Coordinated transmission method and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of wireless technology, and particularly relates to a coordinated transmission method and apparatus. The present application can be applied to IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, and IEEE 802.11bn standards, etc., and other standards in IEEE 802.11 series, such as IEEE 802.15, IEEE 802.11bf, IMMW, and SparkLink. The method comprises: a first apparatus, which participates in coordinated transmission, sending a first PPDU, and a second apparatus, which participates in coordinated transmission, sending a second PPDU. The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU. The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as or different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU. The second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as or different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU. By means of designing signaling, the performance of coordinated transmission is improved.

Description

Collaborative transmission method and apparatus

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411808418.5, filed on December 9, 2024, entitled "Cooperative Transmission Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] With the development of wireless networks and the increasing prevalence of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, WLAN devices are becoming increasingly dense. Because wireless access points (APs) are easy to deploy, this increasing density of APs also leads to more inter-cell interference. Therefore, how to reduce inter-cell interference and improve user service quality through AP cooperation is a problem that next-generation Wi-Fi technology needs to consider.

[0004] Cooperation among multiple access points (APs) includes coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR). Taking two APs as an example, when the two APs are far apart, they can transmit simultaneously on the same channel / resource block. By controlling power and user selection, the interference between the two APs is kept low, thereby effectively utilizing channel resources.

[0005] Therefore, improving the performance of collaborative transmission is an urgent issue to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a cooperative transmission method and apparatus, which effectively improves the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a first device. The method includes:

[0008] The first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU); the first device sends the first PPDU; the legacy signal field (L-SIG) in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first signal (SIG) field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; the second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0009] The first SIG field can be the first SIG field in the PPDU, and the second SIG field can be the second SIG field in the PPDU. This includes fields where the second SIG field follows the first SIG field.

[0010] In this embodiment, the first SIG field and the second SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in the transmission are different. Therefore, the first device can flexibly select the type of PPDU and more flexibly set the contents of the first and second SIG fields. Furthermore, the first and second devices can also set the contents of the first and second SIG fields respectively, so that the two devices do not need to negotiate the contents of these fields in advance, simplifying implementation and reducing the overhead of advance interaction.

[0011] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, which is applied to a second device. The method includes:

[0012] The second device generates a second PPDU and sends the second PPDU; the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the first PPDU; the second SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the first PPDU; the first PPDU is a PPDU sent by the first device, and the first device and the second device cooperate in transmission.

[0013] In this embodiment, the first SIG field and the second SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in the transmission are different. Therefore, the second device can flexibly select the type of PPDU and more flexibly set the contents of the first and second SIG fields. Furthermore, the second device and the first device can also set the contents of the first and second SIG fields respectively, so that the two devices do not need to negotiate the contents of these fields in advance, simplifying implementation and reducing the overhead of advance interaction.

[0014] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following:

[0015] The length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU. The length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3*N-2, where N is a positive integer; or, the rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0016] The length and rate fields in the L-SIG field can be used to indicate the length of subsequent fields in the PPDU. The fact that the length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU, and that the rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU, ensures that the length of subsequent fields in the first PPDU is the same as the length of subsequent fields in the second PPDU. This guarantees that the third-party device correctly obtains the length of subsequent fields and will not interfere with the cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the first PPDU (or the second PPDU). Optionally, the third-party device can also enter a power-saving mode in advance to reduce power consumption.

[0017] Third-party equipment refers to equipment other than the transmitting and receiving ends. For example, the third-party equipment can be any equipment other than the receiving end indicated by the receiving address of the first device and the first PPDU, and the receiving end indicated by the receiving address of the second device and the second PPDU.

[0018] In one possible implementation, in conjunction with the first or second aspect, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

[0019] In this embodiment, the physical layer versions of the PPDUs of at least two devices cooperating in transmission are the same, which simplifies the implementation and reduces the implementation complexity of the first and second devices.

[0020] In combination with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, both the first PPDU and the second PPDU are high efficiency single-use PPDUs (HE SU PPDU), high efficiency multiple-user PPDUs (HE MU PPDU), extremely high throughput PPDUs (EHT PPDU), very high throughput PPDUs (VHT PPDU), or ultra-high reliability PPDUs (UHR PPDU).

[0021] Combining the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU, and the second PPDU is any of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, or UHR PPDU. This simplifies the implementation.

[0022] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including:

[0023] The first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the BSS color of the basic service set (BSS) to which the first device is located, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the BSS color of the BSS to which the second device is located.

[0024] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the modulation and modulation scheme (MCS) of the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the first PPDU, while the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU and the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU. Thus, the first device can flexibly set the content of the first SIG field.

[0025] In one possible implementation, in conjunction with either the first or second aspect, the first SIG field in the first PPDU has the same length as the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0026] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU has the same length as the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0027] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0028] The first device performs power control on the first SIG field in the first PPDU; or, the first device performs power control on the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0029] In this embodiment of the application, the first device can effectively reduce the interference of the first device to the second device by performing power control on the first SIG field or the second SIG field.

[0030] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes:

[0031] The first device sends an instruction message to the second device, the instruction message being used to instruct the second device on at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0032] In this embodiment, the indication information, by indicating the information of the first SIG field or the second SIG field, can ensure that the length of the first PPDU is aligned with the length of the second PPDU, guaranteeing that the third-party device correctly obtains the lengths of the subsequent fields of these two PPDUs, and that the transmission time of the first PPDU (or the second PPDU) will not interfere with the cooperative transmission. Optionally, the third-party device can also enter a power-saving mode in advance to reduce power consumption.

[0033] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, before the second device sends the second PPDU, the method further includes:

[0034] The second device receives indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0035] When the instruction information does not indicate at least one of the following, the second device can set the contents of the first SIG field and the second SIG field itself, thereby improving flexibility and reducing the overhead of the instruction information. The unindicated information includes: physical layer version identifier, PPDU type and compression mode, MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0036] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in any of the following frames: a cooperative transmission trigger frame, an initial control frame (ICF), or an initial control response (ICR) frame.

[0037] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a PPDU type and a compression mode field, the PPDU type and compression mode fields indicating whether the transmission mode is SU transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or SU transmission and OFDMA transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission.

[0038] In this embodiment of the application, the PPDU type and compression mode fields, by indicating the above content, enable the receiving end of the first PPDU to know the format of the first PPDU, thereby correctly parsing the first PPDU.

[0039] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the second SIG field in the second PPDU, including:

[0040] The second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information for the first site, which is a site associated with the first device;

[0041] The second SIG field in the second PPDU includes user information for the second site, which is the site associated with the second device;

[0042] There is one first station and one second station; or there are multiple first stations and multiple second stations.

[0043] Optionally, the common portion of the second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the common portion of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. These will not be listed individually here.

[0044] In this embodiment, the second SIG field in the first PPDU may include user information associated with the first device, and the second SIG field in the second PPDU may include user information associated with the second device. Thus, each device sets its own user field, improving the flexibility of content settings.

[0045] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the user information of the first station is contained in the user field of the second SIG field in the first PPDU, and this user field is in a non-multiple user multiple input multiple output (MU-MIMO) transmission format. The user information of the second station is contained in the user field of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, and this user field is in a non-MU-MIMO transmission format.

[0046] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU further includes a resource allocation (RU) subfield and a user information subfield. The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size (or dimensions) of the RU, and the user information subfield is used to indicate the first site. The RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to jointly indicate the RU allocated to the first site, which is one of M RUs of the same size divided according to bandwidth.

[0047] Alternatively, the RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to indicate the RU to be allocated to the first site.

[0048] In this embodiment of the application, by dividing the bandwidth into M RUs of the same size, the design and implementation types of resource allocation for cooperative transmission can be simplified, and the complexity of parsing the RU field can be reduced.

[0049] In conjunction with the first aspect, one possible implementation is a 40MHz bandwidth with 242-tone RUs; or an 80MHz bandwidth with 484-tone RUs or 242-tone RUs; or a 160MHz bandwidth with 996-tone RUs or 484-tone RUs; or a 320MHz bandwidth with 2*996-tone RUs or 996-tone RUs. This simplifies the design and implementation types of RU allocation, making implementation straightforward.

[0050] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method comprising:

[0051] The first device sends the first PPDU; the second device sends the second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0052] The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

[0053] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0054] The first device performs power control on the first SIG field in the first PPDU; the first device performs power control on the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0055] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes at least one of the following:

[0056] The second device performs power control on the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second device performs power control on the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0057] In conjunction with the third aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0058] The first device sends an instruction message to the second device, the instruction message being used to instruct the second device on at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU;

[0059] The second device receives the instruction information.

[0060] For explanations regarding the third aspect (such as beneficial effects, the first PPDU and the second PPDU, or instruction information, etc.), please refer to the first aspect, the second aspect, or any possible implementation method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0061] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a first device. The method includes:

[0062] The first device generates a first PPDU; the first device sends the first PPDU; the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; the second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0063] In this embodiment, the L-SIG field and the first SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in transmission are the same, which can provide third-party devices with information such as transmission opportunity (TXOP) or BSS color, thereby better providing coexistence, energy saving and channel protection.

[0064] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a second device. The method includes:

[0065] The second device generates a second PPDU and sends the second PPDU; the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the first PPDU; the second SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the first PPDU; the first PPDU is a PPDU sent by the first device, and the first device and the second device cooperate in transmission.

[0066] For explanations regarding the fifth aspect, please refer to the fourth aspect for any beneficial effects; further details will not be provided here.

[0067] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following:

[0068] The length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU. The length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3*N-2, where N is a positive integer; or, the rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0069] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

[0070] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, both the first PPDU and the second PPDU are either high-efficiency single-user HE SU PPDUs, or high-efficiency multi-user HE MU PPDUs, or extremely high-throughput EHT PPDUs, or very high-throughput VHT PPDUs, or ultra-high-reliability UHR PPDUs.

[0071] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first PPDU is an ultra-high reliability UHR PPDU, and the second PPDU is any one of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0072] For an explanation of the L-SIG field in the first PPDU and the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the first or second aspect; it will not be elaborated here.

[0073] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including:

[0074] The BSS color field in the first SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU. The BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, or to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, or to carry the BSS color corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

[0075] In this embodiment, the BSS color fields are identical, enabling third-party devices to correctly parse the BSS color fields. This better facilitates coexistence for third-party devices.

[0076] In this embodiment, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU. Therefore, the first device can omit power control of the first SIG field in the first PPDU, thereby expanding the coverage of the first PPDU and reducing interference from hidden nodes. Similarly, the second device can also omit power control of the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0077] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes the coding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the first PPDU. The MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the MCS of the second SIG field in the first PPDU, and the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0078] In this embodiment, the length of the second SIG field in the first PPDU can be aligned with the length of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, ensuring that the third-party device correctly parses the second SIG field and does not interfere with the cooperative transmission during the transmission time of the first PPDU (or the second PPDU). Optionally, the third-party device can also enter a power-saving mode in advance to reduce power consumption.

[0079] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the BSS color field includes a first BSS color field and a second BSS color field, wherein the first BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS in which the first device is located, and the second BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS in which the second device is located.

[0080] In this embodiment, the first SIG field in the first PPDU may include two BSS color fields, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU may also include two BSS color fields. These two BSS color fields can respectively carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located and the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located. This ensures that third-party devices can correctly parse these two BSS colors, providing coexistence for third-party devices.

[0081] In conjunction with the fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes:

[0082] The first device sends instruction information to the second device, the instruction information being used to instruct the second device on at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0083] By instructing the second device to provide the aforementioned information, the first device can achieve the same L-SIG field in the second PPDU as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, and the same first SIG field in the first PPDU as the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0084] In conjunction with the fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, before the second device sends the second PPDU, the method further includes:

[0085] The second device receives indication information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0086] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the indication information is carried in any of the following frames: a cooperative transmission trigger frame, an initial control frame (ICF), or an initial control response (ICR) frame.

[0087] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a PPDU type and a compression mode field, the PPDU type and compression mode field indicating whether the transmission mode is a single-user SU transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or a SU transmission and OFDMA transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission.

[0088] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the second SIG field in the second PPDU, including:

[0089] The second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information for the first site, which is a site associated with the first device;

[0090] The second SIG field in the second PPDU includes user information for the second site, which is the site associated with the second device;

[0091] There is one first station and one second station; or there are multiple first stations and multiple second stations.

[0092] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the user information of the first site is contained in a user field, which is a non-MU-MIMO transmission format.

[0093] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU further includes a resource unit (RU) allocation subfield and a user information subfield. The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size of the RU, and the user information subfield is used to indicate the first site. The RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to jointly indicate the RU allocated to the first site, which is one of M RUs of the same size divided according to bandwidth.

[0094] In conjunction with the fourth or fifth aspect, in one possible implementation, the bandwidth is 40MHz and the RU is a 242-tone RU; or, the bandwidth is 80MHz and the RU is a 484-tone RU or a 242-tone RU; or, the bandwidth is 160MHz and the RU is a 996-tone RU or a 484-tone RU; or, the bandwidth is 320MHz and the RU is 2*996-tone RUs or a 996-tone RU.

[0095] For an explanation of the L-SIG field in the first PPDU and the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the first or second aspect; it will not be elaborated here.

[0096] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method comprising:

[0097] The first device sends the first PPDU; the second device sends the second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0098] The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

[0099] In conjunction with the sixth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0100] The first device sends an instruction message to the second device, the instruction message being used to instruct the second device on at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU;

[0101] The second device receives the instruction information.

[0102] For details regarding the sixth aspect (such as beneficial effects, the first and second PPDUs, and instruction information), refer to the fourth or fifth aspect or any possible implementation method, and will not be elaborated here.

[0103] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a first device. The method includes:

[0104] The first device generates a first PPDU; the first device sends the first PPDU; the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the second SIG field in the second PPDU; the second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0105] In this embodiment, the L-SIG field, the first SIG field, and the second SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in transmission are the same, thereby providing third-party devices with information such as TXOP or BSS color, and better providing coexistence, energy saving and channel protection.

[0106] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a second device. The method includes:

[0107] The second device generates a second PPDU and sends the second PPDU; the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the first PPDU; the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the second SIG field in the first PPDU; the first PPDU is a PPDU sent by the first device, and the first device and the second device cooperate in transmission.

[0108] For further explanation of the benefits of the eighth aspect, please refer to the seventh aspect; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0109] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following:

[0110] The length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU. The length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3*N-2, where N is a positive integer; or, the rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0111] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

[0112] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, both the first PPDU and the second PPDU are either high-efficiency single-user HE SU PPDUs, or high-efficiency multi-user HE MU PPDUs, or extremely high-throughput EHT PPDUs, or very high-throughput VHT PPDUs, or ultra-high-reliability UHR PPDUs.

[0113] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the first PPDU is an ultra-high reliability UHR PPDU, and the second PPDU is any one of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU.

[0114] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following:

[0115] The BSS color field in the first SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU. The BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, or to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, or to carry the BSS color corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

[0116] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes the coding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the first PPDU. The MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the MCS of the second SIG field in the first PPDU, and the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the number of symbols in the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0117] In conjunction with the seventh or eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the BSS color field includes a first BSS color field and a second BSS color field, wherein the first BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS in which the first device is located, and the second BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS in which the second device is located.

[0118] In conjunction with the seventh or eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a PPDU type and a compression mode field, the PPDU type and compression mode field indicating whether the transmission mode is a single-user SU transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission, or a SU transmission and OFDMA transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission.

[0119] For explanations regarding the L-SIG field in the first PPDU and the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to Sections 1 through 6; details will not be provided here. For explanations regarding the first SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to Sections 4 through 6; details will not be provided here.

[0120] In conjunction with aspect seven or eight, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the second SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following:

[0121] The second SIG field includes user information from the first site and user information from the second site, where the first site is associated with the first device and the second site is associated with the second device; or,

[0122] The second SIG field also includes an RU allocation subfield and a user information subfield. The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size (or dimensions) of the RU, and the user information subfield is used to indicate the first site and the second site. The RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to jointly indicate the RU allocated to the first site (or, in other words, the RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to jointly indicate the RU allocated to the second site). This RU is one of M RUs of the same size divided according to bandwidth. The RU allocated to the first site is the same as the RU allocated to the second site.

[0123] In this embodiment of the application, unifying the preamble content of the first PPDU and the second PPDU can reduce mutual interference between preambles.

[0124] In conjunction with the seventh or eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field in the first PPDU includes a non-OFDMA user digital segment that indicates the number of users as 1 or 2.

[0125] In conjunction with the seventh or eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, the second SIG field also includes a RU number field, which indicates the number of RUs to which the bandwidth is divided, and the number of RUs is 1, 2 or 4.

[0126] Optionally, a RU quantity of 1 indicates that SU transmission is supported, while a RU quantity of 2 or 4 indicates that MU transmission is supported.

[0127] In this embodiment of the application, by dividing the bandwidth into one RU, two RUs of the same size, or four RUs of the same size, the indication method of SU transmission and OFDMA transmission can be unified, and the classification of PPDU type and compression mode can be simplified.

[0128] In conjunction with the seventh aspect, in one possible implementation, before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes:

[0129] The first device sends instruction information to the second device, which is used to indicate at least one of the following information to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU adopted by the first site.

[0130] In conjunction with the eighth aspect, in one possible implementation, before the second device sends the second PPDU, the method further includes:

[0131] The second device receives instruction information, which is used to indicate at least one of the following information to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU adopted by the first site.

[0132] The instruction information ensures that the preamble content in the first PPDU is the same as the preamble content in the second PPDU.

[0133] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method comprising:

[0134] The first device sends the first PPDU; the second device sends the second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0135] The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0136] In conjunction with the ninth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0137] The first device sends instruction information to the second device, which is used to instruct the second device to at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU adopted by the first site.

[0138] The second device receives the instruction information.

[0139] Tenthly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a first device. The method includes:

[0140] The first device generates a first PPDU; sends the first PPDU; the preamble of the first PPDU is different from the preamble of the second PPDU, the second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, and the second device and the first device cooperate in transmission.

[0141] In this embodiment, the preambles of the PPDUs of at least two devices cooperating in transmission can be different, thus allowing the first device to flexibly select the type of PPDU and flexibly set the content of the preamble. Furthermore, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is not limited, so the first device can also send data to receivers of different generations, targeting more users.

[0142] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0143] The first device performs power control on the preamble in the first PPDU.

[0144] In this embodiment, the first device can control the power to enable the first device and the second device to send different preamble contents to their respective receivers. This not only reduces mutual interference but also allows for flexible setting of the preamble content.

[0145] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method being applied to a second device. The method includes:

[0146] The second device generates a second PPDU; sends the second PPDU; the preamble of the second PPDU is different from the preamble of the first PPDU, the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the first device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

[0147] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0148] The second device performs power control on the preamble in the second PPDU.

[0149] In conjunction with the first aspect or the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as or different from the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

[0150] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a cooperative transmission method, the method comprising:

[0151] The first device sends a first PPDU; the second device sends a second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission; the preamble of the first PPDU is different from the preamble of the second PPDU.

[0152] For an explanation of the twelfth aspect, please refer to the tenth or eleventh aspects; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0153] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a first apparatus for performing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The first apparatus includes modules having the function of performing the method in the first aspect, fourth aspect, seventh aspect, tenth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0154] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a second apparatus for performing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. The second apparatus includes modules having functions for performing the method in the second aspect, fifth aspect, eighth aspect, eleventh aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0155] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a first apparatus comprising a processor configured to cause the first apparatus to perform the methods shown in the first aspect, fourth aspect, seventh aspect, tenth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. Alternatively, the processor may execute a computer program stored in a memory, wherein when the computer program is executed, the methods described in the first aspect, fourth aspect, seventh aspect, tenth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof are performed.

[0156] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the first device described above.

[0157] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the first device described above.

[0158] In this embodiment, the processor and memory can be integrated into a single device, meaning they can be combined. For example, the first device can be a chip.

[0159] In one possible implementation, the first device further includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals.

[0160] The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of processors. Nor do the embodiments of this application limit the type of processor.

[0161] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a second apparatus comprising a processor configured to cause the second apparatus to perform the methods shown in the second, fifth, eighth, eleventh aspects, or any possible implementations thereof. Alternatively, the processor may execute a computer program stored in a memory, wherein when the computer program is executed, the methods described in the second, fifth, eighth, eleventh aspects, or any possible implementations thereof are performed.

[0162] In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the second device described above.

[0163] In one possible implementation, the memory is located within the second device described above.

[0164] In the embodiments of this application, the processor and memory can be integrated into a single device, that is, the processor and memory can be integrated together. For example, the second device can be a chip.

[0165] In one possible implementation, the second device further includes a transceiver for receiving or transmitting signals.

[0166] The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of processors. Nor do the embodiments of this application limit the type of processor.

[0167] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled to enable the chip to perform the methods described in the first aspect, fourth aspect, seventh aspect, tenth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0168] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled to enable the chip to perform the methods described in the second aspect, fifth aspect, eighth aspect, eleventh aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0169] In a nineteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the device shown above), causes the methods shown in any of the first to twelfth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0170] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program that, when run on a computer (such as the device shown above), causes the methods shown in any of the first to twelfth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0171] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, executes the methods shown in any of the first to twelfth aspects or any possible implementations described above.

[0172] In a twentieth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system comprising a first device and a second device. The first device is configured to perform the methods shown in the first, fourth, seventh, tenth aspects or any possible implementation thereof, and the second device is configured to perform the methods shown in the second, fifth, eighth, eleventh aspects or any possible implementation thereof. Attached Figure Description

[0173] Figures 1a and 1b are schematic diagrams of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0174] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the format of the UHR PPDU provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0175] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the EHT PPDU format provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0176] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the VHT PPDU format provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0177] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the HE PPDU format provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0178] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a collaborative transmission scenario provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0179] Figure 7a is a flowchart illustrating a cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0180] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0181] Figure 8a is another flowchart illustrating the cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0182] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the format of the cooperative transmission trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0183] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the ICR frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0184] Figure 8d is a schematic diagram of a format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0185] Figure 8e is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0186] Figure 8f is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0187] Figure 9a is a schematic flowchart of another cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0188] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0189] Figure 10a is a schematic flowchart of another cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0190] Figure 10b is a schematic diagram of a format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0191] Figure 10c is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0192] Figure 10d is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0193] Figure 10e is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0194] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0195] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0196] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0197] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0198] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0199] The term "embodiment" as used herein means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this application. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0200] In this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more, "more than one" refers to two or more, "at least two (items)" refers to two or three or more, and "and / or" is used to describe the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, "A and / or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that there can be two relationships, such as only A exists or only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also mean that there are three relationships, such as only A exists, only B exists, or both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects are in an "or" relationship. "At least one (item) of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one (item) of a, b, or c can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0201] 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, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "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. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between network devices and terminal devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via buses, traces, or interfaces.

[0202] The following describes the communication system involved in this application.

[0203] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems, such as Wi-Fi. For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series protocols, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11bf, 802.11az, 802.11bk, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation protocols, and even more specifically, 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bq, or next-generation protocols, etc., which will not be listed here. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to millimeter wave (MMW) technology, including integrated millimeter wave (IMMW). For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to IEEE 802.15 series protocols, such as 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab, or a future generation of UWB WPAN protocol, or StarFlash, etc., and will not be listed exhaustively. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to the following communication systems, such as Internet of Things (IoT) systems, vehicle-to-everything (V2X) systems, narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, 5th generation (5G) communication systems, and new communication systems emerging in future communication development.

[0204] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0205] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN as an example, especially networks applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), and wide area networks (WANs) or other networks now known or to be developed in the future.

[0206] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). AP and non-AP STA can be collectively referred to as STA.

[0207] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using WLAN protocols. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating or sensing with other devices. Alternatively, 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. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. The device with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. The AP in the embodiments of this application is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; an AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, repeaters, etc. Of course, an AP can also include APs belonging to a multi-link device (MLD), or co-located APs, etc.

[0208] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing using WLAN protocols and has the ability to communicate or sense other non-AP STAs or access points in a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip, processing system, or functional module installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips, processing systems, or functional modules can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of this application under the control of the chips, processing systems, or functional modules. For example, a non-AP STA can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Another example is a non-AP STA that supports Wi-Fi communication, such as a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a set-top box, a smart TV, a smart wearable device, an in-vehicle communication device, or a computer. Of course, a non-AP STA can also include non-AP STAs belonging to an MLD or co-located STAs.

[0209] A multi-link device comprises multiple affiliated sites, which can be physical or logical sites. Each site can operate on a link, a frequency band, or a channel, etc. The affiliated sites shown here can be APs or non-AP STAs.

[0210] Figures 1a and 1b are schematic diagrams of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes at least two APs and at least two non-AP STAs. Figure 1a shows two AP MLDs, such as AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2, and two non-AP MLDs, such as non-AP MLD 1 and non-AP MLD 2. Figure 1b shows two APs, such as AP1 and AP2, and two non-AP STAs, such as non-AP STA 1 and non-AP STA 2.

[0211] The examples in Figures 1a and 1b, where non-AP STA represents a mobile phone and AP represents a router, are not intended to limit the AP and non-AP STA types in the embodiments of this application.

[0212] Before introducing the methods provided in the embodiments of this application, the PPDU involved in the embodiments of this application will be introduced below.

[0213] A PPDU includes at least one of the following: an L-SIG field, a first SIG field, or a second SIG field. The first SIG field can be the first SIG field in the PPDU, and the second SIG field can be the second SIG field in the PPDU. The second SIG field follows the first SIG field.

[0214] The L-SIG field can be used to carry signaling information related to the PPDU length. The first SIG field and the second SIG field can be used to carry signaling for demodulating subsequent fields of the PPDU. The first SIG field can be a general signaling field. The second SIG field can present different content for different generations. Optionally, the second SIG field does not exist. In this case, the second SIG field may be absent in the various embodiments shown below.

[0215] A PPDU may also include a data field, which carries a medium access control layer protocol data unit (MPDU). This MPDU can also be called a MAC frame. MAC frames include, but are not limited to, data frames, acknowledgment frames, trigger frames, and beacon frames.

[0216] The following describes the PPDU involved in the embodiments of this application by way of example. The various PPDUs shown below are only examples. As the standard progresses, other types of PPDUs or other generations of PPDUs may appear in the future. However, any PPDU that meets the features shown below (as shown in Figures 7a, 8a, 9a, and 10a) shall fall within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application.

[0217] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the format of the UHR PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. The fields included in the UHR PPDU are referenced in Table 1, and the UHR PPDU includes some or all of the fields shown in Table 1. Table 1 also exemplarily illustrates the function of each field.

[0218] Table 1

[0219] For UHR PPDU, the first SIG field is the U-SIG field, and the second SIG field is the UHR-SIG field.

[0220] Table 2 exemplarily illustrates the contents of the U-SIG field in a UHR PPDU used for cooperative transmission. The U-SIG field is a signaling field in the PPDU preamble and can be used to carry signaling information required for subsequent demodulation of subsequent fields. Optionally, the U-SIG field may include two orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbols, each of which can carry 26 information bits (as shown in Table 2, B0 to B25). Cooperative transmission includes, but is not limited to, co-SR or coordinated beamforming (co-BF). It is understood that the contents of the U-SIG field shown in Table 2 are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0221] Table 2

[0222] Table 3 exemplarily illustrates the common portions of the UHR-SIG field in a UHR PPDU used for cooperative transmission. Table 3 shows the common fields of the UHR-SIG field for non-OFDMA transmission. It is understood that the contents of the UHR-SIG field shown in Table 3 are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0223] Table 3

[0224] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the EHT PPDU format provided in an embodiment of this application. The EHT PPDU includes EHT MU PPDU and EHT TB PPDU. The EHT MU PPDU can support data transmission to single or multiple users, thereby reducing the number of PPDU formats that the device needs to support and simplifying implementation complexity. For explanations of the various fields involved in Figure 3, please refer to Figure 2 or Table 1, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0225] For EHT PPDU, the first SIG field is the U-SIG field, and the second SIG field is the EHT-SIG field.

[0226] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the VHT PPDU format provided in an embodiment of this application. For explanations of the various fields involved in Figure 4, please refer to Figure 2 or Table 1, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0227] For VHT PPDU, the first SIG field is the VHT-SIG-A field, and the second SIG field is the VHT-SIG-B field.

[0228] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the HE PPDU format provided in an embodiment of this application. HE PPDU includes HE SU PPDU, HE MU PPDU, HE TB PPDU, and HE ER SU PPDU. For explanations of the various fields involved in Figure 5, please refer to Figure 2 or Table 1, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0229] For HE SU PPDU, the first SIG field is HE-SIG-A, and there is no second SIG field. For HE MU PPDU, the first SIG field is HE-SIG-A, and the second SIG field is HE-SIG-B.

[0230] The formats of HT PPDU and non-HT PPDU will not be listed here.

[0231] The PPDUs listed above are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0232] When the PPDU includes the L-SIG field, the first SIG field, and the second SIG field, the PPDU transmitted by the device participating in the cooperative transmission can satisfy the characteristics described below. When the PPDU includes the L-SIG field and the first SIG field, but does not include the second SIG field, the PPDU transmitted by the device participating in the cooperative transmission can satisfy the characteristics of the L-SIG field and the first SIG field described below.

[0233] The following describes the methods involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0234] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a cooperative transmission scenario provided in an embodiment of this application. When the distance between two APs is far, the two APs can transmit simultaneously on the same channel / resource block. By controlling power or user selection, the interference between the two APs can be kept low, thereby effectively utilizing channel resources.

[0235] Optionally, AP1 may preferentially select an AP farther from non-AP STA1 to participate in cooperative transmission. This reduces interference to non-AP STA1 when AP2 transmits data. Optionally, AP1 may control the transmission power of AP2 to further reduce interference to non-AP STA1 when AP2 transmits data. For example, when AP1 obtains a TXOP and needs to send downlink data frames to its associated non-AP STA1, if AP1 finds that the channel conditions between AP1 and non-AP STA1 are good, it may allow AP2 to perform concurrent transmission with AP1 (e.g., AP2 sending data to its associated non-AP STA2).

[0236] In cooperative transmission, interference exists between two access points (APs) transmitting simultaneously on the same channel. For example, AP1 transmits to non-AP STA1, while AP2 transmits to non-AP STA2. Non-AP STA1 receives both the useful signal from AP1 and the signal from AP2 (interference). Therefore, as a possible implementation, before sending downlink data frames to non-AP STA1, AP1 can estimate the path loss between non-AP STA1 and AP2 and control AP2's transmission power based on this path loss, thereby reducing interference from AP2 to non-AP STA1. For instance, AP1 can determine appropriate transmission parameters by estimating the path loss between non-AP STA1 and AP2, ensuring successful transmission even if non-AP STA1 experiences interference from AP2. Alternatively, AP1 can send a trigger frame to AP2 to initiate Co-SR transmission. This trigger frame can indicate parameters in the cooperative transmission, including but not limited to AP2's transmission power, packet transmission duration, and AP1's transmission power. After receiving the above parameters, AP2 can prioritize data transmission to a station farther from AP1 (such as non-AP STA2). AP2 can estimate the interference from AP1 to non-AP STA2 based on AP1's transmission power, and thus select appropriate transmission parameters (such as MCS, NSS, bandwidth, etc.) to maximize the success rate of AP2's data transmission.

[0237] The AP initiating multi-AP cooperative transmission can be called the sharing AP or the primary AP (as in AP1 above), and other APs sharing transmission resources or TXOPs can be called shared APs or secondary APs (as in AP2 above). This application embodiment does not limit the names of the APs participating in cooperative transmission. Figure 6 illustrates cooperative transmission using two APs as an example; the number of APs involved in Figure 6 is not intended to limit the scope of this application embodiment.

[0238] This application provides a cooperative transmission method and apparatus, which can effectively improve the performance of cooperative transmission. This application includes a signaling design related to cooperative transmission. The method provided in this application can also balance the flexibility of cooperative transmission and the coexistence of third-party devices.

[0239] In this embodiment, the first device and the second device cooperate for transmission. For example, both the first device and the second device are access points (APs), such as the first device being AP1 and the second device being AP2. Alternatively, both the first device and the second device may be non-AP STAs. Or, both the first device and the second device may be network devices or G nodes involved in the StarFlash Alliance, etc. The product forms of the first device and the second device will not be listed here. For ease of description, the following examples will use AP1 as the first device and AP2 as the second device.

[0240] The cooperative transmissions described below are all based on two devices. In actual implementations, there may be three or four devices participating in the cooperative transmission. The PPDUs sent by at least two devices participating in the cooperative transmission can satisfy the features described below.

[0241] Figure 7a is a schematic flowchart of a cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 7a, the method includes:

[0242] 701. The first device transmits a first PPDU. The second device transmits a second PPDU. The preamble of the first PPDU is different from that of the second PPDU. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 receives the first PPDU. Non-AP STA2 receives the second PPDU.

[0243] Optionally, the second SIG field may not exist.

[0244] The first device and non-AP STA1 are located in the same BSS, and the second device and non-AP STA2 are located in the same BSS. The BSSs of the first device and the second device are different. The embodiments of this application do not limit the number of non-AP STA1 and non-AP STA2.

[0245] The preamble of the first PPDU differs from that of the second PPDU in at least one of the following ways: different preamble formats, different content of the same field, different length of the same field, different modulation schemes, different encoding schemes, or different interleaving schemes.

[0246] As an example, the preamble of the first PPDU differs from that of the second PPDU, including but not limited to at least one of the following: the L-SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; the second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the second PPDU.

[0247] As another example, the physical layer version of the first PPDU differs from that of the second PPDU. For instance, the first PPDU might be a UHR PPDU or a PPDU covered by standards later than 802.11bn. The second PPDU could be any of the following: non-HT PPDU, HT PPDU, VHT PPDU, HE PPDU, or EHT PPDU, etc., which will not be listed here. Again, for example, the second PPDU might be a UHR PPDU or a PPDU covered by standards later than 802.11bn. The first PPDU could be any of the following: non-HT PPDU, HT PPDU, VHT PPDU, HE PPDU, or EHT PPDU, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0248] Figure 7b is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 7b illustrates an example where the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU and the second PPDU is an HE MU PPDU. Third-party devices such as non-AP STA3 refer to devices whose receiver addresses indicate that the receivers do not include non-AP STA3, and the receiver addresses of the second PPDU also indicate that the receivers do not include non-AP STA3. The cooperative transmission trigger frame shown in Figure 7b can be used to initiate cooperative transmission, thereby enabling the first device and the second device to cooperate in transmission.

[0249] As another example, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as that of the second PPDU. For example, both the first and second PPDUs may be UHR PPDUs, EHT PPDUs, HE PPDUs, or VHT PPDUs, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0250] As another example, the types allowed for the first PPDU include some or all of the following PPDUs, and the types allowed for the second PPDU include some or all of the following PPDUs: non-HT PPDU, HT PPDU, VHT PPDU, HE PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, or PPDUs covered by standards after 802.11bn, etc.

[0251] In this embodiment, the first device sets its own preamble for the first PPDU, and the second device sets its own preamble for the second PPDU. When each device sets its own preamble for the PPDU, it is possible that parts of the preamble for the first PPDU and the preamble for the second PPDU are the same, or they may be completely different. This embodiment does not limit the scope of this embodiment.

[0252] In one possible implementation, the first PPDU is generated before the first device sends it.

[0253] In one possible implementation, the second PPDU is generated before the second device sends the second PPDU.

[0254] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7a further includes:

[0255] The first device performs power control on the preamble in the first PPDU. An illustrative description of the power control can be found in Figure 6.

[0256] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 7a further includes:

[0257] The second device performs power control on the preamble in the second PPDU.

[0258] By controlling their power, the first and second devices can send different preamble codes to their respective receivers. This not only reduces mutual interference but also allows each device to flexibly set its own preamble code content.

[0259] In this embodiment, the preambles of the PPDUs of at least two devices cooperating in the transmission are different, allowing each device to flexibly select the type of PPDU and flexibly set the content of the preamble. Furthermore, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is not limited, allowing each device to send data to receivers of different generations, thus targeting more users.

[0260] Figure 8a is a schematic flowchart of another cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8a, the method includes:

[0261] 801. The first device sends a first PPDU. The second device sends a second PPDU. The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 receives the first PPDU. Non-AP STA2 receives the second PPDU.

[0262] Optionally, the second SIG field may not exist.

[0263] In one possible implementation, the first PPDU is generated before the first device sends it.

[0264] In one possible implementation, the second PPDU is generated before the second device sends the second PPDU.

[0265] Having identical L-SIG field content for both PPDUs ensures that third-party devices correctly obtain the length of subsequent fields in the PPDU, preventing interference with cooperative transmission during the PPDU's transmission time and allowing for earlier entry into power-saving mode, reducing power consumption. Different U-SIG and UHR-SIG field content for these two PPDUs allows for more flexible PPDU type selection and more flexible setting of U-SIG and UHR-SIG field content. Some information does not require prior signaling negotiation, simplifying implementation and reducing the overhead of advance interaction. Detailed explanation follows.

[0266] (a) The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU. In other words, the content of the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the content of the L-SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0267] As an example, the length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU. This length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3*N-2, where N is a positive integer. In other words, two PPDUs with the same length field can be used as the first PPDU and the second PPDU.

[0268] For example, the first PPDU and the second PPDU can be any of the following: HE MU PPDU and HE MU PPDU; HE SU PPDU and HE SU PPDU; EHT PPDU and EHT PPDU; EHT PPDU and UHR PPDU; UHR PPDU and UHR PPDU; VHT PPDU and VHT PPDU; HT PPDU and HT PPDU; VHT PPDU and HT PPDU; EHT PPDU and VHT PPDU; EHT PPDU and HT PPDU; UHR PPDU and VHT PPDU; or, UHR PPDU and HT PPDU, etc., which will not be listed here. For example, regarding EHT PPDU and UHR PPDU, the first PPDU is an EHT PPDU and the second PPDU is a UHR PPDU; or, the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU and the second PPDU is an EHT PPDU. The specific types of the first PPDU and the second PPDU will not be listed here.

[0269] The following PPDUs have a length field in their L-SIG field that indicates a length that is a multiple of 3: EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, VHT PPDU, HT PPDU. The length field in the L-SIG field of HE PPDUs indicates a length that is a multiple of 3 minus 1 or a multiple of 3 minus 2. For example, the length field in the L-SIG field of HE MU PPDU indicates a length that is a multiple of 3 minus 1, and the length field in the L-SIG field of HE SU PPDU indicates a length that is a multiple of 3 minus 2.

[0270] Optionally, for HT PPDUs, since third-party devices may ignore the length field in the L-SIG field, the first or second PPDU may not include the HT PPDU. That is, the first or second device may not be allowed to send HT PPDUs to participate in cooperative transmission.

[0271] Optionally, when the first PPDU or the second PPDU contains an RL-SIG field, the content of the RL-SIG field is the same as the content of the L-SIG field.

[0272] Optionally, when both the first PPDU and the second PPDU have an RL-SIG field, the RL-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the RL-SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0273] As another example, the rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU. For example, the rate field may indicate a fixed rate of 6 megabits per second (Mbps).

[0274] The length and rate fields in the L-SIG field can be used to indicate the length of the subsequent fields in the PPDU.

[0275] As another example, the physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU. Having PPDUs of at least two devices cooperating in transmission with the same physical layer version further simplifies implementation. That is, it allows PPDUs of the same version to be cooperating in transmission simultaneously.

[0276] For example, the first PPDU and the second PPDU are either of the following: HE SU PPDU and HE SU PPDU; HE MU PPDU and HE MU PPDU; EHT PPDU and EHT PPDU; UHR PPDU and UHR PPDU; or, VHT PPDU and VHT PPDU.

[0277] Optionally, since the user field lengths in the EHT PPDU and UHR PPDU are different, and their coded block lengths are also different, in order to align the coded blocks, the first PPDU and the second PPDU can be EHT PPDU and EHT PPDU, or the first PPDU and the second PPDU can be UHR PPDU and UHR PPDU. That is, simultaneous cooperative transmission of EHT PPDUs of the same version or simultaneous cooperative transmission of UHR PPDUs of the same version is allowed.

[0278] As another example, the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU, and the second PPDU is of type one or more of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, or HT PPDU, etc., which will not be listed here. Alternatively, the second PPDU is a UHR PPDU, and the first PPDU is of type one or more of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, etc., which will not be listed here. This simplifies the implementation.

[0279] In other words, of the PPDUs transmitted by at least two devices in the cooperative transmission, one can be a UHR PPDU, and the remaining PPDUs can be one or more of the following types that cooperate with the UHR PPDU in the transmission: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, UHR PPDU, or HT PPDU.

[0280] The above examples can be individual embodiments, or at least two examples can be combined into one embodiment.

[0281] As one possible implementation, the first device may not perform power control on the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, thereby better silencing third-party devices and preventing interference from third-party devices in this transmission.

[0282] As another possible implementation, the first device can perform power control on the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, thereby enabling the first device to uniformly control the power of a PPDU, simplifying the operation and reducing the complexity of power control.

[0283] As one possible implementation, the second device may not perform power control on the L-SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0284] As another possible implementation, the second device can perform power control on the L-SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0285] (b) The first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU. In other words, the content of the first SIG field in the first PPDU may differ from the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU. Alternatively, the devices participating in the cooperative transmission may configure the first SIG field in their respective transmitted PPDUs. For example, the content of the first SIG field in the first PPDU may be partially or completely different from the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0286] Optionally, the first SIG field in the first PPDU and the first SIG field in the second PPDU have the same length. That is, although the contents of the first SIG field in the first PPDU and the first SIG field in the second PPDU may be different, the fields are the same, thereby reducing interference and allowing the receiving ends of each PPDU to better synchronize and perform the same functions in each field.

[0287] As an example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located. In other words, the first SIG field in the PPDU sent by each device can carry the BSS color of its respective BSS.

[0288] The above example illustrates that the first SIG field includes one BSS color field, but the first SIG field can also include two BSS color fields (as shown in Table 2). Optionally, the first SIG field in the first PPDU can carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located and the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU can carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located and the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located.

[0289] As another example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the MCS and symbol count of the second SIG field in the first PPDU, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the MCS and symbol count of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. Each device sets its own MCS and symbol count for the second SIG field, improving configuration flexibility.

[0290] As another example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the physical layer version identifier of the first PPDU, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the physical layer version identifier of the second PPDU.

[0291] As another example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes the PPDU type and compression mode of the first PPDU, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU includes the PPDU type and compression mode of the second PPDU. Optionally, the PPDU type and compression mode of the first PPDU are the same as those of the second PPDU.

[0292] Optionally, the PPDU type and compression mode field indicates whether the transmission mode is SU transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission (e.g., co-SR+SU), OFDMA transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission (e.g., co-SR+OFDMA), or SU and OFDMA transmission corresponding to cooperative transmission. This PPDU type and compression mode field can occupy 2 bits or 3 bits.

[0293] Table 4 exemplarily illustrates the PPDU type and compression mode fields in a UHR PPDU. It is understood that the relationship between the values ​​and meanings of the bits shown in Table 4 is merely an example and not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. Table 4 is applicable to the combination of cooperative transmission and OFDMA transmission, or the combination of cooperative transmission and SU transmission. In specific implementations, the PPDU type and compression mode fields can indicate co-SR+SU or co-SR+OFDMA, that is, one entry is selected to indicate it, and the other entry is reserved. In Table 4, "Y" indicates yes, and "N" indicates no.

[0294] Table 4

[0295] Other fields included in the first SIG field, or other information carried by the first SIG field, will not be listed here.

[0296] In one possible implementation, the first device sends indication information to the second device, and the second device receives the indication information. This indication information is used to indicate to the second device at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU. For example, the indication information is carried in any of the following frames: a cooperative transmission trigger frame, an ICF, or an ICR frame.

[0297] When the indication information refers to the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, and the indication information does not indicate the physical layer version identifier, PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the second device can set the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU itself. When the second device sets the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU itself, it is possible that some or all of the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the content of the first SIG field in the first PPDU, or it is possible that the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU is completely different from the content of the first SIG field in the first PPDU. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0298] When the instruction information indicates the physical layer version identifier, PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the second device can set the aforementioned contents of the first SIG field in the second PPDU according to the instruction information. The information indicated by the instruction information may be the same as the information in the first PPDU.

[0299] For details regarding the length indicated by the length field and the physical layer version, please refer to the above text; further details will not be provided here.

[0300] Optionally, if the indication information specifies the PPDU physical layer version, it can further indicate the PPDU type. For example, the PPDU type could be HE SU PPDU or HE MU PPDU; UHR OFDMA transmission or UHR SU transmission, etc. Combining the PPDU type and physical layer version, the PPDU indicated by the indication information can be any of the following: HE SU PPDU, HE MU PPDU – OFDMA transmission, HE MU PPDU – non-OFDMA transmission, EHT MU PPDU – OFDMA transmission, EHT MU PPDU – SU transmission, UHR MU PPDU – OFDMA transmission, or UHR MU PPDU – SU transmission, etc.

[0301] Optionally, if the indication information indicates the length field in the L-SIG field, this length field may also indicate at least one of the PPDU physical layer version or PPDU type and compression mode. For example, if the remainder when the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field is divided by 3 is 0, it can indicate an EHT PPDU or a UHR PPDU. Alternatively, if the remainder when the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field is divided by 3 is 1, it can indicate an HE MU PPDU. Or, if the remainder when the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field is divided by 3 is 2, it can indicate an HE SU PPDU. Combining the length field and the physical layer version identifier in the first SIG field can further indicate whether it is an EHT PPDU or a UHR PPDU. Optionally, if the cooperative transmission does not support EHT PPDU, the length field can directly indicate a UHR PPDU.

[0302] Optionally, the MCS and symbol count of the second SIG field indicated by the indication information can be one or more of the following: HE-SIG-B MCS and the number of HE-SIG-B symbols; EHT-SIG MCS and the number of EHT-SIG symbols; or UHR-SIG MCS and the number of UHR-SIG symbols. The second SIG field will not be listed individually here.

[0303] Figure 8b is a schematic diagram of the format of the cooperative transmission trigger frame provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8b is shown as an example of a co-SR trigger frame. As shown in Figure 8b, the indication information can be carried in the co-SR / co-BF scheduling information field. Other descriptions of Figure 8b refer to the 802.11 standard, and will not be detailed here.

[0304] The trigger frame type indicator of ICF is a variant of Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP). The format of ICF can be found in the format of cooperative transmission trigger frames, which will not be listed here.

[0305] Figure 8c is a schematic diagram of the ICR frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 8c, the indication information can be carried in the co-SR / co-BF scheduling information field. Other descriptions of Figure 8c refer to the 802.11 standard, and will not be detailed here.

[0306] In one possible implementation, the first device performs power control on the first SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0307] In one possible implementation, the second device performs power control on the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0308] By controlling the power, the first and second devices can reduce mutual interference and can also flexibly control the content of the first SIG field.

[0309] (c) The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU. In other words, the content of the second SIG field in the first PPDU may be different from the content of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. Alternatively, the devices participating in the cooperative transmission may configure the first SIG field in their respective transmitted PPDUs. Optionally, the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU have the same length.

[0310] As an example, the common fields of the second SIG field in the first PPDU are different from those in the second PPDU. In other words, some or all of the common fields of the second SIG field in the first PPDU are different from those in the second PPDU. For example, for a UHR PPDU, the common fields of the second SIG field can be found in Table 3.

[0311] As another example, the user field of the second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the user field of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. Each device sets its own user field, improving the flexibility of content settings. Optionally, this user field is in a non-MU-MIMO transmission format. This user field can also be referred to as a user-specific field.

[0312] The user field of the second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information for the first site, which is a site associated with the first device. The user field of the second SIG field in the second PPDU includes user information for the second site, which is a site associated with the second device. There can be one or more first sites. There can be one or more second sites.

[0313] Optionally, both the first PPDU and the second PPDU support SU transmission, or both support OFDMA transmission. Optionally, the first PPDU supports SU transmission, and the second PPDU supports OFDMA transmission. Optionally, the first PPDU supports OFDMA transmission, and the second PPDU supports SU transmission.

[0314] For example, the common field of the second SIG field in the first PPDU includes a non-OFDMA user digital field. The common field of the second SIG field in the second PPDU also includes a non-OFDMA user digital field. For SU transmissions, the number of users indicated by this non-OFDMA user digital field can be 1. That is, each device can send data to one station.

[0315] For example, the common fields of the second SIG field in the first PPDU include the RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield (e.g., indicating the first site). The common fields of the second SIG field in the second PPDU include the RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield (e.g., indicating the second site). The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size of the RU. For OFDMA transmission, this RU allocation subfield and user information subfield can be used to jointly indicate the allocation of an RU or MRU to the site indicated by the user information subfield, and can also indicate the number of users corresponding to each RU or MRU.

[0316] Optionally, the RU allocation subfield indicates that the RU can be one of M RUs of the same size, divided according to bandwidth. This simplifies OFDMA transmission for cooperative transmission. For example, the entire bandwidth can be simply divided into two or four parts of the same size. For instance, for a 40MHz PPDU, the entire bandwidth can be divided into two 242-tone RUs (242 subcarrier resource elements, corresponding to a bandwidth of approximately 20MHz). For an 80MHz PPDU, the entire bandwidth can be divided into two 484-tone RUs (corresponding to a bandwidth of approximately 40MHz), or into four 242-tone RUs. For a 160MHz PPDU, the entire bandwidth can be divided into two 996-tone RUs (corresponding to a bandwidth of approximately 80MHz), or into four 484-tone RUs. For a 320MHz PPDU, the entire bandwidth can be divided into two 2*996-tone RUs (corresponding to a bandwidth of approximately 160MHz), or into four 996-tone RUs. This further simplifies the design and implementation of resource allocation for multi-AP cooperative transmission, and makes it easier to enable the first and second devices to schedule the same number of users, thereby achieving the same length of the second SIG field (i.e., the number of symbols).

[0317] For example, the common fields of the second SIG field in the first PPDU include field A, which indicates the number of RUs within the bandwidth. This field A can support both SU transmission and OFDMA transmission simultaneously. For an explanation of field A, please refer to Figure 10a below; it will not be detailed here.

[0318] The bandwidth involved in the embodiments of this application can be the bandwidth of the first PPDU or the bandwidth of the second PPDU.

[0319] The following is an example of the format of the second SIG field.

[0320] The second SIG field is encoded and transmitted in 20MHz units in the frequency domain. A content channel (CC) can be used to characterize the content transmitted within a specific 20MHz range of the second SIG field. For example, with a bandwidth of 20MHz, the second SIG field has one CC. Alternatively, with a bandwidth of 40MHz, the second SIG field has two CCs, designated CC1 and CC2 in ascending frequency order. The signaling fields in the two content channels have the same format, but their content can differ. Another example is with a bandwidth of 80MHz, where there are still two CCs, for a total of four channels. Resource unit allocation information is indicated on these four channels in ascending frequency order according to the structure CC1, CC2, CC1, CC2. Yet another example is with a bandwidth of 160MHz or greater, where two content channels exist within each 80MHz range. The content of the second SIG can differ within different 80MHz ranges. The content of a content channel within the second SIG field consists of a common field and a user field. The content of the common field may differ in different PPDU formats.

[0321] For single-user transmission, the common field first includes the first SIG overflow, containing common information that cannot be carried in the first SIG field due to insufficient bits, such as spatial multiplexing parameters, guard interval and long training field size, UHR-LTF symbol count (or EHT-LTF symbol count, etc.). It may also include a non-OFDMA user digital segment to indicate that the number of users transmitting is 1. Correspondingly, in the user field, there will be one user field, replicated in both content channels.

[0322] For OFDMA transmissions, the common field first contains the first SIG overflow, which includes common information that cannot be carried in the U-SIG field due to insufficient bits. Additionally, the common field includes a resource unit allocation subfield (or RU allocation field) to indicate whether it is an RU or MRU, and the number of users corresponding to each RU or MRU. Correspondingly, the user field contains multiple user fields, each carried in one of the two content channels.

[0323] Figure 8d is a schematic diagram of a format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8d illustrates the second SIG field for single-user transmission.

[0324] As shown in Figure 8d, the non-OFDMA user digital segment indicator 1 indicates the user information of the user scheduled by each device. The STA ID field carries the association ID (AID) assigned to the associated STA by the BSS (such as BSS1 / 2) where the AP is located. The equal modulation (EQM) / unequal modulation (UEQM) field is used to indicate whether the transmission is EQM or UEQM. If EQM / UEQM indicates EQM, the second SIG field can also indicate the beamforming subfield (indicating whether beamforming is used for data transmission in subsequent data fields) and the coding subfield (indicating whether binary convolutional coding (BCC) or LDPC is used for data transmission in subsequent data fields). If EQM / UEQM indicates UEQM, the beamforming subfield and coding subfield can be replaced by the UEQM mode field to indicate the UEQM mode. The 2x LDPC field is used to indicate whether 2*1944 code-length LDPC is used for data transmission in subsequent data fields.

[0325] Figure 8e is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8e illustrates the second SIG field for OFDMA transmission. For OFDMA transmission, each AP indicates its respective RU allocation subfield and user information of the users scheduled in the corresponding RU / MRU. Further descriptions of Figure 8e are given in Figure 8d, and will not be detailed here. The formats of the second SIG field shown in Figures 8d and 8e are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0326] In one possible implementation, the first device performs power control on the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

[0327] In one possible implementation, the second device performs power control on the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0328] Figure 8f is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 8f illustrates an example where the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU and the second PPDU is an EHT MU PPDU. As shown in Figure 8f, the first device can perform power control on the U-SIG field and subsequent fields, and the second device can perform power control on the U-SIG field and subsequent fields.

[0329] In Figure 8f, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the RL-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the RL-SIG field in the second PPDU; the U-SIG field in the first PPDU differs partially or entirely from the U-SIG field in the second PPDU; and the UHR-SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the EHT-SIG field in the second PPDU. The data fields in the first PPDU differ from the data fields in the second PPDU. These will not be listed individually here.

[0330] In this embodiment, the first SIG field and the second SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in the transmission are different. Therefore, the first device can flexibly select the type of PPDU and more flexibly set the contents of the first and second SIG fields. Furthermore, the first and second devices can also set the contents of the first and second SIG fields respectively, so that the two devices do not need to negotiate the contents of these fields in advance, simplifying implementation and reducing the overhead of advance interaction.

[0331] Figure 9a is a schematic flowchart of another cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9a, the method includes:

[0332] 901. The first device sends a first PPDU. The second device sends a second PPDU. The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 receives the first PPDU. Non-AP STA2 receives the second PPDU.

[0333] Optionally, the second SIG field may not exist.

[0334] In one possible implementation, the first PPDU is generated before the first device sends it.

[0335] In one possible implementation, the second PPDU is generated before the second device sends the second PPDU.

[0336] Regarding the explanation that the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the introduction above regarding (a) or the introduction below regarding (d). It will not be elaborated here.

[0337] (d) The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU. In other words, the content of the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the content of the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0338] As an example, the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU. For instance, the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the first PPDU and the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU can both be used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, or to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, or to carry the BSS color corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

[0339] The BSS color corresponding to cooperative transmission can be set to 0, or it can be set to a special BSS color, which will not be listed here.

[0340] The above example illustrates that the first SIG field includes one BSS color field, but the first SIG field can also include two BSS color fields (as shown in Table 2). Optionally, the first SIG field in the first PPDU can carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located and the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU can carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located and the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located.

[0341] As another example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes the MCS and the number of symbols of the second SIG field in the first PPDU. The first SIG field in the second PPDU includes the MCS and the number of symbols of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. The MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as that of the second SIG field in the first PPDU. The number of symbols of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as that of the second SIG field in the first PPDU. That is, if the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, then the length of the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the length of the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0342] As another example, the physical layer version identifier of the first PPDU is the same as that of the second PPDU. For example, both the first PPDU and the second PPDU may be UHR PPDUs, or both may be EHT PPDUs, etc., and so on.

[0343] As another example, the first SIG field in the first PPDU includes the PPDU type and compression mode of the first PPDU, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU includes the PPDU type and compression mode of the second PPDU, which are the same as those of the second PPDU.

[0344] For details on PPDU types and compression modes, please refer to the relevant description in (b) above; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0345] Optionally, the first device may not perform power control on the first SIG field in the first PPDU, thereby expanding the coverage of the first PPDU and reducing interference from hidden nodes. Similarly, the second device may also not perform power control on the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0346] In one possible implementation, the first device sends indication information to the second device, and the second device receives the indication information. The indication information is used to indicate to the second device at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

[0347] For an explanation of the instructions, please refer to the relevant description of (b) above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0348] For an explanation of the difference between the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the description of (c) above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0349] Figure 9b is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 9b illustrates an example where the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU and the second PPDU is a UHR PPDU. As shown in Figure 9b, the first device can perform power control on the UHR-SIG field and subsequent fields, and the second device can perform power control on the UHR-SIG field and subsequent fields.

[0350] In Figure 9b, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the RL-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the RL-SIG field in the second PPDU; the U-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the U-SIG field in the second PPDU; however, the UHR-SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the UHR-SIG field in the second PPDU. The data fields in the first PPDU are also different from those in the second PPDU. These will not be listed individually here.

[0351] In this embodiment, the L-SIG field and the first SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in transmission are the same, which can provide third-party devices with information such as TXOP or BSS color, and better provide coexistence, energy saving and channel protection.

[0352] Figure 10a is a schematic flowchart of another cooperative transmission method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10a, the method includes:

[0353] 1001. The first device sends a first PPDU. The second device sends a second PPDU. The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the second PPDU. Correspondingly, non-AP STA1 receives the first PPDU. Non-AP STA2 receives the second PPDU.

[0354] Optionally, the second SIG field may not exist.

[0355] In one possible implementation, the first PPDU is generated before the first device sends it.

[0356] In one possible implementation, the second PPDU is generated before the second device sends the second PPDU.

[0357] Regarding the explanation that the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the description above regarding (a), etc. Regarding the explanation that the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, please refer to the description above regarding (d), etc., and will not be elaborated here.

[0358] (e) The second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the second SIG field in the second PPDU. In other words, the content of the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the content of the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0359] As an example, the common fields of the second SIG field in the first PPDU are the same as the common fields of the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

[0360] As another example, the user field of the second SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the user field of the second SIG field in the second PPDU. Optionally, this user field is a non-MU-MIMO transmission format. This user field can also be referred to as a user-specific field.

[0361] The second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information from both the first and second sites. The first site is associated with the first device, and the second site is associated with the second device. For a description of the first and second sites, please refer to the description of (c) above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0362] For example, the non-OFDMA user number field in the second SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the non-OFDMA user number field in the second SIG of the second PPDU. For SU transmission, the number of users indicated by this non-OFDMA user number field can be 1 or 2. A user number of 2 indicates that the target number of users for the first device is 1, and the target number of users for the second device is 1.

[0363] Figure 10b is a schematic diagram of a format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10b illustrates the second SIG field for single-user transmission. As shown in Figure 10b, the number of users indicated by the non-OFDMA user digital field can be 2. For a description of each field in Figure 10b, please refer to the above text; it will not be detailed here.

[0364] For example, the RU allocation subfield in the second SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the RU allocation subfield in the second SIG field of the second PPDU. This RU allocation subfield indicates that the RU is one of M RUs of the same size allocated according to bandwidth. In other words, the RU allocated to the first site is the same as the RU allocated to the second site.

[0365] Figure 10c is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10c shows the second SIG field for OFDMA transmission. For OFDMA transmission, multiple APs participating in cooperative transmission can use the same RU allocation subfield to indicate user information of the same user. The second SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU can both indicate user information in the BSS (such as BSS1) where the first device is located and user information in the BSS (such as BSS2) where the second device is located.

[0366] For example, the second SIG field in the first PPDU includes field A indicating the number of RUs within the bandwidth, and the second PPDU also includes field A indicating the number of RUs within the bandwidth. This field A indicates that the bandwidth is divided into 1, 2, or 4 RUs. Optionally, a RU count of 1 indicates support for SU transmission, and a RU count of 2 or 4 indicates support for OFDMA transmission. For instance, a RU count of 1 indicates one first site and one second site. Another example is a RU count of 2, indicating two first sites and two second sites. Yet another example is a RU count of 4, indicating four first sites and four second sites. Each first site can determine its own RUs based on the order of the user fields. Similarly, each second site determines its own RUs based on the order of the user fields.

[0367] For example, field A occupies 1 bit, which indicates that the entire bandwidth is divided into two or four RUs of the same size. Or, field A occupies 2 bits, which indicates that the entire bandwidth is divided into one RU, two RUs of the same size, or four RUs of the same size. For example, field A occupies 3 bits, which indicate that the entire bandwidth is divided into one RU; or two RUs of the same size, such as 242-tone RU1+242-tone RU2, or 484-tone RU1+484-tone RU2, or 996-tone RU1+996-tone RU2, or 2*996-tone RU1+2*996-tone RU2; or four RUs of the same size, such as 242-tone RU1+242-tone RU2+242-tone RU3+242-tone RU4, or 484-tone RU1+484-tone RU2+484-tone RU3+484-tone RU4, or -996-tone RU1+996-tone RU2+996-tone RU3+996-tone RU4. For example, field A occupies 4 bits. These 4 bits indicate that the entire bandwidth is divided into one part and further subdivided into a RU, such as a 242-tone RU, a 484-tone RU, a 996-tone RU, two * 996-tone RUs, four * 996-tone RUs, etc.; or two RUs of the same size; or four RUs of the same size, etc., which will not be listed here. Through this simplified scheme, the indication method for single-user transmission and OFDMA transmission is further unified, and the classification of PPDU type and compression mode by the U-SIG field is simplified.

[0368] Figure 10d is a schematic diagram of another format of the second SIG field provided in an embodiment of this application. The second SIG field shown in Figure 10d can support both SU transmission and OFDMA transmission. For a description of Figure 10d, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0369] In one possible implementation, the first device sends indication information to the second device, and the second device receives the indication information. This indication information is used to indicate at least one of the following to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU used by the first site. That is, the indication information can be used to indicate to the second device the content of the same fields in the second PPDU as in the first PPDU. For details regarding the specific content of the indication information, please refer to the descriptions of the L-SIG field, the first SIG field, and the second SIG field shown above; they will not be detailed here.

[0370] For further information on instructions, please refer to Figure 8a or Figure 9a above, which will not be elaborated here.

[0371] Figure 10e is a schematic diagram of the format of the first PPDU and the second PPDU provided in an embodiment of this application. Figure 10e illustrates an example where the first PPDU is a UHR PPDU and the second PPDU is a UHR PPDU. As shown in Figure 10e, the first device can perform power control on the UHR-STF field and subsequent fields, and the second device can perform power control on the UHR-STF field and subsequent fields.

[0372] In Figure 10e, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; the RL-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the RL-SIG field in the second PPDU; the U-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the U-SIG field in the second PPDU; and the UHR-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the UHR-SIG field in the second PPDU. The data fields in the first PPDU are different from those in the second PPDU. These will not be listed individually here.

[0373] In this embodiment, the L-SIG field, the first SIG field, and the second SIG field in the PPDU of at least two devices cooperating in transmission are the same, thereby providing third-party devices with information such as TXOP or BSS color, and better providing coexistence, energy saving and channel protection.

[0374] The following describes the instruction information involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0375] As shown above, the indication information may include at least one of the following: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU used by the first site. The following example illustrates the configuration method for the first and second PPDUs.

[0376] The indication information includes the length field of the L-SIG field. When the second device generates the second PPDU, the length field of the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is generated based on the length field of the L-SIG field in the indication information. For example, the length field of the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is equal to the length field of the L-SIG field included in the indication information. When the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, the length field of the L-SIG field in the first PPDU can also be considered as being generated based on the length field of the L-SIG field in the indication information. For example, the length field of the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the length field of the L-SIG field included in the indication information.

[0377] The instruction information includes a physical layer version identifier. When the second device generates the second PPDU, the physical layer version identifier field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU is generated based on the physical layer version identifier in the instruction information. For example, the physical layer version identifier in the U-SIG field of the second PPDU is equal to the physical layer version identifier contained in the instruction information. When the first SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the first SIG field in the second PPDU, the physical layer version identifier in the U-SIG field of the first PPDU can also be considered as generated based on the physical layer version identifier in the U-SIG field of the instruction information. For example, the physical layer version identifier in the U-SIG field of the first PPDU is equal to the physical layer version identifier contained in the instruction information.

[0378] The indication information includes the PPDU type and compression mode. When the second device generates the second PPDU, the PPDU type and compression mode in the first SIG field of the second PPDU are generated based on the PPDU type and compression mode in the indication information. For example, the PPDU type and compression mode in the first SIG field of the second PPDU are equal to the PPDU type and compression mode in the indication information. When the first SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the first SIG field in the second PPDU, the PPDU type and compression mode in the first SIG field of the first PPDU can also be considered as generated based on the PPDU type and compression mode in the first SIG field of the indication information. For example, the PPDU type and compression mode in the first SIG field of the first PPDU are equal to the PPDU type and compression mode contained in the indication information.

[0379] The instruction information includes the MCS of the second SIG field. When the second device generates the second PPDU, the MCS of the second SIG field within the first SIG field of the second PPDU is generated based on the MCS of the second SIG field in the instruction information. For example, the MCS of the second SIG field within the first SIG field of the second PPDU is equal to the MCS of the second SIG field in the instruction information. Furthermore, when the second device generates the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the MCS of this second SIG field is also set according to the MCS of the second SIG field in the instruction information. When the first SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the first SIG field in the second PPDU, the MCS of the second SIG field within the first SIG field of the first PPDU can also be considered as being generated based on the MCS of the second SIG field within the first SIG field in the instruction information. For example, the MCS of the second SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the MCS of the second SIG field included in the instruction information. Furthermore, when the first device generates the second SIG field in the first PPDU, the MCS of this second SIG field is also set according to the MCS of the second SIG field in the instruction information.

[0380] The instruction information includes the sign count of the second SIG field. When the second device generates the second PPDU, the sign count of the second SIG field within the first SIG field of the second PPDU is generated based on the sign count of the second SIG field in the instruction information. For example, the sign count of the second SIG field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU is equal to the sign count of the second SIG field in the instruction information. Furthermore, when the second device generates the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the sign count of this second SIG field is also set according to the sign count of the second SIG field in the instruction information. When the first SIG field in the first PPDU is equal to the first SIG field in the second PPDU, the sign count of the second SIG field within the first SIG field of the first PPDU can also be considered as generated based on the sign count of the second SIG field within the first SIG field in the instruction information. For example, the sign count of the second SIG field in the U-SIG field of the first PPDU is equal to the sign count of the second SIG field included in the instruction information. Furthermore, when the first device generates the second SIG field in the first PPDU, the sign count of this second SIG field is also set according to the sign count of the second SIG field in the instruction information.

[0381] When the L-SIG field in the first PPDU and the L-SIG field in the second PPDU are both generated based on the same information in the indication information and / or information pre-defined by the standard (such as the L-SIG field rate being fixed at 6Mbps), and the first device and the second device adopt the same or equivalent generation method, then the L-SIG field in the first PPDU and the L-SIG field in the second PPDU are the same.

[0382] When the first SIG field in the first PPDU and the first SIG field in the second PPDU are both generated based on the same information in the indication information and / or standard predefined information (such as two OFDM symbols, using MCS 0, with the last 6 bits as the tail bits, and the same position containing the CRC generated by the same method), and the first device and the second device adopt the same or equivalent generation method, then the first SIG field in the first PPDU and the first SIG field in the second PPDU are the same.

[0383] When the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU are both generated based on the same information in the instruction information and / or standard predefined information (such as the format of public fields, the format of user fields, length, etc.), and the first device and the second device adopt the same or equivalent generation method, then the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the second SIG field in the second PPDU are the same.

[0384] In one possible implementation, the information indicated by the indication information can be predefined. For example, the standard can predefine the information indicated in the indication information. For instance, the standard might define the indication information as indicating the length of the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, and the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU. Or, the standard might define the indication information as indicating the length of the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type, and the compression mode. These are just a few examples.

[0385] In another possible implementation, the indication information may include an existence field, which indicates the information in which the indication information exists. Alternatively, the existence field indicates fields in the second PPDU that are identical to those in the first PPDU. Or, the existence field indicates which fields in the second PPDU need to be identical to those in the first PPDU.

[0386] For example, some fields occupy 2 bits. The relationship between the values ​​and meanings of these 2 bits is as follows:

[0387] 00: The L-SIG field is the same;

[0388] 01: The L-SIG field is the same as the first SIG field;

[0389] 10: The L-SIG field has the same first and second SIG fields;

[0390] 11: Reserved.

[0391] For example, the relationship between these two bits and their meaning is shown below:

[0392] 00: The L-SIG fields are the same, but the first SIG field and the second SIG field can be different;

[0393] 01: The L-SIG field is the same as the first SIG field, but the second SIG field can be different;

[0394] 10: The L-SIG field has the same first and second SIG fields;

[0395] 11: Reserved.

[0396] For example, consider a field-carrying bitmap where each bit corresponds to a piece of information. These bits might correspond sequentially to the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU, the user information of the first site, and the RU used by the first site. A bit value of 1 indicates that the information corresponding to that bit exists, while a bit value of 0 indicates that the information corresponding to that bit does not exist.

[0397] When the instruction information contains corresponding information, the first device can generate a first PPDU based on the corresponding information, and the second device can generate a second PPDU based on the corresponding information. The specific format or generation method of the first PPDU and the second PPDU can refer to the relevant standards, but the specific values ​​of the fields can be determined based on the values ​​indicated by the instruction information.

[0398] When a certain information is missing from the instruction information, the specific format or generation method of the first PPDU and the second PPDU can refer to the relevant standards. The value of the field corresponding to that information is set independently by the first device and the second device. When the first device and the second device set the value of the field, the value of this field in the first PPDU and the value in the second PPDU may be the same or different.

[0399] Where a part of one of the embodiments above is not described in detail, please refer to other embodiments. Where a part of one of the examples above is not described in detail, please refer to other examples. This application does not limit the distinction between "field" and "subfield" in its embodiments.

[0400] The apparatus provided in the embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0401] This application divides the device into functional modules according to the above method embodiments. 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 modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and only represents one logical functional division; other division methods may be used in actual implementation. The communication device of the embodiment of this application will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 11 to 13.

[0402] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the device includes a processing module 1101 and a transceiver module 1102. The transceiver module 1102 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 1101 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 1102 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0403] In some embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first device in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 1102 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1101 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first device in the above method embodiments.

[0404] Processing module 1101 is used to generate the first PPDU;

[0405] The transceiver module 1102 is used to send or output the first PPDU.

[0406] Optionally, the processing module 1101 is also used for power control.

[0407] Optionally, the transceiver module 1102 is also used to send or output indication information.

[0408] Reusing Figure 11, in some other embodiments of this application, the above-described device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second device in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 1102 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 1101 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the second device in the above method embodiments.

[0409] Processing module 1101 is used to generate the second PPDU;

[0410] The transceiver module 1102 is used to send or output a second PPDU.

[0411] Optionally, the processing module 1101 is also used for power control.

[0412] Optionally, the transceiver module 1102 is also used to receive or input instruction information.

[0413] For example, the transceiver module 1102 described above can be an antenna module. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1102 can be an input / output module. Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 1101 can read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0414] For details regarding the specific explanations of each term, noun, or step in the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be detailed here.

[0415] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0416] It is understandable that the module division in the above-mentioned device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional module. In actual implementation, all or some modules can be integrated into one physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0417] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0418] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG11 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0419] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG11, the processing module 1101 may be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 1102 may be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 1102 may also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module may be a transmitter, and the receiving module may be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver may be coupled, etc., and the connection method of the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method may be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method may be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0420] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of another device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 12, the device 120 includes one or more processors 1220 and transceivers 1210.

[0421] In some embodiments of this application, the apparatus can be used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first apparatus. For example, the processor 1220 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the transceiver 1210 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1220 and the transceiver 1210 can be found in FIG. 11 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0422] In other embodiments of this application, the apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the second apparatus. For example, the processor 1220 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the transceiver 1210 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1220 and the transceiver 1210 can be found in FIG. 11 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0423] Taking the above-mentioned device as a communication device as an example, in various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 12, the transceiver may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver is used to perform the function (or operation) of receiving, and the transmitter is used to perform the function (or operation) of transmitting. The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium. Optionally, the communication device 120 may also include one or more memories 1230 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memory 1230 is coupled to the processor 1220. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information interaction between communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 1220 may operate in conjunction with the memory 1230. The processor 1220 can execute the program instructions stored in the memory 1230. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0424] This embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1210, processor 1220, and memory 1230. In Figure 12, the memory 1230, processor 1220, and transceiver 1210 are connected via a bus 1240, indicated by a thick line. The connection methods between other components are merely illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be categorized as an address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 12, but this does not imply that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0425] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0426] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code in the form of instructions or data structures, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0427] The processor 1220 is mainly used to process communication protocols and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data of the software programs. The memory 1230 is mainly used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1210 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is mainly used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is mainly used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are mainly used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0428] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1220 can read the software program in the memory 1230, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1220 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit processes the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1220. The processor 1220 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0429] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0430] The apparatus shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 12, and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the apparatus shown in this application embodiment may also include a scheduler or controller. Furthermore, the apparatus may also include a PHY layer and a MAC layer, etc., which will not be listed here. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are merely examples; the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above. The dashed lines in Figure 12 indicate optional components.

[0431] In another possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG11, the processing module 1101 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 1102 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 1102 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module, where the transmitting module can be an output interface and the receiving module can be an input interface, and the transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0432] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 13, the chip includes a logic circuit 1301 and an interface 1302. That is, the processing module 1101 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1301, and the transceiver module 1102 can be implemented using the interface 1302. The logic circuit 1301 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1302 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 13 illustrates a chip using the aforementioned device as an example, where the chip includes a logic circuit 1301 and an interface 1302.

[0433] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1301 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 1101 shown in FIG. 11, and the interface 1302 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 1102 shown in FIG. 11. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1301 and the interface 1302, please refer to FIG. 11 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0434] The apparatus shown in the embodiments of this application can be implemented in hardware or software, and the embodiments of this application do not limit this.

[0435] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system, which includes a first device and a second device, the first device and the second device being usable for performing the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments.

[0436] This application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various sites in the methods provided in this application.

[0437] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0438] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0439] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, communication devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices, or modules, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0440] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0441] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0442] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable 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 readable 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.

Claims

1. A cooperative transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU); The first device sends the first PPDU; In this case, the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; The second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, which cooperates with the first device in transmission.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following: The length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU, and the length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3N-2, where N is a positive integer; or, The rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

4. The method according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that, The first PPDU is an ultra-high reliability (UHR) PPDU, and the second PPDU is any one of the following: very high throughput (VHT) PPDU, extremely high throughput (EHT) PPDU, or UHR PPDU.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including: The first SIG field in the first PPDU carries the BSS color of the basic service set (BSS) where the first device is located, and the first SIG field in the second PPDU carries the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU has the same length as the first SIG field in the second PPDU.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes at least one of the following: The first device performs power control on the first SIG field in the first PPDU; or... The first device performs power control on the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes: The first device sends indication information to the second device, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following information to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, Before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes: The first device sends indication information to the second device. The indication information includes an existence field, which is used to indicate a field in the second PPDU that is the same as that in the first PPDU.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The presence field is used to indicate that the fields in the second PPDU that are the same as those in the first PPDU include: The presence field is used to indicate that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The presence field is also used to indicate that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

12. The method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that, The indication information also includes a field for indicating at least one of the following to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a PPDU type and a compression mode field. The PPDU type and compression mode fields indicate whether the transmission mode is a single-user SU transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission, or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission, or a SU transmission and an OFDMA transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, The second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the second SIG field in the second PPDU, including: The second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information for the first site, which is a site associated with the first device; The second SIG field in the second PPDU includes user information for the second site, which is a site associated with the second device; Wherein, the number of the first station is one, and the number of the second station is one; or, the number of the first station is multiple, and the number of the second station is multiple.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The second SIG field in the first PPDU also includes a Resource Unit (RU) allocation subfield and a user information subfield. The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size of the RU, and the user information subfield is used to indicate the first site. The RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield jointly indicate the RU allocated to the first site. The RU is one of M RUs of the same size divided according to bandwidth.

16. The method according to claim 15, characterized in that, The bandwidth is 40MHz, and the RU is a 242-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 80MHz, and the RU is a 484-tone RU or a 242-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 160MHz, and the RU is a 996-tone RU or a 484-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 320MHz, and the RU is 2*996-tone RU or 996-tone RU.

17. A cooperative transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device sends the first PPDU; The second device sends a second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission. In this case, the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

18. A cooperative transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device generates a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU); The first device sends the first PPDU; In this case, the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; The second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, which cooperates with the first device in transmission.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU, including at least one of the following: The length field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the length field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU, and the length field indicates a length of 3*N, or 3*N-1, or 3*N-2, where N is a positive integer; or... The rate field in the L-SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the rate field in the L-SIG field of the second PPDU.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The physical layer version of the first PPDU is the same as the physical layer version of the second PPDU.

21. The method according to any one of claims 18-20, characterized in that, Both the first PPDU and the second PPDU are high-efficiency single-user HE SU PPDU, or high-efficiency multi-user HE MU PPDU, or extremely high throughput EHT PPDU, or very high throughput VHT PPDU, or ultra-high reliability UHR PPDU.

22. The method according to any one of claims 18-20, characterized in that, The first PPDU is an ultra-high reliability UHR PPDU, and the second PPDU is any one of the following: VHT PPDU, EHT PPDU, or UHR PPDU.

23. The method according to any one of claims 18-22, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including: The BSS color field in the first SIG field of the first PPDU is the same as the BSS color field in the first SIG field of the second PPDU. The BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, or to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located, or to carry the BSS color corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

24. The method according to any one of claims 18-22, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, including: The first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a first BSS color field and a second BSS color field. The first BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the first device is located, and the second BSS color field is used to carry the BSS color of the BSS where the second device is located. The first SIG field in the second PPDU includes the first BSS color field and the second BSS color field.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18-24, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU includes: the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the first PPDU and the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the first PPDU; The MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as that of the second SIG field in the first PPDU, and the number of signs of the second SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as that of the second SIG field in the first PPDU.

26. The method according to any one of claims 18-25, characterized in that, Before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes: The first device sends indication information to the second device, the indication information being used to indicate at least one of the following information to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the MCS of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

27. The method according to any one of claims 18-26, characterized in that, Before the first device sends the first PPDU, the method further includes: The first device sends indication information to the second device. The indication information includes an existence field, which is used to indicate a field in the second PPDU that is the same as that in the first PPDU.

28. The method according to claim 27, characterized in that, The presence field is used to indicate that the fields in the second PPDU that are the same as those in the first PPDU include: The presence field is used to indicate that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The presence field is also used to indicate that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU, the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU, and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU.

30. The method according to any one of claims 27-29, characterized in that, The indication information also includes a field for indicating at least one of the following to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

31. The method according to any one of claims 18-30, characterized in that, The first SIG field in the first PPDU includes a PPDU type and a compression mode field. The PPDU type and compression mode fields indicate whether the transmission mode is a single-user SU transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission, or an orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission, or a SU transmission and an OFDMA transmission corresponding to the cooperative transmission.

32. The method according to any one of claims 18-31, characterized in that, The second SIG field in the first PPDU differs from the second SIG field in the second PPDU, including: The second SIG field in the first PPDU includes user information for the first site, which is a site associated with the first device; The second SIG field in the second PPDU includes user information for the second site, which is a site associated with the second device; Wherein, the number of the first station is one, and the number of the second station is one; or, the number of the first station is multiple, and the number of the second station is multiple.

33. The method according to claim 32, characterized in that, The second SIG field in the first PPDU also includes a Resource Unit (RU) allocation subfield and a user information subfield. The RU allocation subfield is used to indicate the location and size of the RU, and the user information subfield is used to indicate the first site. The RU allocation subfield and the user information subfield are used to jointly indicate the RU allocated to the first site. The RU is one of M RUs of the same size divided according to bandwidth.

34. The method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The bandwidth is 40MHz, and the RU is a 242-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 80MHz, and the RU is a 484-tone RU or a 242-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 160MHz, and the RU is a 996-tone RU or a 484-tone RU; or, The bandwidth is 320MHz, and the RU is 2*996-tone RU or 996-tone RU.

35. A cooperative transmission method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device sends the first PPDU; The second device sends a second PPDU, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission. Wherein, the L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU.

36. An information indication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first device generates indication information, which includes an existence field. The existence field indicates that: the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the second physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. Alternatively, the existence field indicates that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. Send the instruction information.

37. The method according to claim 36, characterized in that, The indication information also includes a field for indicating at least one of the following to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

38. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends the first PPDU; In this case, the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; The second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, which cooperates with the first device in transmission.

39. The method according to claim 36 or 37, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends the first PPDU; In this case, the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the second PPDU; The first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; The second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the second PPDU; The second PPDU is a PPDU sent by the second device, which cooperates with the first device in transmission.

40. An information indication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second device receives indication information, which includes an existence field. The existence field indicates that: the traditional signaling L-SIG field in the second physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the second PPDU; and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. Alternatively, the existence field indicates that: the L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; the first SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the second PPDU; and the second SIG field in the first PPDU is different from the second PPDU. The instruction information is parsed.

41. The method according to claim 40, characterized in that, The indication information also includes a field for indicating at least one of the following to the second device: the length indicated by the length field in the L-SIG field, the physical layer version identifier, the PPDU type and compression mode, the encoding and modulation strategy (MCS) of the second SIG field in the second PPDU, or the number of symbols in the second SIG field of the second PPDU.

42. The method according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device sends the second PPDU; The traditional signaling L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; The first SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the first SIG field in the first PPDU; The second SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the first PPDU; The first PPDU is a PPDU sent by the first device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

43. The method according to claim 40 or 41, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device sends the second PPDU; The traditional signaling L-SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the L-SIG field in the first PPDU; The first SIG field in the second PPDU is the same as the first SIG field in the first PPDU; The second SIG field in the second PPDU is different from the second SIG field in the first PPDU; The first PPDU is a PPDU sent by the first device, and the second device cooperates with the first device in transmission.

44. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes modules for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-16, 18-34, 36-43.

45. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a processor, the processor being configured to cause the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-16, 18-34, 36-43.

46. ​​A chip, characterized in that, It includes logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry being coupled to the interface, the logic circuitry being configured to enable the chip to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-16, 18-34, and 36-43.

47. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-16, 18-34, and 36-43.

48. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-16, 18-34, and 36-43 is executed.

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