Communication method and communication device

Abstract

Provided are a communication method and a communication device. The communication method comprises: a first device of a first BSS receiving a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS, wherein the first signal comprises first information, and the first information is configured to indicate one or more of the following: time information, determined by the second device, on the occupation of a primary channel of the first BSS by a device of a second BSS; and residence time information of the second device on an NPCA primary channel after switching from the primary channel of the first BSS to the NPCA primary channel.

Description

Communication methods and communication equipment Technical Field

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

[0002] When the primary channel of a station (STA) in a basic service set (BSS) is occupied by transmissions from overlapping BSSs (OBSSs), an STA that meets the triggering conditions can switch from the primary channel to a non-primary channel to continue transmission. However, transmission may fail when the STA is transmitting on a non-primary channel. Summary of the Invention

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

[0004] In a first aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a first device of a first BSS receiving a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: time information of a device of the second BSS, determined by the second device, occupying the main channel of the first BSS; and dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0005] In a second aspect, a communication method is provided, comprising: a second device of a first BSS sending a first signal to a first device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: time information of the second device determining when a device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0006] Thirdly, a communication device is provided, which is a first device of a first BSS. The communication device includes: a receiving module for receiving a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: time information of the second device determining that the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0007] Fourthly, a communication device is provided, which is a second device of a first BSS. The communication device includes: a transmitting module for transmitting a first signal to the first device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: time information of the second device determining that the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0008] Fifthly, a communication device is provided, including a transceiver, a processor, and a memory, the memory for storing one or more computer programs, and 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.

[0009] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication system that includes 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.

[0010] In a seventh aspect, 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.

[0011] Eighthly, 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.

[0012] Ninthly, 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.

[0013] In this embodiment, the second device can indicate to the first device the time information of the OBSS occupancy of the main channel and / or the dwell time information of the second device on the NPCA main channel. In this way, the first device can know when the second device switches back to the main channel from the NPCA main channel, which is beneficial for the first device to schedule transmission with the second device according to the first information (i.e., the first device can transmit with the second device on the NPCA main channel while the second device is dwelling on the NPCA main channel), thereby improving the transmission success rate. Attached Figure Description

[0014] Figure 1 is a system architecture example diagram of a wireless communication system applicable to the embodiments of this application.

[0015] Figure 2 is an example diagram of secondary channel access.

[0016] Figure 3 is an example diagram of the format of the feedback subfield.

[0017] Figure 4 is an example diagram of the format of the trigger frame.

[0018] Figure 5 is a format example diagram of the high-efficiency (HE) variant of the public information field.

[0019] Figure 6 is an example diagram of the format of the public information field for the Extremely High Throughput (EHT) variant.

[0020] Figure 7 is a sample format diagram of the Special User Info Field.

[0021] Figure 8 is a sample format diagram of the HE Variant User Info Field.

[0022] Figure 9 is an example diagram of the format of the Space Stream Allocation (SS Allocation) field.

[0023] Figure 10 is an example diagram of the Random Access Resource Unit Information (RA-RU Information) field format.

[0024] Figure 11 is an example diagram of the format of the Trigger Dependent User Info field in a basic trigger frame.

[0025] Figure 12 is an example diagram of the format of a user information field in an EHT variant.

[0026] Figure 13 is another example diagram of the format of the spatial flow assignment field.

[0027] Figure 14 is an example diagram of the format of a block acknowledgment (BA) frame.

[0028] Figure 15 is an example diagram of the format of the BA control field.

[0029] Figure 16 is an example diagram of the format of the BA Information field in a compressed BA frame.

[0030] Figure 17 is an example of the format of the Per AID TID Info field.

[0031] Figure 18 is another example of the format of the Per AID TID Info field.

[0032] Figure 19 is another example of the format of the Per AID TID Info field.

[0033] Figure 20 is an example diagram of the format of the Associated Identifier Traffic Identifier Information (AID TID Info) field.

[0034] Figure 21 is an example diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0035] Figure 22 is an example diagram of non-primary channel access (NPCA) primary channel handover provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0036] Figure 23 is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0037] Figure 24 is an example diagram of the frame structure of a first signal provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0038] Figure 25 is an example diagram of the frame structure of the first signal provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0039] Figure 26 is an example diagram of the frame structure of the second signal provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0040] Figure 27 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0041] Figure 28 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0042] Figure 29 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0043] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0044] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application.

[0045] Figure 32 is a schematic structural diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0046] The technical solutions in this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0047] Communication system architecture

[0048] 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).

[0049] Figure 1 shows a schematic diagram of a communication system applicable to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1, the communication devices in the communication system 100 may include access points (APs) 111 and 112, as well as stations (STAs) 121 and 122. STA 121 can access the network through AP 111, and STA 122 can access the network through AP 112.

[0050] 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 1, AP 111 and STA 121 can communicate after establishing an association, and AP 112 and STA 122 can communicate after establishing an association.

[0051] 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.

[0052] It should be understood that Figure 1 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.

[0053] 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.

[0054] 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 type of STA. In other scenarios, STA can be called non-AP STA.

[0055] 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."

[0056] 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.).

[0057] 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 takes on the role of an AP.

[0058] 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.

[0059] 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.

[0060] 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.

[0061] 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).

[0062] 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.

[0063] 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.

[0064] 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.

[0065] 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.

[0066] 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.

[0067] 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).

[0068] 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.

[0069] First, let's introduce some channel-related concepts:

[0070] Primary Channel: This refers to the channel shared by all member stations in the basic service set (BSS). For example, in a BSS corresponding to 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz, the primary channel is a main 20MHz channel.

[0071] Nonprimary channel: refers to any 20MHz channel other than the primary 20MHz channel within a 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS).

[0072] Primary 20MHz Channel: This refers to the 20MHz channel used to transmit 20MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs) within a basic service set (BSS) of 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz.

[0073] The primary 40MHz channel is a 40MHz channel used to transmit 40MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs) within an 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS).

[0074] Primary 80MHz Channel: Within a 160MHz or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS), this 80MHz channel is used to transmit 80MHz physical layer (PHY) protocol data units (PPDUs).

[0075] Primary 160MHz Channel: Within a 320MHz basic service set (BSS), this is the 160MHz channel that includes the primary 20MHz channel.

[0076] Sometimes the aforementioned main 20MHz channel, main 40MHz channel, main 80MHz channel, and main 160MHz channel are collectively referred to as the main channel.

[0077] A secondary channel is a channel associated with a primary channel and used to create a channel wider than the primary channel. In a 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 80+80MHz basic service set (BSS), the secondary channel is a secondary 20MHz channel.

[0078] Secondary 20MHz Channel: In the 40MHz very high throughput basic service set, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel together forms the 40MHz channel corresponding to the 40MHz very high throughput basic service set. In the 80MHz very high throughput basic service set, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel together forms the primary 40MHz channel corresponding to the 80MHz very high throughput basic service set. In the 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput basic service set, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel together forms the primary 40MHz channel corresponding to the 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput basic service set. (In a 40MHz very high throughput(VHT)basic service set(BSS), the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the 40MHz channel of the 40MHz VHT BSS.In an 80MHz VHT BSS, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the primary 40MHz channel of the 80MHz VHT BSS.In a 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS, the 20MHz channel adjacent to the primary 20MHz channel that together form the primary 40MHz channel of the 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS.In a VHT BSS, the secondary 20MHz channel is also the secondary channel.)

[0079] The secondary 40MHz channel: In an 80MHz very high throughput (VHT) basic service set (BSS), the 40MHz channel adjacent to the primary 40MHz channel together forms the 80MHz channel of the 80MHz VHT BSS. In a 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS, the 40MHz channel adjacent to the primary 40MHz channel together forms the primary 80MHz channel.

[0080] Secondary 80MHz Channel: In a 160MHz or 80+80MHz very high throughput (VHT) basic service set (BSS), the 80MHz channel, excluding the primary 20MHz channel, together with the primary 80MHz channel, forms the 160MHz or 80+80MHz channel corresponding to the 160MHz or 80+80MHz VHT BSS.

[0081] The Secondary 160MHz Channel: Within a 320MHz basic service set (BSS), the 160MHz channel, excluding the primary 20MHz channel, together with the primary 160MHz channel, forms the 320MHz channel corresponding to the 320MHz extremely high throughput (EHT) BSS.

[0082] Sometimes the aforementioned 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, and 160MHz channels are collectively referred to as secondary channels.

[0083] Operating Channel: This refers to the channel used to transmit beacon frames. It can be a collection of multiple channels used during operation. Specific examples include 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz operating channels.

[0084] Operating Channel Width: This refers to the bandwidth of the channel through which the station (STA) is currently able to receive signals. Examples include 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, or 320MHz.

[0085] Anchor Channel: Also known as Non-Primary Channel Access (NPCA) Primary Channel, Second Primary Channel, Temporary Primary Channel, Assistant Primary Channel, Auxiliary Primary Channel, or Target Subchannel. A subchannel within the current operating channel of the basic service set, used as the primary channel when the access point and associated site perform non-primary channel access. Specifically, assuming the access point's current operating channel bandwidth is 160MHz, the subchannels include: Primary 80MHz (P80, including Primary 20MHz (P20), Secondary 20MHz (S20), Secondary 40MHz (S40, including S20-1, S20-2)), and Secondary 80MHz (S80, including S20-3, S20-4, S20-5, S20-6). For example, when access points and associated sites perform non-primary channel access, they use S20-3 as P20, S20-4 as S20, S20-5 and S20-6 as S40, and P80 as S80.

[0086] Ultra-high reliability secondary channel access

[0087] Related technologies propose a secondary channel access method that allows a station to transmit only on the secondary channel after detecting that the primary channel is busy. Referring to Figure 2, for the AP (transmitter), the AP can monitor the medium idle / busy status on the second primary channel (P2). Exemplarily, the AP can perform energy detection / packet detection clear channel assessment (ED / PD CCA), such as performing short training field (STF) detection, to monitor the medium idle / busy status on the second primary channel.

[0088] In some embodiments, if the first primary channel (P1) is busy for the duration of the network allocation vector (NAV) while the second primary channel is idle for a certain duration (the length of which is to be determined), the AP will back off on the second primary channel and initiate a transmission opportunity (TXOP) to the target STA using a buffer status report poll (BSRP) trigger or control frame, such as a request to send (TRS) frame.

[0089] In some embodiments, the AP can determine whether the target STA is on the second primary channel by exchanging control frames of the RTS / CTS or BSRP / BSR type.

[0090] In some embodiments, the transmission opportunity initiated by the AP to the target STA ends before NAV=0 is set on the first primary channel.

[0091] For the STA (receiver), if the first primary channel is busy during the NAV duration, the STA can move to the second primary channel and wait for a BSRP or RTS (control frame) from the AP. In some embodiments, the STA needs to return to the first primary channel before the NAV of the first primary channel reaches 0.

[0092] Non-primary channel access (NPCA)

[0093] The proposed technology allows APs and non-AP STAs to switch to a non-primary channel for transmission when the primary channel is detected to be busy. After the AP switches to a non-primary channel, it can use multi-user request-to-send (MU-RTS) and clear-to-send (CTS) frame interactions to inquire about the availability of non-AP STAs. Furthermore, the technology defines the conditions for APs and STAs to switch to a non-primary channel to access the primary channel (NPCA primary channel), and defines the channel access rules and transmission rules for NPCA APs and NPCA STAs on the NPCA primary channel.

[0094] The following is a more detailed introduction to the relevant regulations of NPCA.

[0095] If the value of the most recently received or transmitted NPCA Operation Information Present field corresponding to the BSS to which the NPCA STA belongs is equal to 1, and conditions a), b) or c) are met, then the NPCA STA may switch to the NPCA primary channel for NPCA operation.

[0096] a) The STA receives a PPDU and / or a PHY-RXSTART indication primitive for an HE / EHT / UHR PPDU on the BSS primary channel, and all of the following conditions are true:

[0097] 1. The STA classifies a PPDU as an inter-BSS PPDU according to the procedure defined in 26.2.2 (Intra-BSS and inter-BSS PPDU classification).

[0098] 2. The duration of the PPDU (determined by the MAC in a manner to be determined, but necessarily involving some parameters of the RXVECTOR associated with the received PPDU) is greater than the value indicated in the most recently received or transmitted NPCA Minimum Duration Threshold field corresponding to the BSS of which it is a member. Whether the RXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION of the PPDU is considered for this comparison is to be determined.

[0099] 3. The 20 / 40 / 80 / 160MHz channel occupied by the PPDU is identified by the STA based on the Bandwidth field in the PHY preamble of the PPDU and the channel allocations in the corresponding band, and the channel occupied by the PPDU does not overlap with the NPCA primary channel.

[0100] In a), in addition to the conditions listed above, there may be other conditions that need to be met.

[0101] b) On the BSS primary channel, the STA receives a PPDU containing a control frame and a PPDU containing an initial response frame of a control frame exchange, and all of the following conditions apply.

[0102] 1. In accordance with the procedure defined in 26.2.2 (Intra-BSS and inter-BSS PPDU classification), the STA classifies PPDUs as inter-BSS PPDUs.

[0103] 2. The TXOP duration (determined by the Duration field of the received frame(s)) is greater than the value indicated in the Most Recently Received or Transmitted NPCA Minimum Duration Threshold field corresponding to its BSS. Whether the RXVECTOR parameter TXOP_DURATION of the received PPDU(s) is considered for this comparison is yet to be determined.

[0104] 3. The 20 / 40 / 80 / 160MHz channel occupied by the received PPDU(s) is determined by the STA based on the channel allocations in the corresponding band and the PPDU bandwidth that is signaled in the received PPDU(s) or obtained from the RXVECTOR parameter CH_BANDWIDTH_IN_NON_HT of the received PPDU(s); and does not overlap with the NPCA primary channel.

[0105] In some embodiments, if the control frame is an RTS frame in a non-HT (duplicate) PPDU, then it includes a bandwidth signaling TA and the signaled PPDU bandwidth is 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, or 160MHz.

[0106] In some embodiments, the identification of the channel occupied by a received CTS frame in a non-HT (duplicate) PPDU is determined by examining the RTS frame or the MU-RTS frame that elicited the CTS response.

[0107] In b), in addition to the conditions listed above, there may be other conditions that need to be met.

[0108] MAC coexistence

[0109] If a Per AID TID Info field has an Ack Type subfield equal to 0 and a TID subfield equal to 13, then at least one of the following conditions must be met:

[0110] a. It includes feedback information instead of Acknowledgement status (see Table 9-39 in the related technology (Context of the Per AID TID Info subfield and presence of optional subfields if the AID11 subfield is not 2045)).

[0111] b. The AID11 subfield of the AID TID Info subfield is set to the AID of a UHR STA that is the intended receiver of the feedback information, or to 2008 if the feedback information is intended for all receiving UHR STAs.

[0112] c. The Block Ack Bitmap subfield is a feedback subfield with the same length as the Block Ack Bitmap subfield and has the format defined in Figure 3 (Feedback Subfield Format). The Unavailability Target Start Time subfield indicates the TSF[15:7] value of the STA unavailability time for which the Multi-STA BA frame was transmitted (see 11.2.1 (Basic Introduction)). The "Unavailability Duration" subfield indicates the duration of STA unavailability when the Multi-STA BA is transmitted, in units of 64 μs. The Unavailability Target Start Time subfield indicates the value of TSF[15:7]at the time when the STA transmitting the Multi-STA BA frame becomes unavailable(see 11.2.1(General)).).The Unavailability Duration subfield indicates the duration in unit units of 64μs when the STA transmitting the Multi-STA BA is not available.The value TBD of the Unavailability Duration subfield indicates that the unavailability duration is unknown).

[0113] Trigger Frame

[0114] In some communication standards (such as IEEE 802.11), trigger-based (TB) PPDU transmission can be implemented based on trigger frames. For example, a non-multi-user request to send (MU-RTS) trigger frame allocates resources and requests the transmission of one or more TB PPDUs. The trigger frame also carries additional information required in response to the STA sending an HE TB PPDU, EHT TB PPDU, Non-HT PPDU, or Non-HT Duplicate PPDU.

[0115] Figure 4 illustrates the format of a trigger frame. As shown in Figure 4, a trigger frame may include one or more of the following fields: Frame Control, Duration, Receiver Address (RA), Transmission Address (TA), Common Info, User Info List, Padding, and Frame Check Sequence (FCS). These fields are described below.

[0116] The frame control field can be used to carry control information such as frame type.

[0117] The duration field can be used to indicate the remaining duration of the TXOP.

[0118] The RA field can be used to indicate the site address or broadcast address that received the trigger frame.

[0119] The TA field can be used to indicate the site address that sent the trigger frame or the BSS identifier (BSSID).

[0120] The Common Info field primarily carries common information. This common information field can have different variants. For example, it can be interpreted as either a HE variant common Info field or an EHT variant common Info field. For instance, a non-EHT non-AP HE STA interprets the Common Info field as a HE variant Common Info field (as shown in Figure 5). If B54 and B55 in the Common Info field equal 1, the non-AP EHT STA interprets it as a HE variant Common Info field; otherwise, it interprets it as an EHT variant Common Info field (as shown in Figure 6).

[0121] The User Info List may include one or more User Info fields. There are three variants of the User Info field: Special User Info, HE variant User Info, and EHT variant User Info.

[0122] The Special User Info field is a user information field that does not carry user-specific information but carries extended public information not provided in the Common Info field. If a Special User Info field exists, it follows the Common Info field in the triggering frame and carries information from the U-SIG field of the requested EHT TB PPDU.

[0123] Figure 7 shows an example of the format of the Special User Info field. As shown in Figure 7, the Special User Info field may include one or more of the following subfields: AID12 subfield, PHY version identifier subfield, UL BW extension subfield, EHT spatial reuse 1 subfield, EHT spatial reuse 2 subfield, U-SIG disregard and validate subfield, trigger dependent user Info subfield, and reserved subfield.

[0124] The AID12 subfield of the Special User Info field can be set to 2007 to identify this user information field as a special user information field.

[0125] The Physical Layer Version Identifier field indicates the physical layer (PHY) version of the requested TB PPDU (non-HE TB PPDU). For EHT, the Physical Layer Version Identifier field is set to 0. Values ​​between 1 and 7 are reserved.

[0126] The Uplink Bandwidth Extension field, together with the UL BW subfield in the Public Information field, indicates the bandwidth of the requested TB PPDU.

[0127] The EHT Spatial Reuse 1 field carries the value to be included in the corresponding Spatial Reuse 1 subfield of the U-SIG field of the EHT TB PPDU.

[0128] The EHT Spatial Reuse 2 field carries the value to be included in the corresponding Spatial Reuse 2 subfield of the U-SIG field of the EHT TB PPDU.

[0129] The U-SIG ignore and validate fields carry the values ​​from the ignore and validate subfields to be included in the U-SIG field of the requested EHT TB PPDU.

[0130] The presence and length of the Trigger Dependent User Info subfield in the Special User Info field depend on the variant of the trigger frame. When present, the length and subfields of the trigger-dependent user information subfield are as follows: One octet in length, with all subfields retained in Basic Trigger and Beamforming Report Poll (BFRP) trigger frames; or four octets in length, with all subfields except the BAR type subfield retained in multi-user block acknowledgment (MU-BAR) trigger frames. The BAR type subfield is set to indicate the compressed BAR in the MU-BAR trigger frame.

[0131] If the Special User Info field is included in other trigger frame variants, then the Trigger Dependent User Info subfield does not exist in the Special User Info field.

[0132] The format of the HE variant User Info field is shown in Figure 8. Referring to Figure 8, the HE variant User Info field includes one or more of the following subfields: Associated Identifier 12 (AID12) subfield, Resource Unit (RU) Allocation subfield, Uplink Forward Error Correction (FEC) Coding Type subfield, Uplink HE Modulation-Coding Scheme (UL HE-MCS) subfield, Uplink Dual Carrier Modulation (DCM) subfield, Spatial Stream Allocation / Random Access Resource Unit Information (SS Allocation / RA-RU Information) subfield, Uplink Target Receive Power subfield, Reserved subfield, and Trigger Dependent User Info subfield. These subfields are described below.

[0133] The AID12 subfield is used to indicate the AID of an associated site or a non-associated site.

[0134] The RU Allocation subfield, together with the UL BW subfield in the Common Info field, identifies the size and location of the RU.

[0135] The UL FEC Coding Type subfield indicates the encoding type of the requested HE TB PPDU. A UL FEC Coding Type subfield set to 0 indicates binary convolutional coding (BCC), and a set to 1 indicates low-density parity-check (LDPC).

[0136] The UL HE-MCS subfield indicates the HE-MCS of the requested HE TB PPDU.

[0137] The UL DCM subfield indicates the DCM of the requested HE TB PPDU. A UL DCM subfield set to 1 indicates that a DCM was used in the requested HE TB PPDU. A UL DCM subfield set to 0 indicates that a DCM was not used. If the UL STBC subfield of the Common Info field is set to 1, then the UL DCM subfield is set to 0.

[0138] SS Allocation is used to indicate the spatial stream of the requested HE TB PPDU, and its specific format is shown in Figure 9. Referring to Figure 9, SS Allocation includes a Starting Spatial Stream subfield and a Number of Spatial Streams subfield. The Starting Spatial Stream subfield indicates the starting spatial stream and is set to the starting spatial stream minus 1. The Number of Spatial Streams subfield indicates the number of spatial streams and is set to the number of spatial streams minus 1.

[0139] The RA-RU information is used to indicate RA-RU information, and its specific format is shown in Figure 10. Referring to Figure 10, the RA-RU information includes a Number of RA-RU subfield and a More RA-RU subfield. The Number of RA-RU subfield indicates the number of consecutive RUs allocated for the UORA. The value of the Number of RA-RU subfield is equal to the Number of consecutive RA-RUs minus 1. The More RA-RU subfield is set to 1 to indicate that RA-RUs of the type indicated by the AID12 subfield in this HE variant user information field are allocated in subsequent trigger frames until the TWT SP carrying this field ends. Otherwise, the subfield is set to 0. The More RA-RU subfield is retained if the More TF field in the Common Info field is set to 0.

[0140] The UL Target Receive Power subfield indicates the expected received signal power of the HE portion waveform of the HE TB PPDU transmitted on the assigned RU, measured at the antenna connector of the AP and averaged on the antenna.

[0141] The format of the Trigger Dependent User Info differs across different trigger frames. The format of the Trigger Dependent User Info in the Basic Trigger frame is shown in Figure 11. Referring to Figure 11, the format of the Trigger Dependent User Info subfield in the HE variant User Info field includes one or more of the following subfields: MPDU MU Spacing Factor, TID Aggregation Limit, Reserved, and Preferred AC. The MPDU MU Spacing Factor subfield can be used to calculate the value multiplied by the minimum MPDU starting interval. The TID Aggregation Limit subfield can be used to indicate the allowed MPDUs in the A-MPDU carried in the HE TB PPDU and the maximum number of TIDs that the STA can aggregate in the A-MPDU. The Preferred AC subfield can be used to indicate the minimum AC recommended for aggregating MPDUs in the A-MPDU, which is included in the response to the trigger frame.

[0142] The format of the EHT variant User Info field is shown in Figure 12. Referring to Figure 12, the EHT variant User Info field includes one or more of the following subfields: AID12 subfield, RU Allocation subfield, UL FEC Coding Type subfield, UL EHT-MCS subfield, Reserved subfield, SS Allocation subfield, UL Target Receive Power subfield, PS160 subfield, and Trigger Dependent User Info subfield. These subfields are described below.

[0143] The AID12 subfield can be used to indicate the AID of an associated site or a non-associated site.

[0144] The RU Allocation subfield, together with the UL BW subfield in the Common Info field, the UL BW Extension subfield in the Special User Info field, and the PS160 subfield in the EHT variant User Info field, identifies the size and location of the RU or MRU.

[0145] The UL FEC Coding field can indicate the encoding type of the requested EHT TB PPDU. A UL FEC Coding subfield set to 0 indicates BCC, and a set to 1 indicates LDPC.

[0146] The UL EHT-MCS subfield can represent the EHT-MCS of the requested EHT TB PPDU.

[0147] The SS Allocation subfield can be used to indicate the spatial stream of the requested EHT TB PPDU, as shown in Figure 13. Referring to Figure 13, the SS Allocation subfield includes the Starting Spatial Stream subfield and the Number Of Spatial Streams subfield. The Starting Spatial Stream subfield indicates the starting spatial stream and is set to the starting spatial stream minus 1. The maximum value of the Starting Spatial Stream subfield is 7. Values ​​above 7 are reserved for STAs. If no corresponding RU or MRU is allocated for MU-MIMO, the Starting Spatial Stream subfield is set to 0. The Number Of Spatial Streams subfield indicates the number of spatial streams and is set to the number of spatial streams minus 1, with a maximum value of 3.

[0148] The UL Target Receive Power subfield can represent the expected received signal power of the EHT portion waveform of the EHT TB PPDU transmitted on the assigned RU, measured at the antenna connector of the AP and averaged on the antenna.

[0149] If the size of the RU or MRU is less than or equal to 2 × 996 subcarriers, the PS160 subfield is set to 0 to indicate that the RU or MRU allocation is applicable to the primary 160MHz channel; it is set to 1 to indicate that the RU or MRU allocation is applicable to the secondary 160MHz channel. Otherwise, the PS160 subfield is used together with the RU allocation subfield to indicate the RU or MRU index.

[0150] The Trigger Dependent User Info subfield is the same as the Trigger Dependent User Info in HE variant User Info, so it will not be described again here.

[0151] All User Info fields (including Special User Info fields) in the User Info List field of the trigger frame have the same length, unless the trigger frame is a MU-BAR trigger frame.

[0152] The User Info field sent to a non-AP STA is either the HE variant or the EHT variant. If B39 of the User Info field is set to 0 and B54 of the Common Info field is set to 1 in the trigger frame, then the User Info field is the HE variant for a non-AP EHT STA; otherwise, it is the EHT variant. B39 of the HE variant User Info field is reserved for non-EHT HE STAs. The EHT AP sets B39 of the HE variant User Info field to 0 and it is the PS160 subfield of the EHT variant User Info field.

[0153] Table 1 defines the valid combinations of B54 and B55 in the Common Info field, the valid combinations of B39 in the User Info field, the presence of the Special User Info field in the trigger frame, the variants of the User Info field, and the corresponding TB PPDU types.

[0154] Table 1

[0155] As shown in Table 1, if Common Info fields B54 and B55 are set to 1, User Info field B39 is set to 0, a Special User Info field does not exist, and the variant of the User Info field is the HE variant, then the TB PPDU type is HE. If Common Info fields B54 and B55 and User Info field B39 are set to 0, a Special User Info field exists, and the variant of the User Info field is the EHT variant, then the TB PPDU type is EHT. If Common Info fields B54 and B55 are set to 0, User Info field B39 is set to 1, a Special User Info field exists, and the variant of the User Info field is the EHT variant, then the TB PPDU type is EHT. If Common Info fields B54 and User Info field B39 are set to 1, Common Info field B55 is set to 0, a Special User Info field exists, and the variant of the User Info field is the EHT variant, then the TB PPDU type is EHT. If the Common Info field B54 is set to 1, the Common Info field B55 and the User Info field B39 are set to 0, a Special User Info field exists, and the variant of the User Info field is the HE variant, then the TB PPDU type is HE type.

[0156] Block Ack (BA) frame

[0157] The BA frame is a control frame used to perform batch acknowledgments of MAC service data units (MSDUs), and its frame format is shown in Figure 14. Referring to Figure 14, the BA frame may include one or more of the following fields: Frame Control field, Duration field, RA field, TA field, BA Control field, BA Information field, and FCS field. These fields are described below.

[0158] The Frame Control field can be used to carry control information such as frame type.

[0159] The Duration field can be used to indicate the remaining TXOP duration.

[0160] The RA field can be used to indicate the MAC address of the site receiving the BA frame.

[0161] The TA field can be used to indicate the MAC address of the site that sent the BA frame.

[0162] The format of the BA Control field is shown in Figure 15. Referring to Figure 15, the BA Control field may include one or more of the following subfields: Reserved subfield, BA Type subfield, No Memory Kept subfield, Memory Configuration Tag subfield, Management Ack subfield, and TID_INFO subfield. These subfields are described below.

[0163] The BA Type subfield can be used to indicate variations of the BA frame. The relationship between the BA Type field and variations of the BA frame is shown in Table 2.

[0164] Table 2

[0165] An enhanced directional multi-gigabit (EDMG) STA sets the No Memory Kept subfield to 1 to indicate that the free memory space indicated in the last RBUFCAP subfield may not be reserved at the beginning of the next frame exchange sequence; otherwise, if the No Memory Kept subfield is set to 0, the receiver reserves the free memory space indicated by the RBUFCAP subfield for the next frame exchange sequence of the corresponding TID. If transmitted by a non-EDMG STA, the No Memory Kept subfield is reserved.

[0166] For EDMG STAs, the Memory Configuration Tag subfield indicates one of two memory configurations indicated by the Memory Configuration Tag field in the receiver's EDMG Flow Control Extended Configuration Element (9.4.2.276 (EDMG Flow Control Extended Configuration Element (11ay))). This subfield is reserved for other types of STAs.

[0167] The Management Ack subfield being set to 1 indicates that frames whose management type and subtype are not Action No Ack have been acknowledged. This subfield is retained if the BA variant used is not the EDMG Multi-TID BA variant.

[0168] The meaning of the TID_INFO subfield of the BA Control field depends on the variant type of the BA frame.

[0169] The meaning of the BA Information field depends on the BA frame variant type.

[0170] For the meaning of the TID_INFO subfield and the BA Information field, please refer to the relevant technical section on BA frame variants.

[0171] The following sections introduce the variants of compressed BA frames and the variants of multi-STA BA frames.

[0172] The TID_INFO subfield of the BA Control field in a compressed BA frame contains the TID that sent this BA frame. The format of the BA Information field in a compressed BA frame is shown in Figure 16. Referring to Figure 16, the BA Information field of a compressed BA frame may include a Block Ack Staring Sequence Control subfield and a Block Ack Bitmap subfield. The Block Ack Staring Sequence Control subfield can be used to indicate the sequence number of the first MSDU or A-MSDU acknowledged by this BA frame. Each bit in the Block Ack Bitmap subfield indicates whether the corresponding MSDU or A-MSDU was successfully received; a value of 1 indicates success, and a value of 0 indicates failure.

[0173] In multi-STA BA frames, the TID_INFO subfield of the BA Control field is reserved. The BA Information field of a multi-STA BA frame contains one or more Per AID TID Info subfields. The definition of a Per AID TID Info subfield is shown in Figure 17.

[0174] In some embodiments, when the AID TID Info subfield is not 2045, the format of the Per AID TID Info subfield is shown in Figure 18.

[0175] In some embodiments, when the AID TID Info subfield equals 2045, the format of the Per AID TID Info subfield is shown in Figure 19. Referring to Figure 19, the Per AID TID Info subfield may include one or more of the following subfields: AID TID Information (AID TID Info) subfield, reserved subfield, and RA subfield. The format of the AID TID Info subfield is shown in Figure 20.

[0176] As can be seen from the description above, there are multiple triggering conditions for a STA (such as an AP or non-AP STA) to switch to the NPCA primary channel. For example, a STA might trigger a switch to the NPCA primary channel based on the length of the OBSS PPDU. Another example is that a STA might trigger a switch to the NPCA primary channel based on the exchange of the OBSS initial control frame. In this scenario, the different triggering conditions may lead to different busy durations of the primary channel seen by each STA, resulting in transmission failure on the NPCA primary channel between the communicating parties. The following example, using AP and non-AP STAs switching to the NPCA primary channel based on different triggering conditions, illustrates this problem.

[0177] As shown in Figure 21, the current BSS contains NPCA AP, NPCA STA 1 and NPCA STA 2, and the OBSS contains OBSS AP and OBSS STA.

[0178] NPCA AP and NPCA STA 1 can receive signals from OBSS AP and OBSS STA, but NPCA STA 2 can only receive signals from OBSS AP and cannot receive signals from OBSS STA. In other words, OBSS STA and NPCA STA 2 are hidden nodes for each other.

[0179] In this scenario, NPCA AP and NPCA STA 1 can both have their NPCA channel switched by OBSS PPDU or by OBSS initial control frame exchange. However, NPCA STA 2 can only have its NPCA channel switched by OBSS PPDU sent by OBSS AP, and not by OBSS initial control frame exchange. This is because NPCA STA 2 can only receive the initial frame sent by OBSS AP, and not the initial frame sent by OBSS STA.

[0180] In this scenario, NPCA AP and NPCA STA 2 may switch to the NPCA main channel successively due to different triggering conditions, as illustrated in Figure 22. As shown in Figure 22, NPCA AP and NPCA STA 1 first switch to the NPCA main channel and transmit data based on the OBSS initial control frame exchange. Then, NPCA STA 2 is triggered to switch to the NPCA main channel by a longer OBSS PPDU sent by an OBSS AP. Subsequently, NPCA AP learns through polling that NPCA STA 2 has also switched to the NPCA main channel, and therefore also transmits data to NPCA STA 2.

[0181] However, the OBSS occupancy time observed by the NPCA AP is the entire OBSS TXOP duration, while the busy duration of the BSS primary channel observed by NPCA STA 2 is the OBSS PPDU duration; these two durations are inconsistent. This may cause the NPCA AP to be unaware of when NPCA STA 2 switches back to the BSS primary channel and continue sending data to NPCA STA 2 on the NPCA primary channel, resulting in transmission failure.

[0182] To address the aforementioned issues, this application proposes that the second device can indicate to the first device the time information of the OBSS occupancy of the main channel and / or the dwell time information of the second device on the NPCA main channel. In this way, the first device can know when the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel, which facilitates the first device scheduling transmission with the second device based on the first information (i.e., the first device can transmit with the second device on the NPCA main channel while the second device is dwelling on it), thereby improving the transmission success rate. The method embodiments of this application will be described below.

[0183] Figure 23 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. The method in Figure 23 is described from the perspective of interaction between a first device and a second device. For ease of understanding, the first device and the second device will be described first below.

[0184] In this embodiment, the first device and the second device are the receiver and sender of the first signal (or first information), respectively. This embodiment does not limit the types of the first and second devices. For example, the first device can be an access point (AP), and the second device can be a non-AP STA. Alternatively, the first device can be a non-AP STA, and the second device can be an AP. Or, both the first and second devices can be non-AP STAs. For a description of APs and non-AP STAs, please refer to the relevant description in Figure 1 above; it will not be repeated here.

[0185] In some embodiments, if the first device is an AP and the second device is a non-AP STA, then multiple non-AP STAs can send a first signal (or first information) to an AP.

[0186] In some embodiments, if the first device is a non-AP STA and the second device is an AP, then an AP can send a first signal (or first information) to a non-AP STA.

[0187] In some embodiments, the first device may schedule frame exchange (or transmission, communication, etc.) between the first device and the second device.

[0188] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device may be understood as, or referred to as, STA and peer STA.

[0189] In some embodiments, the first device may be understood as, or referred to as, an NPCA TXOP holding a STA, and the second device may be understood as, or referred to as an NPCA TXOP responding to a STA.

[0190] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device may belong to the same BSS. The following description assumes that both the first device and the second device belong to the same BSS.

[0191] In some embodiments, the first device and / or the second device may switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA. For example, the first device and / or the second device may switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA when the primary channel of the first BSS is detected to be busy. For a description of the triggering conditions for the first device and / or the second device to switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA, please refer to the description in the "NPCA" section above, which will not be repeated here.

[0192] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device may switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on the same triggering condition. For example, both the first device and the second device switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition a. As another example, both the first device and the second device switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition b.

[0193] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device can switch from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on different triggering conditions. For example, the first device switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition a, while the second device switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition b. As another example, the first device switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition b, while the second device switches from the primary channel of the first BSS to the primary channel of the NPCA based on triggering condition a.

[0194] For details on trigger condition a and trigger condition b, please refer to the "NPCA" section above.

[0195] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device switch to the NPCA main channel simultaneously.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device switch to the NPCA main channel at different times. For example, the first device may switch to the NPCA main channel earlier or later than the second device.

[0197] In some embodiments, the first device and / or the second device may switch back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS when the main channel of the first BSS is idle, for example, before the NAV of the main channel of the first BSS is 0.

[0198] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device can simultaneously switch from the NPCA main channel back to the main channel of the first BSS. For example, if the first device and the second device switch to the NPCA main channel based on the same triggering condition, they can both simultaneously switch from the NPCA main channel back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0199] In some embodiments, the first device and the second device can switch back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel at different times; that is, the time when the first device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel can be earlier or later than the time when the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel. For example, if the first device and the second device switch to the NPCA main channel based on different triggering conditions, they can switch back to the first BSS main channel at different times.

[0200] The method shown in Figure 23 may include step S2310. In step S2310, the second device sends a first signal to the first device. Correspondingly, the first device receives the first signal sent by the second device.

[0201] In some embodiments, the second device may send a first signal to the first device after switching to the NPCA main channel. Alternatively, in some embodiments, the second device may send a first signal to the first device on the NPCA main channel.

[0202] This application does not limit the time at which the second device sends the first signal to the first device. For example, the second device may send the first signal to the first device immediately after switching to the NPCA main channel. Alternatively, the second device may send the first signal to the first device at any time, such as at any time after switching to the NPCA main channel.

[0203] In some embodiments, the first signal may be a frame; therefore, the first signal may also be understood or replaced by the first frame. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, the first signal may only include part of the information in the frame, such as the first signal including the header information of the frame.

[0204] The embodiments of this application do not limit the first signal. Exemplarily, the first signal may include one or more of the following: an initial control frame (ICF), an initial control response frame (ICR), a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

[0205] As an example, the first signal may include ICF.

[0206] As another example, the first signal may include ICR.

[0207] As yet another example, the first signal may include a data frame.

[0208] As yet another example, the first signal may include a control frame.

[0209] As yet another example, the first signal may include the signaling field in the PPDU header.

[0210] As yet another example, the first signal may include the ICF and the management frame.

[0211] As yet another example, the first signal may include the signaling fields in the data frame and PPDU header.

[0212] It should be noted that the above examples are merely illustrations, and the first signal can include any combination of the above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be listed one by one here.

[0213] This application does not specifically limit the signaling fields in the PPDU header. For example, the signaling fields in the PPDU header may include the U-SIG field. As another example, the signaling fields in the PPDU header may include the UHR-SIG field.

[0214] The embodiments of this application do not limit the format of the first signal. Taking the first signal as a frame as an example, the embodiments of this application do not limit the frame format of the first signal. For a description of the format of the first signal, please refer to the following text, which will not be detailed here.

[0215] In some embodiments, the first signal can be used to indicate information related to the OBSS occupancy duration determined by the second device. Exemplarily, the first signal may include first information, which can be used to indicate information related to the OBSS occupancy duration determined by the second device. In this way, the first device schedules transmissions with the second device based on the OBSS occupancy duration information determined by the second device, thereby improving the transmission success rate.

[0216] The first piece of information will be introduced below.

[0217] In some embodiments, the first information can be used to determine the time when the second device switches from the NPCA main channel back to the main channel of the first BSS. That is, the first information can be used by the first device to determine when the second device switches from the NPCA main channel back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0218] In some embodiments, the first information may be used to indicate one or more of the following: the time information of the second BSS (i.e., OBSS) determined by the second device occupying the main channel of the first BSS; the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0219] As an example, the first information can be used to indicate the time information of the second BSS, as determined by the second device, when it occupies the main channel of the first BSS. That is, the first information can be used to indicate the occupancy duration information of the OBSS, as determined by the second device.

[0220] As another example, the first information can be used to indicate the dwell time information of the second device on the NPCA main channel after it switches from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0221] As another example, the first information can be used to indicate the time information of the second BSS determined by the second device occupying the main channel of the first BSS, and the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0222] In some embodiments, the dwell time information of the second device on the NPCA main channel is determined based on the time information of the second BSS device occupying the main channel of the first BSS, as determined by the second device. For example, if the second device determines that the end time of the second BSS device occupying the main channel of the first BSS is a first moment, then the second device can determine that the dwell time ending time on the NPCA main channel is equal to or before the first moment, meaning that the second device needs to switch back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS at the latest at the first moment (for example, the second device needs to switch back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS before the first moment).

[0223] The embodiments of this application do not limit the content of the first information. For example, the first information may include one or more of the following: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel, and the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0224] As an example, the first piece of information may include the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS.

[0225] As another example, the first information may include the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0226] As yet another example, the first information may include the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0227] As yet another example, the first piece of information may include the duration of the second device’s stay on the NPCA main channel.

[0228] As yet another example, the first information may include the duration of the second BSS transmission opportunity and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0229] As yet another example, the first information may include the duration of the second BSS's transmission opportunity and the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

[0230] As yet another example, the first information may include the duration of the second BSS's PPDU and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0231] As yet another example, the first information may include the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS and the duration of the second device’s stay on the NPCA main channel.

[0232] As another example, the first information may include the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel and the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

[0233] It should be noted that the above examples are merely illustrative. The first piece of information can include any combination of the above information. For the sake of brevity, other examples will not be listed one by one.

[0234] In some embodiments, the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS can be used to determine the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel and / or the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel. For example, if the second device triggers a handover to the NPCA main channel based on the initial control frame exchange (i.e., triggering condition b in the "NPCA" section above), the second device can determine the time during which it cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel and / or the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel by the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS.

[0235] In some embodiments, the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel starting from the end time corresponding to the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS.

[0236] In some embodiments, the time from the start of switching to the NPCA channel to the end of the duration corresponding to the transmission opportunity of the second BSS is the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0237] In some embodiments, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS can be used to determine the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel and / or the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel. For example, if the second device triggers a handover to the NPCA main channel based on the length of the PPDU (i.e., triggering condition a in the "NPCA" section above), the second device can determine the time during which it cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel and / or the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel by the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0238] In some embodiments, the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel starting from the end time corresponding to the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0239] In some embodiments, the time from the start of switching to the NPCA channel to the end time corresponding to the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS is the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0240] In some embodiments, the PPDU of the second BSS refers to the PPDU in the second BSS that triggers the second device to switch from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA. In some embodiments, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS is greater than a certain threshold. In this case, the PPDU of the second BSS can trigger the second device to switch from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA. As an example, the second BSS includes a first PPDU, a second PPDU, and a third PPDU, wherein the duration of the second PPDU is greater than a certain threshold. When the second PPDU is transmitted on the main channel of the first BSS, the second device triggers a switch to the main channel of the NPCA. In this case, the PPDU of the second BSS refers to the second PPDU in the second BSS.

[0241] This application does not limit the method of carrying the first information. Exemplarily, the first information can be carried through a first field and / or a second field. The first field can be used to indicate the duration the second device remains on the NPA main channel. The second field can be used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPA main channel. For a detailed description of the carrying of the first information (e.g., the first and second fields), please refer to the following (Description of the Frame Format of the First Signal), which will not be elaborated here.

[0242] In some embodiments, the first signal may include third information. The third information may indicate the type of the first information carried in the first signal.

[0243] The embodiments of this application do not limit the type of the first information. Exemplarily, the type of the first information may include one or more of the following: a first type, a second type, and a third type.

[0244] As an example, the type of the first information can include the first type.

[0245] As another example, the type of the first piece of information can include the second type.

[0246] As yet another example, the type of the first piece of information can include a third type.

[0247] As yet another example, the type of the first piece of information can include a first type and a second type.

[0248] As yet another example, the type of the first information can include a first type and a third type.

[0249] As yet another example, the type of the first piece of information can include a second type and a third type.

[0250] As yet another example, the type of the first piece of information can include a first type, a second type, and a third type.

[0251] In some embodiments, the first type described above can be used to indicate the duration of the reporting second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

[0252] In some embodiments, the second type described above can be used to indicate the time when the reporting second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0253] In some embodiments, the third type described above can be used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel.

[0254] In some embodiments, when the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information may include one or more of the following: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, and the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0255] In some embodiments, when the third information indicates that the type of the first information is the second type, the first information may include one or more of the following: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0256] In some embodiments, when the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information may include one or more of the following: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel, and the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0257] In some embodiments, the first device can determine the carrying method of the first information based on the third information in the first signal. Alternatively, the first device can determine the method of reading the first information based on the third information in the first signal.

[0258] In some embodiments, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information can be carried through the first field. That is, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first device can read the first field to determine the first information.

[0259] In some embodiments, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a second type, the first information can be carried through the second field. That is, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a second type, the first device can read the second field to determine the first information.

[0260] In some embodiments, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information can be carried through the first field and the second field. That is, if the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first device can read the first field and the second field to determine the first information.

[0261] In some embodiments, the second device may actively send a first signal (or first information) to the first device. That is, the second device may send the first signal (or first information) to the first device unsolicited.

[0262] In some embodiments, the second device may send a first signal (or first information) to the first device in a request-based manner (i.e., passively). That is, the second device may send a first signal (or first information) to the first device based on a request from the first device.

[0263] As one implementation, the method shown in Figure 23 may include step S2305. In step S2305, the first device sends a second signal to the second device. The second signal can be used to request first information. That is, the second signal can be used to request information related to the OBSS occupancy duration determined by the second device.

[0264] In some embodiments, the second signal may be a frame; therefore, the second signal can also be understood or replaced by a second frame. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited thereto. For example, the second signal may only include part of the information in the frame, such as the second signal including the header information of the frame.

[0265] The embodiments of this application do not limit the second signal. Exemplarily, the second signal may include one or more of the following: ICF, ICR, management frame, data frame, control frame, and signaling field in the PPDU header.

[0266] As an example, the second signal may include ICF.

[0267] As another example, the second signal may include ICR.

[0268] As yet another example, the second signal may include a data frame.

[0269] As yet another example, the second signal may include a control frame.

[0270] As yet another example, the second signal may include the signaling field in the PPDU header.

[0271] As yet another example, the second signal may include ICF and management frames.

[0272] As yet another example, the second signal may include signaling fields in the data frame and PPDU header.

[0273] It should be noted that the above examples are merely illustrations, and the second signal can include any combination of the above. For the sake of brevity, they will not be listed one by one here.

[0274] This application does not specifically limit the signaling fields in the PPDU header. For example, the signaling fields in the PPDU header may include the U-SIG field. As another example, the signaling fields in the PPDU header may include the UHR-SIG field.

[0275] The embodiments of this application do not limit the format of the second signal. Taking the second signal as a frame as an example, the embodiments of this application do not limit the frame format of the second signal. For a description of the format of the second signal, please refer to the following text, which will not be detailed here.

[0276] In some embodiments, the second signal and the first signal may be of the same type. For example, both the second signal and the first signal may be control frames. Alternatively, both the second signal and the first signal may be data frames. Yet another example is that both the second signal and the first signal may be signaling fields in the PPDU header.

[0277] In some embodiments, the second signal and the first signal may be of different types. For example, the second signal may be an initial control frame, and the first signal may be an initial control response frame. Another example is that the second signal is an initial control frame, and the first signal is a data frame. Yet another example is that the second signal is a management frame, and the first signal is a data frame.

[0278] In some embodiments, the second signal is sent by the first device to the first device after switching to the NPCA main channel.

[0279] This application does not limit the timing of the first device sending the second signal. For example, the first device can request the first information from the second device immediately after switching to the NPCA main channel (or accessing the NPCA main channel). Alternatively, the first device can request the first information from the second device at any time, such as at any time after switching to the NPCA main channel.

[0280] In some embodiments, the second signal may include second information. The second information may be used to indicate the type of the first information requested by the second device.

[0281] This application does not limit the type of the first information in its embodiments. Exemplarily, the type of the first information may include one or more of the following: a first type, a second type, and a third type. For a detailed description of the types of first information, please refer to the above text; for brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0282] In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, it means that the first device wants to request information related to the OBSS occupancy duration. For example, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, it means that the first device wants to request one or more of the following information: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, and the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0283] In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a second type, it means that the first device wants to request time information (i.e., unavailable time information) during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel. For example, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a second type, it means that the first device wants to request one or more of the following information: the duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS, and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0284] In some embodiments, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, it means that the first device wants to request information related to the duration of OBSS occupancy and the time information during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel. For example, when the second information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, it means that the first device wants to request one or more of the following information: the duration of the second BSS transmission opportunity, the duration of the second BSS PPDU, the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel, and the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel.

[0285] In some embodiments, the type of the first information indicated by the second information is the same as the type of the first information indicated by the third information. That is, the type of the first information sent by the second device is the same as the type of the first information requested by the first device. For example, the type of the first information indicated by the second information and the type of the first information indicated by the third information are both of the first type. Another example is that the type of the first information indicated by the second information and the type of the first information indicated by the third information are both of the second type. Yet another example is that the type of the first information indicated by the second information and the type of the first information indicated by the third information are both of the third type.

[0286] In some embodiments, the type of the first information indicated by the second information is different from the type of the first information indicated by the third information. That is, the type of the first information sent by the second device is different from the type of the first information requested by the first device. For example, the type of the first information indicated by the third information is a first type, while the type of the first information indicated by the second information is a second type. Or, for another example, the type of the first information indicated by the third information is a second type, while the type of the first information indicated by the second information is a third type. Or, for yet another example, the type of the first information indicated by the third information is a first type, while the type of the first information indicated by the second information is a third type.

[0287] In some embodiments, after obtaining the first information, the first device can schedule frame exchanges with the second device based on the first information. For example, the first device can schedule the time for frame exchanges with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information, thereby improving the transmission success rate.

[0288] In some embodiments, the first device scheduling the time for frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel according to the first information may include: the first device completing (or ending) the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS; and / or, the first device stopping the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel after the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0289] As an example, the time for the first device to schedule frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information may include: the first device completing the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0290] As another example, the time for the first device to schedule frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information may include: the first device stopping frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel after the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0291] As another example, the time for the first device to schedule frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information may include: the first device completing frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS, and stopping frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel after the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0292] In some embodiments, even if the first device and the second device have not yet completed frame exchange, the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel needs to be stopped after the second device switches from the NPCA main channel back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0293] In some embodiments, the first device can rationally schedule the time for frame exchange with different second devices on the NPCA main channel based on the first information sent by multiple second devices. Referring again to Figure 22, taking the first device as the AP and the second devices including multiple non-AP STAs (STA 1 and STA 2 as shown in Figure 22) as an example, the first device can receive the first information sent by STA 1 and STA 2 to determine that STA 1 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS at the same time as the AP, while STA 2 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS for a period of time before the AP switches back to the main channel of the first BSS. In this case, the AP can prioritize scheduling frame exchange with STA 2 on the NPCA main channel, and then schedule frame exchange with STA 1 on the NPCA main channel.

[0294] The structures of the first and second signals are described below.

[0295] In some embodiments, the first signal may include a first field and / or a second field. The first field may be used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel. The second field may be used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0296] This application does not limit the implementation method of the first field indicating the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel. As one implementation, the first field can indicate the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel using a first duration. As another implementation, the first field can indicate the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel using a first moment. As yet another implementation, the first field can indicate the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel using both a first duration and a first moment.

[0297] The aforementioned first duration can be used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS. That is, the first duration can be used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS (i.e., the OBSS) last observed the main channel of the first BSS to be occupied by the device of the second BSS before switching to the NPCA main channel. In some embodiments, the first duration can be expressed as the duration from the end of the frame carrying the first field to the end of the time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS.

[0298] The aforementioned first moment can be used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS. That is, the first moment can be used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS last observed the main channel of the first BSS being occupied by the device of the second BSS before switching to the NPCA main channel. In some embodiments, the first moment can be indicated by the timing synchronization function (TSF) time value.

[0299] This application does not limit the method for determining the value of the first field in its embodiments. For example, the value of the first field can be determined by one or more of the following: the duration field in the ICF of the second BSS, the duration field in the ICR of the second BSS, the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS (i.e., the duration of the OBSS PPDU), and the duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS (i.e., the TXOP_DURATION field in the OBSS PPDU).

[0300] As an example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration field in the ICF of the second BSS.

[0301] As another example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration field in the ICR of the second BSS.

[0302] As another example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0303] As another example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0304] As another example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration field in the ICF and the duration field in the ICR of the second BSS.

[0305] As another example, the value of the first field can be determined by the duration of the PPDU of the second BSS and the duration of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

[0306] For the sake of simplicity, other combinations will not be listed.

[0307] The name of the first field is not limited in the embodiments of this application. For example, the first field can be called or understood as the "OBSS duration information" field. Or, for example, the first field can be called or understood as the "OBSS occupancy time information" field, etc.

[0308] This application does not limit the implementation method of the second field indicating the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel. As one implementation, the second field can indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel via a second time point. As another implementation, the second field can indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel via a second duration. As yet another implementation, the second field can indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel via a second time point and a second duration.

[0309] The aforementioned second time can be used to indicate the start time at which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel. In some embodiments, the second time can be indicated by a TSF time value.

[0310] The aforementioned second duration can be used to indicate the duration during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel. In some embodiments, the second duration refers to a period of time starting from a second moment during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

[0311] In some embodiments, the value of the second time step is determined based on the value of the first time step. For example, the value of the second time step can be equal to the value of the first time step. That is, the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS is the same time as the start time when the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel. Another example is that the value of the second time step can be separated from the value of the first time step by a short time interval (such as SIFS).

[0312] In some embodiments, the second field may include one or more subfields. For example, the second field may include a first subfield and a second subfield. The first subfield may be used to indicate the start time of the unavailability period; for example, the first subfield may be used to indicate a second time. The second subfield may be used to indicate the duration of the unavailability period; for example, the second subfield may be used to indicate a second duration.

[0313] In some embodiments, the second field may be referred to as or understood as the "Unavailability Period" field. In some embodiments, the first subfield may be referred to as or understood as the "Unavailability Period Start Time" field or the "Unavailability Target Start Time" field. In some embodiments, the second subfield may be referred to as or understood as the "Unavailability Period Duration" field or the "Unavailability Duration" field.

[0314] This application does not specifically limit the first field and / or the second field in its embodiments. Taking the first signal as an ICR as an example, the first field and / or the second field can be carried in the BA information field of the ICR. Taking the first signal as a data frame as an example, the first field and / or the second field can be carried in a subtype of the newly defined A-Control field. For example, the first field and / or the second field can be carried in the OBSS Duration Information Control (ODI Control) field, a subtype of the A-Control field.

[0315] In some embodiments, the first signal may further include a third field, which may be used to carry third information. That is, the third field may be used to indicate the type of the first information reported by the second device.

[0316] This application does not limit the value of the third field in its embodiments. In some embodiments, the value of the third field may occupy 2 bits. In some embodiments, the value of the third field may occupy 3 bits.

[0317] Taking the value of the third field as an example, which occupies 2 bits, the relationship between the value of the third field and the type of the first information reported by the second device can be found in Table 3.

[0318] Table 3

[0319] In some embodiments, if the value of the third field is 0, the first information can be carried through the first field, that is, the second device reports the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel (or, in other words, reports the OBSS occupancy time information). In this case, the first signal may not contain (does not exist) the second field.

[0320] In some embodiments, if the value of the third field is 1, the first information can be carried through the second field, that is, the second device reports the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel (or, in other words, reports unavailability time information). In this case, the first signal may not contain the first field.

[0321] In some embodiments, if the value of the third field is 2, the first information can be carried through the first and second fields, that is, the second device reports the duration of its stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which it cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel. In this case, the first signal can include the first and second fields.

[0322] The embodiments of this application do not limit the name of the third field. For example, the third field can be called or understood as the "Report Type" field, the "OBSS Occupancy Time Report Type" field, etc.

[0323] For ease of understanding, the following text uses ICR and data frames as examples to illustrate the frame structure of the first signal.

[0324] Frame Structure 1: The first signal is ICR

[0325] Figure 24 provides an example of the frame structure of the first signal. As shown in Figure 24, the first signal may include one or more of the following fields: frame control field, duration field, RA field, TA field, BA control field, BA information field, and FCS field.

[0326] The frame control field can be used to carry control information such as frame type. In some embodiments, the frame control field can occupy 2 octets.

[0327] The duration field can be used to indicate the duration of remaining transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the duration field can occupy 2 octets.

[0328] The RA field can be used to indicate the address (such as a MAC address) of the station receiving the first signal. In some embodiments, the RA field can occupy 6 octets.

[0329] The TA field can be used to indicate the address (such as a MAC address) of the station that sent the first signal. In some embodiments, the TA field can occupy 6 octets.

[0330] The BA control field may include one or more of the following fields (or subfields): a reserved field, and a BA type field. In some embodiments, the BA type field may be used to indicate a variant of the first signal. The relationship between the BA type field and the variant of the first signal can be found in Table 2 above.

[0331] In some embodiments, the value of the BA type field corresponding to the first signal can be equal to 11, that is, the variant of the first signal is multiple STA.

[0332] In some embodiments, the BA control field can occupy 2 octets.

[0333] The BA information field may include one or more per AID TID information fields.

[0334] In some embodiments, the length of one or more per AID TID Info fields included in the BA information field is variable. Therefore, in some embodiments, the length of the BA information field is variable.

[0335] In some embodiments, a per AID TID Info field may include one or more of the following fields: AID TID Info field, BA Starting Sequence Control field, and BA Bitmap field.

[0336] In some embodiments, the AID TID Info field can occupy 2 octets.

[0337] In some embodiments, the AID TID Info field may include one or more of the following fields: AID11, Ack Type, TID.

[0338] In some embodiments, the BA start sequence control field can occupy 2 octets.

[0339] In some embodiments, the BA start sequence control field may include one or more of the following fields: Fragment Number, and a third field. In some embodiments, the Fragment Number field may occupy 2 bits. In some embodiments, the third field may occupy 2 bits. For a description of the third field, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0340] In some embodiments, the BA bitmap field may occupy one or more of the following: 4 octets, 8 octets, 16 octets, 32 octets, 64 octets, or 128 octets.

[0341] In some embodiments, the BA bitmap field may include one or more of the following fields: a second field, a first field, and a reserved field.

[0342] In some embodiments, the second field may occupy 18 bits. For example, the first subfield of the second field may occupy 9 bits, and the second subfield of the second field may occupy 9 bits.

[0343] In some embodiments, the first field may occupy 16 bits. However, the embodiments of this application are not limited to this; for example, the first field may occupy 14 bits, etc.

[0344] For further information on the first and second fields, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0345] Frame Structure 2: The first signal includes a newly defined first field.

[0346] For example, the first signal is a data frame that includes a newly defined first field.

[0347] In some embodiments, the first signal may define a new subtype of the A-Control field as the first field. For example, the first signal may define a new subtype of the A-Control field, the ODI Control field, as the first field.

[0348] Figure 25 shows an example diagram of the first field. As shown in Figure 25, the number of bits occupied by the first field can be variable. For example, the first field can occupy one or more of the following numbers of bits: 4, 6, 8, 10, 12, 14, 16.

[0349] For further information on the first field, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0350] The structure of the second signal is described below. In some embodiments, the second signal may include a fourth field. The fourth field may be used to carry second information. That is, the fourth field may be used to indicate the type of first information requested by the first device.

[0351] This application does not limit the value of the fourth field in its embodiments. In some embodiments, the value of the fourth field may occupy 2 bits. In some embodiments, the value of the fourth field may occupy 3 bits.

[0352] Taking the value of the fourth field as an example, which occupies 2 bits, the relationship between the value of the fourth field and the type of the first information requested by the first device can be found in Table 3.

[0353] In some embodiments, if the value of the fourth field is 0, it indicates that the first device requests to carry the first information through the first field, that is, the first device requests to report the dwell time of the second device on the NPCA main channel (or, in other words, requests to report the OBSS occupancy time information). In this case, the first signal may not contain (does not exist) the second field.

[0354] In some embodiments, if the value of the fourth field is 1, it indicates that the first device requests to carry the first information through the second field, that is, the first device requests to report the time when the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel. In this case, the first signal may not contain the first field.

[0355] In some embodiments, if the value of the fourth field is 2, it indicates that the first device requests to carry the first information through the first and second fields, that is, the first device requests to report the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel and the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel. In this case, the first signal may include the first and second fields.

[0356] The name of the fourth field is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the fourth field may be called or understood as the "Report Type" field, the "OBSS Occupancy Time Report Type" field, the "Requested Report Type" field, etc.

[0357] In some embodiments, the fourth field may be carried in the Common Info field of the second signal.

[0358] For ease of understanding, the following text uses ICF as an example to illustrate the frame structure of the second signal.

[0359] Figure 26 provides an example of the frame structure of the second signal. As shown in Figure 26, the second signal may include one or more of the following fields: frame control field, duration field, RA field, TA field, public information field, user information list field, and FCS field.

[0360] The frame control field can be used to carry control information such as frame type. In some embodiments, the frame control field can occupy 2 octets.

[0361] The duration field can be used to indicate the duration of remaining transmission opportunities. In some embodiments, the duration field can occupy 2 octets.

[0362] The RA field can be used to indicate the address of the station receiving the second signal (such as a MAC address) or the broadcast address. In some embodiments, the RA field can occupy 6 octets.

[0363] The TA field can be used to indicate the address of the station sending the second signal (such as a MAC address) or to send the BSSID. In some embodiments, the TA field can occupy 6 octets.

[0364] The public information field primarily carries public information. For a detailed introduction to the public information field, please refer to the "Trigger Frame" section above; for the sake of brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0365] In some embodiments, the fourth field may be contained within the ICF's public information fields. That is, the public information fields may include the fourth field. For a detailed explanation of the fourth field, please refer to the above text; it will not be repeated here.

[0366] The user information list fields may include one or more user information (User Info) fields. For a detailed explanation of user information list fields and user information fields, please refer to the "Trigger Frames" section above; for brevity, it will not be repeated here.

[0367] For ease of understanding, the following description uses an example of an NPCA TXOP holding site and an NPCA TXOP responding site to illustrate the process of the method in this application. It should be noted that any details not described in detail below (such as the first information, the frame structure of the first signal, the frame structure of the second signal, etc.) can be found in the above description.

[0368] Example 1: The first information is carried through the second field.

[0369] Figure 27 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 27, the NPCA TXOP holding station sends an ICF to NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and NPCA TXOP responding station 2, wherein the fourth field is set to 1 to indicate the time when the NPCA TXOP responding station cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel (i.e., unavailable information (UI)). Subsequently, NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and NPCA TXOP responding station 2 respectively reply with an ICR carrying the UI to the NPCA TXOP holding station, indicating the first information they observed on the BSS main channel.

[0370] The value of the first subfield in the UI sent by NPCA TXOP response site 1 and NPCA TXOP response site 2 is set to the TSF time value at the end of the OBSS occupancy period, and the value of the second subfield is set to a specific value (e.g., 0) to indicate that it is reserved.

[0371] Based on the two UIs received in the ICR, the NPCA TXOP holding station rationally schedules the transmission scheme among the remaining NPCA TXOPs. Specifically, since the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the UI of NPCA TXOP responding station 1 is earlier, while the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the UI of NPCA TXOP responding station 2 is later, the NPCA TXOP holding station prioritizes transmitting data to NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP responding station 1 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP responding station 1 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS. Subsequently, the NPCA TXOP holding station transmits data to NPCA TXOP responding station 2 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP responding station 2 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP responding station 2 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0372] Example 2: The first information is carried by the first field in the ICR.

[0373] Figure 28 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 28, the NPCA TXOP holding station sends an ICF to NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and NPCA TXOP responding station 2, wherein the fourth field is set to 0 to indicate a request to report the dwell time of the NPCA TXOP responding station on the NPCA main channel (i.e., OBSS Occupancy Time Information (ODI)). Subsequently, NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and NPCA TXOP responding station 2 respectively reply with an ICR carrying the ODI to the NPCA TXOP holding station, indicating the first information observed by each on the BSS main channel.

[0374] The value of the first field (i.e., the ODI field) sent by NPCA TXOP response site 1 and NPCA TXOP response site 2 is set to the TSF time value of the end time of OBSS occupation, or the duration between the end time of sending ICR and the end time of OBSS occupation.

[0375] The NPCA TXOP holding station rationally schedules transmission schemes among the remaining NPCA TXOPs based on the two ODIs received in the ICR. Specifically, since the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the ODI of NPCA TXOP response station 1 is earlier, while the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the ODI of NPCA TXOP response station 2 is later, the NPCA TXOP holding station prioritizes transmitting data to NPCA TXOP response station 1 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP response station 1 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP response station 1 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS. Subsequently, the NPCA TXOP holding station transmits data to NPCA TXOP response station 2 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP response station 2 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP response station 2 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0376] Example 3: The first information is carried by the first field in the data frame.

[0377] Figure 29 is a flowchart illustrating a communication method provided in another embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 29, the NPCA TXOP holding station sends an ICF to NPCA TXOP response station 1 and NPCA TXOP response station 2; NPCA TXOP response station 1 and NPCA TXOP response station 2 respectively reply with an ICR to the NPCA TXOP holding station, the ICR not carrying the first information. Subsequently, NPCA TXOP response station 1 and NPCA TXOP response station 2 respectively send data frames to the NPCA TXOP holding station, and in the first field (i.e., the ODI Control field) of the data frame, indicate the first information observed by each on the BSS main channel.

[0378] The value of the first field (i.e., the ODI Control field) sent by NPCA TXOP response site 1 and NPCA TXOP response site 2 is set to the TSF time value of the end time of OBSS occupation, or the duration between the end time of sending ICR and the end time of OBSS occupation.

[0379] Based on the two ODIs received in the ICR, the NPCA TXOP holding station rationally schedules the transmission scheme among the remaining NPCA TXOPs. Specifically, since the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the ODI Control of NPCA TXOP responding station 1 is earlier, while the OBSS occupancy end time indicated in the ODI Control of NPCA TXOP responding station 2 is later, the NPCA TXOP holding station prioritizes transmitting data to NPCA TXOP responding station 1 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP responding station 1 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP responding station 1 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS. Subsequently, the NPCA TXOP holding station transmits data to NPCA TXOP responding station 2 and ends its frame exchange with NPCA TXOP responding station 2 on the NPCA main channel before NPCA TXOP responding station 2 switches back to the main channel of the first BSS.

[0380] 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.

[0381] Figure 30 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication device 3000 shown in Figure 30 can be a first device. The communication device 3000 can include a receiving module 3010. The receiving module 3010 can be used to receive a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS. The first signal includes first information, which is used to indicate one or more of the following: the time information of the second BSS device occupying the main channel of the first BSS as determined by the second device; and the dwell time information of the second device on the NPCA main channel after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the NPCA main channel.

[0382] In this embodiment, the communication device 3000 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the first device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 3000 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 3000.

[0383] In some embodiments, the receiving module 3010 may be a transceiver 3230. The communication device 3000 may also include a processor 3210 and a memory 3220, as shown in FIG32.

[0384] Figure 31 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device provided in another embodiment of this application. The communication device 3100 shown in Figure 31 can be a second device. The communication device 3100 can include a transmitting module 3110. The transmitting module 3110 can be used to transmit a first signal to a first device of a first BSS. The first signal includes first information, which is used to indicate one or more of the following: time information of the second device determining that the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and the dwell time information of the second device on the main channel of the NPCA after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPCA.

[0385] In this embodiment, the communication device 3100 can be used to execute some or all of the method steps executed by the second device in the above method embodiments. The communication device 3100 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 3100.

[0386] In some embodiments, the transmitting module 3110 may be a transceiver 3230. The communication device 3100 may also include a processor 3210 and a memory 3220, as shown in FIG32.

[0387] Figure 32 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication apparatus according to an embodiment of this application. The dashed lines in Figure 32 indicate that the unit or module is optional. This apparatus 3200 can be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments. The apparatus 3200 can be a chip or a communication device.

[0388] Apparatus 3200 may include one or more processors 3210. The processor 3210 may support apparatus 3200 in implementing the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The processor 3210 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.

[0389] The apparatus 3200 may further include one or more memories 3220. The memories 3220 store a program that can be executed by the processor 3210, causing the processor 3210 to perform the methods described in the preceding method embodiments. The memories 3220 may be independent of the processor 3210 or integrated within the processor 3210.

[0390] The device 3200 may also include a transceiver 3230. The processor 3210 can communicate with other devices or chips via the transceiver 3230. For example, the processor 3210 can send and receive data with other devices or chips via the transceiver 3230.

[0391] 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.

[0392] 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.

[0393] 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.

[0394] 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.

[0395] 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).

[0396] The field names defined in the embodiments of this application are merely examples, and the field may have other names.

[0397] 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.

[0398] 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.

[0399] 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.

[0400] 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.

[0401] 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.

[0402] 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".

[0403] 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.

[0404] 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.

[0405] 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.

[0406] 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.

[0407] 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.

[0408] 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.

[0409] The above description is merely a specific embodiment of this application, but the scope of protection of this application is not limited thereto. Any variations or substitutions that can be easily conceived by those skilled in the art within the scope of the technology disclosed in this application should be included within the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A first device of a first BSS receives a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The second device determines the time information of the second BSS's device occupying the main channel of the first BSS; The dwell time information of the second device on the NPA main channel after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPA.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: The duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel during the time during which the second device is unable to do so. The duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The first information is carried through a first field and / or a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field is used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first field includes: The first duration is used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and / or The first moment is used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS.

5. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that, The first moment is indicated by the TSF time value.

6. The method according to any one of claims 3-5, characterized in that, The second field includes: The second moment is used to indicate the start time at which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

7. The method according to any one of claims 3-6, characterized in that, The value of the first field is determined by one or more of the following: The duration field in the initial control frame of the second BSS; The duration field in the initial control response frame of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

8. The method according to any one of claims 1-7, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device sends a second signal to the second device, the second signal being used to request the first information.

9. The method according to claim 8, characterized in that, The second signal includes second information, which indicates the type of the first information requested by the second device.

10. The method according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that, The second signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

11. The method according to any one of claims 1-10, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first device schedules the time for frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information.

12. The method according to claim 11, characterized in that, The first device schedules the time for frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information, including: The first device completes frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel; and / or After the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel, the first device stops exchanging frames with the second device on the NPCA main channel.

13. The method according to any one of claims 1-12, characterized in that, The first signal includes third information, which is used to indicate the type of the first information carried in the first signal.

14. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that: If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information is carried through a first field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is the second type, the first information is carried through the second field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information is carried through the first field and the second field; The first field indicates the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field indicates the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

15. The method according to any one of claims 1-14, characterized in that, The type of the first information includes one or more of the following: The first type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel; The second type is used to indicate the time when the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel; The third type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel.

16. The method according to any one of claims 1-15, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

17. The method according to any one of claims 1-16, characterized in that: The first device is an access point (AP), and the second device is a non-AP STA; or The first device is a non-AP STA, and the second device is an AP.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, include: A second device of a first BSS sends a first signal to a first device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The second device determines the time information of the second BSS's device occupying the main channel of the first BSS; The dwell time information of the second device on the NPA main channel after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPA.

19. The method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: The duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel during the time during which the second device is unable to do so. The duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

20. The method according to claim 18 or 19, characterized in that, The first information is carried through a first field and / or a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field is used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

21. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The first field includes: The first duration is used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and / or The first moment is used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first moment is indicated by the TSF time value.

23. The method according to any one of claims 20-22, characterized in that, The second field includes: The second moment is used to indicate the start time at which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

24. The method according to any one of claims 20-23, characterized in that, The value of the first field is determined by one or more of the following: The duration field in the initial control frame of the second BSS; The duration field in the initial control response frame of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

25. The method according to any one of claims 18-24, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second device receives a second signal sent by the first device, the second signal being used to request the first information.

26. The method according to claim 25, characterized in that, The second signal includes second information, which indicates the type of the first information requested by the second device.

27. The method according to claim 25 or 26, characterized in that, The second signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

28. The method according to any one of claims 18-27, characterized in that, The first information is used to schedule the time for the first device to exchange frames with the second device on the NPCA main channel.

29. The method according to claim 28, characterized in that, The frame exchange between the first device and the second device on the NPCA main channel is completed before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel.

30. The method according to any one of claims 18-29, characterized in that, The first signal includes third information, which is used to indicate the type of the first information carried in the first signal.

31. The method according to claim 30, characterized in that: If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information is carried through a first field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is the second type, the first information is carried through the second field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information is carried through the first field and the second field; The first field indicates the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field indicates the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

32. The method according to any one of claims 18-31, characterized in that, The type of the first information includes one or more of the following: The first type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel; The second type is used to indicate the time when the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel; The third type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel.

33. The method according to any one of claims 18-32, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

34. The method according to any one of claims 18-33, characterized in that: The first device is an access point (AP), and the second device is a non-AP STA; or The first device is a non-AP STA, and the second device is an AP.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is the first device of the first BSS, and the communication device includes: A receiving module is configured to receive a first signal sent by a second device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The second device determines the time information of the second BSS's device occupying the main channel of the first BSS; The dwell time information of the second device on the NPA main channel after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPA.

36. The communication device according to claim 35, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: The duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel during the time during which the second device is unable to do so. The duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

37. The communication device according to claim 35 or 36, characterized in that, The first information is carried through a first field and / or a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field is used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

38. The communication device according to claim 37, characterized in that, The first field includes: The first duration is used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and / or The first moment is used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS.

39. The communication device according to claim 38, characterized in that, The first moment is indicated by the TSF time value.

40. The communication device according to any one of claims 37-39, characterized in that, The second field includes: The second moment is used to indicate the start time at which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

41. The communication device according to any one of claims 37-40, characterized in that, The value of the first field is determined by one or more of the following: The duration field in the initial control frame of the second BSS; The duration field in the initial control response frame of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

42. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-41, characterized in that, The communication device also includes: The sending module is used to send a second signal to the second device, the second signal being used to request the first information.

43. The communication device according to claim 42, characterized in that, The second signal includes second information, which indicates the type of the first information requested by the second device.

44. The communication device according to claim 42 or 43, characterized in that, The second signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

45. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-44, characterized in that, The communication device also includes: The scheduling module is used to schedule the time for frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel based on the first information.

46. ​​The communication device according to claim 45, characterized in that, The scheduling module is used for: Before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel, the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel is completed; and / or After the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel, the frame exchange with the second device on the NPCA main channel is stopped.

47. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-46, characterized in that, The first signal includes third information, which is used to indicate the type of the first information carried in the first signal.

48. The communication device according to claim 47, characterized in that: If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information is carried through a first field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is the second type, the first information is carried through the second field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information is carried through the first field and the second field; The first field indicates the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field indicates the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

49. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-48, characterized in that, The type of the first information includes one or more of the following: The first type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel; The second type is used to indicate the time when the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel; The third type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel.

50. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-49, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

51. The communication device according to any one of claims 35-50, characterized in that: The first device is an access point (AP), and the second device is a non-AP STA; or The first device is a non-AP STA, and the second device is an AP.

52. A communication device, characterized in that, The communication device is a second device of the first BSS, and the communication device includes: A transmitting module is configured to transmit a first signal to a first device of the first BSS, the first signal including first information, the first information being used to indicate one or more of the following: The second device determines the time information of the second BSS's device occupying the main channel of the first BSS; The dwell time information of the second device on the NPA main channel after switching from the main channel of the first BSS to the main channel of the NPA.

53. The communication device according to claim 52, characterized in that, The first information includes one or more of the following: The duration of the transmission opportunity of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel during the time during which the second device is unable to do so. The duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel.

54. The communication device according to claim 52 or 53, characterized in that, The first information is carried through a first field and / or a second field, wherein the first field is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field is used to indicate the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

55. The communication device according to claim 54, characterized in that, The first field includes: The first duration is used to indicate the remaining duration for which the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS; and / or The first moment is used to indicate the end time when the device of the second BSS occupies the main channel of the first BSS.

56. The communication device according to claim 55, characterized in that, The first moment is indicated by the TSF time value.

57. The communication device according to any one of claims 54-56, characterized in that, The second field includes: The second moment is used to indicate the start time at which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

58. The communication device according to any one of claims 54-57, characterized in that, The value of the first field is determined by one or more of the following: The duration field in the initial control frame of the second BSS; The duration field in the initial control response frame of the second BSS; The duration of the PPDU of the second BSS; The duration field of the frame in the PPDU of the second BSS.

59. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-58, characterized in that, The communication device also includes: The receiving module is used to receive a second signal sent by the first device, the second signal being used to request the first information.

60. The communication device according to claim 59, characterized in that, The second signal includes second information, which indicates the type of the first information requested by the second device.

61. The communication device according to claim 59 or 60, characterized in that, The second signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

62. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-61, characterized in that, The first information is used to schedule the time for the first device to exchange frames with the second device on the NPCA main channel.

63. The communication device according to claim 62, characterized in that, The frame exchange between the first device and the second device on the NPCA main channel is completed before the second device switches back from the NPCA main channel to the first BSS main channel.

64. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-63, characterized in that, The first signal includes third information, which is used to indicate the type of the first information carried in the first signal.

65. The communication device according to claim 64, characterized in that: If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a first type, the first information is carried through a first field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is the second type, the first information is carried through the second field; and / or If the third information indicates that the type of the first information is a third type, the first information is carried through the first field and the second field; The first field indicates the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel, and the second field indicates the time during which the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel.

66. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-65, characterized in that, The type of the first information includes one or more of the following: The first type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel; The second type is used to indicate the time when the second device cannot perform frame switching on the NPCA main channel; The third type is used to indicate the duration of the second device's stay on the NPCA main channel and the time during which the second device cannot perform frame exchange on the NPCA main channel.

67. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-66, characterized in that, The first signal includes one or more of the following: an initial control frame, an initial control response frame, a management frame, a data frame, a control frame, and a signaling field in the PPDU header.

68. The communication device according to any one of claims 52-67, characterized in that: The first device is an access point (AP), and the second device is a non-AP STA; or The first device is a non-AP STA, and the second device is an AP.

69. 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 1-17 or 18-34.

70. 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 1-17 or 18-34.

71. 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 1-17 or 18-34.

72. 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 1-17 or 18-34.

73. 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 1-17 or 18-34.

74. A computer program, characterized in that, The computer program causes the computer to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-17 or 18-34.

Images