Communication method and communication apparatus

Abstract

Provided in the present application are a communication method and a communication apparatus. The method comprises: receiving air interface state information from a first optical network sub-device within a first time period; and on the basis of the air interface state information, sending first indication information to a second optical network sub-device, wherein the first indication information indicates a transmission mode of the second optical network sub-device within a second time period. A main optical network device performs centralized scheduling and centralized management and control on optical network sub-devices, thereby reducing wireless channel conflicts and improving the communication efficiency.

Description

Communication methods and communication devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411965849.2, filed on December 26, 2024, entitled "Communication Method and Communication Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0002] This application relates to the field of communication technology, and more specifically, to a communication method and a communication device. Background Technology

[0003] With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, the penetration rate of fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) has reached over 90%, enabling home networks to achieve ultra-high contracted bandwidth and cover every corner of the home, thus meeting user needs. Among these technologies, wireless local area network (WLAN) technology has become an indispensable part of daily life. By transmitting data through wireless channel resources, it provides users with a flexible and convenient network access method.

[0004] In FTTR, the sub-optical network equipment acts as Wi-Fi devices, and Wi-Fi communication uses the air interface for data transmission. However, the air interface is shared by all Wi-Fi devices. When the operating frequency bands of multiple Wi-Fi devices overlap, conflicts may occur due to two Wi-Fi devices operating concurrently, leading to data transmission failure. Summary of the Invention

[0005] This application provides a communication method and a communication device, which enables centralized scheduling and management of sub-optical network devices by a main optical network device, thereby reducing wireless channel collisions and improving communication efficiency.

[0006] Firstly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a main optical network device, or by a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) of the main optical network device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the main optical network device.

[0007] The method includes: receiving air interface status information from the first sub-optical network device in a first time period; and sending first indication information to the second sub-optical network device according to the air interface status information, wherein the first indication information indicates the transmission mode of the second sub-optical network device in a second time period.

[0008] Based on the above scheme, when the first sub-optical network device transmits or receives data, it reports its air interface status information to the main optical network device. The main optical network device then sends control information to other sub-optical network devices based on the receiving status of the first sub-optical network device. This instructs other sub-optical network devices whether they can transmit signals or transmit signals at reduced power during the period when the first sub-optical network device is transmitting or receiving data, thereby preventing other sub-optical network devices from affecting the data transmission or reception of the first sub-optical network device.

[0009] In some implementations, the air interface status information includes receive status information, transmit status information, or idle status information.

[0010] In some implementations, the reception status information includes at least one of the following fields: a first field indicating that the first sub-optical network device is in a receiving state; a second field indicating the number of a first reception process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period; a third field indicating the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a fourth field indicating the address or identification information of the communication device that sends data to the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a fifth field indicating the signal strength information received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a sixth field indicating the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a seventh field indicating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; an eighth field indicating the start time of the first time period; a ninth field indicating the duration of the first time period; and a tenth field indicating the end time of the first time period.

[0011] In some implementations, the transmission status information includes at least one of the following fields: An eleventh field, indicating that the first sub-optical network device is in a transmission state; a twelfth field, indicating the number of the first transmission process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first time period; a thirteenth field, indicating the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; a fourteenth field, indicating the number of target communication devices for which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first transmission process; a fifteenth field, indicating the address or identification information of the target communication devices for which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first transmission process; a sixteenth field, indicating the transmission power of the first sub-optical network device during the first transmission process; a seventeenth field, indicating the start time of the first time period; an eighteenth field, indicating the duration of the first time period; and a nineteenth field, indicating the end time of the first time period.

[0012] In some implementations, the idle state information includes a twentieth field, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state.

[0013] In some implementations, the first indication information includes at least one of the following fields: a twenty-first field indicating the number of the transmission method; a twenty-second field indicating the operating frequency band of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-third field indicating the maximum transmission power of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-fourth field indicating the transmission rate of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-fifth field indicating the estimated received signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-sixth field indicating the start time of the second time period; a twenty-seventh field indicating the duration of the second time period; and a twenty-eighth field indicating the end time of the second time period.

[0014] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving first transmission result information or first reception result information from the first sub-optical network device during the first time period.

[0015] Based on the above scheme, after the first time period, the first sub-optical network device can report the sending or receiving status of the first sub-optical network device to the main optical network device, which facilitates the subsequent scheduling of the main optical network device.

[0016] In some implementations, the first transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields: a twenty-ninth field, used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period; a thirtieth field, used to indicate the number of Media Intervention Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) transmitted by the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; and a thirty-first field, used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process.

[0017] In some implementations, the first reception result information includes at least one of the following fields: a 32nd field, used to indicate the number of the first reception process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period; a 33rd field, used to indicate the number of MPDUs received by the first sub-optical network device in the first reception process; and a 34th field, used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first reception process.

[0018] In some implementations, the method further includes: receiving second transmission result information from the second sub-optical network device during the second time period.

[0019] Based on the above scheme, after the second time period, the second sub-optical network device can report the transmission status of the second sub-optical network device to the main optical network device during the second time period, which facilitates the subsequent scheduling of the main optical network device.

[0020] In some implementations, the second transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields: a thirty-fifth field indicating the number of the transmission method; a thirty-sixth field indicating the number of MPDUs transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; and a thirty-seventh field indicating the packet error rate of the data transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

[0021] Secondly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a sub-optical network device, or by a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) of the sub-optical network device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the sub-optical network device.

[0022] The method includes: acquiring air interface status information for a first time period; and sending the air interface status information to the main optical network device.

[0023] In some implementations, the air interface status information includes receive status information, transmit status information, or idle status information.

[0024] In some implementations, the reception status information includes at least one of the following fields: a first field indicating that the first sub-optical network device is in a receiving state; a second field indicating the number of a first reception process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period; a third field indicating the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a fourth field indicating the address or identification information of the communication device that sends data to the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a fifth field indicating the signal strength information received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a sixth field indicating the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; a seventh field indicating the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device during the first reception process; an eighth field indicating the start time of the first time period; a ninth field indicating the duration of the first time period; and a tenth field indicating the end time of the first time period.

[0025] In some implementations, the transmission status information includes at least one of the following fields: An eleventh field, indicating that the first sub-optical network device is in a transmission state; a twelfth field, indicating the number of the first transmission process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first time period; a thirteenth field, indicating the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; a fourteenth field, indicating the number of target communication devices for which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first transmission process; a fifteenth field, indicating the address or identification information of the target communication devices for which the first sub-optical network device transmits data during the first transmission process; a sixteenth field, indicating the transmission power of the first sub-optical network device during the first transmission process; a seventeenth field, indicating the start time of the first time period; an eighteenth field, indicating the duration of the first time period; and a nineteenth field, indicating the end time of the first time period.

[0026] In some implementations, the idle state information includes a twentieth field, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state.

[0027] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending first transmission result information or first reception result information during the first time period.

[0028] In some implementations, the first transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields: a twenty-ninth field, used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period; a thirtieth field, used to indicate the number of Media Intervention Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) transmitted by the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; and a thirty-first field, used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process.

[0029] In some implementations, the first reception result information includes at least one of the following fields: a 32nd field, used to indicate the number of the first reception process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period; a 33rd field, used to indicate the number of MPDUs received by the first sub-optical network device in the first reception process; and a 34th field, used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first reception process.

[0030] Thirdly, a communication method is provided, which can be executed by a sub-optical network device, or by a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) of the sub-optical network device, or by a logical node, logical module, or software that can implement all or part of the functions of the sub-optical network device.

[0031] The method includes: receiving first indication information from the main optical network device, the first indication information indicating the transmission mode of the second sub-optical network device in a second time period; and transmitting data in the second time period according to the first indication information.

[0032] In some implementations, the first indication information includes at least one of the following fields: a twenty-first field indicating the number of the transmission method; a twenty-second field indicating the operating frequency band of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-third field indicating the maximum transmission power of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-fourth field indicating the transmission rate of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-fifth field indicating the estimated received signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; a twenty-sixth field indicating the start time of the second time period; a twenty-seventh field indicating the duration of the second time period; and a twenty-eighth field indicating the end time of the second time period.

[0033] In some implementations, the method further includes: sending second transmission result information during the second time period.

[0034] In some implementations, the second transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields: a thirty-fifth field indicating the number of the transmission method; a thirty-sixth field indicating the number of MPDUs transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; and a thirty-seventh field indicating the packet error rate of the data transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

[0035] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which has the function of implementing the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation of the first aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0036] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the second aspect or any possible implementation of the second aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0037] Sixthly, a communication device is provided, the communication device having the function of implementing the method in the third aspect or any possible implementation of the third aspect. The function can be implemented by hardware or by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more units corresponding to the above-described function.

[0038] A seventh aspect provides a communication device including at least one processor configured to cause the communication device to execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to execute the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the at least one processor is coupled to at least one memory for storing computer programs or instructions, and the at least one processor is configured to call and run the computer program or instructions from the at least one memory, causing the communication device to execute the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to execute the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to execute the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the at least one processor may be included in the communication device or may be configured outside the communication device. Optionally, the communication device further includes the at least one memory. Furthermore, the communication device may optionally include a communication interface coupled to the at least one processor, which can be used to input information and / or data to the at least one processor, or to output information and / or data from the at least one processor. As an example, the communication interface may include an input interface and / or an output interface, or an interface circuit, etc.

[0039] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, comprising a communication interface and a circuit. The communication interface is configured to receive a signal to be processed and transmit the signal to the circuit. The circuit is configured to process the signal to perform a method as described in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to perform a method as described in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof; or to perform a method as described in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof. Optionally, the communication interface is further configured to output the signal processed by the circuit. As an example, the communication interface may be a transceiver, hardware circuit, bus, module, pin, or other type of communication interface. The signal includes information and / or data. Optionally, the communication device may be a chip.

[0040] A ninth aspect provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer program code or instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the method of the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or the method of the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or the method of the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented.

[0041] In a tenth aspect, a computer program product is provided, the computer program product comprising computer program code or instructions, which, when executed on a computer, cause the method in the first aspect or any possible implementation thereof to be implemented; or, as in the second aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the method to be implemented; or, as in the third aspect or any possible implementation thereof, the method to be implemented.

[0042] Eleventh aspect: A communication system is provided, including a communication device as described in the fourth aspect, a communication device as described in the fifth aspect, and a communication device as described in the sixth aspect. Attached Figure Description

[0043] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to this application.

[0044] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of a network architecture applicable to this application.

[0045] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario.

[0046] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario.

[0047] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario.

[0048] Figure 6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in this application.

[0049] Figure 7 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0050] Figure 8 is a schematic flowchart of another communication method provided in this application.

[0051] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of another communication scenario.

[0052] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0053] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0054] The following description is provided to facilitate understanding of the embodiments of this application.

[0055] (1) In this application, unless otherwise specified or logically conflicting, the terms and / or descriptions of different embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. The technical features of different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments according to their inherent logical relationship.

[0056] (2) In this application, "at least one" means one or more, and "more than one" means two or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that there can be three relationships. For example, A and / or B can mean: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, or B exists alone, where A and B can be singular or plural. In the textual description of this application, the character " / " generally indicates that the related objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: a, or, b, or, c, or, a and b, or, a and c, or, b and c, or, a, b, and c. Where a, b, and c can be single or multiple.

[0057] (3) In this application, the terms "first," "second," and various numerical designations are used for convenience of description and are not intended to limit the scope of the embodiments of this application. For example, they are used to distinguish different messages, rather than to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such descriptions can be interchanged where appropriate to describe solutions other than those in the embodiments of this application.

[0058] (4) In this application, the words “exemplary,” “for example,” etc., are used to indicate examples, illustrations, or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as an “example” in this application should not be construed as being more preferred or advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of the word “example” is intended to present the concept in a concrete manner. In the embodiments of this application, “of,” “corresponding, relevant,” “corresponding,” and “associate” may sometimes be used interchangeably, and it should be noted that their intended meanings are consistent unless their distinctions are emphasized.

[0059] (5) In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "receiving information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which may include receiving directly from YY through a communication interface (or input / output interface), or indirectly from YY through a communication interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of the chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of the chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can be performed between devices, such as between OTN device #1 and OTN device #2, or they can be performed within a device, for example, by sending or receiving between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within the device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0060] (6) In this application, “message”, “data”, “message”, “information”, “signal” or “information element (IE)” can be used interchangeably. There are no restrictions on the name of the message or information, as long as it can achieve the corresponding function.

[0061] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0062] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various passive optical network (PON) systems, such as next-generation PON (NG-PON), NG-PON1, NG-PON2, gigabit-capable PON (GPON), 10 gigabit per second PON (XG-PON), 10-gigabit-capable symmetric passive optical network (XGS-PON), Ethernet PON (EPON), 10 gigabit per second EPON (10G-EPON), next-generation EPON (NG-EPON), wavelength-division multiplexing (WDM) PON, time-division wavelength-division multiplexing (TWDM) PON, and point-to-point (P2P) WDM. PON (P2P-WDM PON), Asynchronous Transfer Mode PON (APON), Broadband PON (BPON), and others, including 25 gigabit per second PON (25G-PON), 50 gigabit per second PON (50G-PON), 100 gigabit per second PON (100G-PON), 25 gigabit per second EPON (25G-EPON), 50 gigabit per second EPON (50G-EPON), 100 gigabit per second EPON (100G-EPON), and other rates such as GPON and EPON. It can also be used in optical networks such as optical transport networks (OTN).

[0063] The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios. For example, they support IEEE 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, and IEEE 802.11ax next-generation Wi-Fi protocols, such as 802.11be, Wi-Fi 7, Extremely High Throughput (EHT), 802.11ad, 802.11ay, or 802.11bf, as well as 802.11be next-generation and Wi-Fi 8. They can also be applied to wireless personal area network systems based on ultra-wideband (UWB), such as the 802.15 series standards, and to sensing systems, such as the 802.11bf series standards. Among them, the 802.11n standard is called high throughput (HT), the 802.11ac standard is called very high throughput (VHT), the 802.11ax standard is called high efficient (HE), and the 802.11be standard is called extremely high throughput (EHT).

[0064] Although the embodiments of this application are primarily illustrated using the deployment of WLAN networks, particularly those employing the IEEE 802.11 system standard, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols, such as high-performance radio local area networks (HIPERLANs), wireless wide area networks (WWANs), wireless personal area networks (WPANs), or other networks now known or developed in the future. Therefore, regardless of the coverage area and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the embodiments of this application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

[0065] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: WLAN communication systems, Wi-Fi systems, long term evolution (LTE) systems, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) systems, LTE time division duplex (TDD) systems, universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication systems, 5th generation (5G) systems or new radio (NR) systems, next-generation communication systems, Internet of Things (IoT) networks or vehicle-to-everything (V2X) networks, etc.

[0066] The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to various point-to-multipoint (P2MP) network architectures. In these architectures, the master device and sub-devices are connected via optical fiber. The master device centrally manages and controls the sub-devices, and both the master device and sub-devices can simultaneously provide independent Wi-Fi access services. The technical solutions of this application embodiment can also be applied to fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) networks. FTTR networks are a typical P2MP architecture, using P2MP digital networking technology and connecting the master device and multiple sub-devices via optical splitters and optical fibers. The master device is connected to multiple sub-devices via optical splitters and optical fibers, and digital signals and protocols are transmitted between the master device and sub-devices. The master device simultaneously transmits digital signals to multiple sub-devices via broadcast in the downlink direction. Each sub-device receives signals from its associated user and transmits digital signals to the master device in a time-division multiplexing manner using time-division multiplexing (TDMA). The master device and sub-devices interact using defined protocols and data frame formats, and the master device centrally manages and controls the sub-devices.

[0067] The communication systems described above that are applicable to this application are merely illustrative examples, and the communication systems applicable to this application are not limited to these. They will be uniformly described here and will not be repeated below.

[0068] Figure 1 illustrates the system architecture of FTTH. The optical line terminal (OLT) connects to upper-layer network-side devices (such as switches and routers) and lower-layer devices (such as optical distribution networks, ODNs). The ODN includes passive optical splitters for optical power distribution, a backbone fiber connecting the passive optical splitter and the OLT, and branch fibers connecting the passive optical splitter and optical network units (ONUs). During downlink data transmission, the ODN transmits the downlink data from the OLT to each ONU via the splitter. The ONU selectively receives downlink data carrying its own identifier. During uplink data transmission, the ODN combines the optical signals from N ONUs into a single optical signal and transmits it to the OLT. The ONU provides the user-side interface and is also connected to the ODN. If the ONU also provides user port functionality, such as an Ethernet user port or a plain old telephone service (POTS) user port, it is called an optical network termination (ONT).

[0069] Building upon FTTH, to address the issue of home Wi-Fi coverage, fiber optic cables can be extended further into residents' rooms. Optical terminal equipment providing Wi-Fi access is installed inside the rooms, thus reducing the distance between the user's device and the Wi-Fi access point and improving signal quality. This application scenario is called Fiber to the Room (FTTR).

[0070] Figure 2 illustrates the system architecture of FTTR. The FTTR and FTTH networks can be viewed as cascaded PON systems. In FTTH, the OLT is deployed in the central equipment room, and the ONU is deployed in the home's information box. The master device in FTTR can replace the ONU in FTTH, deployed in the home's information box. This master device in the FTTR scenario has similar functions to the OLT in the FTTH scenario, and also similar functions to the ONU in the FTTH scenario. In other words, the master device in FTTR is a device that combines the functions of both OLT and ONU, acting as a connecting network device between FTTH and FTTR. Sub-devices in FTTR can be deployed in various rooms of the home for connection with user terminals. These sub-devices are essentially similar network devices to the ONU in FTTH. The sub-devices in FTTR enter each room, and this gateway can also function as an access point (AP), directly connecting to user terminals via WiFi.

[0071] It should be understood that multiple sub-devices can be deployed in an FTTR, with each sub-device connected to a corresponding downlink port on the master device. The master device can achieve unified management and configuration of all sub-devices. It should be noted that the master device can also be called the master optical network device, master gateway, master optical modem, or master FTTR device, etc., and the sub-devices can also be called sub-optical network devices, sub-gateways, sub-optical modems, or sub-FTTR devices, etc. This application does not limit their specific names.

[0072] The communication method provided in this application is applicable to communication between a primary optical network device and secondary optical network devices. Specifically, as shown in Figure 2, the solution of this application is applicable to communication between a primary optical network device and multiple secondary optical network devices (e.g., secondary optical network device 1, secondary optical network device 2, and secondary optical network device 3). Each secondary optical network device can communicate with one or more stations (STAs) (e.g., secondary optical network device 1 communicates with STA1 via Wi-Fi).

[0073] Multiple sub-optical network devices can be managed by the main optical network device. For example, the main optical network device's management of sub-optical network devices includes: issuing configurations, modifying relevant configuration parameters, radio frequency intelligent management, and access security control.

[0074] It should be understood that in some specific implementations, the main optical network device is also referred to as the main fiber unit or main FTTR unit (MFU), WLAN controller, wireless controller, access controller (AC), master node, etc., and the sub-optical network device is also referred to as the sub fiber unit or sub FTTR unit (SFU), AP, slave node, etc. This application does not make any special limitation in this regard.

[0075] Sub-optical network devices can serve as access points for terminals (e.g., mobile phones) to access wired (or wireless) networks. They are primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. They can also be deployed outdoors. Sub-optical network devices connect to the main optical network equipment via optical fiber and can provide WiFi access to non-access point sites. They act as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, primarily connecting various wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0076] Specifically, the sub-optical network device can be a terminal or network device with a Wi-Fi module. This network device can be a server, router, switch, bridge, computer, relay station, network device in a 5G network, network device in a future communication network, or network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. The access point can be a device that supports the Wi-Fi standard. For example, the sub-optical network device can also support one or more standards of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 protocol family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0077] STAs can access the network through wireless networks (such as Wi-Fi) provided by sub-optical network equipment. STAs can be wireless communication chips, wireless sensors, or wireless communication terminals, and can also be referred to as users, user equipment (UE), access terminals, user units, user stations, mobile stations, mobile stations, remote stations, remote terminals, mobile devices, user terminals, terminals, wireless communication equipment, user agents, or user devices. Non-access point sites can be cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, IoT devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, terminal devices in future communication networks, or terminal devices in PLMNs, etc., and this application embodiment is not limited to these. STAs can be devices that support WLAN standards. For example, STA can support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 protocol family, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

[0078] For example, STAs can be used for mobile phones, tablets, set-top boxes, smart TVs, smart wearable devices, in-vehicle communication devices, computers, Internet of Things (IoT) nodes, sensors, smart home devices such as smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water and electricity meters, and sensors in smart cities.

[0079] The aforementioned main optical network equipment, sub-optical network equipment, or non-access point type sites may include transmitters, receivers, memory, processors, etc., wherein the transmitter and receiver are used for transmitting and receiving packet structures, respectively, the memory is used for storing signaling information and storing pre-agreed preset values, etc., and the processor is used for parsing signaling information and processing related data, etc.

[0080] In Wi-Fi networks, Wi-Fi uses shared wireless channel resources, which inevitably leads to channel conflicts.

[0081] For example, in the scenario shown in Figure 3, SFU1 and SFU2 each set a clear channel assessment (CCA) threshold to determine whether the air interface is busy. If the air interface signal strength is less than the CCA threshold, the SFU considers the channel to be idle and can transmit data. However, in this scenario, due to some natural physical isolation, the wireless channel between STA1 and SFU2 is isolated to a certain extent. Furthermore, if STA1 is a hidden node for SFU2, SFU2 cannot detect the signal sent by STA1 to SFU1. Therefore, SFU2 will determine that the signal is idle and send a signal to STA2. However, the signal sent by SFU2 will affect SFU1, causing SFU1 to be unable to parse STA1's message, resulting in STA1's transmission failure.

[0082] For example, in the scenario shown in Figure 4, the request-to-send / clear-to-send (RTS / CTS) mechanism is used to address the hidden node problem in Wi-Fi networks. Through RTS / CTS, the sender first sends an RTS message to request sending permission before transmission, and the receiver sends a CTS message to confirm receipt of the RTS message before actual data transmission occurs. This process, including the sending and confirmation of RTS and CTS messages, avoids hidden node and collision problems, thereby improving network transmission efficiency and reducing the possibility of data conflicts. However, whether each Wi-Fi device enables the RTS / CTS process depends on the STA's own sending strategy, which the SFU cannot control. As shown in Figure 4, if SFU2 detects an RTS / CTS message from SFU1 or STA1, it will normally remain silent. However, if the SFU uses a certain power to send a signal without affecting SFU1's packet parsing, SFU2 can transmit concurrently. Therefore, the existing RTS / CTS mechanism results in a certain waste of air interface resources.

[0083] For example, the Wi-Fi 6 standard introduced a Basic Service Set (BSS) Color spatial multiplexing mechanism: a BSS Color field is added to the preamble header of Wi-Fi packets to "color" packets belonging to different BSSs. SFUs supporting the BSS Color mechanism set two CCA thresholds: the CCA threshold for signals from different BSS Colors is higher than the CCA threshold for signals from the same BSS Color. When the SFU listens for air traffic, if it detects a Wi-Fi signal with the same BSS Color as its own, it considers it a signal from the same BSS and uses the CCA threshold for the same BSS Color to determine if the channel is busy. If the colors are different, it uses the CCA threshold for different BSS Colors to determine if the channel is busy. This BSS Color mechanism improves the parallel transmission capability between devices on the same frequency in two different BSSs. However, the BSS Color mechanism cannot perform space division on packets from the same BSS Color, and it cannot guarantee that the receiving device can correctly parse packets from different BSS Colors concurrently. As shown in Figure 5, SFU2 determines through the BSS Color mechanism that it can send packets to STA2 of the same BSS Color, but this will affect SFU1's reception of packets from STA1.

[0084] Based on this, this application discloses a technical solution in which the main optical network device centrally schedules and manages the sub-optical network device, thereby reducing wireless channel collisions and improving communication efficiency.

[0085] It should be understood that the primary optical network device can be networked with multiple secondary optical network devices, and this application does not impose a special limitation on the number of secondary optical network devices in the network architecture. For ease of description, this application uses the interaction between the primary optical network device and two secondary optical network devices as an example.

[0086] For ease of understanding and explanation, the following description of the communication method of this application embodiment uses the interaction between the main optical network device and the first and second sub-optical network devices as an example. However, this should not constitute any limitation on the execution subject of the sensing method of this application embodiment. For example, the method executed by the main optical network device can also be executed by a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) of the main optical network device, or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the main optical network device. The method executed by the sub-optical network device can also be executed by a module (such as a circuit, chip, or chip system) of the sub-optical network device, or by a logic node, logic module, or software capable of implementing all or part of the functions of the sub-optical network device.

[0087] Figure 6 illustrates a communication method 600 provided in this application, which may include the following steps:

[0088] S610, the first sub-optical network device sends air interface status information to the main optical network device during the first time period; correspondingly, the main optical network device receives the air interface status information.

[0089] It should be understood that when the first sub-optical network device transmits or receives data, it reports its air interface status information to the main optical network device. Based on the receiving status of the first sub-optical network device, the main optical network device sends control information to other sub-optical network devices, thereby instructing other sub-optical network devices whether they can transmit signals or transmit signals at reduced power during the period when the first sub-optical network device is transmitting or receiving data, so as not to affect the data transmission or reception of the first sub-optical network device.

[0090] The air interface status information includes receive status information, transmit status information, or idle status information.

[0091] Optionally, before step S610, the first sub-optical network device acquires or determines the air interface status information.

[0092] It should be understood that when the first sub-optical network device needs to receive information in the first time period, the air interface status information is the reception status information, which is used to indicate the first reception process performed by the first sub-optical network device in the first time period.

[0093] Optionally, the received status information includes at least one of the following fields:

[0094] 1) The first field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a receiving state;

[0095] 2) The second field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process of receiving data by the first sub-optical network device in the first time period.

[0096] 3) The third field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0097] 4) The fourth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the communication device that sends data to the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0098] 5) The fifth field is used to indicate the signal strength information received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0099] 6) The sixth field is used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0100] 7) The seventh field is used to indicate the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0101] 8) The eighth field indicates the start time of the first time period;

[0102] 9) The ninth field indicates the duration of the first time period;

[0103] 10) The tenth field is used to indicate the end time of the first time period.

[0104] For example, Table 1 is an example of this reception status information, where fields numbered 1 to 10 in Table 1 are examples of the first to tenth fields, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the reception status information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0105] Table 1

[0106] It should be understood that when the first sub-optical network device needs to send information in the first time period, the air interface status information is the transmission status information, which is used to indicate the first transmission process performed by the first sub-optical network device in the first time period.

[0107] Optionally, the status information sent includes at least one of the following fields:

[0108] 1) The eleventh field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a transmitting state;

[0109] 2) The twelfth field is used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period;

[0110] 3) The thirteenth field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process;

[0111] 4) The fourteenth field is used to indicate the number of target communication devices to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process;

[0112] 5) The fifteenth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the target communication device to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process;

[0113] 6) The sixteenth field is used to indicate the transmission power of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process;

[0114] 7) The seventeenth field indicates the start time of the first time period;

[0115] 8) The eighteenth field indicates the duration of the first time period;

[0116] 9) The nineteenth field is used to indicate the end time of the first time period.

[0117] For example, Table 2 shows one example of the transmission status information, where fields numbered 1 to 10 in Table 2 correspond to fields eleven through nineteen, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the transmission status information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0118] Table 2

[0119] It should be understood that when the first sub-optical network device is idle during the first time period, the air interface status information is idle status information, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state during the first time period, and neither transmits nor receives.

[0120] Optionally, the idle status information includes a twentieth field, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state.

[0121] For example, Table 3 is an example of this idle status information, where the field corresponding to serial number 1 in Table 3 is an example of the twentieth field. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the idle status information, as long as they can achieve the corresponding function.

[0122] Table 3

[0123] S620, the primary optical network device sends a first instruction message to the second sub-optical network device based on the air interface status information. The first instruction message indicates the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

[0124] It should be understood that the primary optical network device can centrally schedule other sub-optical network devices based on the received air interface status information of the first sub-optical network device, thus preventing interference from other sub-optical network devices to the transmission or reception of the first sub-optical network device. Specifically, the primary optical network device determines the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period based on the air interface status information of the first sub-optical network device, such as stopping signal transmission or reducing signal power, and sends this scheduling result to the second sub-optical network device. It should be understood that the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device determined by the primary optical network device in the second time period can be interpreted as the scheduling result of the primary optical network device for the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

[0125] The second time period is determined based on the first time period. For example, the start time of the second time period is the time when other sub-optical network devices receive the corresponding scheduling results, and the end time of the second time period is the end time of the first time period. Alternatively, the second time period may be the same as the first time period.

[0126] Optionally, the first indication information includes at least one of the following fields:

[0127] 1) The twenty-first field is used to indicate the number of the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period, or in other words, the number of the coordinated spatial division multiplexing scheduling of the second sub-optical network device by the main optical network device through the first indication information.

[0128] 2) The twenty-second field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period;

[0129] 3) The 23rd field is used to indicate the maximum transmission power of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period;

[0130] 4) The twenty-fourth field is used to indicate the transmission rate of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period;

[0131] 5) Field 25, used to indicate the estimated received signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period;

[0132] 6) The twenty-sixth field is used to indicate the start time of the second time period;

[0133] 7) Field 27, used to indicate the duration of the second time period;

[0134] 8) Field 28, used to indicate the end time of the second time period.

[0135] For example, Table 4 is an example of the first instruction information, where fields numbered 1 to 6 in Table 4 are examples of fields twenty-first to twenty-eight, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the first instruction information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0136] Table 4

[0137] S630, the second sub-optical network device transmits data in the second time period according to the first instruction information.

[0138] Specifically, after receiving the first instruction information, the second sub-optical network device stops transmitting signals or reduces the power of the signals during the second time period according to the first instruction information.

[0139] S640 (optional step): The first sub-optical network device sends the first transmission result information or the first reception result information to the main optical network device during the first time period.

[0140] It should be understood that after the first sub-optical network device has completed the first time period, it can report back to the main optical network device on the transmission or reception status of the first sub-optical network device during the first time period, which facilitates the subsequent scheduling of the main optical network device.

[0141] Optionally, the first transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields:

[0142] 1) Field 29, used to indicate the number of the first sending process mentioned above;

[0143] 2) The thirtieth field is used to indicate the number of Media Access Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) sent by the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process;

[0144] 3) The thirty-first field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process.

[0145] For example, Table 5 shows one example of the first transmission result information, where fields numbered 1 to 3 in Table 5 are examples of fields 29 to 31, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the first transmission result information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0146] Table 5

[0147] Optionally, the first received result information includes at least one of the following fields:

[0148] 1) The 32nd field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process of receiving data by the first sub-optical network device in the first time period.

[0149] 2) The thirty-third field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process;

[0150] 3) The thirty-fourth field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process.

[0151] For example, Table 6 is an example of the first received result information, where fields numbered 1 to 3 in Table 6 correspond to fields 32 to 34, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the first received result information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0152] Table 6

[0153] S650 (optional step): The second sub-optical network device sends the second transmission result information to the main optical network device during the second time period.

[0154] It should be understood that after the second time period, the second sub-optical network device can report the transmission status of the second sub-optical network device to the main optical network device during the second time period, which facilitates the subsequent scheduling of the main optical network device.

[0155] Optionally, the second transmission result information includes at least one of the following fields:

[0156] 1) Field 35 is used to indicate the number of the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period;

[0157] 2) The thirty-sixth field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs sent by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period;

[0158] 3) The thirty-seventh field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the data transmitted by the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

[0159] For example, Table 7 is an example of the second transmission result information, where fields numbered 1 to 3 in Table 7 correspond to fields 35 to 37, respectively. It should be understood that this application does not specifically limit the names of the fields in the second transmission result information, as long as they fulfill the corresponding functions.

[0160] Table 7

[0161] Figure 7 illustrates a communication method 700 provided in this application. Method 700 is a specific implementation of method 600 in the scenario shown in Figure 3. All terms and concepts involved can be referred to in method 600. As shown in Figure 3, SFU1 is receiving a signal from STA1. If SFU2 simultaneously sends a signal to STA2, it will cause interference between SFU2 and SFU1. This method 700 aims to reduce the interference of SFU2 on SFU1.

[0162] For ease of description, the following text will use the term MFU (Master Optical Unit) for the primary optical network device and SFU (Sub-Optical Unit) for the secondary optical network device. It should be understood that "MFU" can be replaced with "primary optical network device" and "SFU" with "sub-optical network device".

[0163] The method 700 may include the following steps:

[0164] S710, SFU1 sends reception status information to MFU, indicating that SFU1 needs to receive data in the first time period.

[0165] The description of the received status information can be found in method 600.

[0166] S720, MFU sends a first instruction message to SFU2, instructing SFU2 to reduce power when transmitting signals or to stop transmitting signals during the second time period.

[0167] Specifically, the MFU can determine whether SFU2 can reduce its power to transmit signals or stop transmitting signals during the period when SFU1 is receiving signals, based on the interference information between SFU2 and SFU1.

[0168] The description of the first instruction information can be found in method 600.

[0169] S730, SFU2 reduces power or stops transmitting signals during the second time period according to the first instruction information.

[0170] S740 (optional step): SFU1 reports the reception result information within the first time period to MFU (i.e., an example of the first reception result information).

[0171] S750 (optional step): SFU2 reports the transmission result information for the second time period to MFU (i.e., an example of the second transmission result information).

[0172] Figure 8 illustrates a communication method 800 provided in this application. Method 800 is a specific implementation of method 600 in the scenario shown in Figure 9. All terms and concepts involved can be referred to in method 600. As shown in Figure 9, SFU1 is sending a signal to STA1. If SFU2 simultaneously sends a signal to STA2, it will cause interference from SFU2 to STA1. This method 800 aims to reduce the interference of SFU2 to STA1.

[0173] The method 800 may include the following steps:

[0174] S810, SFU1 sends transmission status information to MFU, indicating that SFU1 needs to send to STA1 in the first time period.

[0175] The description of the sending status information can be found in method 600.

[0176] S820, MFU sends a first instruction message to SFU2, instructing SFU2 to reduce power when transmitting signals or to stop transmitting signals during the second time period.

[0177] Specifically, the MFU can determine whether SFU2 can reduce its power to transmit signals or stop transmitting signals during the period when STA1 is receiving signals, based on the interference information between SFU2 and STA1.

[0178] The description of the first instruction information can be found in method 600.

[0179] S830, SFU2 reduces power or stops transmitting signals during the second time period according to the first instruction information.

[0180] S840 (optional step): SFU1 reports the transmission result information within the first time period to MFU (i.e., an example of the first transmission result information).

[0181] S850 (optional step): SFU2 reports the transmission result information for the second time period to MFU (i.e., an example of the second transmission result information).

[0182] Figure 10 is a schematic block diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in this application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 1000 includes a processing module 1001 and a communication module 1002. The communication device 1000 can be a communication device or a device applied to a communication device and capable of realizing the corresponding functions of the communication device, such as a chip, processor, or circuit. Exemplarily, the communication device can be a main optical network device or a sub-optical network device in the method embodiment.

[0183] The communication module can also be a transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver unit, or transceiver device. The processing module can also be a processor, processing board, processing unit, or processing device. Optionally, the communication module is used to execute the transmit or receive operations of the main optical network device or the sub-optical network device in any of the method embodiments. The device in the communication module that implements the receiving function can be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the communication module that implements the transmitting function can be considered a transmitting unit; that is, the communication module includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit. The processing module is used to execute the internal implementation-related operations / processing of the main optical network device or the sub-optical network device in any of the method embodiments. The specific operations of each module can be found in the descriptions in the method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

[0184] Alternatively, the communication module and / or processing module can be implemented as virtual modules. For example, the processing module can be implemented as a software functional unit or a virtual device, and the communication module can be implemented as a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing module or communication module can also be implemented as a physical device. For example, the communication device can be a chip, such as a system-on-chip (SoC), hardware circuitry, etc. The communication module can be an input / output circuit and / or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operation) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operation); the processing module can be an integrated circuit or logic circuit, etc.

[0185] The module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods are possible. Furthermore, the functional modules in the various examples of this application can be integrated into one module, exist as separate physical entities, or be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware, as software functional modules, or as a combination of hardware and software functional modules; no limitation is imposed.

[0186] Figure 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0187] The chip system 1100 includes a processor 1101, as shown in FIG11. The chip system 1100 may also include at least one memory 1102 for storing computer programs or instructions and / or data. The memory 1102 is coupled to the processor 1101, and the processor 1101 is used to execute the computer programs or instructions and / or data stored in the memory 1102, so that the embodiments described above are executed.

[0188] The coupling in the embodiments of this application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information interaction between devices, units, or modules.

[0189] Processor 1101 may operate in conjunction with memory 1102. At least one of memory 1102 may be included in processor 1101.

[0190] Optionally, the chip system 1100 may include one or more processors 1101.

[0191] Alternatively, the memory 1102 may be integrated with the processor 1101 or set separately.

[0192] The chip system 1100 may further include a transceiver 1103 for forwarding service messages through a transmission medium and other devices, thereby enabling the chip system to communicate with other devices. Optionally, the transceiver 1103 may be an interface, a bus, a circuit, or a device capable of transmitting and receiving functions.

[0193] Optionally, the device in transceiver 1103 used to implement the receiving function can be regarded as a receiving module, and the device in transceiver 1103 used to implement the transmitting function can be regarded as a transmitting module. That is, transceiver 1103 includes a receiver and a transmitter.

[0194] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the processor 1101, memory 1102, and transceiver 1103. In this application embodiment, the processor 1101, memory 1102, and transceiver 1103 are connected via a bus 1104, which is represented by a thick line in the figure. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc.

[0195] It should be understood that, for ease of representation, only one thick line is used in the diagram, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0196] Optionally, as shown in the figure, the chip system 1100 may further include a transceiver 1103 and / or a communication interface, which are used for receiving and / or transmitting signals. For example, the processor 1101 is used to control the transceiver 1103 and / or the communication interface to receive and / or transmit data.

[0197] A transceiver is sometimes also called a transceiver unit, transceiver module, or transceiver circuit. A receiver is sometimes also called a receiver unit, receiver module, or receiver circuit. A transmitter is sometimes also called a transmitter, transmitter module, or transmitter circuit.

[0198] For example, in some embodiments, processor 1101 is configured for other operations or functions of the sub-device or the sub-device's chip. Transceiver 1103 is used to implement the forwarding of service messages between the means for forwarding service messages and the master device or the site associated with the sub-device.

[0199] In other embodiments, processor 1101 is configured for other operations or functions of the master device or the master device's chip. Transceiver 1103 is used to implement the forwarding of service messages between the means for forwarding service messages and the sub-device or the site associated with the master device.

[0200] One or more of the above modules or units can be implemented by software, hardware, or a combination of both. When any of the above modules or units is implemented by software, the software exists as computer program instructions and is stored in memory. The processor can be used to execute the program instructions and implement the above method flow. The processor can include, but is not limited to, at least one of the following: a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a digital signal processor (DSP), a microcontroller unit (MCU), or an artificial intelligence processor, etc., and various computing devices that run software. Each computing device may include one or more cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing. The processor can be built into a SoC (System-on-a-Chip) or an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or it can be a separate semiconductor chip. In addition to the cores for executing software instructions to perform calculations or processing, the processor may further include necessary hardware accelerators, such as field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), PLDs (programmable logic devices), or logic circuits that implement dedicated logic operations.

[0201] When the above modules or units are implemented in hardware, the hardware can be any one or any combination of CPU, microprocessor, DSP, MCU, artificial intelligence processor, ASIC, SoC, FPGA, PLD, special purpose digital circuit, hardware accelerator or non-integrated discrete device, which can run the necessary software or perform the above method flow independently of software.

[0202] When the above modules or units are implemented using software, they can be implemented in whole or in part as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can access or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available medium can be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., solid-state disk (SSD)).

[0203] The specific embodiments described above further illustrate the purpose, technical solution, and beneficial effects of this application. It should be understood that the above description is only a specific embodiment of this application and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this application. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made on the basis of the technical solution of this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application.

[0204] This application also provides a communication system, which includes the master node and slave node described in the above embodiments.

[0205] As used in this specification, the terms "component," "module," "system," etc., are used to refer to computer-related entities, hardware, firmware, combinations of hardware and software, software, or software in execution. For example, a component can be, but is not limited to, a process running on a processor, a processor, an object, an executable file, an execution thread, a program, and / or a computer. As illustrated, applications running on computing devices and computing devices can both be components. One or more components may reside in a process and / or an execution thread, and components may be located on a single computer and / or distributed among two or more computers. Furthermore, these components can be executed from various computer-readable media on which various data structures are stored. Components can communicate, for example, via local and / or remote processes based on signals having one or more data packets (e.g., data from two components interacting with another component between a local system, a distributed system, and / or a network, such as the Internet interacting with other systems via signals).

[0206] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the units and algorithm steps of the various examples described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are implemented in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

[0207] Those skilled in the art will understand that, for the sake of convenience and brevity, the specific working processes of the systems, devices, and units described above can be referred to the corresponding processes in the foregoing method embodiments, and will not be repeated here.

[0208] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0209] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0210] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0211] If the aforementioned functions are implemented as software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or a portion of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0212] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) network, the FTTR network including a main optical network device, a first sub-optical network device, and a second sub-optical network device, the method is performed by the main optical network device and includes: Receive air interface status information from the first sub-optical network device during a first time period; Based on the air interface status information, a first indication information is sent to the second sub-optical network device, the first indication information indicating the transmission method of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The air interface status information includes receive status information, transmit status information, or idle status information.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The receiving status information includes at least one of the following fields: The first field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a receiving state; The second field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period. The third field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The fourth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the communication device that sends data to the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The fifth field is used to indicate the signal strength information received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The sixth field is used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The seventh field is used to indicate the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The eighth field indicates the start time of the first time period; The ninth field indicates the duration of the first time period; The tenth field indicates the end time of the first time period.

4. The method according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that, The transmission status information includes at least one of the following fields: The eleventh field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a transmitting state; The twelfth field is used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period. The thirteenth field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; The fourteenth field is used to indicate the number of target communication devices to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process; The fifteenth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the target communication device to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process; The sixteenth field is used to indicate the transmission power of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; The seventeenth field is used to indicate the start time of the first time period; The eighteenth field is used to indicate the duration of the first time period; The nineteenth field indicates the end time of the first time period.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized in that, The idle state information includes a twentieth field, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that, The first indication information includes at least one of the following fields: The twenty-first field is used to indicate the number of the sending method; The 22nd field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; The 23rd field is used to indicate the maximum transmission power of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The twenty-fourth field is used to indicate the transmission rate of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The 25th field is used to indicate the estimated received signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The 26th field is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; The twenty-seventh field is used to indicate the duration of the second time period; The 28th field is used to indicate the end time of the second time period.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive the first transmission result information or the first reception result information from the first sub-optical network device during the first time period.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first sending result information includes at least one of the following fields: The 29th field is used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period. The thirtieth field is used to indicate the number of Media Intervention Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) sent by the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process. The thirty-first field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process.

9. The method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first received result information includes at least one of the following fields: The 32nd field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period. The 33rd field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The 34th field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process.

10. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized in that, The method further includes: Receive second transmission result information from the second sub-optical network device during the second time period.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The second sending result information includes at least one of the following fields: The thirty-fifth field is used to indicate the number of the sending method; The thirty-sixth field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs sent by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The thirty-seventh field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the data transmitted by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period.

12. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) network, the FTTR network including a main optical network device, a first sub-optical network device, and a second sub-optical network device, the method is executed by the first sub-optical network device and includes: Obtain the air interface status information for the first time period; Send the air interface status information to the main optical network device.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The air interface status information includes receive status information, transmit status information, or idle status information.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that, The receiving status information includes at least one of the following fields: The first field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a receiving state; The second field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period. The third field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The fourth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the communication device that sends data to the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The fifth field is used to indicate the signal strength information received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The sixth field is used to indicate the modulation and coding scheme (MCS) of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The seventh field is used to indicate the signal-to-noise ratio of the signal received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The eighth field indicates the start time of the first time period; The ninth field indicates the duration of the first time period; The tenth field indicates the end time of the first time period.

15. The method according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that, The transmission status information includes at least one of the following fields: The eleventh field is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in a transmitting state; The twelfth field is used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period. The thirteenth field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; The fourteenth field is used to indicate the number of target communication devices to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process; The fifteenth field is used to indicate the address or identification information of the target communication device to which the first sub-optical network device transmits data in the first transmission process; The sixteenth field is used to indicate the transmission power of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process; The seventeenth field is used to indicate the start time of the first time period; The eighteenth field is used to indicate the duration of the first time period; The nineteenth field indicates the end time of the first time period.

16. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, characterized in that, The idle state information includes a twentieth field, which is used to indicate that the first sub-optical network device is in an idle state.

17. The method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the first sending result information or the first receiving result information during the first time period.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The first sending result information includes at least one of the following fields: The 29th field is used to indicate the number of the first transmission process, which is the process of the first sub-optical network device transmitting data during the first time period. The thirtieth field is used to indicate the number of Media Intervention Control Protocol Data Units (MPDUs) sent by the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process. The thirty-first field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first transmission process.

19. The method according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that, The first received result information includes at least one of the following fields: The 32nd field is used to indicate the number of the first receiving process, which is the process by which the first sub-optical network device receives data during the first time period. The 33rd field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs received by the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process; The 34th field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the first sub-optical network device in the first receiving process.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, Applied to a fiber-to-the-room (FTTR) network, the FTTR network including a main optical network device, a first sub-optical network device, and a second sub-optical network device, the method is performed by the second sub-optical network device and includes: Receive first indication information from the main optical network device, the first indication information indicating the transmission mode of the second sub-optical network device in a second time period; Data is transmitted during the second time period according to the first instruction information.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first indication information includes at least one of the following fields: The twenty-first field is used to indicate the number of the sending method; The 22nd field is used to indicate the operating frequency band of the second sub-optical network device in the second time period; The 23rd field is used to indicate the maximum transmission power of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The twenty-fourth field is used to indicate the transmission rate of the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The 25th field is used to indicate the estimated received signal-to-noise ratio of the signal transmitted by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The 26th field is used to indicate the start time of the second time period; The twenty-seventh field is used to indicate the duration of the second time period; The 28th field is used to indicate the end time of the second time period.

22. The method according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send the second sending result information during the second time period.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The second sending result information includes at least one of the following fields: The thirty-fifth field is used to indicate the number of the sending method; The thirty-sixth field is used to indicate the number of MPDUs sent by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period; The thirty-seventh field is used to indicate the packet error rate of the data transmitted by the second sub-optical network device during the second time period.

24. A communication device, characterized in that, The method includes at least one processor, which is configured to execute a computer program or instructions stored in a memory to cause the method of any one of claims 1 to 11 to be executed; or to cause the method of any one of claims 12 to 19 to be executed; or to cause the method of any one of claims 20 to 23 to be executed.

25. A chip, characterized in that, The device includes a circuit and a communication interface, wherein the communication interface is used to receive a signal or information to be processed and to send the signal or information to be processed to the circuit; the circuit is used to process the received signal or information to cause the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11 to be executed; or, to cause the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19 to be executed; or, to cause the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 23 to be executed.

26. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11; or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19; or the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 23.

27. A computer program product, characterized in that, The computer program product includes a computer program or instructions for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, or the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19, or the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 23.

28. A communication system, characterized in that, It includes a main optical network device, a first sub-optical network device, and a second sub-optical network device, wherein the main optical network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1 to 11, the first sub-optical network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 12 to 19, and the second sub-optical network device is used to perform the method as described in any one of claims 20 to 23.

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