A-Control field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0101] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the AP update NPCA end time provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0102] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0103] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0104] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the AP update NPCA end time provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0105] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the AP update NPCA end time provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0106] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0107] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in the embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0108] For ease of understanding, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0109] 1. Non-primary channel access (NPCA):

[0110] The AP can operate in frequency bands such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. The AP occupies a specific channel on a particular frequency band, such as an 80MHz channel in the 5GHz band, and communicates with non-AP STAs on these channels. It should be noted that in this embodiment, the non-AP STA is abbreviated as STA.

[0111] Currently, access points (APs) can occupy increasingly larger channel bandwidths, with some reaching up to 320MHz. These high-bandwidth channels are logically divided into 20MHz sub-channels; for example, an 80MHz channel can be divided into four 20MHz sub-channels. A basic service set (BSS) has 20MHz sub-channels that are either primary or non-primary. The selection of the primary channel is determined by the BSS configuration. Non-primary channels within the AP's operating bandwidth are also referred to as secondary channels.

[0112] In this application, unless otherwise specified, the main channel refers to the main 20MHz sub-channel, and the non-main channel refers to any 20MHz sub-channel other than the main 20MHz sub-channel (in addition to the main 20MHz sub-channel, there are also main 40MHz channels, main 80MHz channels, etc., which all include the main 20MHz sub-channel; in contrast, secondary 40MHz channels, secondary 80MHz channels, etc. indicate the part that does not include the main 20MHz sub-channel).

[0113] To avoid collisions during communication between the AP and STA, energy detection (ED) is performed on all sub-channels and preamble detection (PD) on the main channel. ED detects the strength of the wireless signal on the sub-channel; if a strong signal is detected, the sub-channel is considered busy, making this process relatively simple to implement. PD detects the presence of Physical Layer Protocol Data Units (PPDUs) on the main channel and decodes the detected PPDUs to extract relevant information. The information extracted from the PPDU may include a duration field, indicating how much time is needed after the PPDU to complete frame interaction. The duration field of the first frame in a transmission opportunity (TXOP) helps indicate the length of the TXOP. Specifically, the length of the TXOP is defined as the length of the PPDU containing the first frame plus the length indicated by the duration field of the first frame. The length of the PPDU is specified in the physical layer (PHY) header. Based on the duration field decoded from the PD (Power Distribution) on the primary channel, the device (AP or STA) may need to set a corresponding network allocation vector (NAV) timer. The NAV timer ends at the time indicated by the duration field. Before the NAV timer ends, the device must not compete for the channel, thus protecting other devices from TXOP (Transmission Request). Due to the high complexity of PD, the protocol only requires PD to be performed on the primary channel, i.e., primary channel access. Generally, the AP or STA can only transmit when both ED (Electronic Distribution) and PD detection results indicate that the channel is idle.

[0114] The mechanism for primary channel access is relatively simple to implement and has met the needs of most scenarios for a long time. However, with the development of the 802.11 protocol, the bandwidth available to devices has increased significantly. When the primary channel is busy and the non-primary channel is idle, primary channel access will determine that the entire channel is unavailable, thus wasting the resources of the non-primary channel. While this increases the device's operating bandwidth, it doesn't allow for efficient utilization of this bandwidth.

[0115] To address this issue, the NPCA (Non-Peak Point Access) mechanism was proposed. When the primary channel is busy, the device can switch to an idle non-primary channel sub-channel to attempt PD (Power-On Demand) access, thereby improving channel utilization. For example, if an AP has an operating bandwidth of 160MHz and detects an 80MHz PPDU (Power-On Demand DU) by performing PD on the primary channel, the AP can then switch to an idle 20MHz sub-channel of the next 80MHz channel to perform PD.

[0116] When the primary channel is unavailable, the sub-channel used by APs and STAs for PD (Power Distribution) is called the NPCA primary channel (NPCA primary channel), also known as the temporary primary channel, NPCA anchor channel, etc. NPCA applications are generally based on a basic service set (BSS). If APs and STAs within a BSS (e.g., BSS1) detect a TXOP (transaction request) across an overlapping basic service set (OBSS), such as the TXOP of BSS2, on the primary channel, and the TXOP of BSS2 does not use the NPCA primary channel of BSS1, then the APs and STAs of BSS1 will switch to the NPCA primary channel for communication. If the detected TXOP is within the same BSS, such as the TXOP of BSS1, it indicates that the APs within that BSS are already communicating, so the device will not perform an NPCA switch.

[0117] In this application, NPCA operation refers to the AP and STA switching from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel for access when the primary channel is unavailable (e.g., due to OBSS TXOP). Access on the NPCA primary channel may employ different rules than those for primary channel access, such as using a different backoff counter or disabling untriggered UL transmission by the STA.

[0118] In this application, the BSS can be an infrastructure basic service set (IBSS).

[0119] Figure 1 illustrates the NPCA (Portable NPCA). The AP's operating bandwidth is 160MHz, and the NPCA primary channel is set on a sub-channel within the second 80MHz band. As shown in Figure 1, the AP's primary channel, i.e., the primary 20MHz (P20)MHz sub-channel, is set on the primary 80MHz (P80)MHz channel within the AP's operating bandwidth. The NPCA primary channel is selected as a 20MHz sub-channel within the second 80MHz (S80)MHz channel of the operating bandwidth, i.e., NPCA P20 in the figure. When the AP performs PD (Power-On) on the primary channel and finds that the primary channel is occupied by TXOP (Transmission by Obscured Sides), it does not need to backoff on the primary channel (P20 in Figure 1). Instead, it switches to the NPCA primary channel (NPCA P20 in Figure 1) to compete for the channel, thus utilizing the unoccupied channel for transmission. When the TXOP of the Obscured Sides ends, the AP switches back from the NPCA primary channel to the primary channel.

[0120] In this application, "switching to a certain channel" can be replaced with other possible expressions, such as "jumping to a certain channel".

[0121] 2. Basic service information:

[0122] Each BSS has a corresponding BSSID to distinguish different BSSs. The BSSID consists of 48 bits and can be carried in the address field of the medium access control (MAC) frame header. In addition to the BSSID, the 802.11ax protocol also introduces BSS color, which can also be used to identify BSSs. The BSS color consists of 6 bits and is carried in the preamble of the PPDU. With the help of the BSS color, AP and STA can distinguish whether the received PPDU comes from this BSS (intra-BSS) or another BSS (inter-BSS).

[0123] 3. Aggregated control (A-Control) field:

[0124] The A-Control field is contained within the High Throughput Control (HT Control) field. When the first two bits of the HT Control field are set to 1, the remaining 30 bits constitute the A-Control field. The HT Control field can be included in the MAC header of control wrapper frames, quality of service (QoS) data frames, QoS null frames, and management frames.

[0125] The A-Control field contains one or more control subfields. Each control subfield consists of a control identifier (control ID) and control information. The control identifier consists of 4 bits, and the type of information contained in the control information corresponds to the control identifier. The number of bits occupied by the control information varies depending on the control identifier. The control information can occupy a maximum of 26 bits.

[0126] 4. NPCA End Time:

[0127] After an AP or STA triggers an NPCA (Non-Static Protocol Asynchrony), it will switch to the NPCA main channel to perform PD (Power-On Digitization). After a period of time, the AP or STA will switch back to the main channel. The duration the AP or STA stays on the NPCA main channel depends on the duration of the TXOP (Turn-On Opening) of the OBSS that triggered the NPCA. Generally, if a TXOP of an OBSS triggers an NPCA on an AP or STA, the AP or STA needs to switch back to its original main channel from the NPCA main channel before the end of that OBSS TXOP to avoid losing medium synchronization on the main channel.

[0128] When an AP or STA switches between channels, there is a certain delay. The delay for an AP or STA to switch from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel is defined as the switching delay, and the delay for switching back from the NPCA primary channel to the primary channel is defined as the switchback delay. The AP and STA will inform each other of their switching and switchback delays. Considering the switchback delay to the primary channel, the AP or STA may need to start switching back to the primary channel some time before the end of the OBSS TXOP, for example, the switching time being the end time of the OBSS TXOP minus the switchback delay.

[0129] Considering the handover delay mentioned above, the NPCA end time can be defined in two ways: one is the end time of the OBSS TXOP that triggers the AP or STA to perform NPCA operation, and the other is the time when the AP or STA begins to switch back to the main channel. This application applies to both of these definitions of the NPCA end time.

[0130] 5. Different views in NPCA:

[0131] NPCA may encounter some problems in its implementation, such as the different perspectives of AP and STA.

[0132] A group of interconnected APs and STAs need to hop to the NPCA main channel in order to communicate. Due to factors such as the location of the APs and STAs, the OBSS TXOPs that the APs and STAs can discover on the main channel may be different.

[0133] For example, the AP is triggered to perform an NPCA by TXOP1 of OBSS1, while the STA is triggered to perform an NPCA by TXOP2 of OBSS2. The start and end times of TXOP1 and TXOP2 may be different; therefore, the start and end times of the NPCA for the AP and STA may also be different. If one of the AP and STA ends the NPCA first, while the other is still performing the NPCA, they will be unable to communicate normally.

[0134] The following provides a more specific example, using Figures 2 and 3, to address the issue of different perspectives in NPCA mentioned above.

[0135] Figure 2 illustrates the AP and non-AP STAs with different perspectives in NPCA. As shown in Figure 2, the AP is associated with STA1, STA2, and STA3, which belong to the same BSS. Due to factors such as location, each AP or STA can detect different OBSSs. STA1 can detect the PPDU of OBSS1, STA2 can detect the PPDU of OBSS2, and STA3 can detect the PPDU of OBSS3, while the AP can detect the PPDUs of all three OBSSs.

[0136] Figure 3 illustrates the TXOP of OBSS. As shown in Figure 3, the start and end times of TXOPs from the three OBSSs are different. The NAV set for OBSS1 indicates the duration of the TXOP for OBSS1, the NAV set for OBSS2 indicates the duration of the TXOP for OBSS2, and the NAV set for OBSS3 indicates the duration of the TXOP for OBSS3. In Figure 2, STA1, STA2, and STA3 are triggered into NPCA by the TXOPs of OBSS1, OBSS2, and OBSS3, respectively, and switch to the NPCA main channel. Due to the order of TXOPs, the AP detects the TXOP of OBSS1 and is triggered into NPCA. Although OBSS2 and OBSS3 also have TXOPs on the main channel afterward, the AP will not know about the TXOPs of OBSS2 and OBSS3 when the NPCA ends because the AP has already switched to the NPCA main channel. The AP and STA will switch back to the main channel when the OBSS TXOP that triggered their NPCA ends. Because the NPCA is triggered by different OBSS TXOPs, the end times of the NPCA for the AP and STA are different. STA2 terminates NPCA first, followed by AP and STA1, and finally STA3. When STA2 terminates NPCA, AP cannot communicate with STA2 on the NPCA main channel. Similarly, when AP terminates NPCA, STA3 cannot communicate with AP on the NPCA main channel. This leads to wasted resources and reduced transmission efficiency.

[0137] One solution is to have the STA follow the AP's perspective on the NPCA main channel. For example, in one approach, only the AP competes for the channel and acquires the TXOP on the NPCA main channel; that is, the AP is the TXOP holder, and the STA follows the AP's scheduling. In this way, the behavior of both the AP and the STA conforms to the AP's perspective, preventing situations where the STA acquires the TXOP but finds the AP not on the NPCA main channel. Another approach is that if the STA acquires the TXOP, it sends an initial control frame (ICF) to the AP at the beginning of the TXOP. Upon receiving the ICF, the AP replies with an initial control response (ICR), carrying the NPCA end time information. The STA then terminates its own NPCA based on the AP's NPCA end time. In both of these approaches, the STA terminates its NPCA from the AP's perspective, and the AP's NPCA end time is unaffected by the STA.

[0138] However, having the STA follow the AP's perspective on the NPCA main channel may lead to problems such as low channel utilization efficiency and resource waste. A more detailed explanation is given below, in conjunction with Figures 2 and 3 above.

[0139] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, AP and STA3 are involved in a process where AP's NPCA (Non-Static Communication Access) is triggered first by OBSS1's TXOP, followed by STA3's NPCA triggered by OBSS3's TXOP. AP's NPCA ends earlier than STA3's. If AP is on the primary channel, it can detect OBSS3's TXOP, but because it has already been hopped to the primary channel by OBSS1's TXOP, it is unaware of OBSS3's TXOP. When AP switches back to the primary channel after OBSS1's TXOP ends, it finds that the primary channel is already occupied by OBSS3 and cannot compete for the channel until OBSS3's TXOP ends. In other words, from the time AP switches back to the primary channel until OBSS3's TXOP ends, AP cannot communicate, resulting in wasted resources.

[0140] As shown in Figures 2 and 3, AP is triggered to NPCA by TXOP of OBSS1 first, and STA2 is triggered to NPCA by TXOP of OBSS2 afterward. The NPCA of AP ends later than the NPCA of STA2.

[0141] Of course, during the time between the end of OBSS2 TXOP and the end of OBSS1 TXOP, OBSS2 might compete for another TXOP on the primary channel and set a new NAV. The AP will only switch back to the primary channel when OBSS1 TXOP ends. The AP cannot know whether OBSS2 has set a new NAV, therefore it is in a blind state regarding the channel. If the AP switches back to the primary channel when OBSS1 TXOP ends, it may affect the transmission of OBSS2. For example, if the AP competes for the channel because it is in a blind state, it may affect the ongoing transmission of OBSS2.

[0142] To address the issue of different perspectives in NPCA mentioned above, this application proposes a communication method whereby the AP updates its second NPCA operation time information based on the first time information of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. This ensures that the NPCA end time of the AP and the non-AP STA are consistent, resolving the issue of different perspectives and reducing transmission failures. For example, if the AP delays its own NPCA end time based on the first time information of the non-AP STA, it avoids the problem of the main channel still being occupied when the AP switches back, allowing the AP to continue using the NPCA main channel for transmission and improving channel utilization efficiency. Conversely, if the AP advances its own NPCA end time based on the first time information of the non-AP STA, it avoids the AP being in a blind state regarding the main channel when switching back, preventing disruption to ongoing transmissions on the main channel.

[0143] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0144] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. For example, they support IEEE 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7), also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT), 802.11bn (Wi-Fi 8), or the next-generation Wi-Fi 8 standard. They also include 802.11ad, 802.11ay standards, or Integrated mmWave (IMMW) protocols or Spark Link / Near Link protocols. They can also be applied to wireless personal area network systems based on ultra-wideband (UWB), such as the 802.15 series standards, and to sensing systems, such as the 802.11bf series standards. The 802.11ax standard is known as the high-efficiency (HE) standard, and the 802.11be standard is known as the extremely high throughput (EHT) standard. 802.11bf includes two main categories: low-frequency (e.g., sub7GHz) and high-frequency (e.g., 60GHz) standards. Sub7GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, and next-generation standards, while 60GHz implementations primarily rely on 802.11ad, 802.11ay, and next-generation standards. 802.11ad can also be called the directional multi-gigabit (DMG) standard, and 802.11ay can also be called the enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) standard.

[0145] Alternatively, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to wireless local area network systems such as Internet of Things (IoT) networks or Vehicle-to-X (V2X) networks. Of course, the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other possible communication systems, such as Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, LTE Frequency Division Duplex (FDD) systems, LTE Time Division Duplex (TDD) systems, Universal Mobile Telecommunication System (UMTS), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) mobile communication systems, such as New Radio (NR) systems, and future mobile communication systems.

[0146] In the embodiments of this application, "instruction" can include direct and indirect instructions, as well as explicit and implicit instructions. The information indicated by a certain piece of information is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to instruct the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly instructing the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also indirectly instruct the information to be instructed by instructing other information, where there is a correlation between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also instruct only a part of the information to be instructed, while the other parts are known or pre-agreed upon. For example, the instruction of specific information can be achieved by using a pre-agreed (e.g., protocol-defined) arrangement of various pieces of information, thereby reducing instruction overhead to some extent. At the same time, common parts of various pieces of information can be identified and uniformly indicated to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0147] Furthermore, the specific instruction method can also be any existing instruction method, such as, but not limited to, the above-mentioned instruction methods and their various combinations. As described above, for example, when multiple pieces of information of the same type need to be indicated, the instruction methods for different pieces of information may differ. In the specific implementation process, the required instruction method can be selected according to specific needs. This application embodiment does not limit the selected instruction method. Therefore, the instruction methods involved in this application embodiment should be understood to cover various methods that enable the party to be instructed to obtain the information to be indicated.

[0148] It should be understood that the information to be indicated can be sent as a whole or divided into multiple sub-information messages sent separately, and the sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be the same or different. The specific sending method is not limited in this application embodiment. The sending period and / or timing of these sub-information messages can be predefined, for example, according to a protocol, or configured by the sending node device by sending configuration information to the receiving node device.

[0149] In this application, "sending information" can be understood as one device sending information to another device, or it can also be understood as one logical module within a device sending information to another logical module. For example, "network device sending information" can be understood as a network device sending information to another device (such as a terminal or other network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the network device sending information to logical module 2 in the network device.

[0150] In this application, "receiving information" can be understood as one device receiving information from another device, or it can also be understood as a logical module within a device receiving information from another logical module. For example, "network device receiving information" can be understood as a network device receiving information from another device (such as a terminal or other network device), or it can be understood as logical module 1 in the network device receiving information from logical module 2 in the network device.

[0151] In this application, phrases such as "sending information to... (e.g., a terminal)" or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings can be understood as indicating that the destination of the information is a terminal. This can include sending information directly or indirectly to a terminal. Similarly, phrases such as "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," "receiving information from... (e.g., a terminal)," or "receiving information sent by (e.g., a terminal)," or related illustrations in the accompanying drawings, can be understood as indicating that the source of the information is a terminal. This can include receiving information directly or indirectly from a terminal. Information may undergo necessary processing between the source and destination, such as format changes, but the destination can understand the valid information from the source. Similar expressions in this application can be interpreted similarly and will not be elaborated further here.

[0152] "Predefined" or "pre-configured" can be achieved by pre-saving corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device. This application does not limit the specific implementation method. "Saving" can refer to saving in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into the encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others are integrated into the decoder, processor, or communication device. The type of memory can be any form of storage medium, and this application does not limit this.

[0153] The “protocol” mentioned in the embodiments of this application may refer to a protocol family in the field of communication, a standard protocol with a similar protocol family frame structure, or a related protocol applied to future communication systems. The embodiments of this application do not specifically limit this.

[0154] In the embodiments of this application, descriptions such as "when," "under the circumstances," "if," and "if" all refer to the device making corresponding processing under certain objective circumstances, and are not limited to a specific time. They do not require the device to make a judgment action during implementation, nor do they imply any other limitations.

[0155] In the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, " / " indicates that the objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. For example, A / B can represent A or B. "And / or" in the embodiments of this application is merely a description of 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, and B alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. Furthermore, in the description of the embodiments of this application, unless otherwise stated, "multiple" refers to two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Additionally, to facilitate a clear description of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, the terms "first" and "second" are used in the embodiments of this application to distinguish identical or similar items with essentially the same function and effect. Those skilled in the art will understand that the terms "first," "second," etc., do not limit the quantity or order of execution, and that "first," "second," etc., are not necessarily different. Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that something is being used as an example, illustration, or description. Any embodiment or implementation described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or implementations. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a concrete manner for ease of understanding.

[0156] The 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 network architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions provided in the embodiments of this application are also applicable to similar technical problems.

[0157] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application will be described in detail first using the communication system shown in FIG4 as an example. For example, FIG4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the method provided in the embodiments of this application is applicable.

[0158] As shown in Figure 4, the communication system includes APs and non-AP STAs, each of which can be one or more. One or more APs can communicate with one or more non-AP STAs, and APs can also communicate with one or more other APs, while non-AP STAs can communicate with one or more other non-AP STAs. The communication system includes at least one set of interconnected APs and non-AP STAs, and both APs and non-AP STAs support NPCA (Network-Specific Access Control). APs can be used to perform resource scheduling, radio resource management, and radio access control for non-AP STAs, and to transmit data for the non-AP STAs on the scheduled radio resources.

[0159] For example, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system to which the method provided in this application is applicable. As shown in Figure 5, the AP includes AP1 and AP2, and the non-AP STAs include non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3. AP1 is associated with non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3, such that AP1, non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3 belong to the same BSS and all support NPCA. AP1 can schedule radio resources for non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3, and transmit data for them on the scheduled radio resources. This data may include uplink data information and / or downlink data information.

[0160] It is understandable that one or more APs can communicate with one or more non-AP STAs. Of course, APs can communicate with each other, as shown in Figure 5 between AP1 and AP2. Non-AP STAs can also communicate with each other, as shown in Figure 5 between non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3.

[0161] In this embodiment of the application, non-AP STA can be abbreviated as STA.

[0162] In this application embodiment, the AP can be a device deployed in a wireless communication network to provide wireless communication functions for its associated STAs. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0163] Specifically, the AP can be a device supporting the 802.11bn standard or the next-generation standard. The AP can also be a device supporting various WLAN standards within the 802.11 family, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. In this embodiment, the AP can be an Extra-High Throughput (EHT) AP or a HE AP, or an access point compatible with a future Wi-Fi standard, such as an Ultra-High Reliability (UHR) AP. Extra-high throughput can also be referred to as extremely high throughput. Furthermore, the AP can be a base station, router, gateway, repeater, communication server, switch, or bridge, etc., with a Wi-Fi chip. The base station can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, repeaters, etc.

[0164] In this application's embodiments, the STA can be a wireless communication chip, wireless sensor, or wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user (or user station). For example, it can be a user terminal, user equipment, access device, subscriber station, subscriber unit, mobile station, user agent, or user equipment that supports Wi-Fi or WLAN communication functions. There can be one or more user terminals. A user terminal can be a terminal with transceiver functions, or it can be a chip or chip system installed in the terminal. The user terminal can also be referred to as a UE, access terminal, subscriber unit, user station, mobile station (MS), mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user equipment. The terminals in the embodiments of this application may be mobile phones, cellular phones, smartphones, tablets, wireless data cards, personal digital assistants (PDAs), wireless modems, handsets, laptop computers, machine-type communication (MTC) terminals, computers with wireless transceiver capabilities, virtual reality (VR) terminals, augmented reality (AR) terminals, smart home devices (e.g., refrigerators, televisions, air conditioners, electricity meters, etc.), intelligent robots, robotic arms, workshop equipment, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving, wireless terminals in remote medical care, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, vehicle-mounted terminals, and roadside units with terminal functions. The terminal in this application can also be an onboard module, onboard unit, onboard component, onboard chip, or onboard unit that is built into a vehicle as one or more components or units. The terminal device can also be other devices with terminal functions; for example, it can be a device that functions as a terminal in D2D communication.

[0165] The embodiments of this application do not limit the device form of the terminal. The device used to implement the functions of the terminal device can be the terminal device itself; it can also be a device that supports the terminal device in implementing the functions, such as a chip system. The device can be installed in the terminal device or used in conjunction with the terminal device. In the embodiments of this application, the chip system can be composed of chips or can include chips and other discrete components.

[0166] Furthermore, the STA can support the 802.11bn standard or next-generation standards. The STA can also support various WLAN standards within the 802.11 family, such as 802.11be, 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a. In the embodiments of this application, the STA can be an EHT STA or an HE STA, or it can be a station adapted to a future generation of Wi-Fi or WLAN standards, such as a UHR STA.

[0167] For example, the STA and AP mentioned above can be: devices applied in the Internet of Vehicles, IoT nodes, sensors, etc. in the Internet of Things, smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water meters and electricity meters in smart homes, sensors in smart cities, etc., as well as communication servers, routers, switches, bridges, computers, mobile phones, etc.

[0168] The AP and STA involved in the embodiments of this application can be collectively referred to as WLAN communication devices. The WLAN communication device may include hardware structure and software modules. The WLAN communication device can implement various communication functions (such as the functions corresponding to the communication methods in the embodiments herein) in the form of hardware structure, software modules, or a combination of hardware structure and software modules. A specific function among these various communication functions can be implemented in the form of hardware structure, software modules, or a combination of hardware structure and software modules.

[0169] It should be noted that the network elements and interface names between them in the architecture shown in Figure 5 are merely examples. In actual implementations, the network elements and interface names can be other names, and this application does not impose specific limitations on them. Furthermore, Figure 5 is only an exemplary framework diagram, and the number of nodes included in Figure 5 and the access methods of the STAs are not limited. In addition to the functional nodes shown in Figure 5, other nodes may also be included, such as core network equipment, etc., without limitation.

[0170] It should be noted that the solutions in the embodiments of this application can also be applied to other communication systems, and the corresponding names can be replaced by the names of the corresponding functions in other communication systems.

[0171] In this communication system, when the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel, the AP updates the second time information of the NPCA operation based on the first time information of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. In this way, even if the non-AP STA and the AP are triggered to perform NPCA by TXOP of different OBSSs, the AP can control the time of its own NPCA operation based on the time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation, avoiding the situation where the AP and non-AP STA cannot communicate on different channels, reducing the probability of transmission failure and improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0172] The interaction process between various network elements / devices in the above-described communication system will be specifically described below with reference to Figures 6-8, through method embodiments. The communication method provided in this application embodiment can be applied to the above-described communication system and specifically applied to various scenarios / processes mentioned in the above-described communication system, which will be described in detail below.

[0173] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applicable to the above-mentioned communication system and mainly involves the interaction between the AP and the non-AP STA.

[0174] As shown in Figure 6, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0175] S601, the non-AP STA determines whether to send the first frame to the AP. If the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the AP receives the first frame from the non-AP STA.

[0176] The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first time information of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation when the non-AP STA is triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0177] The first frame can be a data frame or a control frame, as will be described below and will not be repeated here.

[0178] The NPCA main channel can be a sub-channel that is not the main channel used for PD. The NPCA main channel can also be replaced with other possible terms, such as temporary main channel, NPCA anchor channel, etc., without restriction.

[0179] The non-AP STA belongs to the same BSS as the AP. If the non-AP STA detects a TXOP in the OBSS on the primary channel, it will be triggered to switch (jump) from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel and perform NPCA operations. NPCA operations for non-AP STAs include switching from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel, performing PD on the NPCA primary channel, and using different access rules than the primary channel (e.g., using a different backoff counter than the primary channel, disabling untriggered UL transmission, etc.). When the non-AP STA finishes the NPCA operation, it switches back from the NPCA primary channel to the primary channel.

[0180] Optionally, the first-time information may include the end time of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operations.

[0181] The end time for a non-AP STA to perform an NPCA operation can be the end time set when the non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation.

[0182] Optionally, a non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by the first TXOP of the first OBSS, and the end time of the non-AP STA performing the NPCA operation is determined according to the end time of the first TXOP.

[0183] In other words, the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation can be determined based on the first TXOP setting of the OBSS that triggered the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. For example, if the non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by TXOP1 of OBSS1, the NPCA operation continues until the end of TXOP1, or until the end of TXOP1 minus the non-AP STA's switch-back delay (i.e., the time when the non-AP STA begins to switch back to the main channel).

[0184] Optionally, the first-time information may also include the end time of the first TXOP and the handover delay of the non-AP STA.

[0185] For example, the end time of an NPCA operation performed by a non-AP STA can contain 16 bits of information, similar to the information carried in the Duration field of current protocols. The end time of an NPCA operation performed by a non-AP STA can also contain 7 bits of information, similar to the TXOP duration parameter carried in the preamble of current protocols. Of course, other numbers of bits can also be used to indicate the end time of an NPCA operation performed by a non-AP STA, and this embodiment does not impose any limitations on this.

[0186] The first information can directly indicate the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, such as the first information carrying the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first time information can indirectly indicate the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, such as the first information carrying the start time and duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, in which case the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA can be the start time plus the duration. For example, if the first information carries the duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, then the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA can be the end time of the PPDU carrying the duration information plus the duration.

[0187] It is understandable that, in order to indicate the first information, the first information may carry information including but not limited to: the start time, duration, and end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA.

[0188] Optionally, the first-time information may also include the duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA. Optionally, the first-time information may also include the start time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA.

[0189] It is understood that, in the embodiments of this application, the duration of NPCA operation performed by AP and non-AP STA can be defined as the NPCA duration of AP and non-AP STA, or it can be replaced by other expressions or indications, such as NPCA operation duration.

[0190] In one possible implementation, before the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the communication method may further include: the non-AP STA receiving a third frame from the AP, the third frame including fourth information, the fourth information being second time information indicating that the AP is performing NPCA operation, the second time indicated by the second time information being different from the first time indicated by the first time information.

[0191] The second time can be the end time of the AP's NPCA operation, and the first time can be the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. In other words, the non-AP STA only sends the first frame to the AP if it determines that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is different from the end time of its own NPCA operation. Conversely, if the second time indicated by the second time information is the same as the first time indicated by the first time information, the non-AP STA does not send the first frame to the AP.

[0192] Optionally, if the third frame does not include fourth information or does not indicate second time information, then by default the first time indicated by the first time information is the same as the second time indicated by the second time information.

[0193] S602, AP updates the second time information for AP to perform NPCA operation based on the first time information.

[0194] If the AP detects a TXOP from the OBSS on the primary channel, it will be triggered to switch (jump) from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel and perform NPCA operations. NPCA operations include one or more of the following: AP hopping to the NPCA primary channel, performing PD on the NPCA primary channel, or using different access rules than the primary channel (e.g., using a different backoff counter, or requiring ICF and ICR frame exchanges at the start of the TXOP). When the AP finishes the NPCA operation, it switches back from the NPCA primary channel to the primary channel.

[0195] Optionally, the second time information may include the end time of the AP's NPCA operation.

[0196] The end time of the AP's NPCA operation can be the end time of the NPCA operation set when the AP is triggered to perform the NPCA operation. The end time of the AP's NPCA operation can be based on the TXOP setting of the OBSS that triggered the AP to perform the NPCA operation. For example, if the AP is triggered to perform the NPCA operation by TXOP2 of OBSS2, the NPCA operation continues until the end time of TXOP2, or until the end time of TXOP2 minus the AP's switchback delay (i.e., the time when the AP starts to switch back to the main channel).

[0197] Optionally, the second time information may also include the end time of the TXOP that triggers the AP to perform NPCA operation and the AP's switchback delay.

[0198] The bit information used for the end time of the AP's NPCA operation can be found in the above introduction to non-AP STA, and will not be repeated here.

[0199] Optionally, the second time information may also include the duration of the AP performing the NPCA operation. Optionally, the second time information may also include the start time of the AP performing the NPCA operation.

[0200] If the first time information includes the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, and the second time information includes the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the AP, then when the AP updates the second time information of the NPCA operation based on the first time information, it can update the second time indicated by the second time information to the first time indicated by the first time information. Here, the first time is the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the AP, and the second time is the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA.

[0201] If the first time information includes the start time and duration of the NPCA operation performed by the non-AP STA, and the second time information includes the start time and duration of the NPCA operation performed by the AP, then when the AP updates the second time information of its NPCA operation based on the first time information, in addition to updating the second time to the first time, it can also update the duration of the AP's NPCA operation, making the AP's NPCA start time plus the NPCA duration equal to the non-AP STA's NPCA start time plus the NPCA duration. In other words, when the AP updates the second time information, in addition to updating the end time of the AP's NPCA operation, it can also update other NPCA-related parameters, such as the duration of the AP's NPCA operation.

[0202] S603, the AP sends a second frame to the non-AP STA, and correspondingly, the non-AP STA receives the second frame from the AP.

[0203] The second frame includes third information, which indicates that the time for the AP to perform the NPCA operation is the first time indicated by the first time information. In other words, the third information indicates that the AP performs the NPCA operation according to the first time indicated by the first time information.

[0204] S603 is an optional step. The time when the AP performs the NPCA operation can be the end time of the AP's NPCA operation. After updating the second time information according to the first time information, the AP replies to the non-AP STA with a second frame, indicating that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is the first time, so that the non-AP STA can determine that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is the same as the end time of the AP's NPCA operation. Similar to the first frame, the second frame can be a data frame or a control frame, which will be described in detail below and will not be repeated here.

[0205] Alternatively, the AP may send third information via group addressed (or multicast).

[0206] An Access Point (AP) can send third-party information via multicast, allowing multiple or all non-AP STAs associated with the AP to receive it. For example, the AP can multicast ICF / ICR messages, which carry the third-party information. This allows non-AP STAs associated with the AP to update their own NPCA (Performance-Non-AP Assist) operation times based on the AP's NPCA operation time, preventing communication breakdowns. Multicasting third-party information can involve the AP setting the receive address (RA) to the broadcast address in the MAC header of the transmitted frame, broadcasting the third-party information to all non-AP STAs. Alternatively, it can involve setting the receive address to the multicast-group address in the MAC header of the transmitted frame, sending the third-party information to a specific group of non-AP STAs.

[0207] Alternatively, the AP can send third information via unicast (individually addressed, or unicast), such as sending ICF / ICR via unicast, with the ICF / ICR carrying the third information. During NPCA (National Non-AP Association) operations, i.e., when the non-AP STA is on the NPCA main channel, it needs to decode all ICF / ICRs sent by its associated AP to ensure that the non-AP STA can receive the third information sent by its associated AP.

[0208] Optionally, during the NPCA operation performed by the AP and non-AP STA, i.e., when the AP and non-AP STA are on the NPCA main channel, all TXOPs initiated by the AP and non-AP STA begin with frame exchanges of ICF and ICR, where ICF or ICR is the first frame mentioned above. This allows the AP and non-AP STA to promptly detect problems from different perspectives within the NPCA and update relevant NPCA parameters in a timely manner, such as the second time information mentioned above.

[0209] Thus, when the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel, the AP updates the second time information of the NPCA operation based on the first time information of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. In this way, even if the non-AP STA and the AP are triggered to perform NPCA by TXOP of different OBSSs, the AP can control the timing of its own NPCA operation based on the timing of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. This avoids the situation where the AP and non-AP STA cannot communicate on different channels, reduces the probability of transmission failure, and improves channel utilization efficiency.

[0210] The S602 will be described in detail below.

[0211] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS; S602 may include: if the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation based on the first time information.

[0212] Optionally, the identification information of the first OBSS may include information about the basic service set color (BSS color) of the first OBSS.

[0213] The term BSS color can be found in the terminology section above and will not be repeated here.

[0214] The first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, meaning the AP can be interfered with by the first OBSS, or in other words, the AP will be affected by the first OBSS. Specifically, this manifests in at least one of the following ways: the AP can detect the PPDU sent by the first OBSS; the AP can identify the first OBSS's identification information and decode the first OBSS's PPDU; the AP can detect the first OBSS's TXOP; the first OBSS can trigger the AP to perform an NPCA operation; or the AP can have its NAV set by the PPDU sent by the first OBSS. In other words, the AP is within the influence range of this OBSS.

[0215] For example, the AP records the BSS color from previously received OBSS PPDUs. If the AP has received a PPDU from the first OBSS, or a beacon frame from the first OBSS, it records the BSS color of the first OBSS. This allows the AP to generate an OBSS list, containing the AP's interfering OBSSs, including the BSS color of the first OBSS. Subsequently, the AP can determine whether the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS based on this OBSS list, which includes the first OBSS's BSS color.

[0216] In other words, if the AP is interfered with / affected by the first OBSS, the second time information is updated based on the first time information. Conversely, if the AP is not interfered with / affected by the first OBSS, the AP does not update the second time information.

[0217] Of course, in the embodiments of this application, the identification information of the first OBSS can also be the BSSID of the first OBSS, that is, the first OBSS is identified by the BSSID of the first OBSS, and there is no limitation on this.

[0218] Optionally, the AP can determine the relevant information of the hidden node through the identification information of the first OBSS.

[0219] AP can determine which OBSS will affect which non-AP STA. For example, if AP is triggered to perform NPCA operation by a certain OBSS, and AP already knows that the OBSS will not affect a certain non-AP STA (i.e., a certain non-AP STA is a hidden node of the OBSS), then AP does not need to communicate with this non-AP STA during NPCA. This avoids the situation of trying to communicate with a non-AP STA but not receiving a response, and allows AP to schedule more resources to schedule other non-AP STAs.

[0220] In the above text, the first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS. The following describes the case where the first frame may not include the identification information of the first OBSS.

[0221] Optionally, the first frame does not include the identification information of the first OBSS. Before the AP receives the first frame from the non-AP STA, the communication method may further include: the AP sending the non-AP STA a list of OBSSs that can trigger the AP to switch from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel, the OBSS list including the first OBSS.

[0222] In other words, the AP sends a list of OBSSs that can trigger NPCA operations to the non-AP STA. The non-AP STA can only trigger NPCA operations by the TXOP of an OBSS in this list. In this case, if the AP still receives the first frame from the non-AP STA on the NPCA main channel, it means that the non-AP STA was triggered to perform NPCA operations by an OBSS in the OBSS list, which indirectly indicates the identification information of the first OBSS. Since all OBSSs in the OBSS list sent by the AP can affect the AP, the AP does not need to determine whether the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS.

[0223] Optionally, the AP is triggered by the second OBSS to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; if the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation according to the first time information, which may include: if the first OBSS and the second OBSS are different, and the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation according to the first time information.

[0224] In other words, if the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel by different OBSSs, and the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information based on the first time information. If the AP and non-AP STA are triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel by the same OBSS, the AP and non-AP STA will not have different perspectives. The time information for the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation and the AP performing NPCA operation (as mentioned above, the first time information and the second time information) are the same, and the AP does not need to update the second time information for the AP performing NPCA operation.

[0225] Of course, there is also the possibility that the first OBSS and the second OBSS are the same, but the time information for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation and the AP to perform NPCA operation are different. Therefore, the AP also needs to determine whether the first time information and the second time information are the same. If they are different, the second time information is updated according to the first time information.

[0226] In one possible implementation, S602 may include: if the second time indicated by the second time information is different from the first time indicated by the first time information, the AP updates the second time information according to the first time information.

[0227] AP compares the second time with the first time. For example, AP compares the end time of its own NPCA operation with the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. If the two are different, AP updates the second time information based on the first time information.

[0228] The difference between the second time and the first time can include the first time being earlier or later than the second time. If the first time is earlier than the second time, the AP extends the second time to the first time; if the first time is later than the second time, the AP shortens the second time to the first time.

[0229] Furthermore, if the definition of the end time of NPCA operation by a non-AP STA or AP takes into account the handover delay—that is, the end time of NPCA operation by a non-AP STA or AP is the time when the switchback begins—then the AP can also choose to compare the end time of the AP's NPCA operation (i.e., the second time) + the AP handover delay with the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation (i.e., the first time) + the non-AP STA handover delay. In other words, the AP can compare the end times of the OBSS TXOPs that trigger the non-AP STA and AP's NPCA operations. If they are inconsistent, the AP updates the second time information based on the first time information. At this time, the AP can update the end time of the OBSS TXOP that triggers the AP's NPCA operation to the end time of the OBSS TXOP that triggers the non-AP STA's NPCA operation. That is, the AP does not update the second time to the first time, but rather updates the sum of the second time and the AP handover delay to the sum of the first time and the non-AP STA's handover delay.

[0230] Optionally, the communication method may further include: if the second time is the same as the first time, the AP does not update the second time information.

[0231] Optionally, if the second time indicated by the second time information is different from the first time indicated by the first time information, the AP updates the second time information according to the first time information. This may further include: if the second time indicated by the second time information is different from the first time indicated by the first time information, and the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information according to the first time information.

[0232] Optionally, if the first frame does not include the first information or does not indicate the first time information, then by default the first time indicated by the first time information is the same as the second time indicated by the second time information.

[0233] The previous section introduced the scheme by which the AP updates the second time information based on the first time information indicated by the non-AP STA. The following section introduces the scheme by which the non-AP STA updates the first time information based on the second time information indicated by the AP and the identification information of the second OBSS.

[0234] In one possible implementation, before the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the communication method may further include: the non-AP STA receiving a third frame from the AP, wherein the third frame includes fourth information and identification information of a second OBSS, the fourth information being second time information indicating that the AP is performing an NPCA operation, and the second OBSS being the OBSS that triggers the AP to perform the NPCA operation. If the second time indicated by the second time information differs from the first time indicated by the first time information, the non-AP STA updates the first time information according to the second time information.

[0235] Optionally, the identification information of the second OBSS includes information about the basic service set color (BSS color) of the first OBSS.

[0236] Optionally, if the second OBSS is an interfering OBSS and the second time is different from the first time, the non-AP STA updates the first time information based on the second time information.

[0237] Optionally, the third frame does not include the identification information of the second OBSS. Before the non-AP STA receives the third frame from the AP, the communication method may further include: the non-AP STA sending the AP a list of OBSSs that can trigger the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel, the list of OBSSs including the second OBSS.

[0238] Optionally, the communication method may further include: if the second time is the same as the first time, the non-AP STA does not update the first time information.

[0239] The scheme for non-AP STA to update the first time information based on the second time information indicated by AP and the identification information of the second OBSS can be referred to the scheme for AP to update the second time information, and will not be elaborated further.

[0240] Optionally, if a non-AP STA updates the first time information based on the second time information, it may indicate the first time information before the update in the first frame it replies to the AP.

[0241] Therefore, the AP can update the second time information based on the first time information before the update, and send the time when the AP performed the NPCA operation to the non-AP STA as the first time indicated by the first time information. Then, the non-AP STA updates the updated first time information to the first time information before the update according to the AP's instructions. This ensures that even if the non-AP STA updates the first time information when the AP initiates a TXOP, the AP can still obtain information related to the TXOP of the first OBSS, and update the second time information according to the information of the first OBSS. This avoids the problem of the AP finding that the primary channel is occupied or being in a blind state when switching back to the primary channel.

[0242] In other words, the updated time information indicated by the AP is the time that the entire BSS (including the AP and its associated non-AP STA) should be set to, while the first time information indicated by the non-AP STA provides reference information for the AP to update the second time information.

[0243] Of course, non-AP STAs can also indicate updated second time information in the first frame they reply to AP, without any restrictions.

[0244] The above describes a scheme for updating time information in NPCA-related information. The following describes a scheme for updating bandwidth information in NPCA-related information. It should be understood that the scheme for updating bandwidth information in NPCA-related information can be implemented independently of the aforementioned scheme for updating time information in NPCA-related information, or it can be implemented in combination with it.

[0245] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes second information indicating the bandwidth of the first TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; the communication method may further include: if the bandwidth of the first TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the second TXOP, the AP updates the available bandwidth for NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP; wherein the second TXOP is the TXOP that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0246] In other words, in this embodiment, the AP can update its available bandwidth for performing NPCA operations. The available bandwidth for the AP to perform NPCA operations can be the maximum bandwidth available to the AP during the NPCA operation. Optionally, the AP can update its available bandwidth for performing NPCA operations in addition to updating the second time information of its NPCA operation.

[0247] The bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP can be less than or equal to the difference between the AP's operating bandwidth and the bandwidth of the first TXOP. The available bandwidth for the AP to perform NPCA operations does not overlap with the bandwidth of the first TXOP. In this way, the AP can avoid affecting the first TXOP, and the AP's transmission on the NPCA main channel can also be prevented from being affected by the first TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0248] For example, as shown in Figure 7, both the AP and the non-AP STA have an operating bandwidth of 160MHz. The AP is triggered to perform NPCA operation by TXOP1 (the second TXOP mentioned above) with a bandwidth of 40MHz on the primary 80MHz channel (P80 in Figure 7) via OBSS1. The AP then switches to the NPCA primary channel on the secondary 80MHz channel (S80 in Figure 7). The TXOP initiated by the AP on the NPCA primary channel can utilize a maximum bandwidth of 120MHz (secondary 40MHz + secondary 80MHz channel) during transmission. The non-AP STA is triggered to perform NPCA by TXOP2 with a bandwidth of 80MHz via OBSS2, switching to the same NPCA primary channel as the AP. During transmission, it can utilize a maximum bandwidth of 80MHz (secondary 80MHz channel). Based on the fact that the bandwidth of TXOP2 indicated by the non-AP STA is greater than the bandwidth of TXOP1, the AP limits the maximum available bandwidth during NPCA to 80MHz (secondary 80MHz channel), i.e., 160MHz - 80MHz = 80MHz. Of course, the AP can also limit its maximum available bandwidth during NPCA to less than 80MHz, specifically the portion that does not overlap with the bandwidth of TXOP1. As shown in Figure 7, the non-AP STA initiates a TXOP on the NPCA main channel to communicate with the AP. The bandwidth of the TXOP is the portion that does not overlap with the bandwidth of TXOP2. At the beginning of the TXOP, the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, which includes the second information. The AP updates its available NPCA bandwidth according to the second information to be the same as the available NPCA bandwidth of the non-AP STA.

[0249] The above describes a scheme for updating the available bandwidth of an AP to perform NPCA operations. The following describes a scheme for updating the available bandwidth of a non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations.

[0250] In one possible implementation, before the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the communication method may further include: the non-AP STA receiving a third frame from the AP, the third frame including fifth information indicating the bandwidth of the second TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. If the bandwidth of the second TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the first TXOP, the non-AP STA updates its available bandwidth for NPCA operation to the bandwidth excluding the bandwidth of the second TXOP, where the first TXOP is the TXOP that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0251] The bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP can be less than or equal to the difference between the operating bandwidth of the non-AP STA and the bandwidth of the second TXOP. The available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations does not overlap with the bandwidth of the second TXOP.

[0252] The principle behind the available bandwidth for non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations is the same as that for AP to perform NPCA operations. Both are determined based on the bandwidth of the OBSS TXOP that triggers the NPCA operation on the other end, and are limited to not overlapping with the bandwidth of the OBSS TXOP that triggers the NPCA operation on the other end. Please refer to the description of the available bandwidth for AP to perform NPCA operations above, which will not be repeated here.

[0253] The first frame will be described in detail below.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes any of the following: ICF, ICR, CRF, QoSData frame, or QoS Null frame.

[0255] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICF, the ICF is any of the following: MU-RTS frame, BSRP frame, MU-BAR frame, or a trigger frame of the first type. The ICF includes a Special User Info field, and the first information is located in the Special User Info field.

[0256] When the first frame is an ICF, the ICF can be one of the trigger frames described above. The first type can be a trigger frame type added in a future protocol.

[0257] For example, Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the general format of the trigger frame provided in the embodiments of this application. The trigger frame includes MU-RTS, BSRP, MU-BAR, etc. Taking BSRP as an example, the frame structure of BSRP includes a frame control field, a duration field, a receive address (RA) field, a transmit address (TA) field, a common info field, a user info list field, a padding field, and a frame check sequence (FCS) field. The number of bytes contained in each field, in the order above, are 2, 2, 6, 6, 8 or more, variable, variable, and 4. The user info list field of BSRP can carry one or more special user info fields and user info fields, each special user info field and user info field containing 40 bits (5 bytes). The first 12 bits of the special user info field are the AID12 subfield, and the last 28 bits are other information. The aforementioned first information can be carried in a special user information field. For example, 16 or 7 bits of the last 28 bits can indicate the NPCA end time (as mentioned above), 6 bits can indicate the OBSS identifier (as mentioned above, the BSS color of the first OBSS), and the remaining 6 or 15 bits can be reserved. Simultaneously, the preceding AID12 subfield can be used to indicate that this special user information field carries NPCA-related information for non-AP STAs. Alternatively, the aforementioned information can be carried in the user information field, similar to using a special user information field.

[0258] Optionally, when the first frame is an ICR or CRF, the ICR or CRF is a Multi-STA BA frame or a second type of response frame, and the ICR or CRF includes a Per AID TID Info field, with the first information located in the Per AID TID Info field.

[0259] When the first frame is an ICR or CRF, the ICR or CRF can be a response frame to the aforementioned trigger frame. The second type can be a response frame type added in future protocols. The difference between ICR and CRF is that ICR is a response frame to an ICF, while CRF can be a response frame to a general data frame.

[0260] For example, Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a Multi-STA BA provided in an embodiment of this application. The frame structure of the Multi-STA BA includes a frame control field, a duration field, an RA field, a TA field, a BA control (block ack control, BA control) field, a BA information (block ack information, BA information) field, and an FCS field. The number of bytes contained in each field, in the order above, are 2, 2, 6, 6, 2, variable, and 4, respectively. The BA information field of the Multi-STA BA can carry one or more Per AID TID Info fields. The Per AID TID Info field includes an AID TID Information subfield (2 bytes), a Block Acknowledgment Starting Sequence Control (BACK) subfield (0 or 2 bytes), and a Block Acknowledgment Bitmap subfield (0, 4, 8, 16, or 32 bytes). The aforementioned first information can be carried using a block ack bitmap subfield within each AID TID information field. For example, the block ack bitmap subfield has 4 bytes (32 bits) for carrying 16 or 7 bits of NPCA end time (as described in the first time above), and 6 bits of OBSS identifier (as described in the first OBSS BSS color above), plus 10 or 19 reserved bits. The content of the AID TID information subfield within each AID TID information field can be used to indicate that the information carried in that AID TID information field is related to non-AP STA NPCA information.

[0261] Optionally, when the first frame is a QoSData frame or a QoS Null frame, the first frame includes an Aggregate Control (A-Control) field.

[0262] Among them, QoS Null frames carrying the A-Control field can also be used as ICR.

[0263] The A-Control field includes a Control ID field and a Control Information field, with the first information located in the Control Information field.

[0264] The A-Control field can add a new value to the control identifier field. When the control identifier is a newly added value, the control information field in the A-Control field is used to indicate the aforementioned NPA-related information, such as first information, second information, and OBSS identification information. Alternatively, existing values ​​in the control identifier field can be reused. When the AP and non-AP STA are on the NPA main channel and the control identifier field is a previously used value, the control information field in the A-Control field is used to indicate the aforementioned NPA-related information.

[0265] Optionally, the value of the control identifier field can be one of 10-14.

[0266] For example, when the control ID of the A-Control field is set to 12, the corresponding control information is NPCA control information, which includes the NPCA end time (as described in the first time above) and the identification information of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to perform NPCA (as described in the first OBSS identification information above). For example, the NPCA end time is indicated by 7 bits, and the OBSS identification information is the OBSS BSS color, indicated by 6 bits. Optionally, the control information includes Y reserved bits, which can indicate other NPCA-related information, such as OBSS bandwidth information (as described in the second information above).

[0267] As another example, the NPCA end time is indicated by 16 bits, and the OBSS identification information is the OBSS BSS color, indicated by 6 bits. Optionally, the control information includes Y reserved bits, which can indicate other NPCA-related information.

[0268] For example, Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the A-Control field provided in an embodiment of this application. The A-Control field is the aggregated control field, which includes a control list subfield and a filler subfield. This subfield can contain one or more control subfields, each of which consists of a control ID (4 bits) and control information. Figure 10 shows an example where the control list subfield contains one control subfield. When the control ID = X (X can take values ​​from 10 to 14, which is not limited here), the corresponding control information is NPCA control information, including the NPCA end time (16 or 7 bits), OBSS identification information (6 bits), and reserved bits. The number of bits in the control information is variable, up to a maximum of 26 bits. The number of reserved bits is a specific value Y, such as Y = 4. Y can also be specified as other values, which are not limited here, as long as the sum of the number of bits used for the NPCA end time, OBSS identification information, and reserved bits is not greater than 26.

[0269] It is understandable that the NPCA end time and OBSS identification information in the control information can also use other numbers of bits or other forms. For example, the NPCA end time can be indicated by the NPCA start time and duration. Figure 10 only uses the NPCA end time and OBSS identification information as an example, and no limitation is made here.

[0270] It is understood that various possible implementations of the above embodiments can be combined, and there is no limitation thereto. For example, during NPCA, both the AP and non-AP STA indicate NPCA-related information, such as first information, second information, and OBSS identification information, in ICF and ICR, as well as in QoS Data frames and QoS Null frames. In this way, both the AP and non-AP STA can indicate the above information in control frames and data frames, allowing the counterpart station to update NPCA-related parameters more promptly.

[0271] The following uses the first frame as an example to illustrate the process of applying the communication method provided in this application embodiment to a specific scenario.

[0272] For example, Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the AP updating the NPCA end time according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the AP and non-AP STA are interconnected. The AP can receive PPDUs of OBSS1 and OBSS2, while the non-AP STA can only receive PPDUs of OBSS2.

[0273] The AP first performs an NPCA operation on the main channel (the 20MHz main channel on the primary 80MHz (P80) channel in Figure 11) triggered by OBSS1 TXOP. It then switches to the NPCA main channel (a 20MHz sub-channel on the secondary 80MHz (S80) channel in Figure 11) and sets the NPCA end time (the second time mentioned above) to the end time of OBSS1 TXOP, which is the AP's original NPCA end time. Subsequently, the non-AP STA performs an NPCA operation on the main channel triggered by OBSS2 TXOP, switches to the NPCA main channel, and sets the NPCA end time (the first time mentioned above) to the end time of OBSS2 TXOP.

[0274] The non-AP STA, having secured the channel on the NPCA primary channel, sends an ICF (Initial Communication Message) to the AP, indicating its NPCA end time (i.e., the end time of OBSS2 TXOP) and the BSS color of OBSS2. Upon receiving the ICF, the AP determines that its BSS color is inconsistent with the BSS color of OBSS1, which triggered the NPCA operation, and that the non-AP STA's NPCA end time is later than the AP's. The AP identifies OBSS2 as an interfering OBSS, therefore delays its own NPCA end time to the STA's NPCA end time and indicates the updated NPCA end time in its ICR (Initial Code Recognition). Then, the non-AP STA transmits data to the AP via uplink PPDU (UL PPDU). After data transmission, the AP sends a block ack (BA) frame and switches back to the primary channel at the AP's updated NPCA end time.

[0275] Other non-AP STAs associated with the AP can also update their own NPCA end time based on the AP's NPCA end time after detecting the ICR sent by the AP.

[0276] Furthermore, in this embodiment, it is configured that the AP and non-AP STA need to exchange the first frame whenever NPCA occurs. That is, the non-AP STA needs to indicate the aforementioned NPCA-related information to the AP, such as first information, second information, and the identification information of the first OBSS. Alternatively, an NPCA mode can be defined, which the AP can choose to enable under specific circumstances. For example, if the AP is consistently unable to communicate with a certain non-AP STA during NPCA, it is assumed that there may be a different perspective issue in NPCA. The AP can instruct the non-AP STA to enable the NPCA mode by sending a management frame containing information to enable that NPCA mode.

[0277] The above describes the scheme for associating / combining AP or non-AP STA update time information with update bandwidth information. The following describes the scheme for decoupling update time information from update bandwidth information.

[0278] Figure 12 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applicable to the aforementioned communication system and mainly involves the interaction between a first station and a second station. The first station can be an AP or a non-AP STA, and the second station can be an AP or a non-AP STA. It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used at the embodiment level. The information contained in the terms "first," "second," etc., in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 12 may differ from that in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 6. For example, the information contained in the "first frame" in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 12 differs from that in the embodiment corresponding to Figure 6.

[0279] As shown in Figure 12, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0280] S1201, the first station sends the first frame to the second station, and correspondingly, the second station receives the first frame from the first station.

[0281] The first frame includes first information, which indicates the bandwidth of the first TXOP of the first OBSS that triggers the first station to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0282] The first site can be an access point (AP), and the second site can be a non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first site can be a non-AP STA, and the second site can be an access point (AP).

[0283] The frame structure of the first frame can be referred to in the description of the first frame in S601-S603 above, and will not be repeated here. The first OBSS and the first TXOP can be referred to in the description of the first OBSS and the first TXOP in S602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0284] S1202, if the bandwidth of the first TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the second TXOP, the second site updates the available bandwidth for the second site to perform NPCA operations to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0285] The second TXOP is the TXOP of the second OBSS that triggers the second station to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel.

[0286] The second OBSS and second TXOP can be referred to in the description of the second OBSS and second TXOP in S602 above, and will not be repeated here. The bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP can be referred to in the description of the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP in S602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0287] In one possible implementation, the first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS; the second station updates the available bandwidth for the second station to perform NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP, which may include: if the second station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the second station updates the available bandwidth for the second station to perform NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0288] The case where the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS can be referred to in the case where the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS in S602 above, and will not be elaborated on here.

[0289] Optionally, the identification information of the first OBSS includes information about the BSS color of the first OBSS.

[0290] In one possible implementation, if the second station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the second station updates the available bandwidth for the second station to perform NPCA operations to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP. This may include: if the first OBSS is different from the second OBSS and the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the second station updates the available bandwidth for the second station to perform NPCA operations to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

[0291] In cases where the first OBSS and the second OBSS are different, please refer to the description of the difference between the first OBSS and the second OBSS in S602 above, which will not be repeated here.

[0292] S1203, the second station sends the second frame to the first station.

[0293] The second frame includes second information indicating that the available bandwidth for the second site to perform NPCA operations is the bandwidth other than that of the first TXOP.

[0294] S1203 is an optional step.

[0295] In other words, an AP or non-AP STA can update its available bandwidth for NPCA operations based on the TXOP bandwidth of the OBSS when switching from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel from the peer site.

[0296] Optionally, if the second site is an AP and the first site is a non-AP STA, the communication method may further include: the AP sending a second message via multicast. Thus, all non-AP STAs associated with the AP can update their own available bandwidth for NPCA operations based on the AP's multicast data regarding the available bandwidth for NPCA operations.

[0297] In summary, when the first station and the second station are respectively triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel, the second station updates its available bandwidth for NPCA operations based on the bandwidth of the first TXOP of the first OBSS that triggered the first station to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. This avoids the second station's transmission on the NPCA main channel being affected by the first TXOP, thus improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0298] The following describes a scheme to update the NPCA operation time using the NAV value, where no new time information is needed between the first and second stations (as mentioned above for the first time information).

[0299] Figure 13 is a schematic flowchart of the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This communication method is applicable to the aforementioned communication system and mainly involves the interaction between a first station and a second station. The first station can be an AP or a non-AP STA, and the second station can be an AP or a non-AP STA. It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., are used at the embodiment level, and the information contained in the terms "first," "second," etc., in the embodiments corresponding to Figure 13 may differ from those in the embodiments corresponding to Figures 6 and 12.

[0300] As shown in Figure 13, the flow of this communication method is as follows:

[0301] S1301, the second station sends the first frame to the first station, and correspondingly, the first station receives the first frame from the second station.

[0302] The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first NAV value set by the second station on the NPCA main channel.

[0303] The first site can be an access point (AP), and the second site can be a non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first site can be a non-AP STA, and the second site can be an access point (AP).

[0304] The first NAV value can be the NAV value set by the second station when initiating a TXOP on the NPCA main channel, or it can be set according to the end time of the second station's NPCA operation. For example, the end time corresponding to the first NAV value can be earlier than or equal to the end time of the second station's NPCA operation. The first NAV value can be used to indicate the duration of the NPCA operation performed by the second station on the NPCA main channel. The first NAV value can be carried through the Duration field in the first frame and the TXOP duration parameter (TXOP_DURATION) in the preamble. The first NAV value can be used to protect the second station from interference from other stations during transmission between the second and first stations.

[0305] The end time of the NPCA operation performed by the second station on the NPCA main channel can be obtained by using the end time corresponding to the first NAV value. Therefore, the second station can indirectly indicate to the first station the end time of its NPCA operation on the NPCA main channel using the first NAV value.

[0306] The end time for NPCA operations can be found in the description of the end time for AP NPCA operations in S602. The end time for AP NPCA operations is similar to that for non-AP STA NPCA operations, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0307] S1302, the first station updates the time for the first station to perform NPCA operation based on the first NAV value.

[0308] The first station updates the time for performing NPCA operations based on the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0309] Optionally, the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation is the end time of the first station's NPCA operation. Of course, the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation can also be the duration of the first station's NPCA operation; there is no restriction on this.

[0310] The first station may postpone or advance the end time of its NPCA operation based on the end time corresponding to the first NAV value. In other words, the first station may determine the end time corresponding to the first NAV value as the end time of its NPCA operation.

[0311] S1303, the first station sends the second frame to the second station.

[0312] S1303 is an optional step. The second frame includes second information indicating the third NAV value set by the first station on the NPCA main channel, wherein the third NAV value is determined based on the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0313] The end time corresponding to the third NAV value is the same as the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0314] The following sections describe two scenarios: delaying the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station based on the first NAV value, and advancing the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station.

[0315] Scene 1:

[0316] In one possible implementation, the first frame is an ICF, and before S1302, the communication method may further include: the first station determining that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the time when the first station performs the NPCA operation.

[0317] Because the second station ensures that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than or equal to the end time of the second station's NPCA operation when setting the first NAV value, if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation, the first station cannot determine whether the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation. The end time of the second station's NPCA operation may be earlier or later than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation.

[0318] Only if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station can the first station determine that the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the second station is later than the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station. Therefore, the first station updates the time of its NPCA operation based on the first NAV value, for example, by extending the end time of the NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0319] For example, Figure 14 is a second schematic diagram of AP updating NPCA end time provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 14, the AP and non-AP STA are interconnected. The AP can receive PPDUs of OBSS1 and OBSS2, while the non-AP STA can only receive PPDU of OBSS2.

[0320] The AP, operating on the primary channel (the 20MHz primary channel on the primary 80MHz (P80) channel in Figure 14), is first triggered by OBSS1 TXOP to perform an NPCA operation, switching to the NPCA primary channel (a 20MHz sub-channel on the secondary 80MHz (S80) channel in Figure 14). Subsequently, the non-AP STA is triggered by OBSS2 TXOP to perform an NPCA operation, switching to the NPCA primary channel. The end time of the AP's NPCA operation, i.e., the original end time of the AP's NPCA operation, is earlier than the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA operation.

[0321] The non-AP STA sends an ICF (Initial Communication Frame) to the AP, setting an NAV (Non-AP Value) in the ICF based on the end time of the non-AP STA's NPCA (Non-Peak Assisted Operation) (i.e., the aforementioned first NAV value). Upon receiving the ICF, the AP determines that the end time corresponding to the NAV value is later than its own NPCA operation end time. Therefore, it assumes the non-AP STA's NPCA operation end time is later than its own, and updates its own NPCA operation end time according to the end time corresponding to the NAV value in the ICF. Furthermore, the AP sets the NAV information in the ICR (Initial Record) based on the end time corresponding to the NAV value and sends the ICR to the non-AP STA. Upon receiving the ICR, the non-AP STA can determine that the end time corresponding to the NAV value in the ICR is the same as its own NAV value. Then, the non-AP STA transmits data with the AP via an uplink UL PPDU. After transmitting the data, the AP sends a BA (Balanced Frame) frame and then switches back to the main channel at the updated end time of the NPCA operation.

[0322] In the example above, the behavior of AP and non-AP STA can be swapped. That is, non-AP STA updates the end time of NPCA operation according to the NAV value set by AP. This will not be elaborated further.

[0323] In this way, unnecessary updates can be avoided when the first station cannot determine whether the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation. Furthermore, at this time, the first station updates its NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value, effectively extending the NPCA operation time. This avoids the problem of the first station finding the main channel still occupied when switching back, allowing the first station to continue using the NPCA main channel for transmission and improving channel utilization efficiency.

[0324] Scene 2:

[0325] In another possible implementation, the first frame is an ICR; before the first station receives the first frame from the second station, the communication method may further include: the first station sending an ICF to the second station, the ICF including second information indicating a second NAV value set by the first station during the NPCA operation. S1302 may include: if the first station determines that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than the end time corresponding to the second NAV value, the first station updates the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation according to the first NAV value.

[0326] After the first station sends an ICF (Initial Frame Message) to the second station indicating the second NAV value, the second station, upon determining that the end time corresponding to the second NAV value is later than the end time of its NPCA (Non-Penalty-Adjustable Action) operation, sends an ICR (Initial Frame Message) to the first station, carrying the first NAV value. In other words, if the first station receives an ICR from the second station, and the end time corresponding to the first NAV value indicated in the ICR is earlier than the end time corresponding to the second NAV value, it means that the second station has already compared the end time corresponding to the second NAV value with the end time of its NPCA operation. At this point, the first station can determine that the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is earlier than the end time of its own NPCA operation. The first station can then update the NPCA operation time based on the first NAV value, such as shortening the end time of the NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

[0327] The second NAV value can be the NAV value set by the first station when initiating a TXOP on the NPCA main channel, or it can be set according to the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station. For example, the end time corresponding to the second NAV value can be earlier than or equal to the end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station. The second NAV value can be used to indicate the duration of the NPCA operation performed by the first station on the NPCA main channel.

[0328] The end time of the NPCA operation performed by the first station on the NPCA main channel can be obtained by using the end time corresponding to the second NAV value. Therefore, the first station can indirectly indicate the end time of its NPCA operation on the NPCA main channel to the second station through the second NAV value.

[0329] For example, Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the AP updating the NPCA end time according to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 15, the AP and non-AP STA are interconnected. The AP can receive PPDUs of OBSS1 and OBSS2, while the non-AP STA can only receive PPDUs of OBSS2.

[0330] The AP is first triggered by OBSS1 TXOP to perform NPCA operation, switching to the NPCA main channel. Subsequently, the non-AP STA is triggered by OBSS2 TXOP to perform NPCA operation, switching to the NPCA main channel. The AP's NPCA operation ends later than the non-AP STA's NPCA operation.

[0331] The AP sends an ICF to the non-AP STA and sets a NAV value (the second NAV value mentioned above) in the ICF based on the end time of the AP's NPCA operation, which is the AP's original end time for performing the NPCA operation. After receiving the ICF, the non-AP STA determines that the end time corresponding to the NAV value in the ICF is later than its own end time for performing the NPCA operation, but chooses to maintain its original end time for performing the NPCA operation.

[0332] The non-AP STA sends an ICR to the AP, setting its NAV value (i.e., the first NAV value) in the ICR based on its own NPCA operation end time, which is earlier than the NAV value in the ICF. Upon receiving the ICR, the AP determines that the end time corresponding to the NAV value has been advanced, therefore assuming that the non-AP STA's NPCA operation end time is earlier than its own. Thus, the AP updates its own NPCA operation end time according to the end time corresponding to the NAV value in the ICR. In subsequent PPDUs, the AP sets its NAV value based on the end time corresponding to the NAV value in the ICR, confirming that its NPCA operation end time has been updated. The AP transmits data with the non-AP STA via downlink PPDUs (DL PPDUs). After transmitting data, the AP sends a BA frame and then switches back to the main channel at the AP's updated NPCA operation end time.

[0333] In the example above, the behavior of AP and non-AP STA can be swapped. That is, non-AP STA updates the end time of NPCA operation according to the NAV value set by AP. This will not be elaborated further.

[0334] In this way, the first station can advance the end time of its NPCA operation based on the first NAV value set by the second station, thus avoiding the first station being in a blind state when switching back to the main channel and avoiding affecting the ongoing transmission on the main channel.

[0335] Other possible implementations are also available in this application, which will be described in detail below.

[0336] In one possible implementation, the communication method may further include: if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation, the first station sends an error code to the second station, the error code indicating that the first station cannot respond to the first frame.

[0337] Error codes can indicate that the first site is unable to respond to a response frame because the first NAV value set by the second site is too long.

[0338] Optionally, the error code may also indicate that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the NPCA operation at the first site.

[0339] The first station can indicate that the specific reason for the inability to respond to the response frame is that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation.

[0340] This allows the second station to be aware in a timely manner that the first station is unable to respond to the first frame, thus ceasing to send frames to the first station and avoiding wasting resources.

[0341] Of course, if the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation, the first station may also choose not to reply to the first frame.

[0342] In one possible implementation, where the first station is a first non-AP STA and the second station is an AP, the first frame can be sent by the AP via multicast, so that the first non-AP STA can detect and receive the first frame.

[0343] Alternatively, the first frame could be detected and received by the first non-AP STA when the AP is communicating with other non-AP STAs associated with it.

[0344] For example, the first non-AP STA detects ICF, ICR, CRF, or data frames (i.e., the first frame mentioned above) sent by the AP to other non-AP STAs, and updates the data in the following two ways depending on the type of the detected frame:

[0345] Scenario 1: The first non-AP STA detects the ICF sent by the AP to other non-AP STAs.

[0346] If the first non-AP STA determines that the end time corresponding to the NAV value set by the AP in the ICF (i.e., the aforementioned first NAV value) is later than the end time of the first non-AP STA's own NPCA operation, then it can be considered that the end time of the AP's NPCA operation is later than the end time of its own NPCA operation. Therefore, the first non-AP STA can update the end time of the first non-AP STA's NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the NAV value set by the AP.

[0347] Scenario 2: The first non-AP STA detects the AP's response to other non-AP STAs (such as ICR, CRF, data frames).

[0348] If the first non-AP STA determines that the end time corresponding to the NAV value (i.e., the first NAV value mentioned above) set in the frame that the AP replies to other non-AP STAs is earlier than the end time corresponding to the NAV value set in the frame being replied to (such as ICF or data frame), then it can be assumed that the AP set the NAV value according to the end time of the AP's NPCA operation. Therefore, the first non-AP STA can update the end time of the first non-AP STA's NPCA operation to the end time corresponding to the NAV value set by the AP.

[0349] In one possible implementation, the second station is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by the first TXOP of the first OBSS, and the end time of the second station's NPCA operation is determined based on the end time of the first TXOP.

[0350] Optionally, the first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS; S1302 may include: if the first station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the first station updates the time for the first station to perform NPCA operation according to the first NAV value.

[0351] Optionally, the identification information of the first OBSS includes information about the BSS color of the first OBSS.

[0352] The first OBSS, the first TXOP, and the interference OBSS can be referred to in the description of the first OBSS, the first TXOP, and the interference OBSS in S602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0353] Optionally, the first station is triggered by the second OBSS to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. If the first station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the first station updates the time for performing the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value. This can include: if the first OBSS is different from the second OBSS, and the first station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the first station updates the time for performing the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value.

[0354] The second OBSS and the second TXOP can be referred to in the description of the second OBSS and the second TXOP in S602 above, and will not be repeated here.

[0355] It is understandable that the time of the aforementioned NPCA operation will only be updated when the first site is certain to be affected by the first OBSS that triggers the second site to perform the NPCA operation.

[0356] Additionally, if the first station is a non-AP STA and the second station is an AP, the non-AP STA can also compare the identification information of the OBSS that triggered the AP and the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operations. If they are inconsistent, it can be assumed that there is a problem from different perspectives, and the AP can be notified of the existence of the problem.

[0357] The specific implementations of S1301-S1303 can be found in the specific implementations of S601-S603, and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0358] In summary, the second station does not need to provide an additional instruction on the end time of the NPCA operation. Instead, it utilizes the NAV information that is always included during frame interaction. The first station can update the time of the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value set by the second station, which can solve problems such as reduced channel utilization efficiency caused by different perspectives in NPCA.

[0359] The method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figures 6-15. The communication apparatus used to perform the communication method provided by the embodiments of this application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 16-17.

[0360] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As exemplarily shown in Figure 16, the communication device 1600 includes a transceiver module 1601 and a processing module 1602. For ease of explanation, Figure 16 only shows the main components of the communication device.

[0361] The transceiver module 1601 is used to perform the transceiver function of the method shown in Figures 6, 12 or 13 above, and the processing module 1602 is used to perform other functions of the method shown in Figures 6, 12 or 13 above, except for the transceiver function.

[0362] Optionally, the transceiver module 1601 may include a transmitting module (not shown in FIG16) and a receiving module (not shown in FIG16). The transmitting module is used to implement the transmitting function of the communication device 1600, and the receiving module is used to implement the receiving function of the communication device 1600.

[0363] Optionally, the communication device 1600 may further include a storage module (not shown in FIG. 16) that stores programs or instructions. When the processing module 1602 executes the program or instructions, the communication device 1600 can perform the functions of the terminal or network device in the methods shown in FIG. 6, FIG. 12 or FIG. 13 described above.

[0364] It is understood that the communication device 1600 may be a terminal or network device, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be set in the terminal or network device, or a device that includes the terminal or network device. This application does not limit it in this regard.

[0365] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 1600 can be referred to the technical effects of the communication methods shown in Figures 6, 12, or 13, and will not be elaborated here.

[0366] Figure 17 is a second schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Exemplarily, the communication device can be a terminal, or a chip (system) or other component or assembly that can be disposed in the terminal. As shown in Figure 17, the communication device 1700 may include a processor 1701. Optionally, the communication device 1700 may also include a memory 1702 and / or a transceiver 1703. The processor 1701 is coupled to the memory 1702 and / or the transceiver 1703, for example, by means of a communication bus, an internal chip interface, or other communication lines. Optionally, the memory 1702 may be integrated with the processor 1701.

[0367] The following section, with reference to Figure 17, provides a detailed description of each component of the communication device 1700:

[0368] The processor 1701 is the control center of the communication device 1700. It can be a single processor or a collective term for multiple processing elements. For example, the processor 1701 can be one or more central processing units (CPUs), or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of this application, such as one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs).

[0369] Optionally, the processor 1701 can perform various functions of the communication device 1700 by running or executing software programs stored in the memory 1702 and calling data stored in the memory 1702, such as performing the communication methods shown in Figures 6, 12 or 13 above.

[0370] In a specific implementation, as one example, processor 1701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 shown in FIG17.

[0371] In a specific implementation, as one embodiment, the communication device 1700 may also include multiple processors, such as processors 1701 and 1704 shown in FIG. 17. Each of these processors may be a single-core processor (single-CPU) or a multi-core processor (multi-CPU). Here, a processor may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and / or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

[0372] The memory 1702 is used to store the software program that executes the solution of this application, and is controlled by the processor 1701 to execute it. The specific implementation method can be referred to the above method embodiment, and will not be repeated here.

[0373] Optionally, the memory 1702 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device capable of storing static information and instructions, random access memory (RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device capable of storing information and instructions, or electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital universal optical discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium capable of carrying or storing desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and accessible by a computer, but not limited thereto. The memory 1702 may be integrated with the processor 1701 or may exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1701 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1700 (not shown in FIG. 17). This embodiment of the application does not specifically limit this.

[0374] Transceiver 1703 is used for communication with other communication devices. For example, if communication device 1700 is a terminal, transceiver 1703 can be used to communicate with a network device or with another terminal device. As another example, if communication device 1700 is a network device, transceiver 1703 can be used to communicate with a terminal or with another network device.

[0375] Optionally, transceiver 1703 may include a receiver and a transmitter (not shown separately in Figure 17). The receiver is used to implement the receiving function, and the transmitter is used to implement the transmitting function.

[0376] Optionally, the transceiver 1703 can be integrated with the processor 1701 or exist independently and be coupled to the processor 1701 through the interface circuit of the communication device 1700 (not shown in FIG17). This application embodiment does not specifically limit this.

[0377] It is understood that the structure of the communication device 1700 shown in Figure 17 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. Actual communication devices may include more or fewer components than shown, or combine certain components, or have different component arrangements.

[0378] Furthermore, the technical effects of the communication device 1700 can be referred to the technical effects of the method described in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0379] It should be understood that the processor in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can be other general-purpose processors, DSPs, ASICs, FPGAs, or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor, etc.

[0380] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), EEPROM, or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0381] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware (such as circuits), firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer programs are loaded or executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) 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 includes one or more sets of available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. A semiconductor medium can be a solid-state drive.

[0382] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. A and B can be singular or plural. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates an "or" relationship between the preceding and following related objects, but it can also represent an "and / or" relationship. Please refer to the context for a more accurate understanding.

[0383] In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, ab, ac, bc, or abc, where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0384] It should be understood that in the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0385] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0386] Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0387] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0388] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0389] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0390] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes all the various possible memories described above.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The access point (AP) receives a first frame from a non-AP STA. The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first time information of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation when the non-AP STA is triggered to switch from the main channel to the non-main channel to access the NPCA main channel. The AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operations based on the first time information.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first time information includes the end time of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation; the second time information includes the end time of the AP performing NPCA operation.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The non-AP STA is triggered to perform NPCA operation by the first transmission opportunity TXOP across the first basic service set OBSS, and the end time of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation is determined according to the end time of the first TXOP.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS; the AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operations based on the first time information, including: If the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation based on the first time information.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The identification information of the first OBSS includes information about the basic service set color (BSS color) of the first OBSS.

6. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The AP is triggered by the second OBSS to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; when the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operation based on the first time information, including: If the first OBSS is different from the second OBSS, and the AP determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the AP updates the second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation based on the first time information.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The AP updates the second time information for performing NPCA operations based on the first time information, including: If the second time indicated by the second time information is different from the first time indicated by the first time information, the AP updates the second time information according to the first time information.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The method further includes: If the second time is the same as the first time, the AP does not update the second time information.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that, The first frame includes second information, the second information indicating the bandwidth of the first TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the primary channel to the NPCA primary channel; the method further includes: If the bandwidth of the first TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the second TXOP, the AP updates the available bandwidth for the AP to perform NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the first TXOP; wherein, the second TXOP is the TXOP that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel OBSS.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: The AP sends a second frame to the non-AP STA. The second frame includes third information, which indicates that the AP performs NPCA operation at the first time indicated by the first time information.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The AP sends the third information via multicast.

12. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 11, characterized in that, The first frame includes any one of the following: Initial Control Frame (ICF), Initial Control Response Frame (ICR), Control Response Frame (CRF), Quality of Service Data (QoSData) frame, or Quality of Service Null (QoS Null) frame.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the first frame is an ICF, the ICF is any of the following: a Multi-User Request to Send a MU-RTS frame, a Buffer Status Report Polling BSRP frame, a Multi-User Block Acknowledgment Request MU-BAR frame, or a trigger frame of the first type. The ICF includes a Special User Info field, and the first information is located in the Special User Info field.

14. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the first frame is the ICR or the CRF, the ICR or the CRF is a Multi-STA BlockAck frame or a second type of response frame, and the ICR or the CRF includes a Per AID TID Info field, where the first information is located in the Per AID TID Info field.

15. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, When the first frame is the QoSData frame or the QoS Null frame, the first frame includes the A-Control field.

16. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The non-AP STA sends a first frame to the AP. The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first time information of the non-AP STA performing NPCA operation when the non-AP STA is triggered to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel. The non-AP STA receives a second frame from the AP, the second frame including third information, the third information indicating that the AP performs NPCA operation at the first time indicated by the first time information.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first time is the end time of the non-AP STA performing the NPCA operation.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The non-AP STA is triggered to perform an NPCA operation by the first TXOP of the first OBSS, and the end time of the non-AP STA performing the NPCA operation is determined according to the end time of the first TXOP of the non-AP STA.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first frame includes the identification information of the first OBSS, which includes the BSS color information of the first OBSS.

20. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that, The first frame includes second information, which indicates the bandwidth of the first TXOP.

21. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 20, characterized in that, Before the non-AP STA sends the first frame to the AP, the method further includes: The non-AP STA receives a third frame from the AP, the third frame including fourth information, the fourth information indicating second time information for the AP to perform NPCA operation, the second time indicated by the second time information being different from the first time.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The third frame includes fifth information, which indicates the bandwidth of the second TXOP of the OBSS that triggers the AP to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel; the method further includes: When the bandwidth of the second TXOP is greater than the bandwidth of the first TXOP, the non-AP STA updates the available bandwidth for the non-AP STA to perform NPCA operation to the bandwidth other than the bandwidth of the second TXOP; the first TXOP is the TXOP that triggers the non-AP STA to switch from the main channel to the NPCA main channel OBSS.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The first station receives a first frame from the second station. The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first network allocation vector (NAV) value set by the second station during the Non-Main Channel Access (NPCA) operation. The first station updates the time for performing NPCA operations based on the first NAV value.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first frame is an Initial Control Frame (ICF), and the method further includes: The first station determines that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is later than the end time of the first station's NPCA operation.

25. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first frame is the Initial Control Response (ICR) frame; Before the first station receives the first frame from the second station, the method further includes: The first station sends an ICF to the second station, the ICF including second information indicating a second NAV value set by the first station during the NPCA operation; The first site updates the time for performing NPCA operations based on the first NAV value, including: If the first station determines that the end time corresponding to the first NAV value is earlier than the end time corresponding to the second NAV value, the first station updates the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation based on the first NAV value.

26. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 25, characterized in that, The time during which the first station performs the NPCA operation is the end time of the first station's NPCA operation.

27. The method according to any one of claims 23 to 26, characterized in that, The first frame also includes identification information of the first cross-basic service set OBSS that triggers the second site to perform NPCA operation; The first site updates the time for performing NPCA operations based on the first NAV value, including: If the first station determines that the first OBSS is an interfering OBSS, the first station updates the time for the first station to perform NPCA operation based on the first NAV value.

28. A communication method, characterized in that, include: The second station sends a first frame to the first station. The first frame includes first information, which indicates the first NAV value set by the second station during the NPCA operation. The second station receives a second frame from the first station. The second frame includes third information, which indicates that the time for the first station to perform the NPCA operation is the end time corresponding to the first NAV value.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The first frame is an ICR; Before the second station sends the first frame to the first station, the method further includes: The second station receives an ICF from the first station, the ICF including second information indicating a second NAV value set by the first station on the NPCA main channel; The second station sends a first frame to the first station, including: If the end time corresponding to the second NAV value is later than the end time of the second station's NPCA operation, the second station sends the first frame to the first station.

30. A communication device, characterized in that, The apparatus includes: a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-15, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 16-22, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 23-27, or a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 28-29.

31. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device includes a processing unit and a storage unit; the storage unit is used to store computer instructions, which, when executed by the processing unit, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 to be executed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 16-22 to be executed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 23-27 to be executed, or cause the method as described in any one of claims 28-29 to be executed.

32. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1-15, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 16-22, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 23-27, or the method as claimed in any one of claims 28-29.

33. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method as described in any one of claims 1-15 to be performed, or the method as described in any one of claims 16-22 to be performed, or the method as described in any one of claims 23-27 to be performed, or the method as described in any one of claims 28-29 to be performed.

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