Wireless communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a wireless communication method and a communication device. The method comprises: a first station sending a first frame to a second station, wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operation mode, and the first station and the third station belong to the same MLD. The first operation mode may be, for example, a DUO mode. Therefore, by means of a first frame, a communication device may report availability information and / or unavailability information of other devices in the DUO mode that belong to the same MLD.

Description

Wireless communication methods and communication devices Technical Field

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

[0002] Some communication technologies support operating modes such as dynamic unavailability operation (DUO). DUO mode can be used for coexistence operation. Coexistence operation (such as in-device coexistence, IDC) refers to the fact that a Wireless Fidelity (WiFi) (i.e., 3rd Generation Partnership Project, IEEE 802.11) site can share its radio resources with other technologies (such as Bluetooth, BT, etc.) or other STAs attached to the same MLD, making the WiFi site potentially unavailable at certain times and / or on certain frequencies (i.e., WiFi-based communication is unavailable), or potentially operating with limited operational capabilities. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This application provides a wireless communication method and a communication device. The various aspects covered by this application are described below.

[0004] In a first aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: a first station sending a first frame to a second station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station being attached to the same multi-link device (MLD).

[0005] In a second aspect, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: a second station receiving a first frame transmitted by a first station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station being affiliated with the same MLD.

[0006] Thirdly, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: under the condition of satisfying a first condition, a first station sending a second frame to a second station; wherein the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in a first operating mode.

[0007] Fourthly, a wireless communication method is provided, the method comprising: a second station receiving a second frame transmitted by a first station; wherein the second frame is transmitted under a first condition, and the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in a first operating mode.

[0008] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, which is a first station. The communication device includes: a first transmitting unit for transmitting a first frame to a second station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station are attached to the same MLD.

[0009] In a sixth aspect, a wireless communication device is provided, the communication device being a second station, the communication device comprising: a first receiving unit for receiving a first frame transmitted by a first station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station being attached to the same MLD.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, which is a first station. The communication device includes: a second transmitting unit that, when a first condition is met, transmits a second frame to a second station; wherein the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in a first operating mode.

[0011] Eighthly, a communication device is provided, which is a second station. The communication device includes: a second receiving unit for receiving a second frame sent by a first station; wherein the second frame is sent under a first condition, and the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in a first operating mode.

[0012] A ninth aspect provides a communication device including a processor and a memory, the memory for storing one or more computer programs, the processor for invoking the computer programs in the memory to enable some or all of the steps of the methods described in the preceding aspects of the communication device.

[0013] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including the aforementioned communication device. In another possible design, the system may further include other devices that interact with the communication device as described in the embodiments of this application.

[0014] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program that causes a communication device to perform some or all of the steps in the methods described above.

[0015] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product, wherein the computer program product includes a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program operable to cause a communication device to perform some or all of the steps of the methods described in the foregoing aspects. In some implementations, the computer program product may be a software installation package.

[0016] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including a memory and a processor, the processor being able to call and run a computer program from the memory to implement some or all of the steps described in the methods of the foregoing aspects.

[0017] In this application, the first operating mode can be, for example, DUO mode. Therefore, the communication device can report its own available and / or unavailable information in DUO mode via the second frame, and / or, the communication device can report the available and / or unavailable information of other devices attached to the same MLD in DUO mode via the first frame. On the one hand, a station in DUO mode (including the first station and / or the second station) can allow its peer station to obtain its available and / or unavailable information in a timely manner. On the other hand, the method for reporting available and / or unavailable information in this application is more flexible. Furthermore, if a device is unable to report its own available and / or unavailable information, this application can report the device's available and / or unavailable information through other stations attached to the same MLD, thereby ensuring the reporting of available and / or unavailable information. Attached Figure Description

[0018] Figure 1A is a schematic diagram of a wireless communication system used in an embodiment of this application.

[0019] Figure 1B is an example diagram of MLD.

[0020] Figure 2 is a schematic flowchart of a wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0021] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart of another wireless communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0022] Figure 4A is a format example diagram of a first control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0023] Figure 4B is a format example diagram of a first list field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0024] Figure 4C is a format example diagram of a second list field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0025] Figure 4D is a format example diagram of an available indicator field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0026] Figure 4E is a format example diagram of an unavailable indicator field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0027] Figure 4F is a format example diagram of a first element provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0028] Figure 4G is a format example diagram of the subfield of each AID TID information.

[0029] Figure 4H is a format example diagram of a feedback field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0030] Figure 5A is a format example diagram of an operation mode parameter field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0031] Figure 5B is a format example diagram of an ultra-high reliability (UHR) control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0032] Figure 5C is an example diagram of the format of a control field.

[0033] Figure 5D is a format example diagram of the control information subfield of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0034] Figure 6 is an example diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 3 of this application.

[0035] Figure 7 is an example diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 4 of this application.

[0036] Figure 8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 8B is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 9B is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0042] Communication system

[0043] The technical solutions of this application can be applied to various communication systems, such as wireless local area networks (WLAN), wireless fidelity (WiFi), high-performance radio local area networks (HIPELAN), wide area networks (WAN), cellular networks, or other communication systems. For example, the technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to communication systems using the 802.11 standard. Exemplarily, the 802.11 standard includes, but is not limited to, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard, and the next-generation 802.11 standard (post802.11bn).

[0044] Figure 1A shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to embodiments of this application. Referring to Figure 1A, the communication devices in the communication system 100 may include access points (APs) 111 and 112, and stations (STAs) 121 and 122, wherein STA 121 can access the network through AP 111, and STA 122 can access the network through AP 112.

[0045] In some implementations, a STA can establish an association with one or more APs, after which the associated STAs and APs can communicate with each other. As shown in Figure 1A, AP 111 and STA 121 can communicate after establishing an association, and AP 112 and STA 122 can communicate after establishing an association.

[0046] In some implementations, the communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between an AP and a non-AP STA, communication between two non-AP STAs, or communication between a STA and a peer STA. Here, a peer STA can refer to a device that communicates with the STA's counterpart. For example, a peer STA may be an AP or a non-AP STA.

[0047] It should be understood that Figure 1A exemplarily shows two AP STAs and two non-AP STAs. The communication system 100 may also include more AP STAs, or the communication system 100 may include other numbers of non-AP STAs. This application embodiment does not limit this.

[0048] In addition, the above-mentioned communication system can be applied to scenarios involving multi-device collaboration, such as multi-AP (multi-access points) collaboration or multi-site collaboration.

[0049] In the embodiments of this application, the names of AP and / or STA are not limited. In some scenarios, AP can also be called AP STA, that is, in a sense, AP is also a kind of STA. In other scenarios, STA can also be called non-AP STA (non-AP STA).

[0050] In some scenarios, the aforementioned communication equipment can also be a "multi-link device (MLD)," meaning a device that can communicate through multiple communication links. These multiple communication links can include communication links in different frequency bands, such as millimeter-wave bands and / or low-frequency bands. Typically, if the multi-link device is an access point (AP), it can also be called an "AP MLD." If the multi-link device is a non-AP STA, it can also be called a "non-AP MLD."

[0051] In this application embodiment, the AP can be a device in a wireless network. The AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity. Alternatively, the AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, the AP can also be a chip, circuit, or processing system within these various forms of devices, thereby implementing the methods and functions of this application embodiment. APs can be applied in various scenarios, such as sensor nodes in smart cities (e.g., smart water meters, smart electricity meters, smart air quality monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (e.g., smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, audio equipment, refrigerators, washing machines, etc.), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (e.g., AR, VR, and other wearable devices), smart devices in smart offices (e.g., printers, projectors, etc.), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, and some infrastructure in daily life scenarios (e.g., vending machines, supermarket self-service navigation kiosks, self-service checkout machines, self-service ordering machines, etc.).

[0052] In some implementations, the role of the STA in the communication system is not absolute; in some scenarios, the STA can act as an AP. For example, in a scenario where a mobile phone connects to a router, the mobile phone can be a non-AP STA, while when the mobile phone acts as a hotspot for other mobile phones, it acts as an AP.

[0053] In the embodiments of this application, the STA can be a device with wireless transceiver capabilities, such as one that supports the 802.11 series of protocols and can communicate with the AP or other STAs. For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows users to communicate with the AP and thus with the WLAN. STAs include, for example, user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station, remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal, wireless communication equipment, user agent, or user device, etc.

[0054] In this application embodiment, the STA can also be a device that provides voice / data / image connectivity to the user, such as a handheld device, vehicle device, home device, home appliance, gaming device, etc., with wireless connection function or equipped with a wireless communication module. Examples include: mobile phones, tablets, laptops, PDAs, mobile internet devices (MIDs), wearable devices, virtual reality (VR) devices, augmented reality (AR) devices, wireless terminals in industrial control, wireless terminals in self-driving vehicles, drones or aerial photography equipment, wireless terminals in remote medical surgery, wireless terminals in smart grids, wireless terminals in transportation safety, wireless terminals in smart cities, wireless terminals in smart homes, cellular phones, cordless phones, session initiation protocol (SIP) phones, wireless local loop (WLL) stations, personal digital assistants (PDAs), handheld devices with wireless communication capabilities, computing devices or other processing devices connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle devices, wearable devices, terminal devices in 5G networks, or future evolution of public land mobile communication networks. Terminal devices in a network (PLMN) can also be televisions, refrigerators, washing machines, kitchen appliances, door locks, fish tanks, robot vacuum cleaners, game consoles, cameras / camcorders, etc. with wireless connectivity, but this application embodiment is not limited to these.

[0055] By way of example and not limitation, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a wearable device. Wearable devices, also known as wearable smart devices, are a general term for devices that utilize wearable technology to intelligently design and develop everyday wearables, such as glasses, gloves, watches, clothing, and shoes. Examples include smartwatches or smart glasses, as well as devices that focus on a specific type of application function and require cooperation with other devices such as smartphones, such as various smart bracelets and smart jewelry for vital sign monitoring.

[0056] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can also be a terminal device in an Internet of Things (IoT) system. IoT is an important component of future information technology development, and its main technical feature is connecting objects to networks through communication technologies, thereby realizing an intelligent network for human-machine interconnection and object-to-object interconnection. In this embodiment, IoT technology can achieve massive connectivity, deep coverage, and low terminal power consumption through technologies such as narrowband (NB).

[0057] Furthermore, in this embodiment, the STA can be a device in a vehicle-to-everything (V2X) system. The communication methods in a V2X system are collectively referred to as V2X (where X represents anything). For example, V2X communication includes: vehicle-to-vehicle (V2V) communication, vehicle-to-infrastructure (V2I) communication, vehicle-to-pedestrian (V2P) communication, or vehicle-to-network (V2N) communication, etc.

[0058] In addition, in the embodiments of this application, the STA may also include sensors such as smart printers, train detectors, and gas stations. Its main functions include collecting data (some terminal devices), receiving control information and downlink data from the AP, and sending electromagnetic waves to transmit data to the AP.

[0059] In addition, the AP in this application embodiment can be a device for communicating with the STA. The AP can be a network device in a wireless local area network, and the AP can be used to communicate with the STA through the wireless local area network.

[0060] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the AP, in some implementations, the AP can be a device that supports the 802.11be standard. The AP can also be a device that supports various current and future 802.11 family WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0061] From the perspective of the communication standards supported by the STA, in some implementations, non-AP STAs can support the 802.11be standard. Non-AP STAs can also support various current and future 802.11 family of wireless local area networks (WLAN) standards, such as 802.11ax, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11a.

[0062] In this application embodiment, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology are not limited. In some implementations, the frequency bands supported by WLAN technology may include, but are not limited to: low frequency bands (e.g., 2.4GHz, 5GHz, 6GHz) and high frequency bands (e.g., 45GHz, 60GHz).

[0063] It should be understood that the specific forms of STA and AP are not specifically limited in the embodiments of this application, and are merely illustrative examples.

[0064] Multi-link operation (MLO)

[0065] The relevant technologies define MLO and AP MLD and non-AP MLD devices with MLO capability. Multiple links can be established between AP MLD and non-AP MLD on multiple different frequency bands / channels.

[0066] Figure 1B is an example diagram of an MLD. As shown in Figure 1B, three links are established between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD on 2.4GHz, 5GHz, and 6GHz, respectively, referred to as Link 1, Link 2, and Link 3. These three links can operate simultaneously. AP 1 operating on Link 1 (2.4GHz), AP 2 operating on Link 2 (5GHz), and AP 3 operating on Link 3 (6GHz) are referred to as affiliated APs of the AP MLD. Similarly, non-AP STA 1 operating on Link 1 (2.4GHz), non-AP STA 2 operating on Link 2 (5GHz), and non-AP STA 3 operating on Link 3 (6GHz) are referred to as affiliated non-AP STAs of the non-AP MLD.

[0067] DUO mode

[0068] DUO mode addresses coexistence operations. Coexistence operations (such as in-device coexistence, IDC) refer to the situation where a WiFi (IEEE 802.11) station can share its radio resources with other technologies (such as BitTorrent) or other STAs attached to the same MLD. This can cause WiFi stations to be unavailable at certain times and / or on certain frequencies (i.e., WiFi-based communication is unavailable), or to operate with limited capabilities. Improving coexistence operations is crucial for enhancing wireless resource utilization efficiency. A lack of coexistence handling mechanisms or protocols can lead to data loss, increased latency, reduced reliability, and decreased frequency utilization efficiency.

[0069] When a DUO non-AP STA and its associated AP are operating in DUO mode, the associated AP that initiates frame exchange with the non-AP STA sends a DUO initial control frame (ICF) to the non-AP STA. This frame exchange is neither a multicast data frame nor a multicast management frame. Furthermore, the ICF for DUO mode (abbreviated as DUO ICF) can be a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger frame. This frame requests or permits the STA in DUO mode to include an initial control response (ICR) frame containing unavailability information in its transmitted PPDU as a response to the received BSRP frame. The DUO ICR frame containing unavailability information can be a multi-STA block acknowledgment (BA) frame. A DUO non-AP STA (i.e., a transmission opportunity (TXOP) responder) operating in DUO mode can indicate in a multisite block acknowledgment frame whether it will be unavailable after a specific time point, and if known, how long it will be unavailable. To describe the period of unavailability, the multisite block acknowledgment frame should include the unavailability target start time field subfield and the unavailability duration subfield as described in the multisite block acknowledgment variant.

[0070] When a DUO AP receives a multisite block acknowledgment frame for itself from a DUO STA operating in DUO mode, which includes an unavailable target start time field, the AP will consider the STA unavailable if: at or after the target time indicated in the unavailable target start time field; until the time indicated in the unavailable target start time field plus the duration indicated in the unavailable duration field, if the unavailable duration field is not set to "unknown duration", and other conditions that make it available, whichever comes first.

[0071] The following describes some methods for reporting unavailable information proposed by technical solutions.

[0072] Option 1

[0073] Scheme 1 focuses on unavailability reporting at the TXOP level, proposing an IDC information reporting method based on ICF / ICR. Specifically, the AP sends an ICF requesting STAs located in the IDC to report IDC unavailability information. The STA then responds with an ICF frame by reporting the IDC unavailability information in an ICR frame. Additionally, this scheme also proposes an unsolicited unavailability reporting method, allowing STAs in the IDC to actively compete for the channel and then report their unavailability information in an ICF frame. Furthermore, this scheme recommends using BSRP trigger frames.

[0074] Option 2

[0075] Scheme 2 proposes format definitions for certain fields of ICF and ICR applied to IDC scenarios. Specifically, for multi-user scenarios, BSRP, as an ICF, can request an ICR, which carries IDC feedback in TB PPDU format; for single-user scenarios, BSRP can request an ICR, which can carry IDC feedback in non-high-throughput (HT) duplicate (DUP) PPDU format to obtain better network allocation vector (NAV) protection from legacy STAs.

[0076] Option 3

[0077] Option 3 focuses on non-periodic / unpredictable IDC information reporting. IDC information can be dynamically transmitted in the ICF / ICR at the start of a TXOP, and during the TXOP, it is dynamically transmitted by the TXOP holder and TXOP responder in several frames (such as Quality of Service (QoS) data frames, BA frames). It is anticipated that IDC information will primarily be notified non-requestively, rather than based on requests. This option also addresses some detailed design considerations and several issues related to instructing IDC information: primarily focusing on aggregated control (A-control), ICF / ICR, and BA carrying IDC information (or further control information); specifically, there may be a flexible response trigger frame (TF) to carry the direction of one or more control messages (including IDC information).

[0078] Option 4

[0079] Scheme 4 proposes a draft standard regarding MAC coexistence. The Unavailability Reporting Mechanism section describes a set of mechanisms that allow a STA to notify its peer STA of its unavailability. The Dynamic Unavailability Operation Mode section describes a mechanism by which a non-AP STA indicates unavailability in certain control frames, where unavailability may overlap with an ongoing TXOP. The Periodic Unavailability Indication section describes how a non-AP STA notifies its associated AP of its (periodic) service period of unavailability. The Periodic AP Power Saving section describes how and under what conditions an AP can operate its BSS during (periodic) service periods, during which the AP will be unavailable. Additionally, the scheme describes a parameter update mechanism based on management-level signaling that allows a non-AP STA to limit its operational capabilities when encountering in-device coexistence issues.

[0080] Figures 2 and 3 are both schematic flowcharts of the wireless communication method provided in the embodiments of this application. The method shown in Figure 2 or Figure 3 can be executed by a first station and a second station. Both the first station and the second station can be the communication devices described above.

[0081] For example, the first site may include a first non-AP STA, and the second site may include an AP. The first non-AP STA may be associated with an AP. For instance, the first non-AP STA may be a DUO non-AP STA (i.e., a non-AP STA that supports DUO), and the AP may be a DUO AP associated with the first non-AP STA (i.e., an AP that supports providing services to non-AP STAs in DUO mode).

[0082] The technical solutions provided in this application may also be related to a third site. The third site and the first site can be attached to the same MLD. For example, the first site can be a first non-AP STA attached to a non-AP MLD, and the third site can be a second non-AP STA attached to a non-AP MLD. The second non-AP STA can be a DUO non-AP STA. The second site can be a first AP attached to an AP MLD. The first AP can be on the same link as the first non-AP STA and on a different link from the second non-AP STA.

[0083] The method shown in Figure 2 may include step S210.

[0084] In step S210, the first station sends a first frame to the second station. The first frame carries the following information: availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode.

[0085] The method shown in Figure 3 may include step S310.

[0086] In step S310, the first station sends a second frame to the second station. The second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode. The second frame is sent under the condition that a first condition is met.

[0087] In this application, the first operating mode can be DUO mode or IDC.

[0088] In some embodiments, the first station can be a non-MLD. Therefore, a non-MLD can transmit its own availability and / or unavailability information in the first operating mode via the second frame.

[0089] In some embodiments, a first site may be attached to an MLD. An MLD may be attached to multiple sites. These multiple sites may include a first site and a third site. The first site may transmit its own availability and / or unavailability information in a first operating mode via a second frame. The first site may also transmit the availability and / or unavailability information of a third site in the first operating mode via a first frame. That is, the first site can assist other sites attached to the same MLD in reporting availability and / or unavailability information. In other words, the first site can report availability and / or unavailability information across links.

[0090] It should be noted that the available and / or unavailable information of the first and third sites in the first operating mode may be the same or different, and this application does not impose any restrictions on this.

[0091] Therefore, in this application, the communication device can report its own available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode through the second frame, and / or, the communication device can report the available and / or unavailable information of other devices attached to the same MLD in the first operating mode through the first frame. On the one hand, through the first or second frame, a station in the first operating mode (including the first station and / or the third station) can allow its peer station to obtain its available and / or unavailable information in a timely manner. On the other hand, the method of reporting available and / or unavailable information in this application is more flexible. Furthermore, in the case where a device is unable to report its own available and / or unavailable information, this application can report the device's available and / or unavailable information through other stations attached to the same MLD, thereby ensuring the reporting of available and / or unavailable information.

[0092] It should be noted that available or unavailable information can also be referred to as DUO information. In an IDC (Internet Data Center) scenario, available or unavailable information can also be referred to as IDC information, i.e., information related to the IDC. In other words, the first or second frame can be used to report DUO information, and / or, the first or second frame can be used to report IDC information.

[0093] It should be noted that unavailability information can be used to describe a site's unavailability during a certain period. Unavailability can refer to the inability to perform WiFi-based operations, or the limitation of WiFi operations. For example, unavailability information in the first operating mode can be used to describe information related to unavailability time in DUO mode or IDC mode. For instance, unavailability information in DUO mode or IDC mode can include one or more of the following: unavailability target start time, and unavailability duration. The unavailability target start time can be carried in the unavailability target start time subfield. The unavailability duration can be carried in the unavailability duration subfield.

[0094] It should be noted that availability information can be used to describe the site's availability within a certain time period. Here, availability can mean the ability to perform WiFi-based operations, or that the ability to perform WiFi operations is not restricted. For example, availability information in the first operation mode can be used to describe information related to availability time in DUO mode or IDC mode. For instance, availability information in DUO mode can include one or more of the following: available target start time, available duration. The available target start time can be carried in the available target start time subfield. The available duration can be carried in the available duration subfield.

[0095] It should be noted that most embodiments of this application are illustrated using DUO mode as the first operating mode, but this embodiment can also be applied to IDC or other scenarios. For example, the first frame and / or the second frame can also be used to indicate unavailability and / or availability information of reported sites (including the first site and / or the third site) in other scenarios. That is, this application is not limited to use under DUO or IDC. For example, in a scenario where a site is unavailable due to OBSS interference, the availability and / or unavailability information of the reported site can be indicated by the first frame and / or the second frame.

[0096] In some embodiments, the transmission of the first frame can be request-based or non-request-based. For example, the first frame can be an initial control management frame or a control frame.

[0097] In some embodiments, the transmission of the second frame is unsolicited. That is, the first station can actively transmit the second frame. For example, the second frame can be an ICF or BA frame. The ICF can be, for example, a BSRP frame. Exemplarily, the first station can transmit an ICF or BA frame to report availability and / or unavailability information after obtaining a TXOP through a contention channel.

[0098] In some embodiments, the transmission of the second frame is request-based. That is, after receiving a request frame corresponding to the transmission of the second frame, the first station can send the second frame according to the request frame. For example, the request frame for the second frame can be an ICF, and the second frame can be an ICR. The process of requesting the transmission of the second frame (i.e., ICR) can be referred to above.

[0099] In some embodiments, the first station sends a first frame and / or a second frame to the second station if a first condition is met. That is, the transmission of the first frame and / or the second frame requires the fulfillment of the first condition. In other words, the transmission of available and / or unavailable information by the first or third station is not unconditional.

[0100] For example, if the transmission of the first and / or second frames is unsolicited, the transmission of the first and / or second frames must meet a first condition. That is, the first condition restricts the reporting rules or conditions for unsolicited unavailable information and / or available information. Therefore, the first station cannot arbitrarily transmit the first and / or second frames unsolicited without any restrictions.

[0101] This application avoids the risk of sending the first and / or second frame by limiting the first condition. For example, if the transmission of the first and / or second frame is based on an unsolicited request, limiting the first condition can prevent the transmission of the first and / or second frame from getting out of control, thereby avoiding media contamination.

[0102] In some embodiments, the first condition is related to one or more of the following: an indication of the second station; functionality supported by the first station; a cache of the second station; a cache of the first station; a cache of the third station; available and / or unavailable information historically acquired by the second station; the content of the first frame; and the content of the second frame. When the first condition is used to restrict the transmission of the first frame, the first condition may be related to the third station. When the first condition is used to restrict the transmission of the second frame, the first condition is unrelated to the third station.

[0103] For example, the first condition may include: the second station enables the first station to send the first frame and / or the second frame. That is, the first condition may include: the second station enables or allows the first station to report unavailable information and / or available information (including unavailable information and / or available information from the first station and / or the third station). For example, the second station may enable the first station to send the first frame and / or the second frame for a period of time. In some embodiments, the first condition may include: the second station enables or allows the first station to report unavailable information and / or available information based on unrequested information for a period of time (if such a period exists), and / or, the second station enables or allows the first station to report unrequested unavailable information and / or available information based on ICF for a period of time (if such a period exists) (i.e., the first frame is based on unrequested ICF). Exemplarily, the second station may provide corresponding indications via a third or fourth frame as described below.

[0104] For example, the first condition may include: the first station or the third station supports the reporting of the first frame and / or the second frame. That is, the first condition may include: the station in the first operating mode allows, supports, or enables the reporting of unavailable information and / or available information.

[0105] It should be noted that the first site's support for reporting the first frame can be: the first site allows other sites attached to the same MLD to report the first site's unavailable information and / or available information; and / or, the first site allows itself to report the unavailable information and / or available information of the third site. The third site's support for reporting the first frame can be: the third site allows other sites attached to the same MLD to report the third site's unavailable information and / or available information. For example, the first site or the third site allows the transmission of the first frame for a period of time, during which the first site can transmit the first frame. In some embodiments, the first condition may include: for a period of time (if such a period exists), the first site or the third site allows reporting unrequested unavailable information and / or available information, and / or, for a period of time (if such a period exists), the first site or the third site allows reporting unrequested unavailable information and / or available information based on ICF (i.e., the first frame is based on unrequested ICF). Exemplarily, the first site can provide corresponding indication through the third frame described below.

[0106] It should be noted that the first station's support for reporting the second frame can be as follows: the first station allows reporting its own available and / or unavailable information when a first condition is met. For example, the first station allows sending the second frame for a period of time, during which time (if such a period exists) the first station allows reporting unrequested unavailable and / or available information, and / or, during which time (if such a period exists) the first station allows reporting unrequested unavailable and / or available information based on ICF (i.e., the first frame is based on unrequested ICF). Exemplarily, the first station can provide corresponding instructions through the third frame described later.

[0107] For example, the first condition may include: the second station caches data to be transmitted to the first or third station. The second station may instruct the first or third station whether the second station caches data to be transmitted to the first or third station. When the second station instructs the first or third station to cache data to be transmitted to the first or third station, it can be understood that the second station implicitly instructs the first station to send the first frame and / or the second frame.

[0108] For example, the first condition may include: the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station included in the first frame in the first operating mode has not been reported; and / or, the availability and / or unavailability information of the first station included in the second frame in the first operating mode has not been reported. In other words, the first condition may include: the unavailability and / or availability information of the first station to be reported is up-to-date or has not been reported; or, the unavailability and / or availability information of the third station to be reported is up-to-date or has not been reported; or, the second station is unaware of the unavailability and / or availability information of the first station; or, the second station is unaware of the unavailability and / or availability information of the third station.

[0109] For example, the first condition may include: the availability and / or unavailability information of the first site previously obtained by the second site needs to be updated. In other words, the previously reported unavailability and / or availability information of the first site needs to be re-reported due to updates under specific conditions.

[0110] For example, the first condition may include: the availability and / or unavailability information of the third site previously obtained by the second site needs to be updated. In other words, the previously reported unavailability and / or availability information of the third site needs to be re-reported due to updates under specific conditions.

[0111] For example, the first condition may include: the first station's buffer has data to be transmitted to the second station. In this case, the first station can acquire the TXOP through contention for the channel to send the data to be transmitted, and the data may carry the first station's unavailable information and / or available information, i.e., the second frame.

[0112] For example, the first condition may include: the third station's buffer has data to be transmitted to the second station. In this case, the first station can acquire the TXOP through contention for the channel to send the data to be transmitted, and the data may carry the unavailable information and / or available information of the third station, i.e., the first frame.

[0113] For example, the first condition may include: the duration between the transmission time of the first frame and the start time of the unavailability of the third station is greater than or equal to a first time threshold, and / or, the duration between the transmission time of the second frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first station is greater than or equal to the first time threshold. The transmission time of the first or second frame can be a future time; therefore, this time can be the expected time for transmitting the first or second frame or the time when unavailability information and / or availability information is to be reported. For example, if the first frame can be reported at time T1, and the start time of the unavailability of the third station is time T2, then the first condition can be satisfied when the duration between time T2 and time T1 is greater than or equal to the first duration threshold. For example, if the second frame can be reported at time T3, and the start time of the unavailability of the first station is time T4, then the first condition can be satisfied when the duration between time T3 and time T4 is greater than or equal to the first duration threshold. The first duration threshold can satisfy one or more of the following: network-configured, predefined, or pre-configured.

[0114] For example, the first condition may include: the unavailability period of the first or third site (i.e., the duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the first site, or the duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the third site) is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. In other words, the first condition may include: the unavailability period in the unavailability information to be reported is greater than or equal to the second time threshold.

[0115] For example, the first condition may include: the NAV duration of the third site does not fully cover (i.e., partially cover) the unavailable period of the third site. When reporting unavailable and / or available information of the third site through the first site, the first condition may include: the current NAV duration of the third site partially covers the unavailable period to be reported, that is, "the time indicated in the Unavailable Target Start Time field + the duration indicated in the Unavailable Duration field" is later than the expected time when the NAV is cleared.

[0116] For example, the first condition could include: the data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first or third site is low-latency data. In other words, the first condition could include: the second site has cached data corresponding to low-latency services to be transmitted to the first or third site.

[0117] For example, the first condition could include: the data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data. In other words, the first condition could include: the first site has cached data corresponding to low-latency services that is to be transmitted to the second site.

[0118] For example, the first condition could include: the data cached by the third site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data. In other words, the first condition could include: the third site has cached data corresponding to low-latency services that is to be transmitted to the second site.

[0119] The examples of the first conditions provided above can be implemented individually or in combination. That is, the first condition may include one or more conditions. Satisfying the first condition may include some or all of the conditions in the first condition being satisfied.

[0120] By using the first condition mentioned above, we can avoid or reduce the reporting of duplicate or unnecessary unavailable information and / or available information, thereby limiting the transmission frequency of the first frame and avoiding resource waste and collisions.

[0121] In some embodiments, the first frame may include a first element. The first element may be related to availability and / or unavailability information of sites corresponding to multiple links of the MLD to which the first site is attached. The first frame may be, for example, a protected action frame or a notification frame.

[0122] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the first element. For example, the first element can also be called a multi-link available element or a multi-link unavailable element. Alternatively, the first element can also be called a multi-link unavailable or available information element.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first element may include one or more of the following fields: a first quantity field, a second quantity field, a first list field, and a second list field. These are described below.

[0124] The first quantity field can be used to indicate the number of available links in the MLD (MLD attached to the first site) under the first operating mode. The value of the first quantity field can be set to the number of available links minus 1.

[0125] It should be noted that the name of the first quantity field is for illustrative purposes only. The first quantity field can also be called the available quantity per link indicator field.

[0126] The second quantity field can be used to indicate the number of unavailable links in the MLD (the MLD attached to the first site) under the first operating mode. The value of the second quantity field can be set to the number of unavailable links minus 1.

[0127] It should be noted that the name of the second quantity field is for illustrative purposes only. The second quantity field can also be called the per-link unavailability indicator field.

[0128] The first quantity field or the second quantity field can be carried in the first control field. The first control field can also be called the multi-link availability indicator control field or the multi-link unavailability indicator control field. The first control field can occupy 1 byte. The first quantity field can occupy 4 bits, and / or the second quantity field can occupy 4 bits.

[0129] Figure 4A is a format example diagram of a first control field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4A, the first control field may include a field indicating the number of unavailable links per link or a field indicating the number of available links per link.

[0130] The first list field may include one or more availability indicator fields. These one or more availability indicator fields are used to indicate the availability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in the first operating mode. In this case, the first quantity field may be used to indicate the number of availability indicator fields included in the first list field.

[0131] In some embodiments, the available indication field may be referred to as the per-link available indication field.

[0132] The second list field may include one or more unavailability indicator fields. These one or more unavailability indicator fields are used to indicate the unavailability information of links corresponding to one or more sites operating in the first operating mode. In this case, the second quantity field can be used to indicate the number of unavailability indicator fields included in the second list field.

[0133] In some embodiments, the unavailability indication field may be referred to as the per-link unavailability indication field.

[0134] In some embodiments, the first element is used to indicate information about available links. For example, the first element includes a first quantity and a first list field. In some embodiments, the first element is used to indicate information about unavailable links. For example, the first element includes a second quantity and a second list field.

[0135] Figure 4B is an example diagram of the format of a first list field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4B, the first list field includes n per-link availability indication fields. In this case, the value indicated by the first quantity field can be n-1.

[0136] Figure 4C is an example diagram of the format of a second list field provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 4C, the second list field includes m per-link unavailability indication fields. In this case, the value indicated by the second quantity field can be m-1.

[0137] In some embodiments, the available indication field may be used to indicate one or more of the following information: link identifier, available target start time, available duration, and available status.

[0138] A link identifier can represent the identifier of a link indicated by an available indicator field. The link identifier can be carried in the Link ID field.

[0139] The available target start time refers to the time when the link corresponding to this link identifier becomes available. The available target start time can be contained in the available target start time field.

[0140] The availability duration refers to the length of time the link corresponding to this link identifier is available. The availability duration can be carried in the availability duration field. The unit of availability duration can be 64µs. A specific value (such as 0) in the availability duration subfield indicates an unknown availability duration.

[0141] The availability status can be used to indicate the availability information of the link corresponding to the link identifier. The availability status can be carried in the site availability status field. Setting the site availability status field to its first value indicates that the field carries the availability status; that is, the field carrying the site availability status is the availability indicator field. The first value can be, for example, 0 or 1.

[0142] Figure 4D is a format example diagram of an available indicator field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0143] As shown in Figure 4D, the availability indication field may include one or more of the following fields: link identifier field, site availability status, availability target start time, availability duration, and reservation.

[0144] The Link Identifier subfield indicates a value that uniquely identifies the link being operated by the reported site. The definition of the Link Identifier field can be found in relevant technologies (e.g., as defined in IEEE standard 9.4.1.77 (Link ID Info field)).

[0145] The Site Availability Status subfield indicates the current availability or unavailability status of the reported STA, as indicated by the Link Identifier field. For example, a value of 0 in the Site Availability Status subfield indicates that the reported STA is currently available; a value of 1 indicates that the reported STA is currently unavailable. That is, the first value is 0.

[0146] The availability target start time field indicates the start time that the reported site is available, as indicated by the link identifier field, and can be represented as TSF[15:7].

[0147] The Available Duration field indicates the duration of the reported STA's availability, as indicated by the Link Identifier field. The unit can be 64µs. The Available Duration subfield can take a specific value (e.g., 0) to indicate an unknown available duration.

[0148] It should be noted that the TSF can be the TSF used by the reported site or the TSF used by the MLD associated with the reported site.

[0149] In some embodiments, the unavailability indication field can be used to indicate one or more of the following information: link identifier, unavailability target start time, unavailability duration, and unavailability status. The link identifier can represent the identifier of the link indicated by the unavailability indication field. The link identifier can be carried in the link identifier field. The unavailability target start time can refer to the start time of unavailability of the link corresponding to the link identifier. The unavailability target start time can be carried in the unavailability target start time field. The unavailability duration can refer to the length of unavailability of the link corresponding to the link identifier. The unavailability duration can be carried in the unavailability duration field. The unavailability status can be used to indicate that the unavailability indication field indicates the unavailability information of the link corresponding to the link identifier. The unavailability status can be carried in the site unavailability status field. A second value in the site unavailability status field can indicate that the field carries an unavailability status, that is, the field carrying the site unavailability status is the unavailability indication field. The second value is different from the first value. The second value can be, for example, 1 or 0.

[0150] Figure 4E is a format example diagram of an unavailable indicator field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0151] As shown in Figure 4E, the unavailability indication field may include one or more of the following fields: link identifier field, site unavailability status, unavailability target start time, unavailability duration, and reservation.

[0152] The Link Identifier subfield indicates a value that uniquely identifies the link being operated by the reported site. The definition of the Link Identifier field can be found in relevant technologies (e.g., as defined in IEEE standard 9.4.1.77 (Link ID Info field)).

[0153] The Site Availability Status subfield indicates the current availability or unavailability status of the reported STA, as indicated by the Link Identifier field. For example, a value of 0 in the Site Availability Status subfield indicates that the reported site is currently available; a value of 1 indicates that the reported site is currently unavailable. That is, the second value is 1.

[0154] The unavailability target start time subfield indicates the start time of the reported STA unavailability as indicated by the link identifier field. This field can be represented as TSF[15:7].

[0155] The Unavailable Duration field indicates the duration for which the reported site is unavailable, as indicated by the Link Identifier field. The unit for this field can be 64µs. A specific value (such as 0) in the Unavailable Duration subfield can represent an unknown duration of unavailability.

[0156] It should be noted that the TSF can be the TSF used by the reported site or the TSF used by the MLD associated with the reported site.

[0157] In some embodiments, the unavailability indicator field and the availability indicator field can be distinguished based on the value of the site availability status subfield. For example, the format of Figure 4D or Figure 4E can be determined based on the value of the site availability status subfield.

[0158] Based on the above description of the fields that may be included in the first element, Figure 4F provides a format example diagram of the first element. As shown in Figure 4F, the first element may include one or more of the following fields: element ID, length, element ID extension, multi-link unavailability indication control / multi-link availability indication control, per-link unavailability indication list / per-link availability indication list. The descriptions of the multi-link unavailability indication control, multi-link availability indication control, per-link unavailability indication list, and per-link availability indication list fields are detailed above and will not be repeated here. The definitions of the element ID, length, and element ID extension fields can be found in the relevant technology (IEEE 802.11 standard 9.4.2.1 (general)).

[0159] In some embodiments, the first frame carrying the first element may be a protected action frame or a notification frame. Exemplarily, the first frame may adopt the protected action frame or notification frame format defined by the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0160] Understandably, when the first frame carries the first element, the first frame can be used by an MLD to notify its peer MLD of the availability and / or unavailability information of its affiliated sites located in an IDC or DUO. Therefore, in this case, the first frame can also be called a multi-link unavailability or availability information notification frame.

[0161] The information that the action field of a multi-link unavailable or available information notification frame can contain is shown in Table 1.

[0162] Table 1

[0163] In Table 1, the category field can be defined according to the relevant definitions in the IEEE 802.11 standard.

[0164] In Table 1, the Protected UHR Action field contains 1 byte, which follows the Category field and is used to distinguish the UHR Action frame format.

[0165] In Table 1, the dialogue token field is set to a non-zero value by the MLD that sends the multi-link unavailable or available information notification frame.

[0166] In Table 1, the element indicating whether multiple links are unavailable or available is the first element. The definition of the first element is as described above and will not be repeated here.

[0167] In some embodiments, the first frame may include one or more of the following fields: one or more availability indicator fields and one or more unavailability indicator fields. As one possible implementation, the first frame may be a BA frame. For example, the first frame may be a Multi-STA BlockAck variant frame.

[0168] For ease of understanding, the following explanation is provided for the multi-site block confirmation variant frame.

[0169] The block acknowledgment frame includes the AID11 subfield. The AID11 subfield carries 11 lsb of the AID of the target receiving non-AP STA from the Per AID TID Info subfield. The format of the Per AID TID Info subfield depends on the value of the AID11 subfield. If a Multi-STA BlockAck frame is sent to the AP, the AID11 subfield is set to 0. 2045 in the AID11 subfield serves as the identifier for any non-associated STA. If the AID11 subfield is set to 2045, the Ack Type subfield is set to 0, and the TID subfield is set to 15. The value 2008 in the AID11 subfield is used as the identifier for the Per AID TID Info field carrying feedback (Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode), applicable to all receiving UHR STAs.

[0170] If the AID11 subfield of the AID TID Info subfield is not 2045, then the format of each AID TID information subfield is as shown in Figure 4G (if the AID11 subfield is not 2045 (e.g., refer to standard 802.11ax), then the format of each AID TID information subfield is as shown).

[0171] In some embodiments, the BA frame includes an acknowledgment type subfield and a TID subfield. If the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is a first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is a second specified value, then the BA frame includes availability information and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode. That is, if the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is the first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is the second specified value, then the BA frame is a first frame. The first specified value can be, for example, 1, and the second specified value can be, for example, 13.

[0172] As one possible implementation, if the AID 11 subfield is not 2045, the confirmation type subfield has a value of 1, and the TID subfield has a value of 13, then the BA frame includes available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode.

[0173] If the AID11 subfield is not 2045, then the content of each AID TID Info subfield and the presence of each optional subfield in the multi-site block confirmation frame can be shown in Table 2.

[0174] Table 2

[0175] As shown in Table 2, if the Ack Type subfield of the Per AID TID Info field is equal to 0 (or 1) and the TID subfield is equal to 14 (or other reserved value), then the BA frame contains cross-link feedback information (i.e., the BA frame is the first frame) rather than an acknowledgment status.

[0176] When the BA frame is the first frame, the subfields of the BA frame may include one or more of the following fields: Link ID, AID TID information, and feedback confirmation bitmap.

[0177] The Link Identifier subfield indicates a value that uniquely identifies the link on which the reported STA operation is taking place. It is understood that the Link Identifier field can be used to indicate which link's station availability and / or unavailability information is being reported. This field can be referenced in IEEE standard 9.4.1.77 (Link ID Info field).

[0178] The AID11 subfield of the AID TID information subfield is set to the AID of the UHR STA, which is the expected recipient of the feedback message. If the feedback message is for all receiving UHR STAs, it is set to 2008.

[0179] The Block Acknowledgment Bitmap subfield is a feedback subfield with the same length as the Block Acknowledgment Bitmap subfield. Figure 4H is an example format diagram of a feedback field provided in an embodiment of this application. The Unavailability Target Start Time subfield indicates the TSF[15:7] value when the site sending the multi-site BA frame is unavailable (see, for example, 11.2.1 (General)). The Unavailability Duration subfield indicates the duration of unavailability when the site sending the multi-site BA frame is unavailable, in units of 64 μs. In addition, a value of TBD in the Unavailability Duration subfield indicates that the unavailability duration is unknown.

[0180] Figure 4H uses an unavailability indication field included in a BA frame as an example. A BA frame may also include an availability indication field. In some embodiments, a third frame can be exchanged between the first and second stations. The third frame can be used to indicate whether the first or third station enables the reporting function of the first and / or second frames. That is, the third frame can be used to indicate whether the reporting function of available and / or unavailable information of the first or third station is enabled. For example, the third frame can be used to indicate whether the first or third station enables the reporting function based on unrequested available and / or unavailable information. As another example, the third frame can be used to indicate whether the first or third station enables the reporting of unrequested available and / or unavailable information, and the first or second frame is an ICF (Independent Communication Function).

[0181] For example, the first station can send a third frame to the second station. Based on the third frame, the first station can report whether it has enabled the reporting function for available and / or unavailable information (i.e., the reporting function of the first and / or second frames). And / or, based on the third frame, the first station can report whether other stations attached to the same MLD have enabled the reporting function for available and / or unavailable information.

[0182] For example, a second station may send a third frame to a first station. Based on the third frame, the second station may instruct whether it allows the first or third station to report available and / or unavailable information. Exemplarily, the third frame sent by the second station may serve as a response to receiving a third frame sent by the first station. If the second station allows the third station to report available and / or unavailable information, the third station may report the available and / or unavailable information itself, or the first station may report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station. Similarly, if the second station allows the first station to report available and / or unavailable information, the first station may report the available and / or unavailable information itself, or the first station may report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station.

[0183] In some embodiments, the third frame is sent before the first frame and / or the second frame. For example, the first frame may be sent after the third frame indicates that the first frame reporting function is enabled. Similarly, the second frame may be sent after the third frame indicates that the second frame reporting function is enabled.

[0184] In some embodiments, the third frame may include one or more of the following fields: operation mode field, operation mode parameter field, and operation mode parameter control field.

[0185] The Operation Mode field indicates whether the first operation mode of the first or third station is enabled. The Operation Mode field can occupy 1 bit, for example. A third value in the Operation Mode field indicates that the first operation mode of the first or third station is enabled. A value other than a third value indicates that the first operation mode of the first or third station is disabled. The third value can be, for example, 1 or 0. Table 3 shows the possible descriptions of the Operation Mode field. The Operation Mode field can also be called the DUO mode field.

[0186] Table 3

[0187] The Operation Mode Parameter field is used to indicate the parameters of the first operation mode for the first or third site. The Operation Mode Parameter field can also be called the DUO mode parameter field. The Operation Mode Parameter field may include one or more of the following fields: First Enable field, Second Enable field, and First Duration field.

[0188] The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to send the first frame and / or the second frame unsolicited. In other words, the first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether the first station is enabled to report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. For example, a value of the first enable field that is a fourth value can indicate that the first station is enabled to send unsolicited availability and / or unavailability information; a value of the first enable field that is not a fourth value can indicate that the first station is not enabled to send unsolicited availability and / or unavailability information. The fourth value can be, for example, 1 or 0. For instance, when the first enable field is equal to 1, it indicates that sites in DUO are enabled to report unsolicited available and / or unavailable information; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0189] It should be noted that the first enable field can be optional. If the first enable field does not exist, it can be reserved.

[0190] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the first enabling field. For example, the first enabling field can be called the non-request unavailable information reporting enabling field.

[0191] The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to send the first frame and / or the second frame unsolicited, and the first frame and / or the second frame is an ICF (Independent Communication Function). That is, the second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to cross-link report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. In other words, the second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to cross-link report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, and the second frame is an ICF. In short, the second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to enable the reporting of unsolicited available and / or unavailable information based on ICF. For example, a value of the second enable field equal to the fifth value can instruct the first station to send unsolicited ICF-based available and / or unavailable information; a value other than the fifth value can instruct the first station not to send unsolicited ICF-based available and / or unavailable information. The fifth value can be, for example, 1 or 0. For instance, when the second enable field is equal to 1, it instructs the station in the DUO to report unsolicited ICF-based available and / or unavailable information; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0192] It should be noted that the second enable field can be optional. If the second enable field does not exist, it can be reserved.

[0193] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the second enabling field. For example, the second enabling field could be called the ICF-based non-request unavailable information reporting enabling field.

[0194] The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for de-enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame. The unit of duration can be microseconds. That is, the first duration field can indicate the duration of the enabling state (including enabling or de-enabling) indicated by the first or second enabling field contained in the same third frame. When the third frame indicates that the first station is enabled to send unrequested available and / or unavailable information, the first duration field can indicate the duration for enabling the first station to send unrequested available and / or unavailable information. When the third frame indicates that the first station is de-enabling the sending of unrequested available and / or unavailable information, the first duration field can indicate the duration for de-enabling the sending of unrequested available and / or unavailable information.

[0195] The first duration field may contain an unsigned integer. The value of this unsigned integer may be the duration for enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for disabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame. Alternatively, the value of this unsigned integer may correspond to the duration for enabling or disabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame.

[0196] The first duration field indicates the start time of the duration, which can be the moment when the third frame is successfully sent or received.

[0197] In some embodiments, if the value of the first duration field is a first specific value, the duration for which the first site is enabled to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send an unrequested first or second frame, can be indicated as unlimited. That is, changes in enabling or de-enabled sending of an unrequested first or second frame by the first site are not limited by duration. The first specific value can be 0. For example, changes in enabling or de-enabled sending of an unrequested first or second frame by the first site can be determined based on the indication of the first enable field or the second enable field. Exemplarily, the enabled state of the first site sending an unrequested first or second frame remains unchanged until the indication of the first enable field or the second enable field in the next third frame changes or is updated.

[0198] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the first duration field. For example, the first duration field can also be called the duration field.

[0199] Figure 5A is a format example diagram of an operation mode parameter field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0200] As shown in Figure 5A, the operation mode parameter field may include one or more of the following fields: enable reporting of unrequested unavailability information, enable reporting of unrequested unavailability information based on ICF, duration, and reservation.

[0201] In Figure 5A, the "Unsolicited Unavailability Information Reporting Enable" subfield indicates whether unsolicited unavailability information reporting is enabled for sites in the DUO. For example, when the "Unsolicited Unavailability Information Reporting Enable" subfield is equal to 1, it indicates that unsolicited unavailability information reporting is enabled for sites in the DUO; otherwise, it is set to 0. This subfield can be optional and can be reserved if it does not exist.

[0202] In Figure 5A, the ICF-based unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield indicates whether to enable stations in the DUO to report unsolicited unavailability information based on ICF (i.e., stations in the DUO carry unavailability information reports in their sent ICF (such as BSRP frames)). For example, when the ICF-based unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield is equal to 1, it indicates that stations in the DUO are enabled to report unsolicited unavailability information based on ICF; otherwise, it is set to 0. This subfield can be optional and can be reserved if it does not exist.

[0203] In Figure 5A, the duration field can contain an unsigned integer, which can be used to specify the duration (in microseconds) of maintaining the non-requested unavailable information reporting enable state (if present) indicated by the non-requested unavailable information reporting enable subfield and the ICF-based non-requested unavailable information reporting enable state (if present) indicated by the ICF-based non-requested unavailable information reporting enable subfield. The duration can start from the successful transmission (or reception) of the UHR mode enable notification frame. Specifically, when the duration is 0, it can be specified that the duration is unlimited until the next change or update of the DUO mode parameters.

[0204] Specifically, an AP providing services to a site in DUO can indicate whether to enable (or allow) the site in DUO to report unsolicited unavailability information, and / or report unsolicited unavailability information based on ICF, by including an unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield, and / or an ICF-based unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield, and / or a duration subfield in the UHR mode enable notification frame sent to the site. The DUO mode subfield carried in the UHR mode enable notification frame is set to 1.

[0205] The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame. The operation mode parameter control field can be positioned before the operation mode field. For example, a value of the sixth value in the operation mode parameter control field can indicate that the operation mode field is included in the third frame. Conversely, a value other than the sixth value in the operation mode parameter control field can indicate that the operation mode field is not included in the third frame. For example, the sixth value can be 1, and a non-sixth value can be 0. The operation mode parameter control field can be referred to as the DUO mode parameter control field.

[0206] In some embodiments, the third frame may be a UHR mode enable notification frame (e.g., a protected UHR mode enable notification frame). The UHR mode enable notification frame is used to indicate whether a non-AP STA enables or disables UHR mode, and is used by its associated AP as a response to a received UHR mode enable notification frame from a requesting STA. The action field of the UHR mode enable notification frame may contain information as shown in Table 4.

[0207] Table 4

[0208] It should be noted that Table 4 is only an example, and the UHR mode enable notification frame may include other information. Alternatively, the UHR mode enable notification frame may not include some of the information in Table 4.

[0209] In Table 4, the definition of the category field can be found in relevant technologies (e.g., IEEE standard 9.4.1.11 (Action field)).

[0210] The definition of the protected UHR action field can be found in relevant technologies (e.g., IEEE standard 9.6.40.1 (Protected UHR Action field)).

[0211] The dialogue token field is set by the non-AP STA to a non-zero value selected by the STA for sending a request, and by the AP to a value copied from the corresponding UHR mode enable notification frame for sending a response.

[0212] UHR control fields may include, for example, one or more of the following fields: DUO mode, DUO mode parameter control. UHR control fields may also include DPS mode fields and / or reserved fields. Figure 5B is a format example diagram of a UHR control field provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0213] In some embodiments, the first and second stations may also send a fourth frame to interact regarding whether the first or third station enables the reporting function of the first or second frame. That is, the fourth frame can be used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send information from the third station or information available and / or unavailable to the first station in a first operating mode. For example, the first station may receive a fourth frame sent by the second station. Alternatively, the first station may send a fourth frame to the second station.

[0214] As one possible implementation, the first station and the second station can initially interact via the third frame to determine whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first or second frame, and update whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first or second frame via the fourth frame.

[0215] The fourth frame may include a third field. This third field can be used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send information about the third station or the first station's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode. For example, when the first station receives a fourth frame sent by the second station, the third field can be used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send information about the third station or the first station's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode. For example, if the first station is able to report available and / or unavailable information, the second station may allow the first station to report available and / or unavailable information about itself or other stations attached to the same MLD.

[0216] In some embodiments, the third field may include one or more of the following: a first enable field, a second enable field, and a third duration field. The descriptions of the first enable field, the second enable field, and the third duration field are as described above and will not be repeated here. It is understood that if the fourth frame contains the third field, the fourth frame can perform similar functions to the third frame, the difference being the different formats of the fourth and third frames.

[0217] The following example, using the third field to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send the first frame, illustrates the contents that the third field may include. The third field may include one or more of the following: a third enable field, a fourth enable field, and a second duration field.

[0218] The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send the first frame and / or the second frame. In other words, the third enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to unsolicitedly report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to cross-link report the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode. For example, a value of the third enable field that is a seventh value can indicate that the first station is enabled to send the first frame or the second frame unsolicited; a value of the third enable field that is not a seventh value can indicate that the first station is not enabled to send the first frame or the second frame unsolicited. The seventh value can be either 1 or 0. For example, when the third enable field is equal to 1, it indicates that sites in DUO are enabled to report unsolicited unavailability information; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0219] It should be noted that the third enable field can be optional. If the third enable field does not exist, it can be reserved.

[0220] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the third enabling field. For example, the first enabling field could be called the non-request unavailable information reporting enabling field.

[0221] The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send the first frame and / or the second frame, where the first frame and / or the second frame is an ICF (Independent Communication Function). That is, the fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to cross-link report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode, where the first frame is an ICF. In other words, the fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to unsolicitedly report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it is enabled to cross-link report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, where the second frame is an ICF. Specifically, the fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to enable the reporting of the first or second frame based on an ICF. For example, a value of the fourth enable field equal to the eighth value can instruct the first station to send an unsolicited first or second frame based on ICF; a value other than the eighth value can instruct the first station not to send an unsolicited first or second frame based on ICF. The eighth value can be, for example, 1 or 0. For instance, when the fourth enable field is equal to 1, it instructs the station in DUO to report unsolicited ICF-based unavailability information; otherwise, it is set to 0.

[0222] It should be noted that the fourth enable field can be optional. If the fourth enable field does not exist, it can be reserved.

[0223] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the fourth enabling field. For example, the fourth enabling field could be called the ICF-based non-requested unavailable information reporting enabling field.

[0224] The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for de-enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame. The unit of duration can be microseconds. That is, the second duration field can indicate the duration of the enabling state (including enabling or de-enabling) indicated by the second or third enable field contained in the same fourth frame. When the fourth frame indicates that the first station is enabled to send an unrequested first or second frame, the second duration field can indicate the duration for enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame. When the fourth frame indicates that the first station is de-enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame, the second duration field can indicate the duration for de-enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame.

[0225] The second duration field may contain an unsigned integer. The value of this unsigned integer may be the duration for enabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for disabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame. Alternatively, the value of this unsigned integer may correspond to the duration for enabling or disabling the first station to send an unrequested first or second frame.

[0226] The second duration field indicates the start time of the duration, which can be the moment when the fourth frame is successfully sent or received.

[0227] In some embodiments, if the value of the second duration field is a second specific value, the duration for which the first site is enabled to send an unrequested first or second frame, or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send an unrequested first or second frame, can be indicated as unlimited. That is, changes in enabling or de-enabled sending of an unrequested first or second frame by the first site are not limited by duration. The second specific value can be 0. For example, changes in enabling or de-enabled sending of an unrequested first or second frame by the first site can be determined based on the indication of the first enable field or the second enable field. Exemplarily, the enabled state of the first site sending an unrequested first or second frame remains unchanged until the indication of the first enable field or the second enable field in the next fourth frame changes or is updated.

[0228] It should be noted that this application does not limit the name of the second duration field. For example, the second duration field can also be called the duration field.

[0229] In some embodiments, the fourth frame may include an A-control field. The A-control field may include a third field. That is, the A-control field can indicate whether the first or third station has enabled the reporting function of the first or second frame. In this case, the third field may also be called the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield. For example, the fourth frame may be a QoS null frame, a QoS data frame, a management frame, or a control wrapper frame.

[0230] For example, a MAC frame may include an HT control field. This can be determined by the +HTC subfield of the frame control field. The HT control field is 32 bits long. When both B0 and B1 are set to 1, it indicates that the HT control field is an HE variant HT control field, and B2-B31 are A-Control subfields.

[0231] The A-Control field can contain a control list subfield and a filler subfield. The control list subfield contains one or more control subfields. As shown in Figure 5C, each control subfield contains a 4-digit control identifier (Control ID) subfield and a variable-length control information subfield. The Control ID subfield indicates the type of information carried in the control information subfield. The control information subfield may include a third field.

[0232] The A-control field, which includes a third field, can be a newly defined variant. In this case, the value of the control ID subfield can be a reserved value in the related art. For example, the value of the control ID subfield can be 10. The newly defined variant can be, for example, called coexistence manipulation (or DUO mode) control. Table 5 shows an example of a variant of the control subfield of the newly added A-control subfield provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0233] Table 5

[0234] In Table 5, the Coexistence Operation (or DUO Mode) Control subfield is used by a site (e.g., an AP) to notify or indicate the operation parameters of its peer site (e.g., a non-AP STA) in coexistence mode (or DUO mode). The format of the Coexistence Operation (or DUO Mode) Control subfield can be shown in Figure 5C.

[0235] Figure 5D is a format example diagram of the control information subfield of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield provided in the embodiments of this application. As shown in Figure 5D, the control information subfield of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield may include one or more of the following fields: enable reporting of unrequested unavailability information, enable reporting of unrequested unavailability information based on ICF, and duration.

[0236] The "Unsolicited Unavailability Information Reporting Enable" subfield indicates whether unsolicited unavailability information reporting is enabled (or allowed) by sites in the DUO. For example, when the "Unsolicited Unavailability Information Reporting Enable" subfield is equal to 1, it indicates that unsolicited unavailability information reporting is enabled (or allowed) by sites in the DUO; otherwise, it is set to 0. This subfield can be optional and can be reserved if it does not exist.

[0237] The ICF-based Unrequested Unavailability Reporting Enable subfield indicates whether to enable (or allow) stations in the DUO to report ICF-based unavailability information (i.e., stations in the DUO carry unavailability information reports in their sent ICF (such as BSRP frames)). When the ICF-based Unrequested Unavailability Reporting Enable subfield is equal to 1, it indicates that stations in the DUO are enabled (or allowed) to report ICF-based unavailability information; otherwise, it is set to 0. This subfield can be optional and can be reserved if it does not exist.

[0238] The Duration field contains an unsigned integer specifying the duration (in microseconds) for maintaining the unrequested unavailable information reporting enable state (if present) indicated by the Unrequested Unavailable Information Reporting Enable subfield and the ICF-based Unrequested Unavailable Information Reporting Enable subfield (if present). The duration can begin with the successful transmission (or reception) of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield. Specifically, when the Duration field value is 0, the duration can be specified as unlimited until the next DUO mode parameter change or update.

[0239] For ease of understanding, this application will be described in detail below through Examples 1 to 4.

[0240] Example 1

[0241] Example 1 provides a method for displaying indications to enable or disable the reporting of unrequested unavailable information and / or available information. In Example 1, a first site includes a DUO non-AP STA (referred to as non-AP STA in Example 1), and a second site includes a DUO AP (referred to as AP in Example 1) associated with the DUO non-AP STA.

[0242] When a non-AP STA is ready to enable DUO mode for its associated AP, steps 1.1 to 1.3 can be executed.

[0243] Step 1.1: The non-AP STA sends a UHR mode enable notification frame to its associated AP. The DUO mode subfield of the UHR control field is set to 1, indicating that DUO mode is enabled. Optionally, the UHR mode enable notification frame carries an operation mode parameter field. The value of the unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the operation mode parameter field is 1, indicating that the station supports (or allows) unrequested unavailability information reporting; and / or, the value of the ICF-based unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the operation mode parameter field is 1, indicating that the STA supports (or allows) ICF-based unavailability information reporting (i.e., the station can carry unavailability information reporting in the sent ICF (such as BSRP frame).

[0244] Step 1.2: When the AP is ready to provide services to the non-AP STA in DUO mode, the AP sends a UHR mode enable notification frame to the non-AP STA as a response to the received UHR mode enable notification frame.

[0245] Optionally, the UHR mode enable notification frame carries an operation mode parameter field. Specifically, a value of 1 in the "Unsolicited Unavailable Information Reporting Enable" subfield of the operation mode parameter field instructs the AP to enable the station to report unsolicited unavailable information; and / or, a value of 1 in the "ICF-based Unsolicited Unavailable Information Reporting Enable" subfield of the operation mode parameter field instructs the AP to enable the STA to report unsolicited unavailable information based on the ICF (i.e., the station can carry unavailable information reporting in its transmitted ICF (such as a BSRP frame)). In particular, the AP can also disable unsolicited unavailable information reporting by setting the value of the "Unsolicited Unavailable Information Reporting Enable" subfield of the operation mode parameter field to 0; and / or, by setting the value of the "ICF-based Unsolicited Unavailable Information Reporting Enable" subfield of the operation mode parameter field to 0.

[0246] Step 1.3: When a non-AP receives a UHR mode enable notification frame from an AP, it enters DUO mode for operation. Simultaneously, based on the value of the unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield carried in the UHR mode enable notification frame sent by the AP, and / or based on the value of the unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield in the ICF (Internal Classification of Unavailable Information), it determines whether to enable unrequested unavailability information reporting, and / or, based on the ICF.

[0247] When a non-AP STA and its associated AP are running in DUO mode, steps 1.4 to 1.6 can be executed.

[0248] Step 1.4: The associated AP that initiates frame exchange with the non-AP STA initiates frame exchange by sending a DUO Initial Control Frame (ICF) to the non-AP STA. This frame exchange is neither a multicast data frame nor a multicast management frame.

[0249] The Initial Control Frame (DUO ICF) for DUO mode can be a BSRP trigger frame. Specifically, the DUO ICF sets the Uplink Length (UL Length) field to a sufficiently large value to allow the STA to carry a DUO Initial Control Response (ICR) frame containing unavailability information in the transmitted PPDU. This DUO ICR frame containing unavailability information can be a Multi-STA Block Ack frame.

[0250] Step 1.5: When a DUO non-AP STA operating in DUO mode receives a BSRP trigger frame from its associated DUO AP, which contains the 12 least significant bits (LSBs) of the non-AP STA's AID in a user information field and requests a response in TB PPDU format, the rules defined in IEEE standard 26.5.5 (Buffer State Reporting Operation) are followed. Alternatively, the following can be done: include one or more QoS Null frames in the TB PPDU, as described in IEEE standard 26.5.5 (Buffer State Reporting Operation), aggregated with a Multi-STA BA frame.

[0251] A DUO non-AP STA operating in DUO mode, if it receives a BSRP trigger frame (which is sent to the address of the STA separately) from its associated DUO AP and requests a response in non-HT (duplicate) PPDU format, may respond in non-HT (duplicate) PPDU format according to the rules defined in the 26.5.2.5 UL MUCS mechanism, and should include a Multi-STA BA frame.

[0252] A DUO non-AP STA (i.e., a TXOP responder) operating in DUO mode can indicate in its response Multi-STA BA frame whether it will be unavailable after a specific time point, and if known, for how long. To describe the period of unavailability, the Multi-STA BA frame should include the Unavailability Target Start Time subfield and the Unavailability Duration subfield as described in the Multi-STA BA variant.

[0253] When the AP has instructed the AP to enable the station to report unsolicited unavailability information, and / or instructed the AP to enable the STA to report unsolicited unavailability information based on ICF (i.e., the station can carry unavailability information in the ICF sent (such as BSRP frames), then: the DUOnon-AP STA operating in DUO mode is the TXOP holder and can indicate its unavailability information in the BSRP trigger frame, such as whether it will be unavailable after a specific time point (if known); specifically, the unavailability and / or availability information it reports is the latest or has not been reported before, or previously reported unavailability and / or availability information needs to be re-reported due to updates under specific conditions. Optionally, it can also be limited to allowing non-AP STAs to only transmit data in their buffers. When a non-AP STA initiates uplink data transmission as a TXOP holder, the BSRP trigger frame can be used as the initial control frame, and correspondingly, unavailability and / or availability information can be carried.

[0254] To describe the period of unavailability, the BSRP trigger frame should include the unavailability target start time field subfield and the unavailability duration subfield as described in the trigger frame format.

[0255] When a DUO AP receives a Multi-STA BlockAck for itself from a DUO STA operating in DUO mode, which includes an unavailable target start time field, the UHR AP will consider the STA unavailable: the target time indicated in the unavailable target start time field and thereafter; until the time indicated in the unavailable target start time field + the duration indicated in the unavailable duration field, if the unavailable duration field is not set to "unknown duration", and other conditions become available, whichever comes first.

[0256] Step 1.6: The AP can also send a UHR mode enable notification frame to the non-AP STA to indicate changes or updates to the operation parameters in coexistence operation (or DUO mode). For example, it may disable unsolicited unavailability information reporting by the DUO STA, and / or, ICF-based unsolicited unavailability information reporting. Specifically, the AP can disable unsolicited unavailability information reporting by setting the value of the unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the operation mode parameter field to 0; and / or, set the value of the ICF-based unsolicited unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the operation mode parameter field to 0; and / or, set the duration subfield to the duration for which unsolicited unavailability information reporting by the DUO STA is disabled. The duration can start from the successful transmission (or reception) of the UHR mode enable notification frame. Therefore, after successfully receiving the UHR mode enable notification frame, the DUO non-AP STA operating in DUO mode will, as instructed by the frame, not report unsolicited unavailability information, including: not sending a BSRP trigger frame carrying unavailability and / or availability information to the AP until the time indicated by the duration subfield (if present) expires or the next DUO mode parameter change or update.

[0257] Optionally, the AP may also indicate changes or updates to the operating parameters in coexistence operation (or DUO mode) to the non-AP STA by carrying a coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield in the QoS data, QoS Null (QoS empty frame), or management frame sent to the non-AP STA. For example, non-DUO STAs may report unsolicited unavailability information, and / or report unsolicited unavailability information based on ICF. Specifically, the AP can disable the station from reporting unrequested unavailability information by setting the value of the unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield to 0; and / or, set the value of the ICF-based unrequested unavailability information reporting enable subfield of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield to 0, thereby disabling the STA from reporting unrequested unavailability information based on ICF; and / or, set the duration subfield to the duration for which the DUO STA is disabled from reporting unrequested unavailability information, wherein the duration can start from the successful transmission (or reception) of the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield. Therefore, after successfully receiving the coexistence operation (or DUO mode) control subfield, the DUO non-AP STA operating in DUO mode will not report unsolicited unavailability information as instructed by the field, including: not sending BSRP trigger frames carrying unavailability and / or availability information to the AP until the time indicated by the duration subfield (if present) expires or the next DUO mode parameter change or update.

[0258] Example 2

[0259] Example 2 provides a method for reporting information based on implicit indications or rules to enable and / or disable non-requested unavailability information. In Example 2, the first site includes a DUO non-AP STA (referred to as non-AP STA in Example 2), and the second site includes a DUO AP (referred to as AP in Example 2) associated with the DUO non-AP STA.

[0260] When a non-AP STA is ready to enable DUO mode for its associated AP, steps 2.1 to 2.3 can be executed.

[0261] Step 2.1: The non-AP STA sends a UHR mode enable notification frame to its associated AP. The DUO mode subfield of the UHR control field is set to 1, indicating that DUO mode is enabled.

[0262] Step 2.2: When the AP is ready to provide services to the non-AP STA in DUO mode, the AP sends a UHR mode enable notification frame to the non-AP STA as a response to the received UHR mode enable notification frame.

[0263] Step 2.3: When the non-AP receives the UHR mode enable notification frame sent by the AP, it enters DUO mode to operate.

[0264] When a non-AP STA and its associated AP are running in DUO mode, steps 2.4 to 2.6 can be executed.

[0265] Step 2.4: The associated AP that initiates frame exchange with the non-AP STA initiates frame exchange by sending a DUO Initial Control Frame (ICF) to the non-AP STA. This frame exchange is neither a multicast data frame nor a multicast management frame.

[0266] The Initial Control Frame (DUO ICF) for DUO mode can be a BSRP trigger frame. Specifically, the DUO ICF sets the Uplink Length (UL Length) field to a sufficiently large value to allow the STA to carry a DUO Initial Control Response (ICR) frame containing unavailability information in the transmitted PPDU. This DUO ICR frame containing unavailability information can be a multi-site BA frame.

[0267] When a non-AP STA operating in DUO mode receives a BSRP triggered frame from its associated AP, which contains the 12 least significant bits (LSBs) of the non-AP STA's AID in a user information field and requests a response in TB PPDU format, the rules defined in IEEE standard 26.5.5 (Buffer State Reporting Operation) should be followed. Alternatively, the following can be done: include one or more QoS Null frames in the TB PPDU, as described in IEEE standard 26.5.5 (Buffer State Reporting Operation), aggregated with a Multi-STA BA frame.

[0268] A non-AP STA operating in DUO mode, if it receives a BSRP trigger frame (which is sent to the address of the STA separately) from its associated DUO AP and requests a response in non-HT (replicated) PPDU format, should respond in non-HT (replicated) PPDU format according to the rules defined in the 26.5.2.5 UL MUCS mechanism, and should include a Multi-STA BA frame.

[0269] A non-AP STA (i.e., a TXOP responder) operating in DUO mode can indicate in its response Multi-STA BA frame whether it will be unavailable after a specific time point, and if known, for how long. To describe the period of unavailability, the Multi-STA BA frame should include the Unavailability Target Start Time subfield and the Unavailability Duration subfield as described in the Multi-STA BA variant.

[0270] Step 2.5: In DUO mode, a non-AP STA can report its unavailability and / or availability information in a non-requested manner (e.g., by sending a management frame or ICF frame after obtaining a TXOP via a contention channel, or by carrying it in a BA frame) if the management frame sent by its associated AP or the AP MLD attached to its associated AP indicates that it has buffered data to be transmitted to the site, and / or that the site has buffered uplink data to be transmitted to the AP. For example, its unavailability information can be indicated in a BSRP trigger frame. Unavailability information may include, for example, whether it will be unavailable after a specific time point (if known). Specifically, the unavailability and / or availability information it reports must be up-to-date or unreported, or previously reported unavailability and / or availability information must be re-reported due to updates under specific conditions. In DUO mode, a non-AP STA can obtain whether the AP has cached data to be transmitted to the site by using the TIM element carried in the beacon frame sent by its associated AP, or by using the TIM element or Multi-Link Traffic Indication element carried in the beacon frame sent by the AP MLD attached to the non-AP STA.

[0271] To describe the period of unavailability, the BSRP trigger frame should include the unavailability target start time field subfield and the unavailability duration subfield as described in the trigger frame format.

[0272] Step 2.6: When a DUO AP receives a Multi-STA BlockAck for itself from a DUO STA operating in DUO mode, which includes an unavailable target start time field, the UHR AP will consider the STA unavailable: the target time indicated in the unavailable target start time field and after that, until the time indicated in the unavailable target start time field + the duration indicated in the unavailable duration field, if the unavailable duration field is not set to an unknown duration, and other conditions become available, whichever comes first.

[0273] Example 3

[0274] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 3. As shown in Figure 6, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish two links, namely Link 1 and Link 2. The station STA2, which is attached to the non-AP MLD and corresponds to Link 2, is in a dynamic unavailable operation mode (or dynamic intra-device coexistence IDC mode). In Embodiment 3, the first station is STA1, the second station is AP1, and the third station is STA2.

[0275] As shown in Figure 6, when STA2 is in an unavailable period and non-AP MLD is allowed to report STA2 unavailability information without request (e.g., the unavailability information has not been reported before, and / or AP MLD or AP2 enables or allows reporting of unavailability information without request), when the site STA1 corresponding to link 1 attached to the non-AP MLD obtains TXOP, it sends a multi-link unavailability or availability information notification frame to its associated AP1, indicating the unavailability and / or availability information of site STA2 in In-Depth Coexistence (IDC) or Dynamic Unavailability (DUO) mode.

[0276] The multi-link unavailability or availability information frame sent by the non-AP MLD's auxiliary site STA1 to the AP MLD's auxiliary access point AP1 carries multi-link unavailability or availability information elements, and the indications of its relevant fields are explained below.

[0277] The value of the "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" subfield in the "Multi-Link Unavailable or Available Indicator Control Field" is 0, and the number of "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" subfields included in the "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" list is 1.

[0278] The List of Unavailable or Available Links field contains a Subfield of Unavailable or Available Links, which carries information on the unavailability and / or availability of the site (STA2) located in the IDC or DUO corresponding to Link 2. This includes: a Link ID subfield indicating the link ID of Link 2; and a Site Availability Status subfield with a value of 0, indicating that the reported STA (STA2) is currently unavailable.

[0279] The Availability Target Start Time subfield indicates the available start time of the site STA2 (i.e., the reported STA) corresponding to Link 2, and can be represented by TSF[15:7].

[0280] The Available Duration subfield indicates the duration that the site STA2 (i.e., the reported STA) corresponding to Link 2 is available for.

[0281] Example 4

[0282] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of a communication process provided in Embodiment 4. As shown in Figure 7, the non-AP MLD and AP MLD establish two links, namely Link 1 and Link 2. The station STA2, which is attached to the non-AP MLD and corresponds to Link 2, is in a dynamic unavailable operation mode (or dynamic intra-device coexistence IDC mode). In Embodiment 7, the first station is STA1, the second station is AP1, and the third station is STA2.

[0283] As shown in Figure 7, when STA2 is in an available state but the channel is busy (i.e., NAV is not 0), and non-AP MLD is allowed to report STA2 unavailability information without request (e.g., the unavailability period information to be reported has not been reported before, and / or, AP MLD or AP2 enables or allows reporting of unavailability information without request), when the site STA1 corresponding to link 1 attached to non-AP MLD obtains TXOP, it sends a multi-link unavailability or availability information notification frame to its associated AP1, indicating the unavailability and / or availability information of site STA2 located in IDC or DUO.

[0284] The multi-link unavailability or availability information frame sent by the non-AP MLD's auxiliary site STA1 to the AP MLD's auxiliary access point AP1 carries multi-link unavailability or availability information elements, and the indications of its relevant fields are explained below.

[0285] The value of the "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" subfield in the "Multi-Link Unavailable or Available Indicator Control Field" is 0, and the number of "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" subfields included in the "Number of Unavailable or Available Indicators per Link" list is 1.

[0286] The List of Unavailable or Available Links field contains a Subfield of Unavailable or Available Links, which carries information on the unavailability and / or availability of the site (i.e., STA2) located in the IDC or DUO corresponding to Link 2.

[0287] The Link ID subfield indicates the link identifier for link 2.

[0288] A value of 1 in the Site Availability Status subfield indicates that the reported STA (i.e., STA2) is currently available.

[0289] The Unavailable Target Start Time subfield indicates the start time of unavailability of the site STA2 (i.e., the reported STA) corresponding to Link 2, and can be represented by TSF[15:7].

[0290] The Unavailable Duration subfield indicates the duration for which the site STA2 (i.e., the reported STA) corresponding to Link 2 is unavailable.

[0291] It should be noted that some embodiments in this application are illustrated using the reporting of "unavailable information" as an example. This embodiment can also be applied to the reporting of "available information" by simply replacing "unavailable information" with "available information".

[0292] The method embodiments of this application have been described in detail above. The apparatus embodiments of this application are described in detail below. It should be understood that the descriptions of the method embodiments correspond to the descriptions of the apparatus embodiments. Therefore, any parts not described in detail can be referred to the foregoing method embodiments.

[0293] Figure 8A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 800 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 800 is a first station. The communication device 800 includes a first transmitting unit 810.

[0294] A first transmitting unit is configured to transmit a first frame to a second station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station are attached to the same MLD.

[0295] In this embodiment, the communication device 800 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the first station in the above method embodiments. The communication device 800 includes units or modules for executing the aforementioned method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be described again here. However, those skilled in the art should know that the textual descriptions corresponding to the foregoing method embodiments can be incorporated into this embodiment and correspond to the modules in the communication device 800.

[0296] In an optional embodiment, the first transmitting unit 810 may be a transceiver 1030. The communication device 800 may also include a processor 1010 and a memory 1020, as shown in FIG10.

[0297] Figure 8B is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1100 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1100 is a second station. The communication device 1100 includes a first receiving unit 1110.

[0298] The first receiving unit 1110 is used to receive a first frame sent by a first station; wherein the first frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of a third station in a first operating mode, and the first station and the third station are attached to the same MLD.

[0299] In this embodiment, the communication device 1100 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the second station in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1100 includes units or modules for executing the aforementioned method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be described again here. However, those skilled in the art should know that the textual descriptions corresponding to the foregoing method embodiments can be incorporated into this embodiment and correspond to the modules in the communication device 1100.

[0300] In an optional embodiment, the first receiving unit 1110 may be a transceiver 1030. The communication device 1100 may also include a processor 1010 and a memory 1020, as shown in FIG10.

[0301] Figure 9A is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 900 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 900 is a first station. The communication device 900 includes a second transmitting unit 910.

[0302] When the first condition is met, the second sending unit 910 sends a second frame to the second station; wherein the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode.

[0303] In this embodiment, the communication device 900 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the first station in the above method embodiments. The communication device 900 includes units or modules for executing the aforementioned method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be described again here. However, those skilled in the art should know that the textual descriptions corresponding to the foregoing method embodiments can be incorporated into this embodiment and correspond to the modules in the communication device 900.

[0304] In an optional embodiment, the second transmitting unit 910 may be a transceiver 1030. The communication device 900 may also include a processor 1010 and a memory 1020, as shown in FIG10.

[0305] Figure 9B is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device 1200 provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 1200 is a second station. The communication device 1200 includes a second receiving unit 1210.

[0306] The second transmitting unit 1210 is used to receive a second frame transmitted by the first station; wherein the second frame is transmitted under a first condition, and the second frame carries the following information: availability information and / or unavailability information of the first station in a first operating mode.

[0307] In this embodiment, the communication device 1200 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the second station in the above method embodiments. The communication device 1200 includes units or modules for executing the aforementioned method steps. The method flow has been described in detail in the foregoing embodiments. The modules in this embodiment have the same function or perform the same steps, and will not be described again here. However, those skilled in the art should know that the textual descriptions corresponding to the foregoing method embodiments can be incorporated into this embodiment and correspond to the modules in the communication device 1200.

[0308] In an optional embodiment, the second receiving unit 1210 may be a transceiver 1030. The communication device 900 may also include a processor 1010 and a memory 1020, as shown in FIG10.

[0309] Figure 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 10 indicate that the unit or module is optional. The apparatus 1000 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The apparatus 1000 can be a chip or a communication device.

[0310] Apparatus 1000 may include one or more processors 1010. The processor 1010 may support apparatus 1000 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 1010 may be a general-purpose processor or a special-purpose processor. For example, the processor may be a central processing unit (CPU). Alternatively, the processor may be other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSPs), application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0311] The apparatus 1000 may further include one or more memories 1020. The memories 1020 store a program that can be executed by the processor 1010, causing the processor 1010 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 1020 may be independent of the processor 1010 or integrated within the processor 1010.

[0312] The device 1000 may also include a transceiver 1030. The processor 1010 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030. For example, the processor 1010 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 1030.

[0313] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium for storing a program. This computer-readable storage medium can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0314] This application also provides a computer program product. The computer program product includes a program. The computer program product can be applied to the communication device provided in this application embodiment, and the program causes a computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0315] This application also provides a computer program. This computer program can be applied to the communication device provided in this application, and causes the computer to execute the methods performed by the communication device in various embodiments of this application.

[0316] It should be understood that the terms "system" and "network" in this application can be used interchangeably. Furthermore, the terminology used in this application is only for explaining specific embodiments of the application and is not intended to limit the application. The terms "first," "second," "third," and "fourth," etc., in the specification, claims, and accompanying drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects, not to describe a specific order. In addition, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion.

[0317] In the embodiments of this application, a "field" may also be referred to as a "domain", "subfield", or "subfield". A field may occupy one or more bytes (byte / octet), or a field may occupy one or more bits (bit).

[0318] Unless otherwise stated, this application does not restrict the position of each field, that is, the position of each field can be adjusted.

[0319] The field names defined in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and the field may have other names.

[0320] In the embodiments of this application, the term "instruction" can be a direct instruction, an indirect instruction, or an indication of a relationship. For example, A instructing B can mean that A directly instructs B, such as B being able to obtain information through A; it can also mean that A indirectly instructs B, such as A instructing C, so B can obtain information through C; or it can mean that there is a relationship between A and B.

[0321] In the embodiments of this application, "B corresponding to A" means that B is associated with A, and B can be determined based on A. However, it should also be understood that determining B based on A does not mean that B is determined solely based on A; B can also be determined based on A and / or other information.

[0322] In the embodiments of this application, the term "correspondence" can indicate a direct or indirect correspondence between two things, or an association between two things, or a relationship such as instruction and being instructed, configuration and being configured.

[0323] In this application embodiment, "predefined" or "preconfigured" can be implemented by pre-storing corresponding codes, tables, or other means that can be used to indicate relevant information in the device (e.g., including AP and STA). This application does not limit the specific implementation method. For example, predefined can refer to what is defined in the protocol.

[0324] In the embodiments of this application, the term "and / or" is merely a description of the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, A and / or B can represent: A existing alone, A and B existing simultaneously, or B existing alone. Additionally, the character " / " in this document generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0325] In the embodiments of this application, "comprising" can refer to direct inclusion or indirect inclusion. Optionally, "comprising" mentioned in the embodiments of this application can be replaced with "indicating" or "used to determine". For example, "A includes B" can be replaced with "A indicates B" or "A is used to determine B".

[0326] In the various embodiments of this application, the order of the above-mentioned processes does not imply the order of execution. The execution order of each process should be determined by its function and internal logic, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of this application.

[0327] In this application embodiment, the "protocol" may refer to a standard protocol in the field of communication, such as the WiFi protocol and related protocols applied to future WiFi communication systems, and this application does not limit it.

[0328] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, apparatuses, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for instance, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. Furthermore, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be through some interfaces; the indirect coupling or communication connection between apparatuses or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0329] The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as units may or may not be physical units; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of the units can be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

[0330] In addition, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can exist physically separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit.

[0331] In the above embodiments, implementation can be achieved entirely or partially through software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented using software, it can be implemented entirely or partially in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When the computer program instructions are loaded and executed on a computer, all or part of the processes or functions described in the embodiments of this application are generated. The computer can be a general-purpose computer, a special-purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable device. The computer instructions can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer instructions can be transmitted from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, digital subscriber line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.) means. The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that a computer can read or a data storage device such as a server or data center that integrates one or more available media. The available media may 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), etc.

[0332] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The first station sends the first frame to the second station; The first frame carries the following information: Available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode, wherein the first site and the third site are attached to the same multi-link device (MLD).

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first frame sent from the first station to the second station includes: If the first condition is met, the first station sends the first frame to the second station.

3. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The cache of the third site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the first frame.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send the third station's availability and / or unavailability information in the first operating mode; The first site or the third site supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that is to be transmitted to the first site or the third site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode included in the first frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The cache at the third station contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second station; The duration between the transmission time of the first frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first station or the third station is greater than or equal to a first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the first or third station is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. The network allocation vector (NAV) duration of the third site partially covers the unavailable time period of the third site; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site or the third site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data; The data cached by the third station and to be transmitted to the second station is low-latency data.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The first frame is sent either on a non-requested or request-based basis.

6. The method according to claim 5, characterized in that, The first frame is an initial control frame, a management frame, or a control frame.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first frame includes a first element, which includes one or more of the following fields: A first quantity field is used to indicate the number of available links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The second quantity field is used to indicate the number of unavailable links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The first list field includes one or more availability indicator fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the available links; The second list field includes one or more unavailability indication fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the unavailable links.

8. The method according to claim 7, characterized in that, The first frame is a protected action frame or notification frame.

9. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The first frame carries one or more of the following fields: One or more availability indication fields, wherein the one or more availability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the availability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode; One or more unavailability indication fields, wherein the one or more unavailability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the unavailability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode.

10. The method according to claim 9, characterized in that, The first frame is a BA frame.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The BA frame includes an acknowledgment type subfield and a TID subfield. If the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is a first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is a second specified value, then the BA frame includes the availability information and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode.

12. The method according to any one of claims 7-11, characterized in that, The available indication fields are used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Available target start time; Available duration; Available status.

13. The method according to any one of claims 7-12, characterized in that, The unavailable indication field is used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Target start time is unavailable; Duration of unavailable time; Unavailable.

14. The method according to any one of claims 1-13, characterized in that, Also includes: The first station sends a third frame to the second station; And / or, The first station receives the third frame sent by the second station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first frame.

15. The method according to claim 14, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the first frame is sent.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site or the third site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is a parameter used to indicate the first operation mode of the first site or the third site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

18. The method according to any one of claims 1-17, characterized in that, Also includes: The first station receives the fourth frame sent by the second station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

21. The method according to any one of claims 1-20, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

22. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The second station receives the first frame sent by the first station; The first frame carries the following information: Available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode, wherein the first site and the third site are attached to the same multi-link device (MLD).

23. The method according to claim 22, characterized in that, The first frame was sent under the condition that the first condition was met.

24. The method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The cache of the third site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the first frame.

25. The method according to claim 24, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send the third station's availability and / or unavailability information in the first operating mode; The first site or the third site supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that is to be transmitted to the first site or the third site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode included in the first frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The cache at the third station contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second station; The duration between the transmission time of the first frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first station or the third station is greater than or equal to a first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the first or third station is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. The network allocation vector (NAV) duration of the third site partially covers the unavailable time period of the third site; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site or the third site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data; The data cached by the third station and to be transmitted to the second station is low-latency data.

26. The method according to any one of claims 22-25, characterized in that, The first frame is sent either on a non-requested or request-based basis.

27. The method according to claim 26, characterized in that, The first frame is an initial control frame, a management frame, or a control frame.

28. The method according to any one of claims 22-27, characterized in that, The first frame includes a first element, which includes one or more of the following fields: A first quantity field is used to indicate the number of available links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The second quantity field is used to indicate the number of unavailable links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The first list field includes one or more availability indicator fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the available links; The second list field includes one or more unavailability indication fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the unavailable links.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The first frame is a protected action frame or notification frame.

30. The method according to any one of claims 22-27, characterized in that, The first frame carries one or more of the following fields: One or more availability indication fields, wherein the one or more availability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the availability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode; One or more unavailability indication fields, wherein the one or more unavailability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the unavailability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that, The first frame is a BA frame.

32. The method according to claim 31, characterized in that, The BA frame includes an acknowledgment type subfield and a TID subfield. If the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is a first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is a second specified value, then the BA frame includes the availability information and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode.

33. The method according to any one of claims 28-32, characterized in that, The available indication fields are used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Available target start time; Available duration; Available status.

34. The method according to any one of claims 28-33, characterized in that, The unavailable indication field is used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Target start time is unavailable; Duration of unavailable time; Unavailable.

35. The method according to any one of claims 22-34, characterized in that, Also includes: The second station sends a third frame to the first station; And / or, The second station receives the third frame sent by the first station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first frame.

36. The method according to claim 35, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the first frame is sent.

37. The method according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site or the third site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is a parameter used to indicate the first operation mode of the first site or the third site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

38. The method according to claim 37, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

39. The method according to any one of claims 22-38, characterized in that, Also includes: The second station sends a fourth frame to the first station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode.

40. The method according to claim 39, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

41. The method according to claim 39 or 40, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

42. The method according to any one of claims 22-41, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

43. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: If the first condition is met, the first station sends the second frame to the second station; The second frame carries the following information: The first site's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

44. The method according to claim 43, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the second frame.

45. The method according to claim 44, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode; The first station supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that needs to be transmitted to the first site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode included in the second frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained by the second site in the past needs to be updated; the cache of the first site has data to be transmitted to the second site; The duration between the transmission time of the second frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first site is greater than or equal to the first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of the first site's unavailability is greater than or equal to the second time threshold; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data.

46. ​​The method according to any one of claims 43-45, characterized in that, The second frame was sent on a non-request basis.

47. The method according to claim 46, characterized in that, The second frame is the Initial Control Frame (ICF).

48. The method according to any one of claims 43-47, characterized in that, Also includes: The first station sends a third frame to the second station; And / or, The first station receives the third frame sent by the second station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station enables the reporting function of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

49. The method according to claim 48, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the second frame is sent.

50. The method according to claim 48 or 49, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is used to indicate the parameters of the first operation mode of the first site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

51. The method according to claim 50, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

52. The method according to any one of claims 43-51, characterized in that, Also includes: The first station receives the fourth frame sent by the second station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode.

53. The method according to claim 52, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

54. The method according to claim 52 or 53, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

55. The method according to any one of claims 43-54, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

56. A wireless communication method, characterized in that, include: The second station receives the second frame sent by the first station; The second frame is sent when the first condition is met, and the second frame carries the following information: The first site's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

57. The method according to claim 56, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the second frame.

58. The method according to claim 57, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode; The first station supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that needs to be transmitted to the first site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode included in the second frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The duration between the transmission time of the second frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first site is greater than or equal to the first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of the first site's unavailability is greater than or equal to the second time threshold; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data.

59. The method according to any one of claims 56-58, characterized in that, The second frame was sent on a non-request basis.

60. The method according to claim 59, characterized in that, The second frame is the Initial Control Frame (ICF).

61. The method according to any one of claims 56-59, characterized in that, Also includes: The second station sends a third frame to the first station; And / or, The second station receives the third frame sent by the first station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station enables the reporting function of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

62. The method according to claim 61, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the second frame is sent.

63. The method according to claim 61 or 62, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is used to indicate the parameters of the first operation mode of the first site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

64. The method according to claim 63, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

65. The method according to any one of claims 56-64, characterized in that, Also includes: The second station sends a fourth frame to the first station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode.

66. The method according to claim 65, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

67. The method according to claim 65 or 66, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

68. The method according to any one of claims 56-67, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

69. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is the first station, and the communication device includes: The first transmitting unit is used to transmit the first frame to the second station; The first frame carries the following information: Available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode, wherein the first site and the third site are attached to the same multi-link device (MLD).

70. The communication device according to claim 69, characterized in that, The first frame sent from the first station to the second station includes: If the first condition is met, the first station sends the first frame to the second station.

71. The communication device according to claim 70, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The cache of the third site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the first frame.

72. The communication device according to claim 71, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send the third station's availability and / or unavailability information in the first operating mode; The first site or the third site supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that is to be transmitted to the first site or the third site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode included in the first frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The cache at the third station contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second station; The duration between the transmission time of the first frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first station or the third station is greater than or equal to a first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the first or third station is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. The network allocation vector (NAV) duration of the third site partially covers the unavailable time period of the third site; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site or the third site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data; The data cached by the third station and to be transmitted to the second station is low-latency data.

73. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-72, characterized in that, The first frame is sent either on a non-requested or request-based basis.

74. The communication device according to claim 73, characterized in that, The first frame is an initial control frame, a management frame, or a control frame.

75. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-74, characterized in that, The first frame includes a first element, which includes one or more of the following fields: A first quantity field is used to indicate the number of available links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The second quantity field is used to indicate the number of unavailable links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The first list field includes one or more availability indicator fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the available links; The second list field includes one or more unavailability indication fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the unavailable links.

76. The communication device according to claim 75, characterized in that, The first frame is a protected action frame or notification frame.

77. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-74, characterized in that, The first frame carries one or more of the following fields: One or more availability indication fields, wherein the one or more availability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the availability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode; One or more unavailability indication fields, wherein the one or more unavailability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the unavailability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode.

78. The communication device according to claim 77, characterized in that, The first frame is a BA frame.

79. The communication device according to claim 78, characterized in that, The BA frame includes an acknowledgment type subfield and a TID subfield. If the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is a first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is a second specified value, then the BA frame includes the availability information and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode.

80. The communication device according to any one of claims 75-79, characterized in that, The available indication fields are used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Available target start time; Available duration; Available status.

81. The communication device according to any one of claims 75-80, characterized in that, The unavailable indication field is used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Target start time is unavailable; Duration of unavailable time; Unavailable.

82. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-81, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Send a third frame to the second station; and / or, Receive the third frame sent by the second station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first frame.

83. The communication device according to claim 82, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the first frame is sent.

84. The communication device according to claim 82 or 83, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site or the third site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is a parameter used to indicate the first operation mode of the first site or the third site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

85. The communication device according to claim 84, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

86. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-85, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Receive the fourth frame sent by the second station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode.

87. The communication device according to claim 86, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

88. The communication device according to claim 86 or 87, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

89. The communication device according to any one of claims 69-88, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

90. A wireless communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a second station, and the communication device includes: The first receiving unit is used to receive the first frame sent by the first station; The first frame carries the following information: Available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode, wherein the first site and the third site are attached to the same multi-link device (MLD).

91. The communication device according to claim 90, characterized in that, The first frame was sent under the condition that the first condition was met.

92. The communication device according to claim 91, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The cache of the third site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the first frame.

93. The communication device according to claim 92, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send the third station's availability and / or unavailability information in the first operating mode; The first site or the third site supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the third site in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that is to be transmitted to the first site or the third site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode included in the first frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The availability and / or unavailability information of the third site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The cache at the third station contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second station; The duration between the transmission time of the first frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first station or the third station is greater than or equal to a first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of unavailability of the first or third station is greater than or equal to the second time threshold. The network allocation vector (NAV) duration of the third site partially covers the unavailable time period of the third site; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site or the third site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data; The data cached by the third station and to be transmitted to the second station is low-latency data.

94. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-93, characterized in that, The first frame is sent either on a non-requested or request-based basis.

95. The communication device according to claim 94, characterized in that, The first frame is an initial control frame, a management frame, or a control frame.

96. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-95, characterized in that, The first frame includes a first element, which includes one or more of the following fields: A first quantity field is used to indicate the number of available links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The second quantity field is used to indicate the number of unavailable links in the MLD under the first operating mode; The first list field includes one or more availability indicator fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the available links; The second list field includes one or more unavailability indication fields, which are used to indicate information about one or more of the unavailable links.

97. The communication device according to claim 96, characterized in that, The first frame is a protected action frame or notification frame.

98. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-95, characterized in that, The first frame carries one or more of the following fields: One or more availability indication fields, wherein the one or more availability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the availability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode; One or more unavailability indication fields, wherein the one or more unavailability indication fields are respectively used to indicate the unavailability information of links corresponding to one or more sites in a first operating mode.

99. The communication device according to claim 98, characterized in that, The first frame is a BA frame.

100. The communication device according to claim 99, characterized in that, The BA frame includes an acknowledgment type subfield and a TID subfield. If the value of the acknowledgment type subfield is a first specified value and the value of the TID subfield is a second specified value, then the BA frame includes the availability information and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode.

101. The communication device according to any one of claims 96-100, characterized in that, The available indication fields are used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Available target start time; Available duration; Available status.

102. The communication device according to any one of claims 96-101, characterized in that, The unavailable indication field is used to indicate one or more of the following information: Link identifier; Target start time is unavailable; Duration of unavailable time; Unavailable.

103. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-102, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Send a third frame to the first station; and / or, Receive the third frame sent by the first station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station or the third station enables the reporting function of the first frame.

104. The communication device according to claim 103, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the first frame is sent.

105. The communication device according to claim 103 or 104, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site or the third site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is a parameter used to indicate the first operation mode of the first site or the third site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

106. The communication device according to claim 105, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

107. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-106, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: The second station sends a fourth frame to the first station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode.

108. The communication device according to claim 107, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

109. The communication device according to claim 107 or 108, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the reporting of the available and / or unavailable information of the third station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of the availability and / or unavailability information of the third station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the first frame unsolicited or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the first frame unsolicited.

110. The communication device according to any one of claims 90-109, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

111. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is the first station, and the communication device includes: The second sending unit is used to send a second frame to the second station when the first condition is met; The second frame carries the following information: The first site's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

112. The communication device according to claim 111, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the second frame.

113. The communication device according to claim 112, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode; The first station supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that needs to be transmitted to the first site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode included in the second frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The duration between the transmission time of the second frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first site is greater than or equal to the first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of the first site's unavailability is greater than or equal to the second time threshold; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data.

114. The communication device according to any one of claims 111-113, characterized in that, The second frame was sent on a non-request basis.

115. The communication device according to claim 114, characterized in that, The second frame is the Initial Control Frame (ICF).

116. The communication device according to any one of claims 111-115, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Send a third frame to the second station; and / or, Receive the third frame sent by the second station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station enables the reporting function of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

117. The communication device according to claim 116, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the second frame is sent.

118. The communication device according to claim 116 or 117, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is used to indicate the parameters of the first operation mode of the first site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

119. The communication device according to claim 118, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

120. The communication device according to any one of claims 111-119, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Receive the fourth frame sent by the second station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode.

121. The communication device according to claim 120, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

122. The communication device according to claim 120 or 121, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

123. The communication device according to any one of claims 111-122, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

124. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a second station, and the communication device includes: The second receiving unit is used to receive the second frame sent by the first station; The second frame is sent when the first condition is met, and the second frame carries the following information: The first site's available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

125. The communication device according to claim 124, characterized in that, The first condition is related to one or more of the following: Instructions for the second station; The functions supported by the first site; The cache of the second site; The cache of the first site; The second site's historical acquisition of available and / or unavailable information; The content of the second frame.

126. The communication device according to claim 125, characterized in that, The first condition includes one or more of the following: The second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode; The first station supports the reporting of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode; The second site caches data that needs to be transmitted to the first site; The availability and / or unavailability information of the first station in the first operating mode included in the second frame has not been reported. The availability and / or unavailability information of the first site obtained historically by the second site needs to be updated; The first site's cache contains data that needs to be transmitted to the second site; The duration between the transmission time of the second frame and the start time of the unavailability of the first site is greater than or equal to the first time threshold. The duration between the start and end times of the first site's unavailability is greater than or equal to the second time threshold; The data cached by the second site and to be transmitted to the first site is low-latency data; The data cached by the first site and to be transmitted to the second site is low-latency data.

127. The communication device according to any one of claims 124-126, characterized in that, The second frame was sent on a non-request basis.

128. The communication device according to claim 127, characterized in that, The second frame is the Initial Control Frame (ICF).

129. The communication device according to any one of claims 124-128, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Send a third frame to the first station; and / or, Receive the third frame sent by the first station; The third frame is used to indicate whether the first station enables the reporting function of available and / or unavailable information in the first operating mode.

130. The communication device according to claim 129, characterized in that, The third frame is sent before the second frame is sent.

131. The communication device according to claim 129 or 130, characterized in that, The third frame includes one or more of the following fields: The operation mode field is used to indicate whether the first operation mode of the first site is enabled. The operation mode parameter field is used to indicate the parameters of the first operation mode of the first site; The operation mode parameter control field is used to indicate whether the operation mode field is included in the third frame.

132. The communication device according to claim 131, characterized in that, The operation mode parameter field includes one or more of the following fields: The first enable field is used to indicate whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first site is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first site in the first operating mode across links. The second enable field is used to indicate whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or whether the first station is enabled to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links, and the first frame is an ICF. The first duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

133. The communication device according to any one of claims 124-132, characterized in that, The communication device is also used for: Send the fourth frame to the first station; The fourth frame includes a third field, which is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to send available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode.

134. The communication device according to claim 133, characterized in that, The third field is an aggregation control field.

135. The communication device according to claim 133 or 134, characterized in that, The third field includes one or more of the following fields: The third enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode without request, or to indicate whether to enable the first station to report the available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode across links. The fourth enable field is used to indicate whether the second station enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables unsolicited reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, or whether it enables cross-link reporting of available and / or unavailable information of the first station in the first operating mode, and the first frame is an ICF. The second duration field is used to indicate the duration for which the first site is enabled to send the unsolicited second frame or the duration for which the first site is de-enabled to send the unsolicited second frame.

136. The communication device according to any one of claims 124-135, characterized in that, The first operation mode is the Dynamic Unavailable Operation (DUO) mode.

137. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a transceiver, a memory, and a processor. The memory stores a program, and the processor invokes the program in the memory and controls the transceiver to receive or transmit signals so that the communication device performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

138. An apparatus, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory to cause the device to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

139. A chip, characterized in that, Includes a processor for calling a program from memory, causing a device on which the chip is mounted to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

140. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, It contains a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

141. A computer program product, characterized in that, Includes a program that causes a computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

142. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-136.

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