Channel access method and apparatus, and device

Abstract

The present disclosure relates to the technical field of communications. Disclosed are a channel access method and apparatus, and a device. In the present disclosure, a first BSS is configured as a wide channel, and the wide channel of the first BSS includes a first channel and a second channel. When a first device in the first BSS needs to perform data communication on the first channel, the first device attempts to perform channel access on the first channel. If an OBSS transmission of a second BSS has been detected by the first device, this indicates that the first channel overlaps with a channel of the second BSS, and the first channel is being occupied by the second BSS. In this way, the first device chooses to switch from the first channel to a second channel, and performs channel access on the second channel, so as to attempt to perform data communication on the second channel, thereby implementing the execution of channel switching and channel access in the wide channel, and avoiding a conflict with the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. In addition, the first device switches back from the second channel to the first channel, so as to perform channel access on the idle first channel in a timely manner.

Description

Channel access methods, apparatus, and equipment

[0001] This application is based on and claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202411965243.9, filed on December 28, 2024, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) introduced the concept of Basic Service Set (BSS) in the 802.11 protocol family.

[0004] A BSS is the basic working unit of a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). It consists of an Access Point Station (AP STA, or AP for short) and its associated Non-Access Point Stations (Non-AP STA, or STA for short). Each BSS has a unique identifier (ID).

[0005] In a specific wireless network environment, when the channels of multiple BSSs within the same physical area overlap, this forms an Overlapped Basic Service Set (OBSS). In other words, OBSS represents the overlapping of multiple BSSs at the channel level.

[0006] If a device in the current BSS attempts to access the channel on the current channel, and the device detects OBSS transmissions from other BSSs on the current channel, this indicates that the current channel overlaps with the channels of other BSSs, or that the current channel is being occupied by other BSSs, or that the current channel is becoming busy. Summary of the Invention

[0007] This application provides a channel access method, apparatus, and device, including the following aspects:

[0008] Firstly, this disclosure provides a channel access method, comprising:

[0009] In response to the detection of OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, the system switches from the first channel to the second channel and performs channel access on the second channel.

[0010] Switching back to the first channel from the second channel, and accessing the channel on the first channel.

[0011] It is evident that when the first device needs to perform data communication on the first channel, it will attempt to access the channel on the first channel. If the first device detects OBSS transmission of the second BSS during the channel access process on the first channel, it indicates that the first channel and the second BSS overlap, and the first channel is being occupied by the second BSS or is becoming busy.

[0012] In this way, the first device can choose to switch from the first channel to the second channel and perform channel access on the second channel in order to attempt data communication on the second channel. This enables channel switching and channel access to be performed in a wide channel, avoiding conflicts with the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0013] In addition, the first device can switch back to the first channel from the second channel, so that the first device can obtain the status of the first channel (such as idle or busy state), so that when the first channel becomes idle before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can promptly access the channel on the idle first channel.

[0014] In particular, when the first channel is the primary channel, due to its importance, the first device switches back to the primary channel. This allows the first device to obtain the status of the primary channel (such as idle or busy). This enables the first device to promptly access the channel on the idle primary channel when the primary channel becomes idle before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. Alternatively, the first device can listen for or detect the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDH) of other BSSs on the primary channel and update the NAV on the primary channel, or set relevant parameters based on the signals on the primary channel, thereby ensuring the network efficiency of the first device.

[0015] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0016] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0017] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the time interval between the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0018] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0019] As can be seen, since the first channel may become idle after the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can determine the first moment to switch back from the second channel to the first channel based on the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, so as to switch back from the second channel to the first channel in response to the first moment.

[0020] Since the first moment occurs before the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the second BSS's OBSS transmission ends. Furthermore, since the time interval between the first moment and the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission is less than or equal to a first duration threshold, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the second BSS's OBSS transmission ends, by setting the first duration threshold appropriately. Simultaneously, by reasonably setting the value of the first duration threshold, it can be ensured that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, thus allowing sufficient time for the first device to perform channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0021] In this way, if the first channel becomes idle after the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, or if the first channel becomes idle before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can initiate channel access on the idle first channel in a timely manner because the first device switches back to the first channel in advance, thus improving the timeliness of channel access.

[0022] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0023] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0024] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment when the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is detected.

[0025] The end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0026] The time interval between the end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0027] As can be seen, since the first time point is before the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the second BSS's OBSS transmission ends, improving the timeliness of channel access. Furthermore, since the time interval between the end time or expected end time of the third BSS's OBSS transmission and the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission is less than or equal to the first duration threshold, this ensures that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, allowing sufficient time for the first device to access and / or transmit on the second channel. Simultaneously, by reasonably setting the value of the first duration threshold, it can be ensured that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, thus providing sufficient time for the first device to perform channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0028] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0029] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0030] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment between the completion of the switch from the first channel to the second channel and the first duration threshold.

[0031] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0032] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, after completing the switch from the first channel to the second channel, and before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, thereby improving the timeliness of channel access.

[0033] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or default.

[0034] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0035] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0036] The first moment is the end time of the first window after the first signaling is sent, and the end time of the first window is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0037] The first signaling is used to determine the reception status of the second device in the first BSS on the second channel;

[0038] The first window is used to receive the response to the first signaling.

[0039] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel in advance when a transmission failure occurs during the stage of determining the receiving status of the second device on the second channel, and before the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends.

[0040] In one possible example of the first aspect, the first signaling includes RTS, MU-RTS, or ICF.

[0041] As can be seen, the reception status of the second device on the second channel can be confirmed through RTS or MU-RTS.

[0042] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0043] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0044] The first moment is the completion time of the first transmission on the second channel, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device in the first BSS;

[0045] The completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, or the completion time of the first transmission is within a second duration threshold after the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0046] As can be seen, since the completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the end of the second BSS OBSS transmission, improving the timeliness of channel access. Because the time interval between the completion time of the first transmission and the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission is less than a first duration threshold, the first duration threshold ensures that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, allowing sufficient time for the first device to perform channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0047] Alternatively, since this disclosure allows the first device to continue occupying the second channel for a short period after the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS to complete the transmission, thus ensuring transmission reliability, the completion time of the first transmission can be after the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. Furthermore, by reasonably setting the value of the second time threshold, it can be ensured that the first device continues to occupy the second channel for a short period after the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0048] In one possible example of the first aspect, the second time threshold is network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specification, or default.

[0049] In one possible example of the first aspect, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0050] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0051] The first moment is the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0052] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel in a timely manner when the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, so as to enable timely channel access on the first channel.

[0053] In one possible example of the first aspect, the above method also includes:

[0054] The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time.

[0055] In one possible example of the first aspect, channel access is performed on the first channel, including:

[0056] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0057] It is evident that when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device retains the channel access parameters used for channel access on the first channel before, the first device can continue to use these channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel, which is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0058] In one possible example of the first aspect, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first access class (AC) of the first device;

[0059] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0060] In response to the failure of data transmission to be successfully initiated on the second channel by the first AC, channel access is performed on the first channel according to at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0061] It is evident that when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device retains the channel access parameters used for channel access on the first channel before, the first device can continue to use these channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel, which is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0062] In one possible example of the first aspect, the above method also includes:

[0063] The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW and the first QSRC.

[0064] In one possible example of the first aspect, channel access is performed on the first channel, including:

[0065] Randomly select a retreat time from the first CW to obtain the second retreat time;

[0066] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0067] As can be seen, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device only retains the first CW and the first QSRC but not the backoff time, the first device can first randomly select a backoff time from the first CW and then access the channel on the first channel, which is conducive to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0068] In one possible example of the first aspect, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0069] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0070] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the fact that the first device has not lost the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) synchronization on the first channel, a backoff time is randomly selected from the first CW to obtain the second backoff time;

[0071] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0072] As can be seen, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first CW and the first QSRC are retained, the first AC successfully initiates transmission on the second channel, and the NAV synchronization on the first channel is not lost, the first device only needs to randomly select a backoff time from the first CW and then access the channel on the first channel. This is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0073] In one possible example of the first aspect, the above method also includes:

[0074] When switching from the first channel to the second channel, the first device initializes the channel access parameters used by the first channel to obtain the initialized channel access parameters, which include the second CW and the second QSRC.

[0075] In one possible example of the first aspect, channel access is performed on the first channel, including:

[0076] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0077] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0078] As can be seen, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device only retains the second CW and the second QSRC but does not retain the backoff time, the first device can first randomly select a backoff time from the second CW and then access the channel on the first channel, which is conducive to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0079] In one possible example of the first aspect, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0080] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0081] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel by the first device, NAV synchronization on the first channel is restored;

[0082] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0083] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0084] As can be seen, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, due to the retention of the second CW and the second QSRC, the first AC successfully initiating transmission on the second channel, and the loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel, the first device needs to first restore NAV synchronization on the first channel, then randomly select a backoff time from the first CW, and finally access the channel on the first channel. This is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0085] In one possible example of the first aspect, the above method also includes:

[0086] Capability information is exchanged on the first channel, indicating that the first device supports switching and access to the second channel.

[0087] As can be seen, the capability information ensures that the second device knows that the first device supports the switching and access of the second channel, so that the first device can subsequently support the relevant processes of switching from the first channel to the second channel and accessing the second channel.

[0088] In one possible example of the first aspect, the capability information is carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe request frame, probe response frame, association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and multi-link element information.

[0089] In one possible example of the first aspect, the above method also includes:

[0090] The operation parameter information is exchanged on the first channel, and the operation parameter information includes at least one of the first information, second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, sixth information, or seventh information;

[0091] The first information is used to configure the enabling or disabling of the switching mode. When the switching mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first channel and the second channel.

[0092] The second piece of information is used to configure the location of the second channel;

[0093] The third piece of information is used to configure the minimum duration of non-primary channel access.

[0094] The fourth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0095] The fifth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching back to the first channel from the second channel;

[0096] The sixth piece of information is used to configure the first duration threshold;

[0097] The seventh piece of information is used to configure the second duration threshold.

[0098] It is evident that the first device can exchange operating parameter information on the first channel, so that the first device and the second device can switch between the first channel and the second channel based on the operating parameter information.

[0099] In one possible example of the first aspect, the operational parameter information is carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and action frame.

[0100] Secondly, a channel access device according to the present disclosure includes:

[0101] A channel switching unit is used to switch from the first channel to the second channel of the first BSS in response to the detection of OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel of the first BSS.

[0102] The channel access unit is used for channel access on the second channel.

[0103] The channel switching unit is also used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0104] The channel access unit is also used for channel access on the first channel.

[0105] Thirdly, the method described in the first aspect is applied to the first device.

[0106] Fourthly, an apparatus according to the present disclosure includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect above.

[0107] Fifthly, a chip disclosed herein includes a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is connected to the interface circuit, and the processor performs the steps of the method described in any one of the first aspects above.

[0108] A sixth aspect is a chip module disclosed herein, including a transceiver component and a chip, the chip including a processor, wherein the processor performs the steps of the method described in any of the first aspects above.

[0109] A seventh aspect is a computer-readable storage medium of the present disclosure, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect.

[0110] Eighthly, a computer program product of this disclosure includes a computer program or instructions, wherein when the computer program or instructions are executed, they implement the steps of the method described in the first aspect above, and the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0111] It is worth noting that the beneficial effects of the technical solutions in aspects two through eight can be found in the technical effects of the technical solution in aspect one mentioned above, and will not be repeated here. Attached Figure Description

[0112] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system according to some embodiments of the present disclosure;

[0113] Figure 2 is a timing diagram of a device performing channel switching and channel access according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0114] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating a channel access method according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0115] Figure 4 is a timing diagram of a first device performing channel switching and channel access according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0116] Figure 5 is a timing diagram of a first device performing NAV synchronization on a first channel according to some embodiments of this disclosure;

[0117] Figures 6 to 11 are timing diagrams illustrating channel switching and channel access in another embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0118] Figure 12 is a functional unit block diagram of a channel access device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

[0119] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. Detailed Implementation

[0120] It should be understood that the terms "first," "second," etc., used in some embodiments of this disclosure are used to distinguish different objects, rather than to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, software, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may also include steps or units not listed, or may also include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0121] The term "embodiment" in some embodiments of this disclosure means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with an embodiment may be included in at least one embodiment of this disclosure. The appearance of this phrase in various places throughout the specification does not necessarily refer to the same embodiment, nor is it a separate or alternative embodiment mutually exclusive with other embodiments. It will be explicitly and implicitly understood by those skilled in the art that the embodiments described herein can be combined with other embodiments.

[0122] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "at least one" or "at least one" means one or more, and "multiple" means two or more.

[0123] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "and / or" describes the association relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent the following three situations: A exists alone, A and B exist simultaneously, and B exists alone. A and B can be singular or plural.

[0124] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "at least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or multiple items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent the following seven cases: a, b, c, a and b, a and c, b and c, a, b, and c. Each of a, b, and c can be an element or a set containing one or more elements.

[0125] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the word "equal to" can be used with "greater than" to apply to technical solutions where the value is greater than, or it can be used with "less than" to apply to technical solutions where the value is less than. When "equal to" and "greater than" are used together, they are not used with "less than"; conversely, when "equal to" and "less than" are used together, they are not used with "greater than".

[0126] In some embodiments of this disclosure, the terms "of," "corresponding (relevant)," "corresponding," "associated (related)," and "mapped" may sometimes be used interchangeably. It should be noted that, without emphasizing distinction, the concepts or meanings expressed are consistent.

[0127] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "network" can be expressed as the same concept as "system," and a communication system is a communication network.

[0128] In some embodiments of this disclosure, "connection" refers to various connection methods, such as direct connection or indirect connection, to achieve communication between devices, and is not specifically limited thereto.

[0129] The following describes some examples of communication systems according to embodiments of this disclosure.

[0130] The communication system in some embodiments of this disclosure can be a WLAN system.

[0131] In one possible example, the WLAN system may employ the IEEE 802.11 protocol family. The WLAN system may include multiple BSSs, each containing an OBSS, and each BSS includes an access point and at least one site.

[0132] As an example, a network architecture of a communication system according to some embodiments of this disclosure is shown in FIG1. ​​In FIG1, the communication system 10 includes BSS110 and BSS120, and the channels of BSS110 and BSS120 overlap. BSS110 includes access point 1101 and station 1102. BSS120 includes access point 1201 and station 1202.

[0133] It should be noted that the communication between the access point and the station in the communication system 10 can be wireless or wired communication, and there are no specific limitations on this. Furthermore, Figure 1 is merely an example of a network architecture for a communication system and does not constitute a limitation on the network architecture of the communication systems in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0134] For example, communication system 10 may also include other BSSs besides BSS110 and BSS120, and each BSS includes an access point and a number of sites.

[0135] For example, BSS110 may also include sites other than site 1102, and BSS120 may also include sites other than site 1202.

[0136] For example, the communication system 10 may also include other network entities such as radio access network (RAN) equipment, core network (CN) equipment, network controller, or mobility management entity.

[0137] The following provides examples illustrating the access points mentioned in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0138] An access point can be a device in a WLAN system or an entity that provides network access to its associated sites via wireless media.

[0139] In one possible example, the access point can be used to connect various wireless network clients (such as sites) to the Ethernet, and can be a network device with a Wi-Fi chip, or a device that supports the IEEE 802.11 protocol family, without limitation.

[0140] For example, an access point can be a device that supports IEEE 802.11ac, IEEE 802.11n, IEEE 802.11g, IEEE 802.11b, IEEE 802.11ax, IEEE 802.11be, IEEE 802.11bn, or next-generation WLAN protocol standards.

[0141] In one possible example, the access point is, but is not limited to, a centralized controller, a base station (BS), a base transceiver station (BTS), a site controller, or a switch.

[0142] In one possible example, the access point is, but is not limited to, an ultra-high reliability access point (UHR AP).

[0143] In one possible example, the access point is, but is not limited to, a device with wireless communication capabilities (or a device with transceiver capabilities), such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include chips, but may also include other discrete devices, such as transceivers.

[0144] In one possible example, the access point communicates with an Internet Protocol (IP) network, such as the Internet, a private IP network, or other data networks.

[0145] The following provides examples of sites mentioned in some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0146] A site can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal; it can be a device in a WLAN system.

[0147] For example, a site can be user equipment (UE) supporting Wi-Fi communication, a remote UE, an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile device, a user terminal, a smart terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent or user device / cellular phone, a relay UE, an access terminal device, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in autonomous driving, or a remote medical device. Wireless terminal devices in medical fields, smart grids, transportation safety, smart cities, or smart homes are not limited to these categories.

[0148] In one possible example, the site is, but is not limited to, an ultra-high reliability STA (UHR STA).

[0149] In one possible example, the station is, but is not limited to, a device with wireless communication capabilities (or a device with transceiver capabilities), such as a chip system, a chip, or a chip module. The chip system may include chips, and may also include other discrete devices, such as transceivers.

[0150] In some possible examples, the sites are deployed on land (e.g., indoors or outdoors, handheld, wearable, or vehicle-mounted), on water (e.g., on ships), or in the air (e.g., by airplanes, balloons, or satellites).

[0151] The communication systems of some embodiments of this disclosure have been described above. The technical solutions of some embodiments of this disclosure will be specifically described below.

[0152] When a device (such as an access point or site) within a BSS needs to transmit data, the device will attempt to access the BSS's channel. Channel access refers to the process by which a device obtains permission to transmit data on the channel.

[0153] From a communication protocol perspective, channel access can be regulated by a series of mechanisms. These mechanisms ensure that multiple devices can obtain data transmission opportunities on the channel in an orderly, efficient, and fair manner, thereby avoiding data conflicts and ensuring smooth communication.

[0154] For example, these mechanisms include, but are not limited to, Carrier Sense Multiple Access with Collision Avoidance, Request To Send / Clear To Send (RTS / CTS), Multi-User Request To Send / CTS (MU-RTS / CTS), Distributed Coordination Function (DCF), or Enhanced Distributed Channel Access (EDCA).

[0155] In a specific wireless network environment, when the channels of multiple BSSs within the same physical area overlap, this forms an OBSS (Overlapping Broadband Subsystem). Devices within a BSS can identify and distinguish different BSSs based on either a BSS ID (BSSID) or a BSS color. A BSSID uniquely identifies a BSS, while a BSS color identifies a set of one or more BSSs. Each BSS can carry its BSSID and / or BSS color in its transmitted signals, and devices in different BSSs can detect these signals to help them differentiate transmissions originating from different BSSs.

[0156] Optionally, the BSSID is carried in a Media Access Control (MAC) frame (such as a MAC Protocol Data Unit (MPDU)). Therefore, the device can parse the MAC frame to obtain the BSSID.

[0157] Optionally, the BSS color is carried in the header of the physical layer protocol data unit (PPDH). The physical layer can directly identify the BSS color to determine whether the PPDU is a PPDU of a different BSS (inter-BSS) (such as an OBSS PPDU).

[0158] Optionally, if the BSS colors are different, then the BSSIDs will definitely be different; if the BSS colors are the same, then the BSSIDs may be the same or different.

[0159] If a device in the current BSS attempts to access the channel on the current channel, and the device detects OBSS transmissions from other BSSs on the current channel, this indicates that the current channel overlaps with the channels of other BSSs and that the current channel is being occupied by other BSSs.

[0160] Based on this, some embodiments of this disclosure consider configuring wide channels in the current BSS and performing channel switching and channel access in the wide channels, thereby avoiding conflicts with other BSSs.

[0161] The following is an explanation of wide channels.

[0162] In BSS, channels are channelized in 20MHz units, but in some communication scenarios, BSS can support wide channel configurations.

[0163] It should be noted that the channel in some embodiments of this disclosure can also be understood as frequency band, frequency resources, or spectrum resources, etc.

[0164] Wide-channel refers to a channel configuration method that expands bandwidth by combining multiple 20MHz channels to provide higher bandwidth to meet the needs of high-speed data transmission.

[0165] Wideband channels can have bandwidths of 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz, depending on environmental conditions, equipment capabilities, and the frequency band used. Specifically, a 40MHz wideband channel consists of two 20MHz channels, an 80MHz wideband channel consists of four 20MHz channels, a 160MHz wideband channel consists of eight 20MHz channels, and so on.

[0166] Among the multiple 20MHz channels that make up a wide channel, one 20MHz channel is configured as the primary channel. The primary channel can be the main channel carrying data in the wide channel, or it can be the channel carrying important signals (such as synchronization signals, control signals, and management signals).

[0167] For example, in the process of establishing a connection between a site and an access point, key connection establishment signals such as association request frames and association response frames are mainly transmitted through the main channel.

[0168] In a wide-channel configuration, the remaining 20MHz channels besides the primary channel can be called secondary channels, non-primary channels (NPC), or non-primary channel access (NPCA) channels.

[0169] It is worth noting that for multiple 20MHz channels in a wide channel, these 20MHz channels can also be referred to as sub-channels.

[0170] The following example illustrates channel switching and channel access in a wide channel, using the formation of an OBSS by the first BSS and the second BSS as an example.

[0171] It should be noted that the first BSS and the second BSS are two different BSSs, and the channels of the first BSS and the second BSS will overlap.

[0172] The first BSS is configured with wide channels. The wide channels of the first BSS include a first channel and a second channel, each being one or more 20MHz channels. Optionally, the first channel is the primary channel and the second channel is a non-primary channel; or, the first channel is a non-primary channel and the second channel is the primary channel; or, the first channel is one non-primary channel and the second channel is another non-primary channel.

[0173] The devices in the first BSS include a first device and a second device. The first device is an access point, and the second device is a site; or, the first device is a site, and the second device is an access point; or, the first device is one site, and the second device is another site.

[0174] In addition, the first device can be the party that needs to send data, and the second device can be the party that needs to receive data; or the second device can be the party that needs to send data, and the first device can be the party that needs to receive data, without any restriction.

[0175] If the first device needs to communicate with the second device on the first channel, both devices will attempt to access the channel on the first channel. Optionally, if the first and second devices detect OBSS transmissions of the second BSS on the first channel, this indicates that the first channel overlaps with the second BSS and the first channel is being used by the second BSS.

[0176] It is worth noting that the first and second devices can listen to relevant information transmitted by devices in the second BSS on the first channel and determine the OBSS transmission of the second BSS based on this information. For example, this information includes at least one of the following: the BSSID of the second BSS, the BSS color value of the second BSS, or the duration of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. The BSSID and BSS color value of the second BSS can identify the second BSS, allowing the first and second devices to determine the OBSS transmission of the second BSS based on the BSSID and / or the BSS color value.

[0177] Based on this, optionally, if the first device and the second device detect the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, then the first device and the second device can perform channel switching and channel access.

[0178] For example, as shown in Figure 2. Figure 2(a) shows the timing sequence of the first device performing channel switching and channel access, and Figure 2(b) shows the timing sequence of the second device performing channel switching and channel access. In Figure 2(a), the first device performs the following actions in chronological order: detecting the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, switching from the first channel to the second channel, performing channel access on the second channel, switching back from the second channel to the first channel, and performing channel access on the first channel.

[0179] In Figure 2(b), the second device performs the following actions in sequence: detecting the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, switching from the first channel to the second channel, performing channel access on the second channel, switching back from the second channel to the first channel, and performing channel access on the first channel.

[0180] As can be seen from Figure 2, since the first device and the second device perform the same process, some embodiments of this disclosure below will be mainly described using the first device as an example, while the second device can refer to the first device to perform the same process, which will not be repeated here.

[0181] As shown in Figure 3, which is a flowchart illustrating a channel access method according to some embodiments of this disclosure, the first device performs the following steps:

[0182] S310. In response to detecting the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, switch from the first channel to the second channel and perform channel access on the second channel.

[0183] It should be noted that the first device can access the channel on the second channel after the time delay of switching from the first channel to the second channel.

[0184] For example, in Figure 4, the first device detects the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel and performs channel switching. After the delay of switching from the first channel to the second channel, the first device accesses the channel on the second channel. The duration of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS can be considered as the duration of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0185] S320. Switch back to the first channel from the second channel, and access the channel on the first channel.

[0186] Therefore, when the first device needs to perform data communication on the first channel, it will attempt to access the channel. Optionally, if the first device detects OBSS transmission from the second BSS during the channel access process on the first channel, it indicates that the first channel and the second BSS overlap, and the first channel is being occupied by the second BSS or is becoming busy. The first channel becoming busy can also be understood as either being occupied or not being released.

[0187] In this way, the first device can choose to switch from the first channel to the second channel and access the channel on the second channel in order to attempt data communication on the second channel. This enables channel switching and access to be performed in a wide channel, avoiding conflicts with the OBSS transmission of the second BSS in the wide channel.

[0188] In addition, the first device can switch back to the first channel from the second channel, so that the first device can obtain the status of the first channel (such as idle or busy state), so that if the first channel becomes idle in advance before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can promptly access the channel on the idle first channel.

[0189] In particular, when the first channel is the primary channel, due to its importance, the first device switches back to the primary channel so that it can obtain the status of the primary channel (such as idle or busy). This allows the first device to promptly access the channel on the idle primary channel if the primary channel becomes idle before the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission. Alternatively, it can listen for or detect other BSS PPDUs on the primary channel and update the NAV on the primary channel, or set relevant parameters based on the signals on the primary channel, thereby ensuring the network efficiency of the first device.

[0190] The following is a detailed explanation of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0191] The OBSS transmission of the second BSS can be understood as the transmission performed by the devices in the second BSS on a channel that overlaps with the first channel.

[0192] It should be noted that when the first device detects the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can perform Network Allocation Vector (NAV) synchronization on the first channel based on the duration of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. NAV is a virtual timer mechanism used to represent the length of time the channel is occupied.

[0193] For example, as shown in Figure 5, when the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is detected on the first channel, the first device sets a NAV on the first channel according to the duration of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. The NAV has the same start time, end time and length as the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0194] Optionally, if the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, the first channel may become idle. When the first channel becomes idle, the device can access the channel on the idle first channel.

[0195] It should be noted that when the first channel becomes idle, it can also be understood as the first channel not being occupied, or the first channel being released.

[0196] Optionally, the duration of the second BSS OBSS transmission includes either the OBSS transmission opportunity (TXOP) or the length of the OBSS physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU). In this case,

[0197] The end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is either the end time of OBSS TXOP or the end time of OBSS PPDU.

[0198] It should be noted that OBSS TXOP is a single TXOP, which represents the opportunity for a device to continuously transmit data. This opportunity occupies a time window or a period of time in the time domain. In other words, TXOP represents the maximum length of time a device can continuously transmit data after successfully obtaining channel access.

[0199] Optionally, the OBSS transmission of the second BSS may include information indicating the length of the OBSS TXOP or OBSS PPDU. For example, the header of the data frame or PPDU in the OBSS transmission of the second BSS may indicate the length of the OBSS TXOP or OBSS PPDU, or the control frame (such as RTS / CTS, or MU-RTS / CTS, etc.) in the OBSS transmission of the second BSS may indicate the length of the OBSS TXOP or OBSS PPDU. Therefore, the first device can detect this information on the first channel and perform NAV synchronization.

[0200] The following example illustrates the switching back to the first channel from the second channel in S320.

[0201] In one possible example, switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes:

[0202] In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel.

[0203] It should be noted that the response to the first moment, switching back from the second channel to the first channel, can be understood in two ways: one is that the first device can start the switch back from the second channel to the first channel at the first moment and complete the switch after the delay of switching back from the second channel to the first channel; the other is that the first device can go through the delay of switching back from the second channel to the first channel before the first moment and complete the switch at the first moment.

[0204] Additionally, the first time can be determined based on the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. This is because, since the first channel may become idle after the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the first channel can be accessed in the idle state, the first device can determine the first time to switch back from the second channel to the first channel based on the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, so as to switch back from the second channel to the first channel in response to the first time.

[0205] The following examples illustrate the first moment in different methods.

[0206] Method 1

[0207] In "Method 1", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0208] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0209] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the interval between the first moment and the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0210] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0211] For example, as shown in Figure 6, the first time is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the time interval between the first time and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than the first duration threshold.

[0212] It should be noted that the response to the first moment, switching back from the second channel to the first channel, can be understood in two ways: one is that the first device can start the switch back from the second channel to the first channel at the first moment and complete the switch after the delay of switching back from the second channel to the first channel; the other is that the first device can go through the delay of switching back from the second channel to the first channel before the first moment and complete the switch at the first moment.

[0213] The fact that the first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment can be understood as meaning that there was no signal sent by the first device on the second channel at the first moment, and / or there was no signal on the second channel at the first moment intended to be received by the first device.

[0214] Since the first time point is before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends. Furthermore, since the time interval between the first time point and the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to a first duration threshold, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, by setting the first duration threshold. A larger value for the first duration threshold indicates an earlier switch back to the first channel; a smaller value indicates a later switch back. Simultaneously, the first duration threshold ensures that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, allowing sufficient time for channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0215] Thus, the first channel may become idle after the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, or it may become idle before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS. Since the first device switches back to the first channel in advance, it can initiate channel access on the idle first channel in a timely manner, improving the timeliness of channel access.

[0216] In particular, when the first channel is the primary channel, due to the importance of the primary channel, the first device switches back to the primary channel so that it can obtain the status of the primary channel (such as idle or busy). This allows the first device to promptly access the primary channel if the primary channel becomes idle before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, thus ensuring the network efficiency of the first device.

[0217] Alternatively, if the first channel becomes idle before the end of the second BSS OBSS transmission, and subsequently, OBSS transmissions of other BSSs (such as PPDUs of other BSSs) occur on the idle first channel, the first device can detect or listen to the OBSS transmission of the other BSS in a timely manner on the first channel because the first device switches back to the first channel in advance. This allows the first device to perform NAV synchronization based on the duration of the OBSS transmission of the other BSS, thereby avoiding loss of NAV synchronization.

[0218] Alternatively, since the first device switches back to the first channel in advance, the first device can set relevant parameters based on the signal on the main channel.

[0219] It should be noted that the OBSS transmission of the other BSS can be understood by referring to the content of "OBSS transmission of the second BSS" above, and will not be repeated here.

[0220] Optionally, the first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0221] Method 2

[0222] In "Method 2", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0223] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0224] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment when the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is detected.

[0225] The end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0226] The time interval between the end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0227] For example, as shown in Figure 7, the first device detects the OBSS transmission of the third BSS at a first moment, and the time interval between the end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than a first duration threshold.

[0228] It should be noted that the third BSS can be a different BSS from the first and second BSS. The OBSS transmission of the second BSS can be understood by referring to the content in "OBSS Transmission of the Second BSS" above, and will not be repeated here.

[0229] After the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device detects the OBSS transmission of the third BSS on the second channel at the first moment. This indicates that the second channel and the third BSS overlap, and the second channel is being occupied by the third BSS.

[0230] Since the first time interval is before the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the second BSS's OBSS transmission ends, improving the timeliness of channel access. Furthermore, since the time interval between the end time or expected end time of the third BSS's OBSS transmission and the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission is less than or equal to the first duration threshold, by reasonably setting the value of the first duration threshold, it can be ensured that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, thus allowing sufficient time for the first device to perform channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0231] Optionally, the first device determines the duration, end time, or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS based on the information in the OBSS transmission of the third BSS.

[0232] Optionally, the first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0233] Method 3

[0234] In "Method 3", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0235] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0236] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment between the completion of the switch from the first channel to the second channel and the first duration threshold.

[0237] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0238] For example, as shown in Figure 8, the first time interval between the first moment and the completion time of switching from the first channel to the second channel is a first time duration threshold.

[0239] It should be noted that the first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment. This can be understood as the first device not sending a signal on the second channel at the first moment, or the second channel not having a signal targeting the first device at the first moment, or the second channel not having a signal intended to be received by the first device at the first moment.

[0240] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, after completing the switch from the first channel to the second channel, and before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, thereby improving the timeliness of channel access.

[0241] Optionally, the first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0242] Method 4

[0243] In "Method 4", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0244] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0245] The first moment is the end time of the first window after the first signaling is sent, and the end time of the first window is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0246] The first signaling is used to determine the reception status of the second device on the second channel;

[0247] The first window is used to receive the response to the first signaling.

[0248] For example, as shown in Figure 9, the first time is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0249] It should be noted that after the first device sends the first signaling on the second channel, the first device will wait for a response to the first signaling sent by the second device within the first window. If the first device does not receive a response to the first signaling by the end of the first window, the first device considers the transmission of the first signaling to have failed, and therefore the first device can switch back from the second channel to the first channel.

[0250] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel in advance if a transmission failure occurs during the stage of determining the receiving status of the second device on the second channel, or before the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends.

[0251] Optionally, the first signaling may include RTS or MU-RTS, and the response to the first signaling may include CTS; or, the first signaling may include an Initial Control Frame (ICF), and the response to the first signaling may include an Initial Control Response (ICR).

[0252] As can be seen, the reception status of the second device on the second channel can be confirmed through RTS or MU-RTS.

[0253] Method 5

[0254] In "Method 5", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0255] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0256] The first moment is the completion time of the first transmission on the second channel, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device;

[0257] The completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the time interval between the completion time of the first transmission and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than a first duration threshold; or, the completion time of the first transmission is within a second duration threshold after the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0258] It should be noted that, for example, as shown in Figure 10, the completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, and the time interval between the completion time of the first transmission and the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission is less than a first duration threshold. Thus, because the completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, the first device can switch back to the first channel before the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission, improving the timeliness of channel access. Since the time interval between the completion time of the first transmission and the end time of the second BSS's OBSS transmission is less than the first duration threshold, the first duration threshold ensures that the first device does not need to switch back to the first channel too early, allowing sufficient time for the first device to perform channel access and / or transmission on the second channel.

[0259] For example, as shown in Figure 11, the completion time of the first transmission is within a second duration threshold after the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission. Since some embodiments of this disclosure allow the first device to continue occupying the second channel for a short period after the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission to complete the transmission, thus ensuring transmission reliability, the completion time of the first transmission can be after the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission. Specifically, by reasonably setting the value of the second time threshold, it can be ensured that the first device continues to occupy the second channel for a short period after the end time of the second BSS OBSS transmission.

[0260] Optionally, the first time threshold can be determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0261] Optionally, the second time threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0262] Method 6

[0263] In "Method 6", one possible implementation for switching back to the first channel from the second channel is as follows:

[0264] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0265] The first moment is the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0266] It is evident that the first device can switch back to the first channel in a timely manner when the OBSS transmission of the second BSS ends, so as to enable timely channel access on the first channel.

[0267] The following example illustrates the parameters used by the first device to access the channel on the first channel before switching from the first channel to the second channel.

[0268] Before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, if the first device needs to transmit data, it will use some relevant parameters to access the channel on the first channel. These relevant parameters include at least one of the following: Contention Window (CW), Backoff time, or Quality of Service STA Retry Count (QSRC).

[0269] It's important to note that CW is a crucial parameter in the CSMA / CA mechanism, representing the time range a device needs to wait before attempting to transmit data. This time range is measured in slot times. For example, initially, the CW might be 15 slots, but its size may dynamically adjust as the network environment changes and the number of retransmissions increases.

[0270] The size of the CW (Cost-Wait) determines the time range that the device may choose during backoff. A larger CW results in a longer random wait time for the device, reducing the likelihood of simultaneous transmissions.

[0271] After a device detects that the channel is idle and waits for the distributed inter-frame spacing (DIFS) time, it does not immediately transmit data but enters the channel contention phase. In this phase, the device randomly selects a waiting time within the CW size. This is done to avoid collisions caused by multiple devices simultaneously detecting that the channel is idle.

[0272] The size of CW is not fixed. At the beginning, CW has an initial value (i.e., CWmin). In the event of each collision or conflict, CW will increase according to certain rules until it reaches a maximum value (i.e., CWmax) in order to increase the interval between the device's attempts to send data again and reduce the probability of subsequent collisions.

[0273] Backoff refers to the process by which a device randomly selects a waiting time within the Channel Warp (CW). This waiting time is called the backoff time. The backoff time is counted down in units of time slots. The device can only transmit data if the backoff time countdown ends and the channel is still idle. For example, if a device selects a backoff time of 7 time slots, the device will wait for 7 time slots, and during this process, the device will continuously monitor whether the channel is idle.

[0274] During the backoff time countdown, in response to the device detecting that the channel has become busy (e.g., other devices are transmitting data), the device pauses the countdown until the channel becomes idle again and waits for one DIFS time before resuming the countdown. Once the backoff time countdown ends and the channel is still idle, the device immediately transmits data and initializes CW to CWmin.

[0275] QSRC is a parameter used in QoS-enabled WLAN networks to measure the number of data retransmissions by a station. QSRC primarily records the number of times a station retransmits data because it has not received an acknowledgment (ACK) from the receiver.

[0276] If data is determined not to have been successfully received, the site will retransmit the data and increment the QSRC value by 1. This process continues, with each retransmission increasing the QSRC count. For example, if the initial QSRC value is 0, it becomes 1 after the first retransmission, 2 after the second, and so on. QSRC has a preset maximum value; if the number of retransmissions reaches this maximum value, the site may abandon the data transmission and report the failure to the upper-layer protocol.

[0277] In addition, the data that the first device needs to transmit may correspond to different access categories (AC).

[0278] An Access Control (AC) is used to differentiate between different types of data traffic in order to provide different priorities and channel access policies. An AC can classify various data services according to QoS requirements, so as to provide different priority processing for different categories of data during channel access. Different ACs correspond to different priorities and behaviors, as shown in Table 1.

[0279] Table 1

[0280] Each AC can manage data packets through a priority queue and determine which data packet has priority to access the channel based on priority and channel access policy. The EDCA mechanism can define different ACs to distinguish data services with different priorities.

[0281] Each AC can be associated with different channel access parameters, including the Arbitration Inter-Frame Space Number (AIFS), CW, and TXOP Limit. When a device needs to transmit data from a particular AC, it can use the channel access parameters associated with that AC to access the channel and transmit the data from that AC on the channel it has won the bid for.

[0282] AIFS is the time interval during which a device waits after detecting that a channel is idle. Different ACs are associated with different AIFS values. Higher priority ACs (such as AC_VO) are associated with smaller AIFS values.

[0283] Each AC has its own associated CWmin and CWmax. Before attempting to transmit data from an AC, the device randomly selects a backoff time within the CW. Higher priority ACs are associated with relatively smaller CWmin and CWmax values.

[0284] The TXOP limit represents the maximum length of time a device can continuously transmit data after successfully gaining channel access. Higher priority ACs are associated with longer TXOPs.

[0285] The following example illustrates how to handle and use the channel access parameters used by the first device on the first channel after switching from the first channel to the second channel.

[0286] Method a

[0287] In "Method a", one possible implementation for the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel is as follows:

[0288] The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time.

[0289] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device uses the channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can retain its current channel access parameters. These current channel access parameters include the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time. The first CW is a single CW value, the first QSRC is a single QSRC value, and the first backoff time is a single backoff time.

[0290] In one possible example, channel access on the first channel includes:

[0291] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0292] It should be noted that when the first device switches back to the first channel, or needs to access the channel again on the first channel, the first device retains the channel access parameters used when accessing the channel on the first channel before. Therefore, the first device can continue to use these channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel, which is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0293] In one possible example, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0294] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0295] In response to the failure of data transmission to be successfully initiated on the second channel by the first AC, channel access is performed on the first channel according to at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0296] The aforementioned channel access on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time includes: performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW and the first QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW and the first backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first backoff time.

[0297] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, if the first device has data to transmit for the first AC, it will use the channel access parameters associated with the first AC to access the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can retain the channel access parameters associated with the current first AC. At this time, the channel access parameters associated with the current first AC include the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time. The first CW is a CW value, the first QSRC is a QSRC value, and the first backoff time is a backoff time.

[0298] After the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it may fail to successfully initiate the transmission of the first AC data on the second channel. Therefore, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, it can continue to use the channel access parameters it previously used for channel access on the first channel. This helps to balance the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0299] Optionally, the first AC can be one of AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, or AC_BK.

[0300] Method B

[0301] In "Method b", one possible implementation for the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel is as follows:

[0302] The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW and the first QSRC.

[0303] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it uses the channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can retain its current channel access parameters. These current channel access parameters include the first CW and the first QSRC. The first CW is a single CW value, and the first QSRC is a single QSRC value. In other words, the first device does not retain a backoff time.

[0304] In one possible example, channel access on the first channel includes:

[0305] Randomly select a retreat time from the first CW to obtain the second retreat time;

[0306] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0307] The aforementioned channel access on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time includes: performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW and the first QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW and the second backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first QSRC and the second backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first CW; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the first QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the second backoff time.

[0308] It should be noted that when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device only retains the first CW and the first QSRC but not the backoff time, the first device can first randomly select a backoff time from the first CW and then access the channel on the first channel, which is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0309] In one possible example, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0310] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0311] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the fact that the first device has not lost NAV synchronization on the first channel, a backoff time is randomly selected from the first CW to obtain the second backoff time;

[0312] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0313] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, if the first device has data to transmit for the first AC, the first device will use the channel access parameters associated with the first AC to access the channel on the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device can retain the first CW and the first QSRC.

[0314] After the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can successfully initiate the transmission of the first AC on the second channel. Subsequently, after the first device switches back from the second channel to the first channel, it detects that the NAV synchronization on the first channel has not been lost.

[0315] Not losing NAV synchronization on the first channel can also be understood as not losing NAV synchronization on the first channel, or maintaining NAV synchronization on the first channel.

[0316] In this way, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first CW and the first QSRC are retained, the first AC successfully initiates transmission on the second channel, and the NAV synchronization on the first channel is not lost, the first device only needs to randomly select a backoff time from the first CW and then access the channel on the first channel, which is conducive to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0317] Optionally, the first AC can be one of AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, or AC_BK.

[0318] Method C

[0319] In "Method c", regarding the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel in response to the switch from the first channel to the second channel, one possible implementation is as follows:

[0320] In response to switching from the first channel to the second channel, the first device initializes the channel access parameters used by the first channel to obtain initialized channel access parameters, which include the second CW and the second QSRC.

[0321] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it uses the channel access parameters to access the channel on the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can initialize the current channel access parameters to obtain a second CW and a second QSRC, and retain both the second CW and the second QSRC. Here, the second CW is an initialized CW, such as CWmin. The second QSRC is an initialized QSRC value, such as 0.

[0322] In one possible example, channel access on the first channel includes:

[0323] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0324] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0325] The aforementioned channel access on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time includes: performing channel access on the first channel based on the second CW, the second QSRC, and the third backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the second CW and the second QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the second CW and the third backoff time; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the second QSRC; or performing channel access on the first channel based on the third backoff time.

[0326] It should be noted that when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the first device only retains the second CW and the second QSRC but does not retain the backoff time, the first device can first randomly select a backoff time from the second CW and then access the channel on the first channel, which is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0327] In one possible example, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0328] Channel access on the first channel includes:

[0329] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel by the first device, NAV synchronization on the first channel is restored;

[0330] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0331] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0332] It should be noted that before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, if the first device has data to transmit from the first AC, the first device will use the channel access parameters associated with the first AC to access the channel on the first channel. When the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device can initialize the channel access parameters associated with the current first AC to obtain the second CW and the second QSRC, and retain the second CW and the second QSRC.

[0333] After the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, it can successfully initiate the transmission of the first AC on the second channel. Subsequently, after the first device switches back from the second channel to the first channel, it detects a loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel.

[0334] Loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel can also be understood as losing NAV synchronization on the first channel, or failing to maintain NAV synchronization on the first channel.

[0335] In this way, when the first device switches back to the first channel and needs to access the channel again on the first channel, since the second CW and the second QSRC are retained, the first AC successfully initiates transmission on the second channel, and the NAV synchronization on the first channel is lost, the first device needs to restore the NAV synchronization on the first channel first, then randomly select a backoff time from the first CW, and finally access the channel on the first channel. This is beneficial to balancing the efficiency and fairness of channel access.

[0336] Optionally, restoring NAV synchronization on the first channel includes: waiting for the maximum duration of a PPDU on the first channel; or, detecting a PPDU on the first channel and updating the NAV on the first channel based on the PPDU.

[0337] Optionally, the first AC can be one of AC_VO, AC_VI, AC_BE, or AC_BK.

[0338] The following example illustrates the ability of the first device and the second device to interact on the first channel before the first device switches to the second channel.

[0339] In one possible example, before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device exchanges capability information on the first channel, the capability information indicating that the first device supports the switching and access to the second channel.

[0340] For example, the first device sends capability information to the second device on the first channel.

[0341] In this way, the capability information ensures that the second device knows that the first device supports the switching and access of the second channel, so that the first device can subsequently support the relevant processes of switching from the first channel to the second channel and accessing the second channel.

[0342] Optionally, capability information can be carried by a beacon frame, a probe request frame, or a probe response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact regarding the handover and access capabilities of the second channel during the probe phase.

[0343] Optionally, capability information is carried in the association request frame or association response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact regarding the handover and access capabilities of the second channel during the association phase.

[0344] Optionally, capability information is carried by a Re-Association Request frame or a Re-Association Response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact regarding the handover and access capabilities of the second channel during the re-association phase.

[0345] Optionally, capability information is carried in either a Tunneled Direct Link Setup Discovery Request (TDLSDiscovery Request) frame or a TDLS Discovery Response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact regarding handover and access capabilities for the second channel during the TDLS discovery phase.

[0346] Optionally, capability information is carried in a TDLS Setup Request frame or a TDLS Setup Response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact regarding the handover and access capabilities of the second channel during the TDLS setup phase.

[0347] Optionally, capability information is carried by UHR capabilities element information.

[0348] Optionally, capability information can be carried by a multi-link element.

[0349] The following example illustrates the interaction of operation parameter information between the first device and the second device on the first channel before the first device switches to the second channel.

[0350] In one possible example, before the first device switches from the first channel to the second channel, the first device exchanges operation parameter information on the first channel, the operation parameter information including at least one of the following: first information, second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, sixth information, seventh information, eighth information, or ninth information.

[0351] Optionally, the above-mentioned operation parameter information may include first information, second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, sixth information, seventh information, eighth information, and ninth information; or, the operation parameter information may include first information and second information; or, the operation parameter information may include first information, second information, and third information; or, the operation parameter information may include first information, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0352] It should be noted that the first information is used to enable or disable the handover mode. When the handover mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first channel and the second channel. When the handover mode is disabled, the first device cannot switch between the first channel and the second channel.

[0353] The second information is used to configure the location of the second channel. Thus, since there may be multiple channels in a wide channel, the first device and the second device can determine the location of the second channel in the wide channel through the second information.

[0354] The third information is used to configure the minimum duration of non-primary channel access. This minimum duration can refer to the minimum length of OBSS transmission displayed on the first channel before switching from the first channel to the second channel for access. If the duration of OBSS transmission on the second BSS exceeds this minimum duration of non-primary channel access, the first device triggers a switch from the first channel to the second channel. Thus, both the first and second devices obtain the minimum length of OBSS transmission displayed on the first channel through the third information.

[0355] The fourth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel. In this way, the first device and the second device can know the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel through the fourth piece of information.

[0356] The fifth piece of information is used to configure the latency for switching back to the first channel from the second channel. The latency for switching from the first channel to the second channel can be the same as or different from the latency for switching back to the first channel. If they are the same, the first device only needs to exchange either the fourth or fifth piece of information.

[0357] The sixth piece of information is used to configure the first duration threshold. In this way, the first device and the second device know the first duration threshold through the sixth piece of information.

[0358] The seventh piece of information is used to configure the second duration threshold. In this way, the first device and the second device know the second duration threshold through the seventh piece of information.

[0359] It is evident that the first device can exchange operating parameter information on the first channel, so that the first device and the second device can switch between the first channel and the second channel based on the operating parameter information.

[0360] Optionally, the operational parameter information is carried by the beacon frame or the probe response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact and communicate the operational parameter information during the probe phase.

[0361] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried in the association response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact and communicate the operation parameter information during the association phase.

[0362] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried in the reassociation response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact and communicate the operation parameter information during the reassociation phase.

[0363] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried in the TDLS discovery request frame or the TDLS discovery response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact and announce the operation parameter information during the TDLS discovery phase.

[0364] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried in a TDLS setup request frame or a TDLS setup response frame. Therefore, the first and second devices can interact and announce this operation parameter information during the TDLS setup phase.

[0365] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried by the UHR operation element information.

[0366] Optionally, the operation parameter information is carried by the action frame. In this way, the first device and the second device can interact and communicate the operation parameter information through the action frame.

[0367] The following examples illustrate how operation parameter information is carried by different types of action frames.

[0368] For example, operating parameter information can be carried by the Non-Main Channel Access Operating Parameter Notification (NPAC OPN) frame. The NPAC OPN frame is an action frame, as shown in Table 2.

[0369] In Table 2, the action field in the NPAC OPN frame includes at least one of the following: Category field, Protected UHR Action field, Dialog Token field, NPCA Control field, or NPCA Parameter field.

[0370] The category field is used to configure the UHR action for protection.

[0371] The dialogue token field is used to configure interaction matching.

[0372] The protected UHR action field is used to configure the action frame as an NPA OPN frame.

[0373] The NPCA control field is used to configure relevant control information for NPCA.

[0374] The NPCA parameter field is used to configure relevant parameter information for NPCA.

[0375] Table 2

[0376] The NPCA control fields in Table 2 include at least one of the following: NPCA Enable subfield, NPCA Parameter Present subfield, or Non-Trigger Uplink Transmission Enable subfield, as shown in Table 3.

[0377] The NPCA enable subfield is used to configure whether NPCA is enabled or disabled. A value of 0 indicates NPCA is disabled, while a value of 1 indicates NPCA is enabled. When NPCA is enabled, the first device can switch between the first and second channels.

[0378] The NPCA parameter field has a subfield, which is used to configure whether the NPCA parameter field exists. A value of 0 indicates that the NPCA parameter field does not exist; a value of 1 indicates that the NPCA parameter field exists.

[0379] The Non-Triggering Uplink Transmission Enable subfield is used to configure whether to enable or disable non-triggering NPCA uplink transmission.

[0380] Table 3

[0381] The NPCA parameter fields in Table 2 include at least one of the following: NPCA channel subfield, NPCA minimum duration subfield, NPCA handover delay subfield, NPCA handback delay subfield, first duration threshold subfield, or second duration threshold subfield, as shown in Table 4.

[0382] The NPCA channel subfield is used to configure the location of the second channel (i.e., the NPAC channel). Specifically, for the first device as an access point, it configures the NPAC channel of the first BSS; for the second device as a site, option 1: set to a default value; option 2: require it to be the same as the value configured for the access point; option 3: reserved value. These values ​​determine the location of the NPAC channel. In particular, it is used in the TDLS setup request frame to request configuration of the NPCA channel used for TDLS transmission; and in the TDLS setup response frame to configure the NPCA channel used for TDLS transmission.

[0383] The NPCA minimum duration subfield is used to configure the second working bandwidth used for WLAN communication in HC state.

[0384] The NPCA switching delay subfield is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel.

[0385] The NPCA switchback delay subfield is used to configure the delay when switching back to the first channel from the second channel.

[0386] The first duration threshold subfield is used to configure the first duration threshold.

[0387] The second duration threshold subfield is used to configure the second duration threshold.

[0388] Table 4

[0389] For example, operating parameter information can be carried by the UHR Operating Parameter Notification (UHR OPN) frame. The UHR OPN frame is an action frame, as shown in Table 5.

[0390] In Table 5, the action field in the UHR OPN frame includes at least one of the following: category field, protected UHR action field, dialogue token field, NPCA operating control field, or NPCA parameter field.

[0391] The category field is used to configure the UHR action for protection.

[0392] The dialogue token field is used to configure interaction matching.

[0393] The protected UHR action field is used to configure the action frame as a UHR OPN frame.

[0394] The UHR operation control field is used to configure the relevant functions of the UHR OPN. For example, this UHR OPN frame can be configured to enable or disable NPCA operations. In particular, when this UHR OPN frame is used to disable NPCA operations, the NPCA parameter does not exist.

[0395] The NPCA parameter field is used to configure relevant control information and parameters for the NPCA.

[0396] Table 5

[0397] The NPCA parameter fields in Table 5 include at least one of the following: non-triggered uplink transmission enable subfield, NPCA channel subfield, NPCA minimum duration subfield, NPCA handover delay subfield, NPCA handback delay subfield, first duration threshold subfield, or second duration threshold subfield, as shown in Table 6.

[0398] The Non-Triggering Uplink Transmission Enable subfield is used to configure whether to enable or disable non-triggering NPCA uplink transmission.

[0399] The NPCA channel subfield is used to configure the location of the second channel (i.e., the NPAC channel). Specifically, for the first device as an access point, it configures the NPAC channel of the first BSS; for the second device as a site, option 1: set to a default value; option 2: require it to be the same as the value configured for the access point; option 3: reserved value. These values ​​determine the location of the NPAC channel. In particular, it is used in the TDLS setup request frame to request configuration of the NPCA channel used for TDLS transmission; and in the TDLS setup response frame to configure the NPCA channel used for TDLS transmission.

[0400] The NPCA minimum duration subfield is used to configure the second working bandwidth used for WLAN communication in HC state.

[0401] The NPCA switching delay subfield is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel.

[0402] The NPCA switchback delay subfield is used to configure the delay when switching back to the first channel from the second channel.

[0403] The first duration threshold subfield is used to configure the first duration threshold.

[0404] The second duration threshold subfield is used to configure the second duration threshold.

[0405] Table 6

[0406] The following describes some embodiments of the channel access apparatus of this disclosure.

[0407] The foregoing mainly described the solutions of some embodiments of this disclosure from a methodological perspective. The functional units of the channel access apparatus of some embodiments of this disclosure are illustrated below. It is understood that, in order to achieve the above functions, the device includes hardware structures and / or software modules corresponding to the execution of each function. Those skilled in the art should readily recognize that, in conjunction with the units and algorithm steps of the examples described in the embodiments disclosed herein, some embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in hardware or by computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application 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 some embodiments of this disclosure.

[0408] Some embodiments of this disclosure can divide the device into functional units based on the above method examples. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional units, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing unit. The integrated unit can be implemented in hardware or as a software program module. It should be noted that the unit division in some embodiments of this disclosure is illustrative and only represents a logical functional division, while other division methods may be used in actual implementation.

[0409] In the case of using integrated units, FIG12 is a functional unit composition block diagram of a channel access device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The channel access device 1200 includes a channel switching unit 1201 and a channel access unit 1202.

[0410] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is a unit used for switching channels.

[0411] Optionally, the channel access unit 1202 is a unit for accessing a channel.

[0412] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may further include a communication unit. This communication unit may be a communication interface, transceiver, transceiver circuitry, etc. Additionally, the communication unit may include a transmitting unit and / or a receiving unit.

[0413] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may further include a storage unit for storing computer program code or instructions executed by the channel access device 1200. The storage unit may be a memory.

[0414] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may be a chip or a chip module.

[0415] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 and the channel access unit 1202 can be integrated into the processing unit.

[0416] It should be noted that the processing unit can be a processor or controller, such as a baseband processor, baseband chip, central processing unit (CPU), general-purpose processor, digital signal processor (DSP), application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component, or any combination thereof. It can implement or execute various exemplary logic blocks, modules, and circuits described in conjunction with some embodiments of this disclosure. The processing unit can also be a combination that implements computing functions, such as including one or more microprocessor combinations, a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, etc.

[0417] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 is used to perform any of the steps performed by the device / chip / chip module, etc., as described in the above method embodiments.

[0418] In specific implementation, the channel switching unit 1201 and the channel access unit 1202 are used to perform any of the steps in the above method embodiments, and when performing actions such as transmission, other units can be selectively invoked to complete the corresponding operation. A detailed description follows.

[0419] The channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch from the first channel to the second channel in response to detecting the OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel.

[0420] The channel access unit 1202 is used to perform channel access on the second channel;

[0421] The channel switching unit 1201 is also used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0422] The channel access unit 1202 is also used to perform channel access on the first channel.

[0423] It is evident that when the first device needs to perform data communication on the first channel, it will attempt to access the channel on the first channel. If the first device detects OBSS transmission of the second BSS during the channel access process on the first channel, it indicates that the first channel and the second BSS overlap, and the first channel is being occupied by the second BSS or is becoming busy.

[0424] In this way, the first device can choose to switch from the first channel to the second channel and perform channel access on the second channel in order to attempt data communication on the second channel. This enables channel switching and channel access to be performed in a wide channel, avoiding conflicts with the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0425] In addition, the first device can switch back to the first channel from the second channel, so that the first device can obtain the status of the first channel (such as idle or busy state), so that if the first channel becomes idle in advance before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can promptly access the channel on the idle first channel.

[0426] In particular, when the first channel is the primary channel, due to its importance, the first device switches back to the primary channel so that it can obtain the status of the primary channel (such as idle or busy). This allows the first device to promptly access the channel on the idle primary channel if the primary channel becomes idle before the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission. Alternatively, it can listen for or detect other BSS PPDUs on the primary channel and update the NAV on the primary channel, or set relevant parameters based on the signals on the primary channel, thereby ensuring the network efficiency of the first device.

[0427] Optionally, when switching back from the second channel to the first channel, the channel switching unit 1201 is used for:

[0428] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0429] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, and the time interval between the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0430] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0431] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel, and is used for:

[0432] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0433] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment when the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is detected.

[0434] The end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0435] The time interval between the end time or expected end time of the OBSS transmission of the third BSS and the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

[0436] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel, and is used for:

[0437] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0438] The first moment is the moment before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS and the moment between the completion of the switch from the first channel to the second channel and the first duration threshold.

[0439] The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

[0440] Optionally, the first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0441] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel, and is used for:

[0442] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0443] The first moment is the end time of the first window after the first signaling is sent, and the end time of the first window is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0444] The first signaling is used to determine the reception status of the second device in the first BSS on the second channel;

[0445] The first window is used to receive the response to the first signaling.

[0446] Optionally, the first signaling may include RTS, MU-RTS, or ICF.

[0447] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel, and is used for:

[0448] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0449] The first moment is the completion time of the first transmission on the second channel, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device in the first BSS;

[0450] The completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, or the completion time of the first transmission is within a second duration threshold after the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0451] Optionally, the second time threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or the default.

[0452] Optionally, the channel switching unit 1201 is used to switch back from the second channel to the first channel, and is used for:

[0453] In response to the first instant, switch back from the second channel to the first channel;

[0454] The first moment is the end time of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0455] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may also include a parameter reservation unit;

[0456] The parameter retention unit is used to retain the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW, the first QSRC, and the first backoff time.

[0457] Optionally, during channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0458] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0459] Optionally, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0460] During channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0461] In response to the failure of data transmission to be successfully initiated on the second channel by the first AC, channel access is performed on the first channel according to at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the first backoff time.

[0462] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may also include a parameter reservation unit;

[0463] The parameter retention unit is used to retain the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first CW and the first QSRC.

[0464] Optionally, during channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0465] Randomly select a retreat time from the first CW to obtain the second retreat time;

[0466] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0467] Optionally, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0468] During channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0469] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the fact that the first device has not lost the Network Allocation Vector (NAV) synchronization on the first channel, a backoff time is randomly selected from the first CW to obtain the second backoff time;

[0470] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first CW, the first QSRC, or the second backoff time.

[0471] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may also include a parameter reservation unit;

[0472] The parameter reservation unit is used to initialize the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel in response to the switching of the first channel to the second channel to obtain the initialized channel access parameters. The initialized channel access parameters include the second CW and the second QSRC.

[0473] Optionally, during channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0474] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0475] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0476] Optionally, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first AC of the first device;

[0477] During channel access on the first channel, the channel access unit 1202 is used for:

[0478] In response to the successful initiation of data transmission on the second channel by the first AC and the loss of NAV synchronization on the first channel by the first device, NAV synchronization on the first channel is restored;

[0479] Randomly select a retreat time from the second CW to obtain the third retreat time;

[0480] Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second CW, the second QSRC, or the third backoff time.

[0481] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may also include a communication unit;

[0482] The communication unit is used to exchange capability information on the first channel, the capability information indicating that the first device supports switching and access to the second channel.

[0483] Optionally, the capability information may be carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe request frame, probe response frame, association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and multi-link element information.

[0484] Optionally, the channel access device 1200 may also include a communication unit;

[0485] The communication unit is used to exchange operation parameter information on the first channel. The operation parameter information includes at least one of the following: first information, second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, sixth information, or seventh information.

[0486] The first information is used to configure the enabling or disabling of the switching mode. When the switching mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first channel and the second channel.

[0487] The second piece of information is used to configure the location of the second channel;

[0488] The third piece of information is used to configure the minimum duration of non-primary channel access.

[0489] The fourth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel;

[0490] The fifth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching back to the first channel from the second channel;

[0491] The sixth piece of information is used to configure the first duration threshold;

[0492] The seventh piece of information is used to configure the second duration threshold.

[0493] Optionally, the operation parameter information may be carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and action frame.

[0494] The structure of a device according to some embodiments of this disclosure is illustrated below.

[0495] Please refer to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The device 1300 may include a processor 1310, a memory 1320, and a communication bus for connecting the processor 1310 and the memory 1320.

[0496] Optionally, the memory 1320 may include, but is not limited to, RAM, ROM, EPROM or CD-ROM, and the memory 1320 is used to store the program code executed by the device 1300 and the data transmitted.

[0497] Optionally, the device 1300 also includes a communication interface for receiving and sending data.

[0498] Optionally, device 1300 can be the device described above.

[0499] Optionally, the processor 1310 can be one or more CPUs. If the processor 1310 is a CPU, the CPU can be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

[0500] Optionally, the processor 1310 can be a baseband chip, chip, CPU, general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, transistor logic device, hardware component or any combination thereof.

[0501] In some possible examples, the processor 1310 in device 1300 is used to execute a computer program or instruction 1321 stored in memory 1320 to perform the following operations:

[0502] In response to the detection of OBSS transmission of the second BSS on the first channel, the system switches from the first channel to the second channel and performs channel access on the second channel.

[0503] Switching back to the first channel from the second channel, and accessing the channel on the first channel.

[0504] It is evident that when the first device needs to perform data communication on the first channel, it will attempt to access the channel on the first channel. If the first device detects OBSS transmission of the second BSS during the channel access process on the first channel, it indicates that the first channel and the second BSS overlap, and the first channel is being occupied by the second BSS or is becoming busy.

[0505] In this way, the first device can choose to switch from the first channel to the second channel and perform channel access on the second channel in order to attempt data communication on the second channel. This enables channel switching and channel access to be performed in a wide channel, avoiding conflicts with the OBSS transmission of the second BSS.

[0506] In addition, the first device can switch back to the first channel from the second channel, so that the first device can obtain the status of the first channel (such as idle or busy state), so that if the first channel becomes idle in advance before the end of the OBSS transmission of the second BSS, the first device can promptly access the channel on the idle first channel.

[0507] In particular, when the first channel is the primary channel, due to its importance, the first device switches back to the primary channel so that it can obtain the status of the primary channel (such as idle or busy). This allows the first device to promptly access the channel on the idle primary channel if the primary channel becomes idle before the end of the second BSS's OBSS transmission. Alternatively, it can listen for or detect other BSS PPDUs on the primary channel and update the NAV on the primary channel, or set relevant parameters based on the signals on the primary channel, thereby ensuring the network efficiency of the first device.

[0508] Optionally, device 1300 can be either the first device or the second device.

[0509] It should be noted that the specific implementation of each operation can adopt the corresponding description of the method embodiments shown above. The device 1300 can be used to execute some embodiments of the present disclosure and the above method embodiments, which will not be described again.

[0510] Other related content of some embodiments of this disclosure will be illustrated below.

[0511] Optionally, the above method embodiments can be applied to either the first device or the second device. That is, the executing entity of the above method embodiments can be a device, a chip, a chip module, or a module, etc., and there are no specific limitations on this.

[0512] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including a first device and a second device.

[0513] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a chip including a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0514] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a chip module, including a transceiver component and a chip, the chip including a processor, a memory and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory, wherein the processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0515] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0516] Some embodiments of this disclosure also provide a computer program product, including a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the steps described in the above method embodiments.

[0517] It should be noted that, for the sake of simplicity, the above embodiments are all described as a series of actions. Those skilled in the art should understand that this disclosure is not limited to the described order of actions, as some steps in some embodiments of this disclosure may be performed in other orders or simultaneously. Furthermore, those skilled in the art should also understand that the embodiments described in the specification are preferred embodiments, and the actions, steps, modules, or units involved are not necessarily essential to the embodiments of this disclosure. All embodiments of this disclosure can be performed individually or in combination with other embodiments, and all are considered to be within the scope of protection claimed by this disclosure.

[0518] In the above embodiments, the descriptions of various embodiments of this disclosure have different focuses. For parts not described in detail in a certain embodiment, please refer to the relevant descriptions of other embodiments.

[0519] The steps of the methods or algorithms described in some embodiments of this disclosure can be implemented in hardware or by a processor executing software instructions. The software instructions can consist of corresponding software modules, which can be stored in RAM, flash memory, ROM, EPROM, electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), registers, hard disk, portable hard disk, read-only optical disk (CD-ROM), or any other form of storage medium well known in the art. An exemplary storage medium is coupled to a processor, enabling the processor to read information from and write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium can also be a component of the processor. The processor and storage medium can reside in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC can reside in a terminal device or management device. Alternatively, the processor and storage medium can exist as discrete components in the terminal device or management device.

[0520] Those skilled in the art will recognize that the functions described in some embodiments of this disclosure in one or more of the above examples can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, it can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. This computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When these computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in some embodiments of this disclosure 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 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 accessible to a computer or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media can be magnetic media (e.g., floppy disks, hard disks, magnetic tapes), optical media (e.g., digital video discs (DVDs)), or semiconductor media (e.g., solid-state disks (SSDs)).

[0521] The modules or units included in the various devices and products described in the above embodiments can be software modules or units, hardware modules or units, or a combination of both. For example, for devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using software programs that run on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For devices and products applied to or integrated into a chip module, all modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. The implementation is achieved through a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices or products applied to or integrated into terminal equipment, each of its modules or units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules or units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components within the terminal equipment. Alternatively, at least some modules or units can be implemented using a software program that runs on a processor integrated within the terminal equipment, while the remaining modules or units (if any) can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

Claims

1. A channel access method, comprising: A first device applied to a first basic service set; the method includes: In response to detecting an overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set on a first channel of the first basic service set, switching from the first channel to the second channel of the first basic service set, and performing channel access on the second channel; Switching back to the first channel from the second channel, and performing channel access on the first channel.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first time is the time before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set, and the time interval between the first time and the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set is less than or equal to the first duration threshold. The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first time is the time before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set, and the time when the overlapping basic service set transmission of the third basic service set is detected. The end time or expected end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the third basic service set is before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set. The time interval between the end time or expected end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the third basic service set and the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set is less than or equal to the first duration threshold.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first time is the time before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set and the time interval between the completion time of the first channel switching to the second channel and the first time interval threshold. The first device did not participate in transmission on the second channel at the first moment.

5. The method according to any one of claims 2-4, characterized in that, The first duration threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or default.

6. The method of claim 1, wherein, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first time is the end time of the first window after the first signaling is sent, and the end time of the first window is before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set. The first signaling is used to determine the reception status of the second device in the first basic service set on the second channel; The first window is a window used to receive the response of the first signaling.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein, The first signaling includes a request to send frame, a multi-user request to send frame, or an initial control frame.

8. The method of claim 1, wherein, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first moment is the completion time of the first transmission on the second channel, and the first transmission is the transmission between the first device and the second device in the first basic service set; The completion time of the first transmission is before the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set, or the completion time of the first transmission is within a second duration threshold after the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second time threshold is determined by network configuration, pre-configuration, standard protocol specifications, or default.

10. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The switching back from the second channel to the first channel includes: In response to the first moment, switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The first moment is the end time of the overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set.

11. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first contention window, the first quality of service device data retransmission count, and the first backoff time.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The channel access on the first channel includes: Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first contention window, the first number of service quality device data retransmissions, or the first backoff time.

13. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first access category of the first device. The channel access on the first channel includes: In response to the failure of data of the first access category to be successfully transmitted on the second channel, channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first contention window, the first number of service quality device data retransmissions, or the first backoff time.

14. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel when switching from the first channel to the second channel are retained. The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel include the first contention window and the first quality of service device data retransmission count.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The channel access on the first channel includes: Randomly select a backoff time from the first competition window to obtain a second backoff time; Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first contention window, the first QoS device data retransmission count, or the second backoff time.

16. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first access category of the first device. The channel access on the first channel includes: In response to the successful initiation of data transmission of the first access category on the second channel and the fact that the first device has not lost network allocation vector synchronization on the first channel, a second backoff time is randomly selected from the first contention window; Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the first contention window, the first QoS device data retransmission count, or the second backoff time.

17. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method includes: In response to the switching of the first channel to the second channel, the channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are initialized to obtain initialized channel access parameters, which include the second contention window and the second quality of service device data retransmission count.

18. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The channel access on the first channel includes: Randomly select a retreat time from the second competition window to obtain a third retreat time; Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second contention window, the second quality of service device data retransmission count, or the third backoff time.

19. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that, The channel access parameters used by the first device for the first channel are associated with the first access category of the first device. The channel access on the first channel includes: In response to the successful initiation of data transmission of the first access category on the second channel and the loss of network allocation vector synchronization on the first channel by the first device, network allocation vector synchronization on the first channel is restored; A third retreat time is obtained by randomly selecting a retreat time from the second competition window; Channel access is performed on the first channel based on at least one of the second contention window, the second quality of service device data retransmission count, or the third backoff time.

20. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device exchanges capability information on the first channel, the capability information indicating that the first device supports switching and access to the second channel.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The capability information is carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe request frame, probe response frame, association request frame, association response frame, reassociation request frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and multi-link element information.

22. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The method further includes: The operation parameter information is exchanged on the first channel, and the operation parameter information includes at least one of the following: first information, second information, third information, fourth information, fifth information, sixth information, or seventh information. The first information is used to configure the enabling or disabling of the switching mode. When the switching mode is enabled, the first device can switch between the first channel and the second channel. The second information is used to configure the location of the second channel; The third piece of information is used to configure the minimum duration of non-master channel access; The fourth piece of information is used to configure the delay when switching from the first channel to the second channel; The fifth piece of information is used to configure the delay for switching back from the second channel to the first channel; The sixth piece of information is used to configure the first duration threshold; The seventh piece of information is used to configure the second duration threshold.

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The operational parameter information is carried by one of the following: beacon frame, probe response frame, association response frame, reassociation response frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery request frame, tunnel direct link establishment discovery response frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting request frame, tunnel direct link establishment setting response frame, ultra-high reliability capability element information, and action frame.

24. A channel access device, characterized in that, include: A channel switching unit is configured to switch from the first channel to the second channel of the first basic service set in response to detecting an overlapping basic service set transmission of the second basic service set on a first channel of the first basic service set. A channel access unit is used to perform channel access on the second channel; The channel switching unit is further configured to switch back from the second channel to the first channel; The channel access unit is also used to perform channel access on the first channel.

25. A device, characterized in that, The device is a first device, which includes a processor, a memory, and a computer program or instructions stored in the memory. The processor executes the computer program or instructions to implement the method of any one of claims 1-23.

26. A chip comprising a processor and an interface circuit, wherein the processor is connected to the interface circuit, characterized in that, The processor is used to implement the method according to any one of claims 1-23.

27. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It stores a computer program or instructions that, when executed, implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-23.

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