Sensing method and sensing apparatus

Abstract

The present application supports IEEE-related standards, such as IEEE 802.11be, IEEE 802.11bn, IEEE 802.11bf, IEEE 802.15, Wi-Fi 7, Wi-Fi 8, EHT, UHR, IMMW, UWB, or a sensing protocol, and may also support the SparkLink / NearLink standard protocol. Provided are a sensing method and a sensing apparatus. The method comprises: a first station and a second station participating in sensing measurement can determine whether to enable sensing measurement on a first non-primary channel, thereby achieving introduction of a non-primary channel sensing measurement mechanism in a sensing measurement scenario, and improving the performance of sensing measurement.

Description

Sensing methods and sensing devices Technical Field

[0001] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a sensing method and a sensing device. Background Technology

[0002] Wireless local area networks (WLANs) have evolved to the point where 802.11 is one of the mainstream wireless access standards, enjoying widespread commercial application over the past decade. 802.11bf, in particular, is a next-generation wireless standard focusing on WLAN sensing. WLAN sensing allows devices with WLAN sensing capabilities to determine the characteristics of a predetermined target (such as an object, animal, or person) based on received wireless signals in a given environment. These characteristics include the target's distance, orientation, speed, movement, and behavior.

[0003] In WLAN technology standards, access points (APs) can operate on different frequency bands, such as 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz. Each AP occupies a specific channel within a given frequency band. Currently, the maximum bandwidth available to an AP can reach 320MHz. These high-bandwidth channels can be logically divided into several sub-channels. A basic service set (BSS) has primary and non-primary channels. When an AP communicates with a non-AP station (non-AP STA), it typically accesses via the primary channel, a mechanism known as primary channel access. However, if the primary channel is busy and the non-primary channel is idle, primary channel access will be considered unavailable, wasting non-primary channel resources. Therefore, the protocol introduces non-primary channel access (NPCA) as a mechanism. When the primary channel is busy, devices (such as APs or non-AP STAs) can switch to a non-primary channel sub-channel to compete for channel space.

[0004] How to introduce the NPCA mechanism in WLAN sensing scenarios has become an urgent problem to be solved. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a sensing method to introduce the NPCA mechanism in WLAN sensing scenarios and improve sensing performance.

[0006] Firstly, a sensing method is provided. This method can be executed by a first station. Unless otherwise specified, "first station" in this application can refer to the first station itself (e.g., an AP or a non-AP STA), or a component of the first station (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as circuits or chips responsible for communication functions in an access point (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a system-on-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip containing a modem core)), or it can be a logic module or software that can implement all or part of the first station. For ease of description, the following description uses the execution by the first station as an example.

[0007] The sensing method includes: generating a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first site and / or the second site should activate sensing measurement on a first non-primary channel; and transmitting the first frame to the second site, wherein the first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first site belongs.

[0008] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame sent from the first station to the second station includes first indication information indicating whether the first station and / or the second station should activate a first non-primary channel for sensing measurement. This allows the first and second stations to determine, based on the first indication information, whether to switch to a non-primary channel for sensing measurement during the sensing measurement process. This introduces a non-primary channel sensing measurement mechanism into the sensing measurement scenario, improving the performance of the sensing measurement.

[0009] Secondly, a sensing method is provided. This method can be executed by a second station. Unless otherwise specified, "second station" in this application can refer to the second station itself (e.g., an AP or a non-AP STA), a component of the second station (e.g., a processor, chip, or chip system, such as a circuit or chip in an access point responsible for communication functions (e.g., a modem chip, also known as a baseband chip, or a SoC chip or SIP chip containing a modem core)), or a logic module or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the second station. For ease of description, the following description uses the execution by the second station as an example.

[0010] The sensing method includes: receiving a first frame from a first site, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first site and / or a second site should enable sensing measurement on a first non-primary channel. Based on the first frame, determining whether to enable sensing measurement on the first non-primary channel, wherein the first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first site belongs.

[0011] Based on the above technical solution, after receiving the first frame, the second station can determine whether to initiate sensing measurement on the first non-primary channel based on the first indication information carried in the first frame. This allows both the first and second stations to determine whether to switch to a non-primary channel for sensing measurement during the sensing measurement process based on the first indication information. This introduces a non-primary channel sensing measurement mechanism into the sensing measurement scenario, improving the performance of sensing measurement.

[0012] In conjunction with the first aspect or the second aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect or the second aspect, the first frame further includes information on a first duration, which is used to indicate the first duration of sensing measurement performed on the first non-master channel.

[0013] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame may further include information about a first duration, which is the duration required for the station (e.g., the first station and / or the second station) to perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. By carrying this first duration information in the first frame, the first station and the second station can know the duration required to perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. Therefore, they can determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing measurements when the primary channel is busy, thus avoiding handover failure; or, avoiding pointless handovers, such as preventing the inability to complete sensing measurements after handover.

[0014] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on the first duration; determining to switch to the first non-primary channel if the first duration satisfies a first condition, the first condition including: the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and a first delay, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and a second delay; or, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and a third delay, wherein the first delay is the delay of the first station, the second delay is the delay of the second station, the third delay is the maximum delay between the first delay and the second delay, and the station delay is used to indicate the delay of the station switching from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel and / or the delay of the station switching from the first non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0015] Based on the above technical solution, after the first and second stations determine the first duration required for sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel based on the first duration information, they can determine whether to perform a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel based on this first duration. For example, if the relationship between the busy duration of the primary channel, the delay of the first station, the delay of the second station, and the first duration satisfies a first condition, a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel can be performed. The first duration constrains the handover conditions, increasing the probability of achieving sensing measurements on the non-primary channel when the primary channel is busy.

[0016] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in certain implementations of the first or second aspect, when the first site is an access point (AP), the first frame further includes at least one of the following information: a list of identifiers of at least one non-AP STA, latency information of each of the at least one non-AP STA, fourth latency information, fifth latency information, or second duration information, wherein the fourth latency is the maximum latency among the at least one non-AP STA and the AP, the fifth latency is the maximum latency among the at least one non-AP STA, the second duration is determined by the first duration and the fourth latency, and the second site is one of the at least one non-AP STA.

[0017] Based on the above technical solution, when the first site is an AP, the AP can be associated with at least one non-AP STA. Thus, the AP can provide each associated non-AP STA with relevant information about the at least one non-AP STA (e.g., the identifier of the non-AP STA, the latency of the non-AP STA, etc.). This allows a non-AP STA to obtain information about other non-AP STAs through the first frame. When determining whether to perform a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel, the state of other non-AP STAs can be considered, thus avoiding situations where some non-AP STAs perform a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel while others do not.

[0018] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the first condition further includes: the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the fourth delay; or, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the delay of each of the at least one non-AP STAs, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay.

[0019] Based on the above technical solution, in scenarios where there are multiple non-AP STAs participating in the sensing measurement, the first condition for the first and second stations to determine whether to perform a handover from the main channel to the first non-main channel also includes whether the delay of each non-AP STA participating in the sensing measurement meets the constraint of a first duration, or in other words, whether the maximum value of the delay of the multiple non-AP STAs participating in the sensing measurement and the AP meets the constraint of the first duration, that is, whether the AP and multiple non-AP STAs participating in the sensing measurement meet the first condition.

[0020] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on the second duration; and determining to switch to the first non-primary channel if the second duration is less than or equal to the busy duration of the primary channel.

[0021] Based on the above technical solution, when the AP sends information of a second duration to the STAs participating in the sensing measurement, the first and second stations can determine whether to perform a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel based on the second duration information. For example, if the busy duration of the primary channel is greater than or equal to the second duration, a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel can be performed. The second duration constrains the handover conditions, increasing the probability of achieving sensing measurement on a non-primary channel when the primary channel is busy.

[0022] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame further includes second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station has enabled communication on the first non-main channel.

[0023] Based on the above technical solution, the first and second stations can perform sensing measurements and communication. Therefore, the first frame can carry second indication information indicating whether to activate the first non-primary channel for communication. This allows the first and second stations to determine whether to switch to the non-primary channel for communication during the communication process based on the second indication information. This achieves the introduction of a non-primary channel mechanism in a scenario where sensing measurements and communication are integrated.

[0024] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame further includes information on a third duration, which is used to indicate a third duration of communication on the first non-master channel.

[0025] Based on the above technical solution, the first frame may also include information on a third duration, which is the duration required for a station (e.g., the first station and / or the second station) to communicate on the first non-primary channel. By carrying this third duration information in the first frame, the first station and the second station can know the duration required to communicate on the first non-primary channel, and thus determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel for communication when the primary channel is busy, thereby avoiding switching failure.

[0026] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the method further includes: determining whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on a fourth duration, the fourth duration being determined based on the first duration and the third duration; determining to switch to the first non-primary channel if the fourth duration satisfies a second condition, the second condition including: the fourth duration being less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and the first delay, and the fourth duration being less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and the second delay; or, the fourth duration being less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the primary channel and the third delay, wherein the first delay is the delay of the first station, the second delay is the delay of the second station, the third delay is the maximum delay between the first delay and the second delay, and the station delay is used to indicate the delay of the station switching from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel and / or the delay of the station switching from the first non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0027] Based on the above technical solution, after the first and second stations determine the first duration required for sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel based on the first duration information, and determine the third duration required for communication on the first non-primary channel based on the third duration information, they can determine whether to perform a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel based on the first and third durations. For example, if the relationship between the busy duration of the primary channel, the delay of the first station, the delay of the second station, the first duration, and the third duration satisfies the second condition, a handover from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel can be performed. The handover conditions are constrained by the first and third durations, increasing the probability of achieving sensing measurements on the non-primary channel when the primary channel is busy.

[0028] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in certain implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame includes the first indication information, comprising: the first frame includes a Non-Main Channel Access (NPCA) element, wherein the NPCA element includes the first indication information. The first frame includes any one of the following: a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association request frame, an association response frame, a re-association request frame, a re-association response frame, a Non-Main Channel Access Mode Enable frame, a Non-Main Channel Access Mode Notification frame, a Data Transmission Indication Information (DTIM) frame, a Transmission Indication Mapping (TIM) frame, or a Non-Main Channel Access Management frame.

[0029] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in certain implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame includes the first indication information, comprising: the first frame includes a sensing measurement parameter element, wherein the sensing measurement parameter element includes the first indication information. The first frame includes any one of the following: a sensing measurement request frame, a sensing measurement response frame, a proxy sensing SBP request frame, or an SBP response frame.

[0030] Based on the above technical solution, the information required in the first frame can be carried in the NPCA element or the sensing measurement parameter element. That is, there are multiple ways to carry the information, which improves the flexibility of the solution.

[0031] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame is transmitted via broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

[0032] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in some implementations of the first or second aspect, the first frame further includes information about the first sensing measurement session and / or information about the first non-master channel, wherein the information about the first sensing measurement session is used to indicate the sensing measurement session established between the first station and the second station.

[0033] Thirdly, a sensing device is provided for performing the method provided in the first aspect. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any of the above implementations of the first aspect, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0034] In one implementation, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0035] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the first site. When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in the terminal device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0036] Fourthly, a sensing device is provided for performing the method provided in the second aspect. Specifically, the device may include units and / or modules for performing the method provided in any of the above implementations of the second aspect, such as processing units and / or communication units.

[0037] In one implementation, the communication unit can be a transceiver or an input / output interface; the processing unit can be at least one processor. Optionally, the transceiver can be a transceiver circuit. Optionally, the input / output interface can be an input / output circuit.

[0038] In another implementation, the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a second station. When the device is a chip, chip system, or circuit used in a terminal device, the communication unit may be an input / output interface, interface circuit, output circuit, input circuit, pin, or related circuit on the chip, chip system, or circuit; the processing unit may be at least one processor, processing circuit, or logic circuit.

[0039] Fifthly, a sensing device is provided, the device comprising: a memory for storing a program; and at least one processor for executing the computer program or instructions stored in the memory to perform any of the above-described implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0040] Sixthly, this application provides a processor for performing the methods provided in the above aspects.

[0041] Unless otherwise specified, or if it does not contradict its actual function or internal logic in the relevant description, the transmission and acquisition / reception operations involved in the processor can be understood as processor output and reception, input and other operations, or as transmission and reception operations performed by radio frequency circuits and antennas. This application does not limit them in this regard.

[0042] A seventh aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing program code for execution by a device, the program code including a method for performing any of the above-described implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0043] Eighthly, a computer program product containing instructions is provided, which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0044] Ninth aspect, a chip is provided, the chip including a processor and a communication interface, the processor reading instructions stored in a memory through the communication interface and executing the method provided by any of the above implementations of the first and second aspects.

[0045] Optionally, as one implementation, the chip also includes a memory that stores computer programs or instructions. The processor is used to execute the computer programs or instructions stored in the memory. When the computer programs or instructions are executed, the processor is used to execute the methods provided by any of the above implementation methods.

[0046] In a tenth aspect, a sensing system is provided, including the sensing device of the third aspect and the sensing device of the fourth aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0047] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0048] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a sensing measurement process.

[0049] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a sensory ability element.

[0050] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of frame interaction for establishing a perception measurement session.

[0051] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of a sensing measurement request frame.

[0052] Figure 6 shows a trigger-based perception measurement interaction process.

[0053] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a perceived availability window that can contain multiple perceived measurement interactions.

[0054] Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of a perceived availability window that can contain a perceived measurement interaction.

[0055] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a TB-sensing measurement interaction.

[0056] Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of a proxy sensing measurement process.

[0057] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an SBP request frame.

[0058] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of a duration field carried in a MAC header.

[0059] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of two Infrastructure BSSs connected to the DS.

[0060] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of channel division.

[0061] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of channel switching.

[0062] Figure 16 shows another perception measurement interaction process.

[0063] Figure 17 is a schematic diagram of a sensory frame interaction.

[0064] Figure 18 is a schematic flowchart of a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0065] Figure 19 is a schematic diagram of the timing of NPCA parameter transmission provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0066] Figure 20 is a schematic diagram of a first frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0067] Figure 21 is a schematic diagram of another first frame provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0068] Figure 22 is a schematic diagram of a first duration provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0069] Figure 23 is a schematic diagram of NPCA parameter content provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0070] Figure 24 is a schematic diagram of another NPCA parameter content provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0071] Figure 25 is a schematic diagram of a perception measurement interaction provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0072] Figure 26 is a schematic block diagram of a sensing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0073] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another sensing device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0074] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of a chip system provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0075] To facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application, the following points will be explained first.

[0076] First, in this application, "for indicating" can include both direct and indirect indication. When describing an indication message for indicating A, it can include whether the indication message directly indicates A or indirectly indicates A, but does not necessarily mean that the indication message carries A.

[0077] The information indicated by the instruction is called the information to be instructed. In the specific implementation process, there are many ways to indicate the information to be instructed, such as, but not limited to, directly indicating the information to be instructed, such as the information to be instructed itself or its index. It can also be indirectly indicated by indicating other information, where there is a relationship between the other information and the information to be instructed. It can also indicate only a part of the information to be indicated, 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 indicated uniformly to reduce the instruction overhead caused by individually indicating the same information.

[0078] Second, in this application, "at least one" refers to one or more, and "more than one" refers to two or more (including two). Furthermore, in the embodiments of this application, "first," "second," and various numerical designations (e.g., "#1," "#2," etc.) are merely for descriptive convenience and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. The sequence numbers of the processes below do not imply an 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. It should be understood that the objects described in this way can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application. Moreover, in the embodiments of this application, terms such as "S1810" are merely identifiers for descriptive convenience and do not limit the order of execution steps.

[0079] Third, in the embodiments of this application, the words "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate that they are examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design that is described as "exemplary" or "for example" in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or design options. Specifically, the use of the words "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present the relevant concepts in a specific manner.

[0080] Fourth, the term "storage" in the embodiments of this application can refer to storage in one or more memories. These memories can be separate installations or integrated into an encoder, decoder, processor, or communication device. Alternatively, some memories can be separately installed, while others can be 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.

[0081] Fifth, in the implementation of this application, "protocol" may refer to standard protocols in the field of communications, such as the NR protocol and related protocols applied in future communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0082] Sixth, in the embodiments of this application, the terms "of", "corresponding (relevant)", "corresponding", and "associate" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when their differences are not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0083] Seventh, in the embodiments of this application, "under the circumstances", "when", and "if" can sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that when the distinction is not emphasized, their intended meanings are consistent.

[0084] Eighth, 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. Additionally, the character " / " in this article generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0085] Ninth, the terms "message", "information", or "information element (IE)" can be used interchangeably in this article. There are no restrictions on the names of messages, information, or frames, as long as they can achieve the corresponding functions.

[0086] Tenth, in this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, and "send information" can include direct transmission or indirect transmission through other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, and "receive information" can include direct reception from YY or indirect reception from YY through other units or modules. Besides air interface transmission or reception signals implemented at the system level, such as network devices or terminal devices, "send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. For example, a modem or system-on-a-chip (SoC) chip or system-in-package (SIP) chip transmits or receives signals. "Send" or "receive" can also be performed through device components, for example, by using buses, traces, or interfaces to transmit or receive signals through several parts, modules, or chips of a device.

[0087] Eleventh, in the accompanying drawings relating to frame structures in the embodiments of this application, some examples of field lengths in the frame are given. It should be understood that the byte lengths shown in the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and in actual applications, the length of any field may change.

[0088] Twelfth, the accompanying drawings of the frame structure in the embodiments of this application provide examples of field names in the frame. It should be understood that the field names shown in the accompanying drawings of the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and in actual applications, the name of any field may change.

[0089] Thirteenth, in the embodiments of this application, the arithmetic symbol "-" represents subtraction, such as the busy duration of the main channel - the duration of the station, where "the busy duration of the main channel" is the subtrahend and "the duration of the station" is the minuend, and the busy duration of the main channel - the duration of the station represents the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the duration of the station.

[0090] In addition, the symbols “≤” and “≥” used in the embodiments of this application represent less than or equal to.

[0091] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0092] 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.

[0093] Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using the deployment of WLAN networks, particularly those employing the IEEE 802.11 system standard, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0094] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: WLAN communication systems, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) systems, 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, future communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks, etc.

[0095] The communication systems described above are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited to these. They will be uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0096] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication method provided by this application is applicable to data communication between access points (APs) (AP1 and AP2 shown in Figure 1) and non-access point stations (non-AP STAs) (non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2, and non-AP STA3 shown in Figure 1). APs can be referred to as access point stations, and non-access point stations can be simply referred to as non-AP stations. Specifically, the solution of this application is applicable to data communication between an AP and one or more non-AP stations (e.g., data communication between AP1 and non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2), data communication between APs (e.g., data communication between AP1 and AP2), and data communication between non-AP STAs (e.g., data communication between non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3). Unless otherwise specified, non-AP STAs can also be simply referred to as STAs.

[0097] Access points are nodes that allow terminals (e.g., mobile phones) to access wired (or wireless) networks. They are mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, they can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0098] Specifically, the access point can be a terminal or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. This network device can be a server, router, switch, bridge, computer, mobile phone, relay station, vehicle-mounted equipment, wearable device, network device in a 5G network, network device in a future communication network, or network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. The access point can be a device that supports Wi-Fi standards. For example, the access point can also support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or 802.11bn, or the IMW protocol or Star Flash protocol.

[0099] Non-AP sites can be wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals, and may also be referred to as users, user equipment (UE), access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication equipment, user agents, or user devices. Non-AP sites can be cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, IoT devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, terminal devices in future communication networks, or terminal devices in PLMNs, etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. Non-AP sites can be devices that support WLAN standards. For example, non-AP sites can support one or more standards or IMW protocols or Star Flash protocols from the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or 802.11bn.

[0100] For example, non-AP sites can be mobile phones, tablets, set-top boxes, smart TVs, smart wearable devices, vehicle communication devices, computers, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, smart home devices such as smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities.

[0101] The aforementioned AP or non-AP sites may include transmitters, receivers, memory, processors, etc., wherein the transmitter and receiver are used for transmitting and receiving packet structures, respectively, the memory is used for storing signaling information and pre-agreed preset values, etc., and the processor is used for parsing signaling information and processing related data, etc.

[0102] To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of this application, some terms or concepts that may be involved in the embodiments of this application will be briefly described first.

[0103] 1. Sensing Technology: Signals emitted by Wi-Fi devices are typically reflected, diffracted, and scattered by various obstacles before being received by the terminal device. This phenomenon means that the actual received signal is often a superposition of multiple signals, meaning the channel environment can become complex. However, this also facilitates the sensing of the physical environment through which the wireless signal passes. By analyzing the wireless signal after being affected by various obstacles, such as channel state information (CSI), the surrounding environment can be inferred and sensed, thus giving rise to sensing technology.

[0104] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11bf is a next-generation wireless standard for WLAN sensing. WLAN sensing is the ability of devices with WLAN sensing capabilities to use received wireless signals in a given environment to determine the characteristics of a predetermined target (such as an object, animal, or person). These characteristics include the target's distance, orientation, speed, movement, and behavior.

[0105] As described above, WLAN sensing involves determining the characteristics of a predetermined target, including its distance, orientation, speed, motion, and behavior. It can be understood that the result of WLAN sensing can be the target's distance, orientation, speed, motion, and behavior. Therefore, WLAN sensing can also be understood as WLAN ranging, WLAN positioning, etc. Unless otherwise specified below, WLAN sensing can be replaced with WLAN ranging or WLAN positioning. For ease of description, the following text will use the term WLAN sensing.

[0106] The current IEEE 802.11bf standard has four roles:

[0107] • Sensing initiator: The device that initiates sensing behavior.

[0108] • Sensing responder: A device that responds to sensing actions initiated by the sensing initiator and participates in the sensing actions.

[0109] • Sensing transmitter (TX): A device that transmits sensing physical layer protocol data units (PPDUs).

[0110] • Sensing receiver (RX): A device that receives sensing PPDUs.

[0111] For example, an AP can be a sensing initiator or a sensing responder; a station can be a sensing initiator or a sensing responder.

[0112] For example, an AP can be a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both. Similarly, a device can be a sensing transmitter, a sensing receiver, or both.

[0113] Furthermore, the current IEEE 802.11bf standard presents sensing measurements in the form of sessions. The sensing measurement process, as shown in Figure 2, includes sensing capabilities exchange, sensing measurement session, sensing measurement exchange, and sensing measurement session termination.

[0114] The sensing capability exchange section completes the exchange of sensing capabilities between the two sensing parties; the sensing measurement session section involves the sensing initiator and sensing responder negotiating sensing measurement parameters and establishing a sensing measurement session; the sensing measurement exchange section is the actual measurement part of WiFi sensing, in which the sensing transmitter sends null data packet (NDP) frames to the sensing receiver for sensing measurement, and each measurement unit in this section is a sensing measurement exchange; the sensing measurement session termination section is used to terminate the sensing measurement session.

[0115] The following sections will explain each of these processes.

[0116] 2. Sensing Capabilities Interaction: Before participating in sensing, the device can interact with the AP to exchange its features and capabilities. For example, device or AP capability information is carried in sensing capabilities elements, which can be carried in frames such as probe request frames, probe response frames, association request frames, or association response frames.

[0117] One possible implementation is that, for non-associated devices, the sensing capability element can also be carried in a sensing measurement query frame.

[0118] It should be understood that the above-mentioned frames that can carry sensing capability elements are merely examples and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. In this application, sensing capability elements can be carried in other frames besides the frames mentioned above, such as other frames transmitted between the AP and the device, which will not be listed here.

[0119] To facilitate understanding, the possible structures of the sensory ability elements are briefly introduced with reference to Figure 3.

[0120] As shown in Figure 3, the perception ability element includes one or more of the following fields:

[0121] Element ID, Length, Element ID Extension, and Sensing Field.

[0122] The perception domain fields specifically include those shown in Figure 3: Responder Needed, Bandwidth (BW), Maximum TX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth ≤ 80MHz (Max TX STS ≤ 80MHz), Maximum TX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth = 160MHz (Max TX STS = 160MHz), Maximum TX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth = 320MHz (Max TX STS = 320MHz), Maximum RX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth ≤ 80MHz (Max RX STS ≤ 80MHz), Maximum RX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth = 160MHz (Max RX STS = 160MHz), Maximum RX Space-Time Stream Bandwidth = 320MHz (Max RX STS = 320MHz), Maximum TX LTF Repetition, Maximum RX LTF Repetition, Maximum RX LTF Total, Maximum RX LTF Total, Device Class, Full-bandwidth Uplink Multi-User MIMO (Full Bandwidth (UL MU-MIMO), Max Number of Supported Sessions as Responder, Min Time Between Measurements, Poll Required, Threshold-based Reporting, N g =16. Supports SR2SR Support, Maximum Number of RX Antennas, and Reserved fields.

[0123] 3. Establishment of Sensing Measurement Session: The frame interaction for establishing a sensing measurement session is shown in Figure 4. As can be seen from Figure 4, the sensing initiator and sensing responder establish a sensing measurement session through negotiation. This part is initiated by the sensing initiator sending a Sensing Measurement Request frame to the sensing responder. The Sensing Measurement Request frame carries a set of sensing measurement parameters for negotiation. The sensing responder responds to the sensing initiator's sensing establishment request by replying with a Sensing Measurement Response frame.

[0124] Specifically, if the sensing response end agrees with the sensing measurement parameters carried in the sensing measurement request frame, then the status code in the sensing measurement response frame is set to agree, and the sensing measurement session is established.

[0125] If the sensing response end rejects the sensing measurement parameters carried in the sensing measurement request frame, then the status code in the sensing measurement response frame is set to rejected, and the sensing measurement session fails to be established.

[0126] If the sensing response end rejects the sensing measurement parameters carried in the sensing measurement request frame, it can also set the status code to rejection and provide suggestions in the sensing measurement response frame. The sensing measurement response frame will also carry the corresponding recommended sensing measurement parameters, and the sensing measurement session will fail to establish.

[0127] The sensing initiator and sensing response end can continuously reuse the establishment process of the sensing measurement session to negotiate sensing measurement parameters until the sensing measurement session is established.

[0128] To facilitate understanding, the possible structure of the perception measurement request frame is briefly introduced with reference to Figure 5.

[0129] As shown in Figure 5, the perception measurement request frame includes one or more of the following fields:

[0130] The system includes a Category, Public Action (or Protected Dual of Public Action), Dialog Token, Sensing Comeback Info, Measurement Session ID Indication, and Sensing Measurement Parameters element. The Sensing Measurement Parameters element is optional.

[0131] It should be understood that the public function field (i.e., the field with a length of one octet after the category in the action field of the frame) involved in different frame structures in this application can be a public action field, a protected dual public action field, or a public action / protected dual public action field. If it is a protected dual public action frame field, it is used to indicate that the frame is a protected frame structure, and will not be described again in subsequent frame structures.

[0132] The class field in this application embodiment can be used to represent the type of message. The public function field in this application embodiment can be used to represent the function of the message. The dialogue token in this application embodiment can be used to identify a dialogue; for example, a pair of corresponding requests and responses can have the same dialogue token.

[0133] Furthermore, as can be seen from Figure 5, the sensing measurement parameter element field specifically includes one or more of the following fields:

[0134] The system includes element ID, length, element ID extension, sensing measurement parameters, and sensing subelements. Sensing subelements are optional.

[0135] In addition, as can be seen from Figure 5, the sensing measurement parameter field specifically includes one or more of the following fields:

[0136] Sensing Transmitter, Sensing Receiver, Sensing Measurement Report Requested, Measurement Session Expiry Exponent, Bandwidth (BW), TX LTF Repetition, RX LTF Repetition, Transmitter Spatiotemporal Stream (TX STS), Receiver Spatiotemporal Stream (RX STS), Number of RX Antennas, Report Timestamp, Subcarrier Packet (I Ng The field contains the Basic Service Set (BSS) color information and the reserved field. The Sensing Measurement Report Request field, set to 1, indicates that the sensing response end needs to send a sensing measurement report frame during the sensing measurement interaction of the sensing measurement session; if the Sensing Measurement Report Request field is set to 0, it indicates that the sensing response end does not need to send a sensing measurement report frame during the sensing measurement interaction of the sensing measurement session. For example, in this case, the sensing measurement report can be fed back via a data payload.

[0137] Furthermore, as shown in Figure 5, the sensing sub-element specifically includes one or more of the following fields: TB Sensing Specific subelement, Non-TB Sensing Specific subelement, and SBP Sensing Specific subelement. The TB Sensing Specific subelement fields include Subelement ID, Length, Associated / Unassociated Identifier (AID / USID), Poll Assigned, CSI Variation Threshold, SR2SR (Response to Response), Reserved, and Availability Window. The Non-TB Sensing Specific subelement fields include Subelement ID, Length, Min Measurement Interval, and Reserved.

[0138] 4. Sensing Measurement Exchange: After the sensing measurement session is established, the sensing initiator will initiate one or more sensing measurement exchanges with one or more devices. A sensing measurement exchange can be divided into two forms: trigger-based (TB) sensing measurement exchange and non-trigger-based (Non-TB) sensing measurement exchange.

[0139] Among them, TB perception measurement interaction is initiated by AP as the perception initiator, while Non-TB perception measurement interaction is initiated by non-AP STA as the perception initiator.

[0140] Specifically, the TB-sensing measurement interaction includes at least one of the following stages:

[0141] The process consists of four phases: polling, NDPA sounding, TF sounding, and reporting. For example, the trigger-based perception measurement interaction includes several phases as shown in Figure 6.

[0142] It should be noted that all TB sensing measurement exchanges should take place within the sensing availability window. The access point (AP) competes for transmission opportunities (TXOP) within the sensing availability window, and sensing measurement exchanges occur within the TXOP. A TXOP can contain one TB sensing measurement exchange or multiple TB sensing measurement exchanges.

[0143] As shown in Figure 7, a perceived availability window includes a TXOP, and a TXOP contains two TB perceived measurement interactions (TB perceived measurement interaction #1 and TB perceived measurement interaction #2 as shown in Figure 7). TB perceived measurement interaction #1 includes an investigation phase and a TF detection phase, while TB perceived measurement interaction #2 includes an investigation phase, an NDPA detection phase, and a reporting phase.

[0144] As shown in Figure 8, a perceived availability window includes two TXOPs (TXOP#1 and TXOP#2 as shown in Figure 7). One TXOP contains one TB perceived measurement interaction (TB perceived measurement message interaction #1 contained in TXOP#1 and TB perceived measurement interaction #2 contained in TXOP#2 as shown in Figure 7). Each perceived measurement message interaction includes an investigation phase, an NDPA detection phase, a TF detection phase, and a reporting phase.

[0145] To facilitate understanding, Figure 9 provides a brief overview of the TB perception measurement interaction. Figure 9 is an example diagram of a TB perception measurement interaction, illustrating the four phases included in the aforementioned perception measurement interaction: the polling phase, the NDPA sounding phase, the TF sounding phase, and the reporting phase.

[0146] As shown in Figure 9, AP acts as the sensing initiator, and STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, STA5 and STA6 act as sensing responders. Among them, STA1, STA2 and STA3 act as sensing transmitters, and STA4, STA5 and STA6 act as sensing receivers.

[0147] For example, as shown in Figure 9, during the investigation phase, the AP sends sensing polling trigger frames to STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, and STA5 respectively, and STA1, STA2, STA3, STA4, and STA5 send clear to send (CTS) messages to the AP. During the NDPA detection phase, the AP sends sensing NDP announcement frames to STA4, STA5, and STA6 respectively to inform them that an NDP is about to be sent. Then, the AP sends NDPs to STA4, STA5, and STA6 respectively for sensing measurements. During the TF detection phase, the AP sends sensing SR2SI sounding trigger frames to STA1 and STA2 respectively, and STA1 and STA2 send sensing responder to sensing initiator (SR2SI) NDPs to the AP respectively. During the reporting phase, the AP sends a Sensing Reporting Trigger frame to STA5 and STA6 respectively, and STA5 and STA6 send a Sensing Measurement Report frame to the AP respectively.

[0148] 5. Sensing by Proxy (SBP): This application also involves sensing by proxy technology. In scenarios where the AP establishes sensing relationships with at least two non-AP STAs, sensing measurements can be performed through the SBP process. For example, in the schematic diagram shown in Figure 1, non-AP STA1 and AP1, and non-AP STA2 and AP1, can perform sensing processes separately or simultaneously. Non-AP STA1 can send a proxy sensing request to AP1, requesting AP to act as a proxy for non-AP STA1 to obtain the sensing results obtained by AP1 and non-AP STA2 during the sensing process (or, requesting AP1 to obtain the sensing results of non-AP STA2).

[0149] It should be understood that non-AP STA1 is a requesting STA, or a sensing by proxy requesting STA (SBP requesting STA), which obtains the sensing results of other sites by requesting AP1 as its proxy.

[0150] When the AP acts as an agent for non-AP STA1, non-AP STA1 can obtain the sensing results of other sensing stations through the AP, for example, it can obtain the sensing results of non-AP STA2 and / or non-AP STA3 through the AP.

[0151] The agent-based sensing technology comprises six roles and three steps. The six roles are: Agent Sensing Initiator (SBP initiator), Agent Sensing Responder (SBP responder), Sensing Initiator (sensing initiator), Sensing Responder (sensing responder), Sensing Transmitter (sensing transmitter), and Sensing Receiver (sensing receiver). The three steps are: SBP setup exchange, SBP reporting, and SBP termination. It should be understood that each of the above six roles can be implemented by either an STA or an AP, as long as it fulfills the corresponding function. This application does not impose any limitations on this; for example, the SBP initiator mentioned above can be either an AP or a STA.

[0152] For example, a sensing initiator refers to a station that initiates a sensing process; a sensing response station refers to a station that participates in the sensing process initiated by the sensing initiator; a sensing transmitter refers to a station that sends physical protocol data units (PPDUs) for sensing measurements during the sensing process; and a sensing receiver refers to a station that receives the PPDUs sent by the sensing transmitter and performs sensing measurements during the sensing process. A proxy sensing initiator refers to a station that requests a proxy sensing response station to initiate sensing actions on its behalf; a proxy sensing response station refers to a station that initiates sensing actions on behalf of the aforementioned proxy sensing initiator (e.g., AP1 mentioned above), and the proxy sensing response station is also a sensing initiator.

[0153] For example, the agent sensing process includes: SBP establishment exchange, sensing measurement session establishment, sensing measurement interaction, SBP reporting, and SBP closure.

[0154] Specifically, the SBP initiator sends an SBP measurement request to the AP and negotiates the parameters with the AP. Then, based on the parameters negotiated with the SBP initiator, the AP establishes a perception measurement session and perception measurement interaction with one or more perception response stations (STAs). During the SBP reporting phase, the AP sends a report back to the SBP initiator based on the report from the perception response station. After the perception measurement interaction is completed, or if the perception measurement session cannot be established / closed, the AP sends an SBP perception measurement termination frame to the SBP initiator to close the SBP.

[0155] Figure 10 illustrates a proxy sensing measurement process, where the sensing measurement phase is the WLAN sensing process. This phase includes sensing measurement session establishment and sensing measurement exchange. The sensing measurement session establishment and SBP establishment exchange are relatively independent and have no time constraints. For example, before the proxy sensing initiator sends an SBP establishment request to the proxy sensing responder, the proxy sensing responder has already established sensing measurement with at least one sensing responder, so that the proxy sensing responder can promptly provide the corresponding sensing measurement results to the proxy sensing initiator after receiving the SBP establishment request. Alternatively, the proxy sensing responder establishes sensing measurement with at least one sensing responder only after the proxy sensing initiator sends an SBP establishment request to the proxy sensing responder. Furthermore, the proxy sensing responder can simultaneously establish SBP with the proxy sensing initiator and establish sensing measurement with at least one sensing responder.

[0156] 6. SBP Establishment and Switching: The SBP establishment and switching defined in the current protocol includes:

[0157] 1) The SBP initiator sends an SBP request frame to the SBP responder. The SBP request frame contains SBP parameter elements, which indicate the number and type of sensing responders. These SBP parameter elements are optional. The SBP request frame may also contain sensing measurement parameter elements and an availability window element for the initiating station (ISTA).

[0158] To facilitate understanding, the SBP request frame is described in detail with reference to Figure 11. Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of an SBP request frame. As can be seen from Figure 11, the SBP request frame includes one or more of the following fields:

[0159] The system includes a Category, Public Action (or Protected Dual of Public Action), Dialog Token, SBP Parameter Elements, Perception Measurement Parameter Elements, and ISTA Availability Window Elements. The SBP Parameter Elements, Perception Measurement Parameter Elements, and ISTA Availability Window Elements are optional.

[0160] It should be understood that the public function field (i.e., the field with a length of one octet after the category in the action field of the frame) involved in different frame structures in this application can be a public action field, a protected dual public action field, or a public action / protected dual public action field. If it is a protected dual public action frame field, it is used to indicate that the frame is a protected frame structure, and will not be described again in subsequent frame structures.

[0161] The class field in this application embodiment can be used to represent the message type. The common function field in this application embodiment can be used to represent the function of the message. The dialogue token in this application embodiment can be used to identify a dialogue; for example, a pair of corresponding requests and responses can have the same dialogue token. The ISTA availability window element is used to indicate when the SBP initiator can perform sensing measurements or receive measurement reports.

[0162] SBP parameter elements may include one or more of the following fields:

[0163] The elements include element ID, length, element ID extension, SBP parameter control, sensing responder addresses, sensing responder IDs, or sensing responder role bitmap. Here, bitmap can also be called a bitmap image; in this application, bitmap can be understood as an identifier bitmap (ID bitmap), meaning the identifier is represented by a bitmap. For example, the sensing responder role bitmap can be understood as the identifier of the sensing responder role.

[0164] In addition, the identifier in this application can also be represented in other ways, such as an ID list, address information (e.g., MAC Address), etc., which can identify the corresponding object. This application does not limit the specific form of the identifier.

[0165] The SBP parameter control field includes one or more of the following fields:

[0166] SBP Request, SBP Procedure Expiry Exponent, Sensing Responder, Number of Sensing Responders, Mandatory Number of Responders, Preferred Responder List, Number of Preferred Responders, Mandatory Preferred Responder, Preferred Responder Role Bitmap Present, Reserved.

[0167] The value carried by the sensing response end in the SBP parameter field can indicate whether the device requesting the sensing proxy will participate in the subsequent sensing process as a sensing response end, and perform sensing transmission and reception.

[0168] 2) After receiving the SBP request frame, the SBP responder sends an SBP response frame based on the parameters requested by the SBP initiator and its own known information, indicating whether to accept the requested parameters.

[0169] After the SBP is established, the SBP responder establishes a perception measurement session and conducts subsequent perception measurement interactions with the perception responder based on the parameter configuration in the SBP request frame.

[0170] 7. Primary Channel (Preamble Detection): The high-bandwidth channel used by the site can logically be divided into several sub-channels in 20MHz units. For example, an 80MHz channel has four 20MHz sub-channels, and a 160MHz channel has eight 20MHz sub-channels. Among these sub-channels, the device will know which sub-channel is the primary channel based on the BSS configuration information, and the rest are non-primary channels.

[0171] For ease of description, unless the bandwidth is explicitly specified in this application, the term "main channel" can be "main 20MHz channel", the term "sub-channel" can be "a certain 20MHz sub-channel", and the term "non-main channel" can be "a certain 20MHz sub-channel that is not the main 20MHz channel".

[0172] For example, a site can determine whether the medium is idle by the status of the main channel. For instance, the device can perform energy detection (ED) on each sub-channel and preamble detection (PD) on the main channel. ED has lower hardware requirements but lower accuracy. PD provides more accurate results for detecting the presence of Wi-Fi signals but has higher hardware requirements: PD detects the presence of Wi-Fi signals in the air interface based on the characteristics of Wi-Fi signals (such as a fixed sequence at the beginning of the Wi-Fi signal, periodicity, and the ability to perform autocorrelation and cross-correlation), and decodes the captured Wi-Fi signal to extract necessary information. For example, necessary information includes a duration field, which can be part of the MAC header.

[0173] The duration field indicates how long it will take for the frame exchange to complete after the PPDU. The duration field of the first frame of the TXOP can be used to help indicate the length of the TXOP ("the length of the TXOP" is "the length of the PPDU containing the first frame of the TXOP" plus "the length indicated by the duration field of the first frame of the TXOP", and the length of the PPDU is specified in the PHY header).

[0174] The current protocol stipulates that PD (Power Distribution) is performed on the main channel, and a corresponding NAV (Network Access Vault) timer is set using the duration field decoded from the main channel (the NAV timer counts down, and stations are not allowed to compete for the channel before the countdown ends, i.e., the aforementioned "TXOP protection" mechanism). Considering the complexity of PD implementation, the current protocol does not require stations to perform PD on channels other than the main channel or outside the operating bandwidth. Optionally, "performing PD on the main channel" can be referred to as "main channel access".

[0175] For example, the duration field in the frame is shown in Figure 12. As can be seen from Figure 12, the duration field can be carried in the MAC header. The meaning of the fields carried in the MAC header will not be explained in detail. Please refer to the introduction in the relevant technologies.

[0176] 8. Infrastructure Basic Service Set (Infrastructure BSS): A BSS is a fundamental module of an IEEE 802.11 local area network, consisting of several STAs (Stations). Different types of BSSs will have different topologies formed by their member STAs. BSSs can be classified into Infrastructure BSSs, Independent Basic Service Sets (IBSSs), etc., based on their topology, functions, etc.

[0177] In Infrastructure BSS, a special site acts as the access distribution system (DS), and this site is called AP. Other sites are called non-AP STAs. All non-AP sites access the DS through the AP, meaning that non-AP STAs are associated with the AP, and non-AP STAs cannot communicate directly with each other by default.

[0178] Figure 13 shows a schematic diagram of two Infrastructure BSSs connected to the DS.

[0179] 9. Non-primary channel access (NPCA): This is an operation performed by an AP or non-AP STA to improve channel utilization after the overlapping basic service set (OBSS) of the primary channel has preempted the TXOP (or because at least one party occupies the primary channel for other reasons while the other party can access the non-primary channel, and the start and end time of communication can be determined, such as during the AP's periodic in-device non-wifi interference).

[0180] While the primary channel access mechanism is logically clean and simple to operate, its spectrum usage frequency decreases as equipment deployments become denser and bandwidths increase. For example, if a 160MHz site detects only its primary 20MHz channel as busy, while all other sub-channels are detected as idle, the primary channel access mechanism would prevent the device from using any channel and force it to back off. However, in reality, the other sub-channels are idle and theoretically usable. Therefore, a non-primary channel access method can be introduced. When the primary channel is busy, transmission can proceed through an idle non-primary sub-channel without backoff. In this case, the device (i.e., the site) can switch to a non-primary channel and compete for channel contention using preamble detection (PD).

[0181] Optionally, the aforementioned hopable non-primary channel can be called the NPCA primary channel or a hopable non-primary channel, or other names. This application does not limit the name of the non-primary channel; it only needs to support the station in transmitting via the non-primary channel without backing down when the primary channel is busy. It should be understood that, generally, there is one NPCA primary channel within a BSS.

[0182] To facilitate understanding, the channel allocation in the non-primary channel access mechanism is briefly introduced with reference to Figure 14. As shown in Figure 14, 160MHz can be divided into eight 20MHz sub-channels. Among them, one 20MHz sub-channel is the primary channel, and the other seven 20MHz sub-channels are non-primary channels (as shown in Figure 14: non-primary channel #1, non-primary channel #2, non-primary channel #3, non-primary channel #4, non-primary channel #5, non-primary channel #6, and non-primary channel #7). Optionally, non-primary channel #6 among the seven non-primary channels can be the aforementioned NPCA primary channel.

[0183] For example, a non-primary channel access mechanism can be used in a Structured Basic Service Set (BSS). A BSS is characterized by a set of sites, one of which, called the access point, is responsible for accessing the distributed system (DS), while other sites access each other within the DS through the access point. For instance, if the AP and non-AP STA of BSS1 discover an OBSS TXOP on the primary channel (e.g., a TXOP on BSS2 on the primary channel), then the AP and non-AP STA of BSS1 can switch to a non-primary channel for transmission and reception (i.e., perform PD on that non-primary channel to compete for the channel).

[0184] It should be understood that for non-AP STAs within an infrastructure BSS, when an OBSS TXOP is detected on the primary channel, the non-primary channel access mechanism can be used; if a BSS TXOP is detected on the primary channel, it means that the AP of this BSS is participating in the transmission of this BSS site. At this time, even if a site that is not participating in the transmission switches to a non-primary channel, it will not be able to communicate with the AP.

[0185] In the currently discussed non-primary channel access mechanism, considering the compatibility of legacy sites, such as previous generations and several generations of Wi-Fi protocol devices, and issues such as network allocation vector (NAV) settings, the device is required to use an idle sub-channel (jump to NPCA primary channel / non-primary channel) for transmission when the primary channel is detected to be busy, and to jump back to the primary channel from the NPCA primary channel / non-primary channel before the primary channel becomes idle again (i.e. before the primary channel NAV countdown ends), as shown in Figure 15.

[0186] 10. Channel handover delay: The time delay required for a non-AP STA device to complete a channel handover. When the NPCA main channel is set within the operating bandwidth of the non-AP STA, channel handover does not involve a change in the center frequency, resulting in relatively small switch delay and switch-back delay. The switch delay and switch-back delay can be collectively referred to as round-trip handover delay.

[0187] As the maximum bandwidth supported by Wi-Fi increases, the bandwidth supported by a non-AP STA may be smaller than that of an AP. Therefore, the NPCA main channel may be located outside the operating bandwidth of the non-AP STA, resulting in a change in the center frequency when the non-AP STA switches between the main channel and the NPCA main channel. Because the phase-locked loop (PLL) of a non-AP STA takes a considerable amount of time to generate a new clock frequency and wait for it to lock until the generated clock stabilizes, switching from the main channel to the NPCA main channel in the NPCA requires a significant handover delay, and switching back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel requires a significant handover-back delay.

[0188] The preceding text, with reference to Figure 1, briefly introduced the application scenarios of the sensing method provided in this application embodiment, as well as the basic concepts that may be involved in this application embodiment, and introduced the sensing technology within the basic concepts. A sensing measurement exchange portion of a sensing measurement session is shown in Figure 16. After establishing a sensing measurement session, the station can perform sensing measurement exchange within a periodic availability window (AW). When performing sensing measurements on a 320MHz bandwidth channel, considering the difficulty of aggregating a continuous 320MHz bandwidth, preamble puncturing can be used on the 320MHz bandwidth channel to address the situation where the secondary channel is occupied, as shown by number ① in Figure 16. The gray filled portion represents the portion of the secondary channel bandwidth punctured by the preamble puncturing.

[0189] As can be seen from the above-described primary channel access mechanism, when the primary channel is busy, the station cannot access the channel, i.e., it cannot perform sensing measurement switching operations. In this case, the sensing measurement session can choose to discard this measurement opportunity, as shown in Figures 16, numbers ② and ③. If both the primary and secondary channels are idle, the sensing measurement switching operation can utilize the entire channel, as shown in Figure 16, number ④.

[0190] The sensing measurement session shown in Figure 16 restricts station channel access to the main BSS channel due to channel bonding and access mechanisms. Furthermore, preamble puncturing cannot be performed on the main channel. Therefore, when the main channel is busy, access is impossible, ultimately preventing sensing measurement switching from executing. However, Wi-Fi networks based on the 802.11 series standards require channel bonding technology to utilize larger bandwidth channels. Moreover, the dense deployment of Wi-Fi networks in the future will inevitably generate OBSS interference, further exacerbating the situation where the main channel is frequently blocked by OBSS interference. Excessive OBSS interference over a period of time significantly reduces the opportunity for nodes to access the main channel, resulting in a large number of discarded sensing measurement switching opportunities (as shown in Figures 16, numbers ② and ③), ultimately leading to a decline in sensing performance.

[0191] In addition, the NPCA technology mentioned above is designed for Wi-Fi communication. When using NPCA technology for Wi-Fi sensing, the original NPCA-related parameters and switching conditions will limit sensing measurement or affect sensing measurement efficiency.

[0192] Therefore, in order to apply NPCA technology to the Wi-Fi Sensing process, this application modifies NPCA-related frames (by adding sensing-related parameters to NPCA elements), or modifies related frames in Wi-Fi sensing, to unify the NPCA function activation status and NPCA-related parameters of nodes within the sensing measurement session (i.e., within AW), thereby increasing the number of successful sensing measurement exchanges per unit time and improving sensing performance.

[0193] To address the aforementioned issues with sensing measurement exchange in sensing measurement sessions and improve sensing performance, this application proposes a sensing method. By introducing NPCA technology into the Wi-Fi sensing process, this method addresses the problem of OBSS interference causing the primary channel to be busy and the secondary channel to be idle, thus preventing sensing measurement exchange operations and improving sensing performance.

[0194] The technical solution provided by this application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings. The embodiments of this application can be applied to multiple different scenarios, including the scenario shown in Figure 1, but are not limited to this scenario. For example, this application can be applied to a TB-type Wi-Fi sensing scenario, as shown in Figure 17. TB-type Wi-Fi sensing has a type of SR2SR TF sounding phase frame interaction process. The AP needs to simultaneously trigger (polling) two STAs to perform SR2SR NDP interaction to complete the measurement, as shown in Figure 17. This requires the two STAs to be on the same channel to complete the SR2SR TF sounding phase frame interaction process.

[0195] It should be understood that the embodiments shown below do not particularly limit the specific structure of the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application. As long as it is possible to communicate according to the method provided in the embodiments of this application by running a program that records the code of the method provided in the embodiments of this application, for example, the execution subject of the method provided in the embodiments of this application can be a receiving end device or a sending end device, or a functional module in the receiving end device or the sending end device that can call and execute the program.

[0196] Without loss of generality, the perception method provided in the embodiments of this application will be described in detail below using the interaction between the first site and the second site as an example.

[0197] As one possible implementation, the first station is the sensing initiator, and the second station is the sensing response station.

[0198] In this implementation, the first site involved in the embodiments of this application can be an access point (AP) or a chip system or multi-link device (MLD) inside the AP (e.g., access point MLD, AP MLD) or a non-access point (e.g., STA) or a chip system or MLD inside the non-AP (e.g., station MLD, STA MLD); the second site can be a non-access point (e.g., STA) or a chip system or STA MLD inside the non-AP.

[0199] As another possible implementation, the first site is the SBP initiator and the second site is the SBP responder.

[0200] In this implementation, the first site involved in the embodiments of this application can be an access point (AP) or a chip system or multi-link device (MLD) inside the AP (e.g., access point MLD, AP MLD), or a non-access point (e.g., STA) or a chip system or MLD inside the non-AP (e.g., station MLD, STA MLD); the second site can be an AP or a chip system or AP MLD inside the AP.

[0201] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the implementing entity, and all devices capable of performing the corresponding functions are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0202] Figure 18 is a schematic flowchart of a sensing method provided in an embodiment of this application, including the following steps:

[0203] S1810, the first station generates the first frame.

[0204] Specifically, the first frame includes first indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first site and / or the second site should enable sensing measurement on the first non-primary channel. If the first indication information indicates that sensing measurement is enabled on the first non-primary channel, it means that during the sensing measurement process, if the primary channel is busy, the system can switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing measurement; if the first indication information indicates that sensing measurement is not enabled on the first non-primary channel, it means that during the sensing measurement process, if the primary channel is busy, the system cannot switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing measurement. It can be understood that the first indication information is used to indicate whether sensing measurement is enabled on the first non-primary channel, or it can be described as indicating whether sensing measurement is allowed on the first non-primary channel.

[0205] The aforementioned first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the BSS to which the first site belongs. Optionally, the first non-primary channel may be called the NPCA primary channel or secondary channel, etc., and the name of the first non-primary channel is not limited in this application. For example, the first non-primary channel may be the non-primary channel #6 shown in Figure 14 above.

[0206] In addition, for ease of description, the information carried in the first frame related to the sensing measurement in the first non-main channel can be referred to as NPCA parameters. For example, the first indication information is one type of NPCA parameter.

[0207] In this application, "performing sensing measurements on a first non-master channel" can be understood as performing sensing measurement frame interactions on a first non-master channel. Exemplarily, the first station and the second station may perform at least one of the following phases in the sensing measurement interaction on the first non-master channel: a polling phase, a sounding phase, or a reporting phase.

[0208] For example, after the first and second stations complete the polling phase and sounding phase on the first non-primary channel, the first and second stations switch to the primary channel to complete the reporting phase.

[0209] For example, after the first and second stations complete the polling phase, sounding phase, and reporting phase on the first non-primary channel, they switch to the primary channel.

[0210] In addition, the first indication information in this application can indicate whether the first site and / or the second site can enable sensing measurement on the first non-main channel. For example, the first indication information can indicate whether the NPCA sensing mode is enabled. For example, the first indication information can indicate whether the NPCA sensing mode is enabled or disabled.

[0211] For example, if the first site is an AP, the AP can enable or disable the NPCA sensing mode of a non-AP STA by using AID instructions. For example, the AID can enable or disable the NPCA sensing mode. Alternatively, the AP can enable or disable the NPCA sensing mode of sites participating in the sensing measurement (e.g., the AP and at least one non-AP STA associated with the AP) by using AID instructions.

[0212] For example, if the first station is a non-AP STA, the non-AP STA can include 1 bit in the reported NPCA element to suggest or indicate whether it is turning NPCA awareness mode on or off.

[0213] As mentioned above, in this application, perception, localization, and ranging can be collectively referred to as perception. If perception and localization are understood as different technologies, adding a bit to the first frame can distinguish whether the first indication information is used for localization or perception. Similarly, if perception and ranging are understood as different technologies, adding a bit to the first frame can distinguish whether the first indication information is used for ranging or perception, and so on. Furthermore, the design of NPCA parameters can also be tailored to the application scenario, whether it is for perception or localization. For example, the first duration mentioned below can be designed with other durations for localization scenarios, which will not be illustrated here.

[0214] Furthermore, the sensing method provided in this application, which supports the handover of a specific target to a non-primary channel, can also be applied to communication scenarios. For example, as described below, in order to determine whether the channel handover conditions are met, the AP can broadcast the handover delay of at least one non-AP STA or the duration required for communication on the non-primary channel. This can also be applied to communication, such as enabling a specific target to handover to the NPCA primary channel for communication. For ease of description, the following explanation uses the handover from the primary channel to a non-primary channel in a sensing scenario as an example; other application scenarios (such as positioning, communication, etc.) will not be repeated.

[0215] Furthermore, after the first station generates the first frame, it can send the first frame to the second station so that the second station can either enable or disable sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. Therefore, the method flow shown in Figure 18 can also include:

[0216] S1820, the first station sends the first frame to the second station, and correspondingly, the second station receives the first frame from the first station.

[0217] Specifically, the first frame can be sent via broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

[0218] For example, the first station may also send a first frame to the third station, the first frame including third indication information, the third indication information being used to indicate whether the first station and / or the third station should enable sensing measurement on the first non-master channel. The first indication information and the third indication information can be the same indication information, for example, the first station uses the first indication information to indicate whether the first station and the at least one station should enable the non-master channel access first mode.

[0219] In this application, the first station can send the first frame to the second and third stations via broadcast, multicast, or unicast. For example, the first station broadcasts the first frame, and the second and third stations can receive the broadcast frame; or the first station multicasts the first frame to the station group to which the second and third stations belong; or the first station sends the first frame to the second and third stations respectively via unicast.

[0220] By way of example and not limitation, the first station in this application may send the first frame to the second station in the following manner:

[0221] Method 1: The first frame including the first indication information can be: the first frame includes an NPCA element, which includes the first indication information.

[0222] In the case shown in Method 1, the first station can send the first frame to the second station during the NPCA capability and / or operation parameter update process.

[0223] For example, before sending the first frame to the second station, a first sensing measurement session is established between the first station and the second station; or, the first sensing measurement session ends. In the case where the aforementioned first indication information indicates the initiation of sensing measurement on the first non-master channel, the sensing measurement performed on the first non-master channel can be understood as the sensing measurement interaction phase of the first sensing measurement session. For example, as shown in FIG19, the establishment and termination of the sensing measurement session can trigger NPCA capability and / or operation parameter updates. For instance, after the sensing measurement session is established, an NPCA update phase can be triggered, adjusting relevant parameters (such as the first indication information included in the first frame above, and other possible parameters included in the first frame below) during subsequent NPCA execution phases or NPCA operations through frame interaction, depending on the specific sensing measurement session. Alternatively, after the sensing measurement session ends, an NPCA update can be triggered to restore the original NPCA capabilities and / or operation parameters, essentially using the new NPCA parameters only during the sensing measurement session.

[0224] Optionally, in the case shown in Method 1, the first frame includes any of the following, or in other words, the first frame can be any of the following:

[0225] Beacon frame, probe response frame, association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, reassociation response frame, non-primary channel access mode enable frame, non-primary channel access mode notification frame, data pending transmission indication information (DTIM), transmission indication mapping (TIM) frame, or non-primary channel access management frame.

[0226] For example, the first station can report capability information through association request frames, reassociation request frames, NPCA mode enable frames, NPCA mode notification frames, or other frames. The reported content can be included in the basic NPCA element in the (re)association request frame, the NPCA parameter field in the NPCA mode enable frame, the NPCA parameter update field in the NPCA mode notification frame, or other fields in these frames, or other frames containing NPCA elements.

[0227] As one possible implementation, the first frame containing the NPCA element mentioned above can be an uplink frame, such as an association request frame, a reassociation request frame, an NPCA mode enable frame, an NPCA mode notification frame, or other frames containing the NPCA element.

[0228] As an example and not a limitation, a non-AP STA may report at least one of the first parameters via an uplink frame. For example, a non-AP STA may report its capabilities to the associated AP via an uplink frame. The reported content may be contained in the basic NPCA element in the (re)association request frame, or the NPCA parameter field in the NPCA mode enable frame, or the NPCA parameter update field in the NPCA mode notification frame, or other fields in these frames, or other frames containing NPCA elements.

[0229] Optionally, a non-AP STA can report a first indication message to indicate whether it has enabled sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel.

[0230] As another possible implementation, the first frame containing NPCA elements mentioned above can be a downlink frame, such as a Beacon frame, a delivery traffic indication message (DTIM) beacon frame or a traffic indication map (TIM) frame, an NPCA dedicated management frame, or other broadcast, multicast, or unicast frames containing NPCA elements or NPCA parameters.

[0231] As an example and not a limitation, the AP may transmit the first indication information included in the first frame above, as well as other possible parameters included in the first frame below, via downlink frames. For example, the AP may transmit the first frame to at least one associated non-AP STA via downlink frames.

[0232] Optionally, the AP can send a first indication message to indicate whether it should enable sensing and measurement on the first non-primary channel.

[0233] To facilitate understanding, the frame format of the first frame in implementation method 1 will be briefly introduced with reference to Figure 20. As can be seen from Figure 20, the first frame can be a beacon frame that includes NPCA elements, which can be contained in the information element field of the beacon frame.

[0234] As can be seen from Figure 20, the parameters included in the NPCA element can be one or more of the following:

[0235] Information on NPCA mode on / off, NPCA primary channel, maximum round-trip switch delays of STAs, primary channel busyness duration threshold, or time threshold to complete measurements.

[0236] The NPCA mode enable / disable information can be the first indication information mentioned above, used to indicate whether the AP and / or non-AP STA enable sensing measurement on the first non-main channel.

[0237] NPCA primary channel information can be the identifier of the NPCA primary channel, used to indicate the NPCA primary channel to which the channel is switched, or it can be the information of the first non-primary channel in the row.

[0238] The maximum round-trip delay information can indicate the maximum delay of the AP and at least one non-AP STA, or it can be the maximum delay of at least one non-AP STA.

[0239] The main channel busy duration threshold information can be the second duration as described below.

[0240] The measurement completion time threshold information can be the first duration or the fourth duration, etc., which can be understood as the duration required for at least one of the polling phase, detection phase, or reporting phase in the sensing measurement interaction between the AP and non-AP STA on the first non-master channel.

[0241] In addition, the NPCA element may also include information such as the effective time of the NPCA main channel, or other information, which will not be listed here.

[0242] It should be noted that Figure 20 is only an example to show the frame format of the first frame and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, the first frame may also be another frame containing the NPCA element, and the field containing the NPCA element may also be other fields; and the length or name of the NPCA element may also have other possibilities, which will not be illustrated here.

[0243] Method 2: The first frame including the first indication information can be: the first frame includes a sensing measurement parameter element, and the sensing measurement parameter element includes the first indication information.

[0244] In the case shown in Method 2, the first station can send the first frame to the second station during the perception measurement session establishment phase.

[0245] For example, the first site sets the parameters for non-primary channel access during the sensing measurement session establishment phase, which are applied within the sensing measurement session (i.e., within the AW). During the sensing measurement session portion, i.e., the sensing session establishment phase, the AP announces the parameters for non-primary channel access applied in the sensing measurement session to meet the sensing measurement requirements.

[0246] Optionally, in the case shown in Method 2, the first frame includes any of the following, or in other words, the first frame can be any of the following:

[0247] Sensing measurement request frames, sensing measurement response frames, proxy sensing SBP request frames, SBP response frames, or other broadcast frames, multicast frames, or unicast frames containing NPCA parameters sent during the establishment and termination of a sensing measurement session.

[0248] For example, the first frame is a Sensing Measurement Request frame. The AP can set NPCA parameters within the unified sensing measurement session by including these parameters in the Sensing Measurement Request frame. For instance, by modifying the Sensing Measurement Request frame defined in the current protocol, a sensing measurement session supporting non-primary channel access can be established. The modified Sensing Measurement Request frame implements the new function of carrying sensing-related NPCA parameters.

[0249] To facilitate understanding, the frame format of the first frame in the implementation method 2 shown in Figure 21 is briefly introduced. As can be seen from Figure 21, the first frame can be a perception measurement request frame that includes perception measurement parameter elements. In addition to the parameters required for establishing the current perception measurement session, the perception measurement parameter field in the perception measurement parameter elements can carry the first indication information included in the first frame mentioned above, as well as other possible parameters included in the first frame below.

[0250] The design of the sensing measurement request frame in Figure 21 enables the sensing measurement request frame to request the establishment of a sensing measurement session that supports non-master channel access.

[0251] It should be noted that Figure 21 is only an example to show the frame format of the first frame and does not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. For example, the first frame may also be another frame containing sensing measurement parameter elements. For example, the field containing NPCA parameters may also be other fields, such as the Sensing Subelements field including NPCA parameters. For related descriptions of NPCA parameters, please refer to the description of NPCA parameters carried in the above NPCA elements, which will not be repeated here.

[0252] Additionally, it should be noted that currently, the perception measurement request frame in the perception measurement process is generally unicast. In this application, the perception measurement request frame can support broadcast or multicast in addition to unicast. For example, when sending the perception measurement request frame, the NPCA parameters can also be broadcast or multicast.

[0253] For example, the first frame is a sensing measurement response frame.

[0254] Optionally, when the value of the dialogue token field of the sensing measurement response frame is the same as the value of the dialogue token field of the sensing measurement request frame, it indicates that the sensing measurement response frame is used to respond to the corresponding non-main channel access sensing establishment request.

[0255] If the Status Code field in the sensing measurement response frame is set to Reject and Recommended Parameters (REJECTED_WITH_SUGGESTED_CHANGES) are provided, the recommended sensing measurement parameters (including NPCA parameters) will be carried in the response frame. Sensing measurement response frames can be broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

[0256] Optionally, the NPCA parameters carried in the first frame described above will be carried in the perception measurement response frame, and regardless of whether the perception measurement request frame carries these parameters (it does not depend on whether these parameters must appear in the perception measurement request frame), the perception measurement response frame carries one or more of the NPCA parameters.

[0257] It should be understood that the above methods 1 and 2 are merely illustrative of the ways in which the first station sends the first frame to the second station in this application, and do not constitute any limitation on the scope of protection of this application. The first station may also send the above first frame to the second station in other ways, for example, the first frame may be a newly designed frame for transmitting NPCA parameters, which will not be illustrated here.

[0258] Optionally, the first frame also includes information about a first duration, which indicates the first duration for which the participating stations perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. The first duration can be a time threshold required for the participating stations to interact with the sensing measurement frame on the first primary channel. For example, this first duration can be called a first duration threshold, representing a minimum duration required for sensing measurements. If the time spent on the first non-primary channel after switching to it is less than this first duration, then there is no need to switch to the first non-primary channel. For example, the first duration information can indicate an absolute duration, such as the start time and duration of the first duration, the start time and end time of the first duration, the end time and duration of the first duration, or simply the duration of the first duration. Alternatively, the first duration information can indicate a relative duration, such as the difference between the first duration and a reference duration, etc., which will not be elaborated further here.

[0259] For example, if the first frame includes information about a first duration, the first station and the second station can determine whether to switch from the primary channel to a first non-primary channel for sensing measurements based on the first duration. Optionally, the method flow shown in FIG18 may further include the following step S1830:

[0260] S1830, the first station and the second station determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on the first duration.

[0261] Specifically, if the first duration meets the first condition, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel and perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. Alternatively, if the busy duration of the primary channel meets the first condition #1, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel and perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel. Or, if the allowed dwell time on the first non-primary channel meets the first condition #2, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel and perform sensing measurements on the first non-primary channel.

[0262] Optionally, the first and second stations may determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel upon receiving information that the primary channel is busy. For example, the first and second stations may determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel upon receiving a primary channel OBSS transmission setting NAV, or upon receiving an indication that the primary channel is unavailable.

[0263] As an example rather than a limitation, the first condition includes the following possible implementations:

[0264] As one possible implementation, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay. Here, the first delay is the delay of the first station, and the second delay is the delay of the second station. Alternatively,

[0265] As an example rather than a limitation, first condition #1 or first condition #2 includes the following possible implementations:

[0266] As one possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay is greater than or equal to the first duration, and the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay is greater than or equal to the first duration. Here, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay can be understood as the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel.

[0267] To facilitate understanding, the relationship between the first duration, the busy duration of the main channel, and the station's latency in this application is briefly explained with reference to Figure 22. As shown in Figure 22, if the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the latency required for the station to switch channels is greater than or equal to the first duration, the station can perform channel switching. If the time the station spends on the non-main channel after switching to the non-main channel is less than the first duration, then there is no need to switch to the non-main channel.

[0268] In this application, the station delay can be the delay of a station switching from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel and / or the delay of a station switching from the first non-primary channel to the primary channel. For example, the first delay is the first station switch delay and / or switch back delay, and the second delay is the second station switch delay and / or switch back delay.

[0269] If the latency of a site includes the site switching latency and the return latency, the latency of a site can be called the site's round-trip latency.

[0270] Furthermore, the busy duration of the main channel in this application can also be the duration during which the main channel is unavailable, for example, the duration of OBSS interference. This application does not limit the reasons for the main channel being unavailable; it could be due to main channel puncturing or main channel interference, etc., which will not be elaborated here. The method for determining the duration of the main channel being unavailable can be found in descriptions in current related technologies, and will not be repeated here.

[0271] In this implementation, the first condition can be denoted as:

[0272] Condition A1: First duration ≤ main channel busy duration - station latency;

[0273] Condition B1: Both the first and second stations satisfy condition A1.

[0274] In this implementation, the first condition #1 or the first condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0275] Condition A1': Busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station ≥ first duration; where "busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station" can also be called "if the station performs channel switching, the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel after the channel switching".

[0276] Condition B1': Both the first and second stations satisfy condition A1'.

[0277] As can be seen from the above, the site latency in this application can be the site handover latency and / or back-off latency. For example, condition A1 above can be described as:

[0278] Busy duration of the main channel - (switching delay of the first station + handover delay of the second station) ≥ first duration.

[0279] As another possible implementation, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay. The third delay is the maximum delay between the first and second delays. Alternatively,

[0280] As another possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay is greater than or equal to the first duration. The third delay is the maximum delay between the first and second delays.

[0281] In this implementation, the first condition can be denoted as:

[0282] Condition A2: First duration ≤ busy duration of main channel - third delay.

[0283] In this implementation, the first condition #1 or the first condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0284] Condition A2': Busy duration of the main channel - third delay ≥ first duration. Here, "busy duration of the channel - third delay" can also be called "the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel after the channel handover if the station performs channel handover".

[0285] Optionally, if the first site is an AP, the first frame may further include at least one of the following information: a list of identifiers of at least one non-AP STA, latency information of each of the at least one non-AP STA, fourth latency information, fifth latency information, or second duration information, wherein the fourth latency is the maximum latency among the at least one non-AP STA and the AP, the fifth latency is the maximum latency among the at least one non-AP STA, the second duration is determined by the first duration and the fourth latency, and the second site is one of the at least one non-AP STA.

[0286] At least one non-AP STA can be a non-AP STA that has established a sensing measurement session with the AP. For example, non-AP STA#1, non-AP STA#2, and non-AP STA#3 reported their respective round-trip delay information to the AP. Among them, non-AP STA#2 and non-AP STA#3 have established a sensing measurement session with the AP. The aforementioned at least one non-AP STA can be non-AP STA#2 and non-AP STA#3; or,

[0287] At least one non-AP STA can be a non-AP STA that has reported round-trip delay information to the AP. For example, non-AP STA#1, non-AP STA#2 and non-AP STA#3 reported their respective round-trip delay information to the AP. The aforementioned at least one non-AP STA can be non-AP STA#1, non-AP STA#2 and non-AP STA#3.

[0288] For example, if at least one non-AP STA has successfully established a sensing measurement session with the first site, the first frame may carry the identifier of that at least one non-AP STA. For example, the first frame may include a list of non-AP STAs.

[0289] For example, the first station may notify the at least one non-AP STA of the latency information of each of the at least one non-AP STAs. Alternatively, the first station may notify the at least one non-AP STA of the latency of the at least one non-AP STA and the AP, which is the largest latency.

[0290] For example, during the NPA capability negotiation phase or the NPA update phase, each of the at least one non-AP STA can report its own switch delay and switch back delay to the first station; similarly, the first station can also broadcast its own switch delay and switch back delay to the at least one non-AP STA.

[0291] Additionally, the first station can broadcast, multicast, or unicast the maximum delay value of at least one non-AP STA that has successfully established a sensing measurement session. For example, the first station can directly inform the maximum round-trip delay value; or the first station can notify the at least one station of its round-trip delay, allowing the at least one non-AP STA to determine the fourth delay itself.

[0292] The second duration mentioned above is greater than or equal to the sum of the first duration and the fourth delay. The second duration can be understood as the threshold for the busy duration of the main channel.

[0293] As described above, the site's latency information can include handover latency information but exclude back-to-handover latency information. In this case, the aforementioned fourth latency can be the maximum value of the handover latency of at least one non-AP STA and AP.

[0294] As described above, the site's latency information can include back-off latency information but does not include handover latency information. In this case, the aforementioned third latency can be the maximum value of the back-off latency of at least one non-AP STA and AP.

[0295] It should be noted that if the first site is an AP, and that AP establishes sensing measurement sessions with multiple non-AP STAs, the first condition includes the following possible implementation methods:

[0296] As one possible implementation, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the fourth delay. The fourth delay is the maximum delay among the delays of the AP and multiple non-AP STAs. Alternatively,

[0297] As one possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the fourth delay is greater than or equal to the first duration. The fourth delay is the maximum delay among the delays of the AP and multiple non-AP STAs.

[0298] It should be noted that if the first frame mentioned above includes information about the fifth delay, that is, the delay information with the largest delay among multiple non-AP STAs broadcast by the AP, the AP can determine the fourth delay mentioned above based on its own delay information and the information about the fifth delay. Non-AP STAs can determine the fourth delay mentioned above based on the delay information broadcast by the AP and the information about the fifth delay.

[0299] In this implementation, the first condition can be denoted as:

[0300] Condition A3: First duration ≤ busy duration of main channel - fourth delay.

[0301] In this implementation, the first condition #1 or the first condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0302] Condition A3': Busy duration of the main channel - fourth delay ≥ first duration. Here, "busy duration of the main channel - fourth delay" can also be called "the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel after the channel handover if the station performs channel handover".

[0303] As can be seen from the above, the site latency in this application can be the site handover latency and / or back-off latency. For example, the condition A3' mentioned above can be described as:

[0304] The busy duration of the main channel - (handover delay of non-AP STA + handover delay of AP) ≥ first duration. Here, the handover delay of the AP can be a fixed parameter. When non-AP STAs and the AP determine whether condition A3' is met, different non-AP STAs can substitute their own handover delay into the "handover delay of non-AP STA" term in the formula, and the AP can also substitute its own handover delay into the "handover delay of non-AP STA" term in the formula for judgment.

[0305] For example, the stations participating in the sensing measurement session include AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2. During the NPCA capability negotiation or NPCA update phase, non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2 report their switch delay and switch back delay to AP#1; AP#1 also needs to broadcast its own switch delay and switch back delay to non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2. In addition, AP#1 provides non-AP STA#2's switch delay and switch back delay to non-AP STA#1, and provides non-AP STA#1's switch delay and switch back delay to non-AP STA#2. Thus, AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2 can determine the largest delay (e.g., the fourth delay) among their respective delays.

[0306] For example, the sites participating in the perception measurement session include AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2. During the NPCA capability negotiation or NPCA update phase, non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2 report their switch delay and switch back delay to AP#1. AP#1 can determine the largest delay among AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2, and provide the largest delay (e.g., the fourth delay) to non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2.

[0307] As another possible implementation, the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the delay of each of the at least one non-AP STAs, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay. Alternatively,

[0308] As another possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the delay of each non-AP STA in the at least one non-AP STA is greater than or equal to a first duration, and the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and a second delay is greater than or equal to the first duration.

[0309] In this implementation, the first condition can be denoted as:

[0310] Condition A1: First duration ≤ main channel busy duration - station latency;

[0311] Condition B2: Both AP and at least one non-AP STA satisfy condition A1.

[0312] In this implementation, the first condition #1 or the first condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0313] Condition A1': Busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station ≥ first duration; where "busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station" can also be called "if the station performs channel switching, the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel after the channel switching".

[0314] Condition B2': Both AP and at least one non-AP STA satisfy condition A1'.

[0315] For example, the sites participating in the sensing measurement session include AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2. During the NPCA capability negotiation or NPCA update phase, non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2 report their switch delays and switch back delays to AP#1; AP#1 also needs to broadcast its own switch delays and switch back delays to non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2. In addition, AP#1 provides non-AP STA#2's switch delays and switch back delays to non-AP STA#1, and provides non-AP STA#1's switch delays and switch back delays to non-AP STA#2. Thus, AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2 can know the latency of the sites participating in the sensing measurement.

[0316] Furthermore, as described above, the first station can provide a second duration to at least one non-AP STA participating in the sensing measurement. This second duration can be understood as a threshold of the main channel busy duration. Thus, the station participating in the sensing measurement can determine whether to switch from the main channel to the first non-main channel for sensing measurement based on a comparison between the main channel busy duration and this second duration. Optionally, the method flow shown in Figure 18 may further include the following step S1840:

[0317] S1840, the first station and the second station determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on the second duration.

[0318] Specifically, if the second duration is less than or equal to the busy duration of the primary channel, a switch to the first non-primary channel is determined. In this implementation, the second duration is determined based on the first duration and the fourth delay mentioned above; for example, the second duration = the first duration + the fourth delay. If the busy duration of the primary channel is greater than or equal to the second duration, a switch from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel can be performed for sensing measurements.

[0319] For example, the sites participating in the perception measurement session include AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2. During the NPCA capability negotiation phase or the NPCA update phase, non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2 report their switch delay and switch back delay to AP#1; AP#1 also needs to broadcast its own switch delay and switch back delay to non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2. In addition, AP#1 provides non-AP STA#2's switch delay and switch back delay to non-AP STA#1, and determines a second duration based on the first duration and the delays of AP#1, non-AP STA#1, and non-AP STA#2, and provides the second duration to non-AP STA#1 and non-AP STA#2.

[0320] Optionally, the first frame may also include information about the first sensing measurement session and / or information about the first non-master channel, wherein the information about the first sensing measurement session is used to indicate the sensing measurement session established between the first station and the second station.

[0321] For example, the information of the first measurement session is used to indicate the perception measurement session established between the first site and the second site. For instance, if the first perception measurement session is successfully established between the first site and the second site, the information of the first measurement session can be an identifier (ID) of the measurement session; or the information of the first measurement session can be other information that can identify the first measurement session, such as the index or type information of the first measurement session, etc., which will not be described in detail here.

[0322] For example, the first frame may include information about a first non-primary channel, so that the stations participating in the sensing measurement are clearly aware of the non-primary channels that can be switched. For example, the information about the first non-primary channel may be its identifier, index, bitmap, or bandwidth information, etc., and any information that can be used to indicate the first non-primary channel is within the scope of protection of this application. The information about the first non-primary channel may be information about a non-primary channel provided for the first time, or it may be information about an updated non-primary channel.

[0323] Optionally, the first frame may also include second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station has enabled communication on the first non-main channel.

[0324] In this application, "communicating on the first non-master channel" can be understood as channel access and communication frame interaction on the first non-master channel.

[0325] The aforementioned second indication information can indicate whether the first station and / or the second station enable the non-primary channel access second mode. For example, the non-primary channel access second mode can be the NPCA communication mode. Similarly, the third indication information can indicate whether the NPCA communication mode is enabled or disabled. In this application, "communication" between the first station and the second station can include the process of channel access and communication frame exchange between the first station and the second station.

[0326] This can be understood as follows: In this application, the non-primary channel sensing mode (non-primary channel access first mode) and the non-primary channel communication mode (non-primary channel access second mode) can be independently enabled or disabled. Therefore, it is possible for a site to enable both the non-primary channel sensing mode and the non-primary channel communication mode; it is also possible for other sites to enable only the non-primary channel sensing mode or the non-primary channel communication mode; and it is also possible for some sites to disable both the non-primary channel sensing mode and the non-primary channel communication mode.

[0327] Furthermore, if the first frame includes the second indication information, it may also include information on a third duration, which indicates the third duration of communication on the first non-primary channel. This third duration can be a time threshold required for participating stations to access the channel and exchange communication frames on the first primary channel.

[0328] Optionally, if the first frame includes information of a first duration and information of a third duration, the first station and the second station can determine whether to switch from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel for sensing measurement and communication based on the first duration and the third duration. Optionally, the method flow shown in Figure 18 may further include the following step S1850:

[0329] S1850, the first and second stations determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on the fourth duration.

[0330] Specifically, if the second condition is met during the fourth duration, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing, measurement, and communication. Alternatively, if the busy duration of the primary channel meets the second condition #1, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing, measurement, and communication. Or, if the allowed dwell time on the first non-primary channel meets the second condition #2, the first and second stations determine to switch to the first non-primary channel for sensing, measurement, and communication.

[0331] The fourth duration is determined based on the first duration and the third duration. For example, the fourth duration is the maximum value between the first duration and the second duration; or, for example, the fourth duration is the sum of the first duration and the third duration.

[0332] As an example rather than a limitation, the second condition includes the following possible implementations:

[0333] As one possible implementation, the fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay, and the fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay. Alternatively,

[0334] As an example rather than a limitation, the second condition #1 or the second condition #2 includes the following possible implementations:

[0335] As one possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay is greater than or equal to the fourth delay, and the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay is greater than or equal to the fourth delay. Here, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay can be understood as the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel.

[0336] In this implementation, the second condition can be denoted as:

[0337] Condition A4: Fourth duration ≤ Main channel busy duration - Station latency;

[0338] Condition B3: Both the first and second stations satisfy condition A4.

[0339] In this implementation, the second condition #1 or the second condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0340] Condition A4': Busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station ≥ fourth duration; where "busy duration of the main channel - delay of the station" can also be called "the allowed dwell time on the first non-main channel after the station performs channel switching".

[0341] Condition B3': Both the first and second stations satisfy condition A4'.

[0342] As another possible implementation, the fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay, where the third delay is the maximum of the first and second delays. Alternatively,

[0343] As another possible implementation, the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay is greater than or equal to the fourth duration, where the third delay is the maximum delay between the first and second delays.

[0344] In this implementation, the second condition can be denoted as:

[0345] Condition A5: Fourth duration ≤ main channel busy duration - third delay.

[0346] In this implementation, the second condition 1 or the second condition #2 can be denoted as:

[0347] Condition A5': Busy duration of the main channel - third delay ≥ fourth duration.

[0348] For example, the first site simultaneously supports both non-primary channel sensing mode and non-primary channel communication mode. The NPCA parameters can include parameters required to support both the non-primary channel communication mode and the non-primary channel sensing mode. Among them, the parameters required to support the non-primary channel communication mode include, but are not limited to, the parameters shown in Figures 23 and 24.

[0349] It should be noted that when the first site simultaneously supports both the non-primary channel sensing mode and the non-primary channel communication mode, the parameters shown in Figures 23 and 24 also include the parameters for supporting the non-primary channel sensing mode mentioned above. For example, the NPCA element mentioned above includes the parameters required to support both the non-primary channel communication mode and the non-primary channel sensing mode; and for example, the sensing measurement parameter element mentioned above includes the parameters required to support both the non-primary channel communication mode and the non-primary channel sensing mode.

[0350] In one possible implementation, the second station is a STA applying NPCA mode. Since the second station is equivalent to the TXOP responder of at least one TXOP corresponding to the first time period, during the process of the second station sending a control frame or management frame containing at least one of handover indication information, channel access indication information, scheduling information, etc. to the first station, the fields that the NPCA elements contained in the control frame or management frame may contain can be referred to Figure 23. The fields that the NPCA elements contained in the control frame or management frame contain include at least one of the following:

[0351] Whether NPCA is supported indicates whether the second site supports NPCA mode.

[0352] Whether to enable NPCA, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling NPCA mode to the first site.

[0353] Whether to enable cross-TXOP NPCA, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling cross-TXOP NPCA mode to the first site.

[0354] Whether to enable SP-based NPCA, used to request / suggest enabling or disabling SP-based NPCA mode to the first site.

[0355] Supported bandwidth and working bandwidth, including one or more of the following: working bandwidth, current bandwidth, and total bandwidth that can be supported.

[0356] The handover delay field is used to report the handover delay to the first station. The handover delay is the delay required to switch from the primary channel to the NPCA non-primary channel.

[0357] The handover delay field is used to report the handover delay to the first station. The handover delay is the delay required to switch from the NPCA non-primary channel to the primary channel.

[0358] The preferred channel number is used to indicate the number of preferred channels supported to the first site. The number of supported preferred channels is related to the reserved hardware resources.

[0359] Preferred channel information is used to indicate the specific preferred channel supported to the first station.

[0360] Whether preferred channel reconfiguration is supported is used to indicate to the first site whether the second site supports preferred channel reconfiguration.

[0361] The preferred channel configuration delay and preferred channel effective time recommendations are used to report the delay required for preferred channel reconfiguration to the first site, as well as the recommended effective time after preferred channel configuration.

[0362] The channel switching condition field is used to place parameters and specific switching conditions related to determining whether to switch to the NPA main channel when in NPCA communication mode.

[0363] The Channel Access Indication field is used to indicate the method of channel access in the NPCA main channel.

[0364] It is worth mentioning that the fields contained in the aforementioned NPCA element can be included in the same frame of interaction between the first and second stations, or in different frames of interaction between the first and second stations. Fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split. In addition, among the multiple fields mentioned in the embodiments of this application, some fields can contain multiple subfields. The multiple subfields of a field can be located in different frames or in the same frame; the aforementioned multiple fields can also be combined into a very long field.

[0365] It should be understood that the order of the multiple fields mentioned in the embodiments of this application is only an exemplary illustration, and the index (or the order of the fields) corresponding to each field can be adjusted adaptively during the application process.

[0366] Accordingly, since the first station is equivalent to the TXOP holder of at least one TXOP corresponding to the first time period, during the process of the first station sending a control frame or management frame containing at least one of the following, such as handover indication information, channel access indication information, and scheduling information, to the second station, the fields that the NPCA element contained in the control frame or management frame may contain can be referred to Figure 24. The fields that the NPCA element contained in the control frame or management frame contains include at least one of the following:

[0367] Whether NPCA is supported indicates whether the first station supports NPCA mode.

[0368] Whether NPCA is enabled indicates whether the second station has NPCA mode enabled.

[0369] Whether cross-TXOP NPCA is enabled is used to indicate whether the second site has enabled cross-TXOP NPCA mode.

[0370] Whether SP-based NPCA is enabled is used to indicate whether the second station has enabled SP-based NPCA mode.

[0371] A second site identifier that supports NPCA is used to indicate one or more second sites that support the NPCA mode.

[0372] A second site identifier for participating in NPCA, used to indicate one or more second sites participating in NPCA.

[0373] Whether to update the preferred channel is used to indicate whether some or all of the second sites should update the preferred channel. For example, if represented by 1 bit, setting it to 1 can indicate that the preferred channel should be updated. Alternatively, in addition to the 1-bit indicator, it may also include identification information of the specific second site that needs to be updated.

[0374] Preferred channel information is used to indicate the specific preferred channel to the second station.

[0375] The preferred channel effective time field is used to indicate the configured preferred channel effective time to the second site.

[0376] The channel switching condition field is used to place parameters and specific switching conditions related to determining whether to switch to the NPA main channel when in NPCA communication mode.

[0377] The Channel Access Indication field is used to indicate the method of channel access in the NPCA main channel.

[0378] Similarly, the fields contained in the above NPCA element can be contained in the same frame of interaction between the first station and the second station, or in different frames of interaction between the first station and the second station. Fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0379] Similarly, the fields contained in the above NPCA element can be contained in the same frame of interaction between the first station and the second station, or in different frames of interaction between the first station and the second station. Fields contained in the same frame can be arbitrarily combined or split.

[0380] As an explanation, if the first frame carries the information of the first duration, the second duration, and the third duration, the first station and the second station can perform at least one of the steps S1830, S1840, or S1850. This can be understood as the first station and the second station being able to determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel based on at least one of the first duration, the second duration, or the fourth duration.

[0381] Optionally, if at least one of the following conditions is met: the first duration satisfies the first condition, the second duration is less than or equal to the busy duration of the main channel, and the fourth duration satisfies the second condition, the first station and the second station determine to switch to the first non-main channel.

[0382] In the sensing method shown in Figure 18, the first frame sent from the first station to the second station includes first indication information indicating whether the first station and / or the second station should activate the first non-primary channel for sensing measurement. This allows the first and second stations to determine whether to switch to the non-primary channel for sensing measurement during the sensing measurement process based on the first indication information. This introduces a non-primary channel sensing measurement mechanism in the sensing measurement scenario, improving the performance of sensing measurement. For ease of understanding, Figure 25 briefly describes the effects achievable by the sensing method provided in this application. As shown in Figure 25, compared to the scenario shown in Figure 16 above, the sensing method provided in this application can continue sensing measurement exchange on the remaining idle secondary channel even when the primary channel is unavailable (e.g., due to interference or busy). This increases the number of effective sensing measurement exchanges under conditions where the primary channel is unavailable, improving the success rate of sensing measurement exchange operations.

[0383] It should be understood that the sequence number of each process 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.

[0384] It should also be understood that, in the various embodiments of this application, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terms and / or descriptions between different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other, and the technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationships.

[0385] It should also be understood that in some of the above embodiments, the examples are mainly based on devices in existing network architectures (such as the first site, the second site, etc.). It should be understood that the specific form of the device is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, any device that can achieve the same function in the future is applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0386] It is understood that in the above-described method embodiments, the methods and operations implemented by the device (such as the first station, the second station, etc.) can also be implemented by components of the device (such as chips or circuits).

[0387] The sensing method provided by the embodiments of this application has been described in detail above with reference to Figure 18. The above sensing method is mainly introduced from the perspective of the interaction between the first station and the second station. It can be understood that, in order to realize the above functions, the first station and the second station include hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to perform each function.

[0388] Those skilled in the art will recognize that, based on the units and algorithm steps described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein, this application can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is implemented in hardware or by computer software driving hardware 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.

[0389] The sensing device provided in this application is described in detail below with reference to Figures 26 to 28. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiments corresponds to the description of the method embodiments. Therefore, for details not described in detail, please refer to the method embodiments above; for brevity, some details are omitted.

[0390] This application embodiment can divide the transmitting or receiving device into functional modules according to the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be implemented in hardware or as a software functional module. It should be noted that the module division in this application embodiment is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods. The following description uses the division of functional modules according to each function as an example.

[0391] Figure 26 is a schematic block diagram of a sensing device 10 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 10 includes a transceiver module 11 and a processing module 12. The transceiver module 11 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 12 is used for data processing. In other words, the transceiver module 11 is used to perform operations related to receiving and sending, while the processing module 12 is used to perform other operations besides receiving and sending. The transceiver module 11 can also be referred to as a communication interface or a communication unit.

[0392] In one possible implementation, the device 10 may further include a storage module 13, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 12 can read the instructions and / or data in the storage module to enable the device to perform the actions of the device in the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0393] In one design, the device 10 may correspond to the first station in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the first station (such as a chip).

[0394] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the first station in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the first station in the above method embodiment.

[0395] In one possible implementation, processing module 12 is configured to generate a first frame, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station should enable sensing measurement on a first non-primary channel. Transceiver module 11 is configured to send the first frame to the second station, wherein the first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first station belongs.

[0396] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG18, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as step S1820; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as steps S1810, S1830, S1840 and S1850.

[0397] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0398] In another design, the device 10 may correspond to the second station in the above method embodiments, or to a component of the second station (such as a chip).

[0399] The device 10 can implement the steps or processes corresponding to the second station in the above method embodiment, wherein the transceiver module 11 can be used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment, and the processing module 12 can be used to perform the processing-related operations of the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0400] In one possible implementation, transceiver module 11 receives a first frame from a first station, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station should enable sensing measurement on a first non-primary channel. Processing module 12 is used to determine, based on the first frame, whether to enable sensing measurement on the first non-primary channel, wherein the first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first station belongs.

[0401] When the device 10 is used to execute the method in FIG18, the transceiver module 11 can be used to execute the steps of sending and receiving information in the method, such as step S1820; the processing module 12 can be used to execute the processing steps in the method, such as steps S1830, S1840 and S1850.

[0402] It should be understood that the specific process of each unit performing the above-mentioned corresponding steps has been described in detail in the above method embodiments, and will not be repeated here for the sake of brevity.

[0403] It should also be understood that the device 10 here is embodied in the form of a functional module. The term "module" here can refer to an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), electronic circuitry, a processor (e.g., a shared processor, a proprietary processor, or a group processor, etc.) and memory for executing one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuitry, and / or other suitable components supporting the described functions. In an alternative example, those skilled in the art will understand that device 10 may be specifically a first station in the above embodiments, used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the first station in the above method embodiments; or, device 10 may be specifically a second station in the above embodiments, used to execute the various processes and / or steps corresponding to the second station in the above method embodiments. To avoid repetition, further details are omitted here.

[0404] The apparatus 10 of each of the above-described schemes has the function of implementing the corresponding steps performed by the equipment (such as the first station, the second station, etc.) in the above-described methods. This function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above-described functions; for example, the transceiver module can be replaced by a transceiver (for example, the transmitting unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a transmitter, and the receiving unit in the transceiver module can be replaced by a receiver), and other units, such as the processing module, can be replaced by a processor, which respectively executes the transceiver operations and related processing operations in each method embodiment.

[0405] In addition, the transceiver module 11 can also be a transceiver circuit (for example, it may include a receiving circuit and a transmitting circuit), and the processing module can be a processing circuit.

[0406] Figure 27 is a schematic diagram of another sensing device 20 provided in an embodiment of this application. The device 20 includes a processor 21, which is used to execute computer programs or instructions stored in a memory 22, or to read data / signaling stored in the memory 22, to perform the methods in the above-described method embodiments. In one possible implementation, the processor 21 may be one or more.

[0407] As shown in Figure 27, one possible implementation of the device 20 includes a memory 22 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 22 may be integrated with the processor 21 or it may be separate. In another possible implementation, there may be one or more memories 22.

[0408] As shown in Figure 27, one possible implementation of the device 20 includes a transceiver 23 for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, a processor 21 controls the transceiver 23 to receive and / or transmit signals.

[0409] As one approach, the device 20 is used to implement the operations performed by the first station and the second station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0410] It should be understood that the processor mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be a central processing unit (CPU), or other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general-purpose processor can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0411] It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory and / or non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be read-only memory (ROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static random access memory (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0412] It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA, or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, or discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

[0413] It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

[0414] Figure 28 is a schematic diagram of a chip system 30 provided in an embodiment of this application. The chip system 30 (or may also be called a processing system) includes logic circuitry 31 and an input / output interface 32.

[0415] The logic circuit 31 can be a processing circuit in the chip system 30. The logic circuit 31 can be coupled to a memory unit, calling instructions from the memory unit, enabling the chip system 30 to implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application. The input / output interface 32 can be an input / output circuit in the chip system 30, outputting processed information from the chip system 30, or inputting data or signaling information to be processed into the chip system 30 for processing.

[0416] As one approach, the chip system 30 is used to implement the operations performed by the first station and the second station in the various method embodiments described above.

[0417] For example, logic circuit 31 is used to implement the processing-related operations performed by the first station and the second station in the above method embodiment; input / output interface 32 is used to implement the sending and / or receiving-related operations performed by the first station and the second station in the above method embodiment.

[0418] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer instructions for implementing the methods executed by the first site and the second site in the above-described method embodiments.

[0419] For example, when the computer program is executed by the computer, it enables the computer to implement the methods executed by the first station and the second station in the various embodiments of the above methods.

[0420] This application also provides a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, implement the methods executed by the first site and the second site in the above-described method embodiments.

[0421] This application also provides a communication system, including the aforementioned first station and second station.

[0422] The explanations and beneficial effects of the relevant contents in any of the devices provided above can be found in the corresponding method embodiments provided above, and will not be repeated here.

[0423] 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.

[0424] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0425] 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.

[0426] 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.

[0427] 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.

[0428] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0429] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A sensing method, characterized in that, Applied to the first site, including: A first frame is generated, which includes first indication information. The first indication information is used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station enable sensing measurement on the first non-main channel. Send the first frame to the second station. The first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first site belongs.

2. A sensing method, characterized in that, Applied to the second site, including: Receive a first frame from a first station, the first frame including first indication information, the first indication information being used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station enable sensing measurement on a first non-main channel; Based on the first frame, determine whether to enable sensing and measurement on the first non-primary channel. The first non-primary channel is any secondary channel other than the primary channel of the Basic Service Set (BSS) to which the first site belongs.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first frame also includes information about a first duration, which is used to indicate the first duration of sensing measurements performed on the first non-master channel.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The method further includes: Based on the first duration, determine whether to switch to the first non-primary channel; If the first condition is met within the first duration, it is determined to switch to the first non-primary channel. The first condition includes: The first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay; or, The first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay. Wherein, the first delay is the delay of the first station, the second delay is the delay of the second station, and the third delay is the maximum delay between the first delay and the second delay. The station delay is used to indicate the delay of the station switching from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel and / or the delay of the station switching from the first non-primary channel to the primary channel.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, If the first site is an access point (AP), the first frame also includes at least one of the following: A list of at least one non-AP STA identifiers, latency information for each of the at least one non-AP STAs, fourth latency information, fifth latency information, or second duration information. Wherein, the fourth delay is the largest delay among the delays of the at least one non-AP STA and the AP, the fifth delay is the largest delay among the delays of the at least one non-AP STA, the second duration is determined by the first duration and the fourth delay, and the second station is one of the at least one non-AP STA.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first condition also includes: The first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the fourth delay; or, The first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the delay of each non-AP STA in the at least one non-AP STA, and the first duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Whether to switch to the first non-primary channel is determined based on the second duration; If the second duration is less than or equal to the busy duration of the main channel, a switch to the first non-main channel is determined.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, The first frame also includes second indication information, which is used to indicate whether the first station and / or the second station has enabled communication on the first non-main channel.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The first frame also includes information on a third duration, which is used to indicate the third duration of communication on the first non-master channel.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Whether to switch to the first non-primary channel is determined based on a fourth duration, wherein the fourth duration is determined based on the first duration and the third duration; If the second condition is met during the fourth duration, a switch to the first non-primary channel is determined. The second condition includes: The fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the first delay, and the fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the second delay; or, The fourth duration is less than or equal to the difference between the busy duration of the main channel and the third delay. Wherein, the first delay is the delay of the first station, the second delay is the delay of the second station, and the third delay is the maximum delay between the first delay and the second delay. The station delay is used to indicate the delay of the station switching from the primary channel to the first non-primary channel and / or the delay of the station switching from the first non-primary channel to the primary channel.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first frame includes the first indication information, including: The first frame includes a Non-Main Channel Access (NPCA) element, and the NPCA element includes the first indication information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first frame includes any of the following: Beacon frame, probe response frame, association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, reassociation response frame, non-master channel access mode enable frame, non-master channel access mode notification frame, data pending transmission indication information (DTIM), transmission indication mapping (TIM) frame, or non-master channel access management frame.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that, The first frame includes the first indication information, including: The first frame includes a sensing measurement parameter element, which includes the first indication information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The first frame includes any of the following: Sensing measurement request frame, sensing measurement response frame, proxy sensing SBP request frame, or SBP response frame.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that, The first frame is sent via broadcast, multicast, or unicast.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 15, characterized in that, The first frame also includes information about the first sensing measurement session and / or information about the first non-master channel. The information in the first sensing measurement session is used to indicate the sensing measurement session established between the first site and the second site.

17. A sensing device, wherein the sensing device is a first station or is applied to a first station, characterized in that, The device includes at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, the at least one processor for executing the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the device to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 16.

18. A sensing device, wherein the sensing device is a second station or is applied to a second station, characterized in that, The device includes at least one processor coupled to a memory for storing computer programs or instructions, the at least one processor for executing the computer programs or instructions in the memory, causing the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 16.

19. A sensing system, characterized in that, The communication system includes a first station and a second station; wherein the first station is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 or 3 to 16, and the second station is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 2 to 16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

21. A chip system, characterized in that, include: At least one processor is configured to retrieve and run a computer program from memory, causing a communication device equipped with the chip system to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 16.

22. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is run on a computer, it causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 16.

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