Communication method and communication apparatus, sending end, receiving end, and computer program product

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and a communication apparatus, a sending end, a receiving end, and a computer program product. The method comprises: sending a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame comprising a bandwidth information notification and / or a spatial stream information notification. In embodiments of the present invention, the interaction of bandwidth information between the sending end and the receiving end can be realized without relying on an RTS frame and a CTS frame, and / or the interaction of spatial stream information between the sending end and the receiving end can be realized by means of the first initial control frame, thereby filling the gap in the prior art.

Description

Communication methods and devices, transmitters, receivers, and computer program products Technical Field

[0001] The embodiments of the present invention relate to the field of communication technology, specifically to a communication method and communication device, a transmitting end, a receiving end, and a computer program product. Background Technology

[0002] The 802.11 protocol allows the use of channels with different bandwidths and defines a primary channel as the channel at a specific location, while other channels are secondary channels. In single-user (SU) data transmission and reception as specified in the 802.11 protocol, the SU Physical Layer Protocol Data Unit (PPDU) must use the bandwidth that includes the primary channel.

[0003] In practical applications, the working channels of the 802.11 protocol may be occupied by other devices. To improve spectrum utilization, 802.11ac defines Request To Send (RTS) and Clear To Send (CTS) frames to support "dynamic bandwidth" mode. In this mode, if part of the frequency band is occupied, the receiver can respond with a CTS frame only on the main channel.

[0004] There is an urgent need for a communication method that can achieve information exchange without relying on RTS and CTS frames. Summary of the Invention

[0005] In view of this, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method and communication device, a transmitting end, a receiving end, and a computer program product, which can realize the interaction of bandwidth information between the transmitting end and the receiving end without relying on RTS frames and CTS frames, and / or realize the interaction of spatial stream information between the transmitting end and the receiving end through a first initial control frame, filling the gap in the prior art.

[0006] To achieve the above objectives, the embodiments of the present invention provide the following technical solutions.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, comprising: sending a first initial control frame, wherein the first initial control frame includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification.

[0008] Optionally, the type of the first initial control frame includes one or more of the following: a buffer status report polling trigger frame; a multi-user request sending trigger frame.

[0009] Optionally, the first initial control frame satisfies one or more of the following: the first initial control frame is a unicast frame; the first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, and the number of valid peers is one.

[0010] Optionally, the first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, satisfying one or more of the following: the first initial control frame includes a MAC header field, and the receiving address in the MAC header field is a broadcast address; the user information field in the payload of the broadcast frame includes user information of a single valid peer.

[0011] Optionally, the first initial control frame includes first request information; wherein the first request information is used to request the receiver to reply with a first initial response frame carried in a non-high throughput PPDU, or the request to the receiver to reply with a first initial response frame carried in a non-high throughput repeated PPDU.

[0012] Optionally, the bandwidth information notification satisfies one or more of the following: the bandwidth information notification is used to instruct the requesting receiver to reply with information on the bandwidth that can be provided to the sending end; the bandwidth information notification contains the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification contains indication information of the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification requests dynamic bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification requests static bandwidth.

[0013] Optionally, the first initial control frame includes a first public information field, which includes one or more of the following: a first request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; a first bandwidth information field, in which the bandwidth information field is used to carry the bandwidth information to be requested; and the first bandwidth information field reuses the uplink bandwidth subfield in the first public information field.

[0014] Optionally, the first initial control frame includes a first user information field, which includes one or more of the following: a second request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; and a second bandwidth information field, which is used to carry the bandwidth information that the sending end needs to request.

[0015] Optionally, the first request field is further used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth or static bandwidth; and / or, the second request field is further used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth or static bandwidth.

[0016] Optionally, the first initial control frame includes a second public information field, which includes one or more of the following: a third request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the spatial stream information notification is carried; and a third spatial stream information field, in which the third spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sender needs to request.

[0017] Optionally, the first initial control frame includes a second user information field, which includes one or more of the following: a fourth request field, wherein some or all of the information in the fourth request field is used to indicate whether the spatial stream information notification is carried; and a fourth spatial stream information field, wherein the fourth spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sending end needs to request.

[0018] Optionally, one or more of the following conditions must be met: the spatial stream information notification is used to indicate the number of spatial streams that the requesting receiver can provide to the sender; each transmission opportunity has its own number of spatial streams.

[0019] Optionally, the communication method further includes: receiving a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information; wherein the response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification; and / or, the response spatial stream information is determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

[0020] Optionally, the communication method further includes one or more of the following: in response to the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information being less than or equal to the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, sending data packets using a bandwidth equal to or less than that of the reply bandwidth information; in response to the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information being less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, not sending data packets; in response to the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information being less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, not sending data packets before the next transmission opportunity; in response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, sending data packets using a number of spatial streams equal to or less than that of the reply spatial stream information.

[0021] Optionally, the communication method further includes one or more of the following: indicating to the receiving end whether it supports carrying the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification in the first initial control frame; indicating to the receiving end whether it supports receiving the response information of the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification.

[0022] Optionally, the communication method satisfies one or more of the following: indicating whether the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification is supported in the first initial control frame via a capability field; indicating whether the response information of the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification is supported in the capability field; wherein the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: confirming the capability field of the receiving end during the connection with the receiving end; carrying the capability field in the ultra-reliable capability field.

[0023] Optionally, the communication method satisfies one or more of the following: data transmission and reception with the receiving end is single-user data transmission and reception; data transmission and reception with the receiving end is single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received with the receiving end uses bandwidth including the main channel; part or all of the first initial reply frame is on the main channel.

[0024] In a second aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, comprising: sending a second initial control frame, wherein the second initial control frame does not contain spatial stream information notification; and receiving a second initial response frame, wherein the second initial response frame contains the maximum spatial stream that the receiving end can receive.

[0025] Optionally, the method further includes: in response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, sending data packets with a number of spatial streams equal to or less than the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information.

[0026] Thirdly, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, including: receiving a first initial control frame, wherein the first initial control frame includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification.

[0027] Optionally, the method further includes: sending a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information; wherein the response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification; and / or, the response spatial stream information is determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

[0028] Optionally, the bandwidth information notification request is a dynamic bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information includes one or more of the following: first response bandwidth information, the bandwidth of the first response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; first response bandwidth indication information, the bandwidth indicated by the first response bandwidth indication information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0029] Optionally, the bandwidth information notification request is a static bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information includes one or more of the following: second response bandwidth information, the bandwidth of the second response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; second response bandwidth indication information, the bandwidth indicated by the second response bandwidth indication information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0030] Optionally, the bandwidth information notification requests static bandwidth, and the method further includes: in response to the receiving end detecting that the bandwidth is less than the bandwidth requested in the bandwidth information notification, not sending a first initial reply frame.

[0031] Optionally, the first initial response frame carries one or more of the following: a non-high throughput PPDU; a non-high throughput repeated PPDU.

[0032] Optionally, the first initial response frame is a multi-site block acknowledgment control frame and includes each associated or service identification information field; the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information satisfy one or more of the following: the response bandwidth information uses a single specific field for each associated or service identification information; the response bandwidth information shares the same field for each associated or service identification information with other information, and uses different sub-fields with other information; the response spatial flow information uses a single specific field for each associated or service identification information; the response spatial flow information shares the same field for each associated or service identification information with other information, and uses different sub-fields with other information.

[0033] Optionally, the type of the first initial response frame is a clear transmission control frame; the response bandwidth information and / or the response space stream information satisfy one or more of the following: the service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput repeated PPDU where the clear transmission control frame is located contains the response bandwidth information; the service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput repeated PPDU where the clear transmission control frame is located contains the response space stream information.

[0034] Optionally, the type of the first initial response frame is a Quality of Service (QoS) Null Data Control (NDC) frame; the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information satisfy one or more of the following: the high throughput control field in the MAC header of the QoS NDC frame contains the response bandwidth information; the channel width field in the operation mode subfield of the high throughput control field in the MAC header of the QoS NDC frame contains the response bandwidth information; the high throughput control field in the MAC header of the QoS NDC frame contains the response spatial stream information; the receive spatial stream field in the operation mode subfield of the high throughput control field in the MAC header of the QoS NDC frame contains the response spatial stream information.

[0035] Optionally, the communication method further includes: indicating to the sending end whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame.

[0036] Optionally, the capability field indicates whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame; the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: the capability field of the sending end is confirmed during the connection with the sending end; the capability field is carried in the ultra-reliable capability field.

[0037] Optionally, the communication method satisfies one or more of the following: data transmission and reception with the sending end is single-user data transmission and reception; data transmission and reception with the sending end is single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received with the sending end uses bandwidth including the main channel; part or all of the first initial reply frame is on the main channel.

[0038] Fourthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication method, comprising: receiving a second initial control frame, the second initial control frame not containing spatial stream information notification; and sending a second initial response frame, the second initial response frame containing the maximum permissible received spatial stream.

[0039] Optionally, the communication method further includes: indicating to the sending end whether it supports carrying the spatial stream information notification in the second initial response frame.

[0040] Optionally, a capability field indicates whether the spatial stream information notification is supported in the second initial response frame; wherein the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: the capability field of the receiving end is confirmed during the connection with the receiving end; the capability field is carried in the ultra-reliable capability field.

[0041] Fifthly, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication device, comprising: a first transmitting module, configured to transmit a first initial control frame, wherein the first initial control frame includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification.

[0042] In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication device, comprising: a second transmitting module for transmitting a second initial control frame, the second initial control frame not containing spatial stream information notification; and a first receiving reply module for receiving a second initial reply frame, the second initial reply frame containing the maximum spatial stream that the receiving end can receive.

[0043] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, comprising: a first receiving module, configured to receive a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame including bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification.

[0044] Eighthly, embodiments of the present invention also provide a communication device, comprising: a second receiving module for receiving a second initial control frame, the second initial control frame not containing spatial stream information notification; and a first sending reply module for sending a second initial reply frame, the second initial reply frame containing the maximum permissible received spatial stream.

[0045] In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present invention also provide a computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, wherein when the computer program is executed by a processor, the communication method provided in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect is executed.

[0046] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a transmitting end, including a memory and a processor; the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the communication method provided in the first aspect or executes the communication method provided in the second aspect.

[0047] Eleventhly, embodiments of the present invention provide a receiving end-to-end device, including a memory and a processor; the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and when the processor runs the computer program, it executes the communication method provided in the third aspect or the communication method provided in the fourth aspect.

[0048] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a computer program product, the computer program product including a computer program that, when the computer program is run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the communication method provided in the first aspect, the second aspect, the third aspect, or the fourth aspect.

[0049] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a chip (or communication device) having a computer program stored thereon, which, when executed by the chip, causes the communication method of the first, second, third, or fourth aspect to be executed.

[0050] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a chip module on which a computer program is stored, such that when the computer program is executed by the chip module, the communication method provided in the first, second, third, or fourth aspect is executed.

[0051] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of the present invention provide a communication system, the communication system including means for performing the method provided in the first aspect, means for performing the method provided in the second aspect, means for performing the method provided in the third aspect, and means for performing the method provided in the fourth aspect.

[0052] Compared with the prior art, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present invention has the following beneficial effects:

[0053] In this embodiment of the invention, by sending a first initial control frame (ICF), which includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification, the sending end can use the first initial control frame in the communication protocol to carry bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification. This allows for bandwidth information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end without relying on RTS frames and CTS frames, and / or spatial stream information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end through the first initial control frame, filling the gap in the prior art. Attached Figure Description

[0054] To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention or the prior art, the drawings used in the description of the embodiments or the prior art will be briefly introduced below. Obviously, the drawings described below are only embodiments of this application. For those skilled in the art, other drawings can be obtained based on the provided drawings without creative effort.

[0055] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain resources of the primary and secondary channels;

[0056] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of RTS and CTS mechanisms;

[0057] Figure 3 is a flowchart illustrating the first communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0058] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a trigger control frame;

[0059] Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the first bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0060] Figure 6 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the second bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0061] Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the third bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0062] Figure 8 is a data flow diagram of the first spatial flow information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0063] Figure 9 is a flowchart illustrating the second communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0064] Figure 10 is a flowchart illustrating the third communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0065] Figure 11 is a flowchart illustrating the fourth communication method in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0066] Figure 12 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the first communication device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0067] Figure 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the second communication device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0068] Figure 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the third communication device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0069] Figure 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the fourth communication device in an embodiment of the present invention;

[0070] Figure 16 is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention. Detailed Implementation

[0071] The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings. Obviously, the described embodiments are only some embodiments of this application, and not all embodiments. Based on the embodiments of this application, all other embodiments obtained by those of ordinary skill in the art without creative effort are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0072] The communication systems applicable to the embodiments of this invention include, but are not limited to, third-generation (3G), LTE, fourth-generation (4G), fifth-generation (5G), NR, and future evolution systems or multiple converged communication systems. The 5G system can be a non-standalone (NSA) 5G system or a standalone (SA) 5G system. The solutions of the embodiments of this invention can also be applied to various new communication systems in the future, such as 6G and 7G.

[0073] This application mainly relates to communication between wireless network technology (WIFI) devices (such as WIFI senders and WIFI receivers).

[0074] The WIFI device can be a terminal device (or a terminal) that supports WIFI functionality. In this embodiment of the invention, the terminal can refer to various forms of user equipment (UE), access terminal, user unit, user station, mobile station, mobile station (MS), remote station, remote terminal, mobile device, user terminal, terminal equipment, wireless communication device, user agent, or user device that supports WIFI functionality. The terminal can also be a cellular phone, cordless phone, Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) phone, Wireless Local Loop (WLL) station, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), handheld device with wireless communication functionality, computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, in-vehicle device, wearable device, a terminal in a future 5G network, or a terminal in a future evolved Public Land Mobile Network (PLMN), etc. This embodiment of the invention does not limit the scope of the terminal.

[0075] The network device in this embodiment of the invention can also be called an access network device, for example, a base station (BS) (also called a base station device). A network device is a device deployed in a radio access network (RAN) to provide wireless communication functions. For example, in second-generation (2G) networks, equipment providing base station functionality includes base transceiver stations (BTS); in 3G networks, it includes Node Bs; in 4G networks, it includes evolved Node Bs (eNBs); in wireless local area networks (WLANs), it is an access point (AP); in NR, it includes next-generation node base stations (gNBs) and further evolved Node Bs (ng-eNBs). The gNB communicates with the terminal using NR technology, while the ng-eNB communicates with the terminal using evolved Universal Terrestrial Radio Access (E-UTRA) technology. Both gNBs and ng-eNBs can connect to the 5G core network. The network equipment in this embodiment also includes equipment providing base station functionality in future new communication systems.

[0076] The communication systems to which the method provided in this embodiment of the invention can be applied may include access points (APs) and / or stations (STAs). For example, this embodiment of the invention can be applied to scenarios of communication or sensing between APs and STAs, between APs, or between STAs in WIFI, and this embodiment of the invention is not limited thereto. Optionally, an AP can communicate or sense with a single STA, or an AP can communicate or sense with multiple STAs simultaneously. Specifically, communication or sensing between an AP and multiple STAs can be further divided into downlink transmission where the AP simultaneously sends signals to multiple STAs, and uplink transmission where multiple STAs send signals to the AP. The communication between APs and STAs, between APs, or between STAs can support WLAN communication protocols, which may include protocols of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as the 802.11be standard, and of course, standards after 802.11be.

[0077] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices (such as stations or other access points) in the WLAN network, and can also communicate or sense with other devices. Alternatively, an access point acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. In a WLAN system, an access point can be called an Access Point Station (AP STA). This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present invention under the control of the chip or processing system. In the embodiments of the present invention, the AP is a device that provides services to the STA and can support 802.11 series protocols or subsequent protocols. For example, an access point can be an access point for terminals (such as mobile phones) to enter a wired (or wireless) network, mainly deployed in homes, buildings, and parks, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. For example, an AP can be a communication server, router, switch, bridge, or other communication entity; an AP can include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. Of course, an AP can also be the chip and processing system in these various forms of devices, thereby realizing the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present invention.

[0078] It should be noted that the sending end in this application is not limited to AP, but can also be a mobile AP, such as a site that turns on a hotspot (such as a mobile hotspot).

[0079] A station is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using the WLAN protocol, and having the ability to communicate or sense other stations or access points in a WLAN network. In a WLAN system, a station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For example, an STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus communicate with the WLAN. This wireless communication device can be a complete device, or it can be a chip or processing system installed in a complete device. Devices with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present invention under the control of the chip or processing system. For example, a station can be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, and can also be referred to as a user. Furthermore, a station can be a mobile phone supporting Wi-Fi communication, a tablet computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, a set-top box supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart TV supporting Wi-Fi communication, a smart wearable device supporting Wi-Fi communication, an in-vehicle communication device supporting Wi-Fi communication, and a computer supporting Wi-Fi communication, etc.

[0080] Starting with 802.11ac, the 802.11 protocol allows channels with different bandwidths, such as BW20MHz, BW40MHz, BW80MHz, and BW160MHz. 802.11be introduced channels with a maximum bandwidth of BW320MHz. In the 802.11 protocol definition, within a channel of a specific bandwidth, depending on the number of 20MHz sub-channels (e.g., a BW20MHz channel has only one 20MHz sub-channel, while a BW160MHz channel contains eight), a specific 20MHz sub-channel is defined as the primary 20MHz sub-channel (or primary 20MHz channel), and the other 20MHz sub-channels are called secondary 20MHz channels.

[0081] Referring to Figure 1, Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the frequency domain resources of a primary channel and a secondary channel.

[0082] As shown in the figure, a 20MHz subchannel at a specific location is defined as the primary 20MHz subchannel, and the other 20MHz subchannels are defined as secondary 20MHz subchannels, with corresponding larger bandwidths including the primary 20MHz subchannel, namely the primary 40MHz subchannel and the primary 80MHz subchannel.

[0083] In single-user (SU) data transmission and reception as specified in the 802.11 protocol, SU PPDUs must use the bandwidth that includes the primary channel. For example, an 80MHz bandwidth SU PPDU (hereinafter referred to as BW80MHz) requires the use of the primary 80MHz sub-channel; a 160MHz bandwidth SU PPDU (hereinafter referred to as BW160MHz) requires the use of the primary 160MHz sub-channel.

[0084] Since the 2.4GHz / 5GHz / 6GHz frequency bands where the 802.11 protocol operates are shared frequency bands, it is possible that the working channels of the 802.11 protocol may be occupied by other devices (including other 802.11 devices or non-802.11 devices), especially some secondary channels.

[0085] To improve spectrum utilization, 802.11ac defines bandwidth signaling, which includes an RTS / CTS mechanism that supports dynamic bandwidth.

[0086] Referring to Figure 2, which is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of an RTS and CTS mechanism.

[0087] The RTS and CTS mechanisms are used to detect whether any subchannel is occupied by different data transmissions, i.e., RTS and CTS support "dynamic bandwidth" mode.

[0088] In this mode, if a portion of the bandwidth is occupied, CTS frames can be responded to only on the main channel. Clients sending RTS frames (such as STAs) can then fall back to a lower bandwidth mode. In any case, the final transmission bandwidth always includes the main channel.

[0089] As shown in Figure 2, 802.11a devices occupy 80MHz of bandwidth. Before data transmission, it is necessary to confirm that this 80MHz bandwidth is available. Therefore, RTS frames are sent on the 80MHz primary channel of its operating channel. The 80MHz primary channel includes a 20MHz primary sub-channel and all other 20MHz secondary sub-channels, and uses the non-HT duplicate (non-HT DUP) PPDU format.

[0090] The RTS in this non-high throughput repetitive PPDU will transmit a 20MHz bandwidth (hereinafter referred to as BW20MHz) RTS content on the 20MHz primary sub-channel, and at the same time transmit a copy frame of this RTS on the other three secondary 20MHz sub-channels.

[0091] It should be noted that the 80MHz bandwidth and 3 replica versions mentioned above are just examples. If the bandwidth is 160MHz, the RTS will have 7 replica versions.

[0092] The receiving end replies with a CTS frame based on the actual situation of its channel, so that the sending end knows the channel usage and can then determine the actual bandwidth that should be used for data transmission.

[0093] In the first packet interaction sequence shown in Figure 2, the RTS requests BW80MHz, and the corresponding CTS reply also indicates BW80MHz. Then the bandwidth of subsequent data packets can use BW80MHz, as shown in the BW80 data in the Very High Throughput (VHT) PPDU in Figure 2.

[0094] In the second packet interaction sequence shown in Figure 2, the RTS requests BW80MHz, but the corresponding CTS reply indicates BW40MHz. In this case, the bandwidth of subsequent data packets will be reduced to 40MHz to transmit data, as shown in the BW40 data in the VHT PPDU in Figure 2.

[0095] Research has revealed that the information exchange process in the aforementioned technical solutions relies excessively on RTS and CTS. There is an urgent need for a communication method that can achieve bandwidth information exchange without relying on RTS and CTS frames.

[0096] In this embodiment of the invention, by sending a first initial control frame (ICF), which includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification, the sending end can use the first initial control frame in the communication protocol to carry bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification. This allows for bandwidth information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end without relying on RTS frames and CTS frames, and / or spatial stream information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end through the first initial control frame, filling the gap in the prior art.

[0097] To make the above-mentioned objectives, features and beneficial effects of the present invention more apparent and understandable, specific embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0098] Referring to Figure 3, which is a schematic diagram of a first communication method in an embodiment of the present invention, the communication method can be used at the sending end and may include step S31 and step S32.

[0099] The sending end can be the device side that sends an initial control frame (ICF) that can carry bandwidth signaling and / or spatial stream signaling.

[0100] In some embodiments, the transmitting end can be an AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0101] In some embodiments, the sending end can be a hotspot AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0102] Step S31: Send a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame containing bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification;

[0103] Step S32: Receive a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information.

[0104] The bandwidth information notification can be used to instruct the sending end to request the receiving end to reply with information on the bandwidth that can be provided to the sending end.

[0105] The spatial stream information notification can be used to instruct the sender to request the receiver to reply with information about the spatial stream that can be provided to the sender, such as the number of spatial streams that can be provided to the sender.

[0106] Regarding spatial streams, in order to improve communication efficiency and smoothness, the sending and receiving ends can divide the data into multiple "channels" for simultaneous transmission. These multiple channels are also known as multiple spatial streams.

[0107] For example, with 1x1 SISO Wi-Fi, only one "channel" can transmit data simultaneously; with 2x2 MIMO, two "channels" can transmit data simultaneously; and with 4x4 MIMO, four "channels" can transmit data simultaneously. More channels mean faster data transmission speeds and the ability to process more information. Therefore, spatial streams can be understood as the number of data streams in wireless communication; the more spatial streams, the faster the speed.

[0108] Specifically, in the 802.11bn (or WIFI8) protocol, in the initial frame exchange used to start the data packet exchange between two WIFI devices communicating, in addition to RTS / CTS, an initial control frame (ICF) and an initial response frame (ICR) are introduced.

[0109] Research has revealed that, compared to RTS / CTS, ICF / ICR can carry more information, such as information related to in-device coexistence (IDC) and power saving. Furthermore, trigger frames are a subtype of control frames, and RTS frames are also a subtype of control frames.

[0110] Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the frame structure of a trigger control frame.

[0111] Figure 4 shows a typical frame structure for a trigger control frame, which may include a Media Access Control (MAC) header, common information, a user information list, padding, and a frame check sequence (FCS).

[0112] The MAC header can include multiple fields, such as frame control, duration, receive address (RA), and send address (TA).

[0113] The user information list can contain information on multiple users.

[0114] As can be seen, compared to RTS frames, trigger control frames have many more fields, so ICF as a trigger control frame can carry more information.

[0115] It should be noted that the ICF / ICR introduced in the aforementioned 802.11bn (or WIFI8) protocol cannot provide bandwidth information notification functionality like RTS / CTS.

[0116] In some embodiments, the type of the first initial control frame may include one or more of the following: a Buffer Status Report Poll (BSRP) trigger frame; a Multi-User RTS (MU-RTS) trigger frame.

[0117] It should be noted that the type of the first initial control frame is not limited to this; other appropriate subtypes of trigger control frames can also be used.

[0118] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame may satisfy one or more of the following: the first initial control frame is a unicast frame; the first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, and the number of valid peers is one.

[0119] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame may include a MAC header field, which includes an RA field. The first initial control frame can be a unicast frame by setting the RA to a unicast address.

[0120] In some specific embodiments, the first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, which may satisfy one or more of the following: the first initial control frame includes a MAC header field, and the receiving address in the MAC header field is a broadcast address; the user information field in the payload of the broadcast frame includes user information of a single valid peer.

[0121] More specifically, the Receive Address (RA) in the MAC header field can be a broadcast address, but the User Information field in the corresponding broadcast frame payload (Trigger frame payload) only contains the User Information of a valid peer.

[0122] In some specific embodiments of the present invention, the above settings can make the corresponding ICF trigger frame a trigger frame that is only for a single peer.

[0123] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame may include first request information; wherein the first request information is used to request a first initial response frame from the receiving end to be carried in a non-high throughput (non-HT) PPDU, or the first initial response frame to be requested from the receiving end to be carried in a non-high throughput duplicate (non-HT DUP) PPDU.

[0124] Specifically, the sender can use the first request information to suggest to the receiver which type of PPDU to reply to the first ICR.

[0125] In some embodiments, preset bits can be used to indicate different types of PPDUs.

[0126] In one specific embodiment, taking a single bit as an example, one of 1 and 0 (e.g., using 1) can be used to indicate the use of a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT DUP PPDU, for example, the receiving end can decide which one to use; the other of 1 and 0 (e.g., using 0) indicates that a non-HT PPDU or a non-HT DUP PPDU is not used, for example, trigger-based PPDUs can be allowed.

[0127] Referring again to Figure 3, in the specific implementation of step S32, the response bandwidth information can be determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification; and / or, the response spatial stream information can be determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

[0128] Specifically, the receiving end can identify whether the received ICF carries information carrying bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification, in order to decide whether to reply to the ICR, and whether the corresponding reply information is carried in the corresponding reply ICR.

[0129] In some embodiments, data transmission and reception between the sender and receiver can be single-user data (SU) transmission and reception.

[0130] In some embodiments, data transmission and reception between the transmitter and receiver can be single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received between the transmitter and receiver can use bandwidth including the main channel.

[0131] In some embodiments, part or all of the first initial response frame may be on the main channel.

[0132] In this embodiment of the invention, by sending a first initial control frame, which includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification, the sending end can use the first initial control frame in the communication protocol to carry bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification. This allows for bandwidth information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end without relying on RTS frames and CTS frames, and / or spatial stream information interaction between the sending end and the receiving end through the first initial control frame, filling the gap in the prior art.

[0133] Example 1

[0134] In Embodiment 1, the bandwidth information notification request may be dynamic bandwidth signaling.

[0135] Dynamic bandwidth indicates that if the bandwidth detected by the receiver itself is less than the bandwidth requested in the bandwidth information notification, the receiver can respond with a smaller bandwidth. In other words, the receiver can adjust the requested bandwidth based on the bandwidth it detects.

[0136] In some embodiments, the bandwidth information notification may satisfy one or more of the following: the bandwidth information notification is used to instruct the requesting receiver to reply with information on the bandwidth that can be provided to the sending end; the bandwidth information notification includes the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification includes indication information of the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification requests dynamic bandwidth.

[0137] In one embodiment, the bandwidth information notification may include the specifically requested bandwidth, such as BW80MHz, BW40MHz, etc.

[0138] In one embodiment, the bandwidth information notification may include indication information of the specifically requested bandwidth, such as using preset bits to indicate the bandwidth, such as using bit 11 to indicate BW80MHz, using bit 10 to indicate BW40MHz, etc.

[0139] Referring to Figure 5, Figure 5 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the first bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0140] As shown in Figure 5, two devices support carrying bandwidth information notifications in ICF / ICR. The ICF sent by the sending end (such as device 1) carries information indicating dynamic bandwidth signaling and requesting a bandwidth of BW80MHz. As shown in Figure 5, "BW80ICF in non-HT DUP PPDU, requesting 80MHz dynamic bandwidth."

[0141] Conversely, at the receiving end (such as the device sending ICR), if the bandwidth information notification in the received ICF frame is a request for dynamic bandwidth information, the receiving end will reply with the corresponding bandwidth information based on the status of each 20MHz sub-channel it detects.

[0142] As shown in Figure 5, after receiving the ICF, the receiving end (such as device 2) can use BW80MHz according to its own channel conditions. Therefore, the dynamic bandwidth information carried in the reply ICR is BW80MHz. As shown in Figure 5, "BW80ICR in non-HT DUP PPDU, and carries information of replying 80MHz".

[0143] After receiving the ICR, the transmitting end can continue to send data packets to the receiving end in the subsequent packet exchange sequence initiated by this ICF / ICR, and the available channel bandwidth is BW80MHz. As shown in Figure 5, "BW80 data in UHR PPDU".

[0144] It should be noted that 802.11bn is also known as WIFI8, or Ultra High Reliability (UHR) WIFI.

[0145] Referring to Figure 6, which is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the second bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0146] As shown in Figure 6, two devices support carrying bandwidth information notifications in ICF / ICR. The ICF sent by the sending end (such as device 1) carries information indicating dynamic bandwidth signaling and requesting a bandwidth of BW80MHz. As shown in Figure 6, "BW80ICF in non-HT DUP PPDU, requesting 80MHz dynamic bandwidth."

[0147] Conversely, at the receiving end (such as the device sending ICR), if the bandwidth information notification in the received ICF frame is a request for dynamic bandwidth information, the receiving end will reply with the corresponding bandwidth information based on the status of each 20MHz sub-channel it detects.

[0148] As shown in Figure 6, after receiving the ICF, the receiving end (such as device 2) finds that a 40MHz secondary channel is unavailable based on its own channel conditions. Therefore, it can only use BW40MHz, and the dynamic bandwidth information carried in the reply ICR is BW40MHz. As shown in Figure 6, "BW40ICR in non-HT DUP PPDU, and carries information for replying 40MHz".

[0149] After receiving the ICR, the transmitting end can continue to send data packets to the receiving end in the subsequent packet exchange sequence initiated by this ICF / ICR, and the available channel bandwidth is BW40MHz. As shown in Figure 6, "BW40 data in UHR PPDU".

[0150] It should be noted that in Embodiment 1, on the receiving end side, opposite to the sending end, the bandwidth information notification request is a dynamic bandwidth, and the reply bandwidth information may include one or more of the following: first reply bandwidth information, the bandwidth of the first reply bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; first reply bandwidth indication information, the bandwidth indicated by the first reply bandwidth indication information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0151] Figure 5 shows the case where the bandwidth is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth notified by the bandwidth information.

[0152] Figure 6 illustrates the case where the bandwidth determined by the receiver itself is less than the bandwidth notified in the bandwidth information.

[0153] Example 2

[0154] In Embodiment 2, the bandwidth information notification request may be static bandwidth signaling.

[0155] Static bandwidth indicates that if the bandwidth detected by the receiving end is less than the bandwidth requested in the bandwidth information notification, the receiving end cannot respond with a smaller bandwidth. In other words, the receiving end can only determine the requested bandwidth, and cannot adjust the requested bandwidth based on the bandwidth it detects.

[0156] In some embodiments, the bandwidth information notification may satisfy one or more of the following: the bandwidth information notification is used to instruct the requesting receiver to reply with information on the bandwidth that can be provided to the sending end; the bandwidth information notification includes the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification includes indication information of the requested bandwidth; the bandwidth information notification requests static bandwidth.

[0157] In one embodiment, the bandwidth information notification may include the specifically requested bandwidth, such as BW80MHz, BW40MHz, etc.

[0158] In one embodiment, the bandwidth information notification may include indication information of the specifically requested bandwidth, such as using preset bits to indicate the bandwidth, such as using bit 11 to indicate BW80MHz, using bit 10 to indicate BW40MHz, etc.

[0159] Referring to Figure 7, Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the working scenario of the third bandwidth information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0160] As shown in Figure 7, two devices support carrying bandwidth information notifications in ICF / ICR. The ICF sent by the sending end (such as device 1) carries information indicating static bandwidth signaling and requesting a bandwidth of BW80MHz. As shown in Figure 7, "BW80ICF in non-HT DUP PPDU, requesting 80MHz static bandwidth".

[0161] Conversely, at the receiving end (such as the device sending ICR), if the bandwidth information notification in the received ICF frame is a request for static bandwidth information, the receiving end determines whether the requested bandwidth is met based on the status of each 20MHz sub-channel it detects.

[0162] As shown in Figure 7, after receiving the ICF, the receiving end (such as device 2) has 40MHz of secondary channels that are unavailable based on its own channel conditions, so it cannot meet the requested bandwidth.

[0163] In some embodiments, as shown in Figure 7, the receiver may not reply with an ICR. As shown in Figure 7, "Since the BW80 is not fully usable, an ICR may not be replied with after receiving an ICF."

[0164] It should be noted that in some embodiments, the receiving end may reply with an ICR, but without including bandwidth information or bandwidth indication information detected by itself.

[0165] In some embodiments, the sender may stop sending data packets to the receiver. In this case, the ICF / ICR interaction triggered by the sender may be considered a failure.

[0166] Furthermore, if the sender wants to send data to the receiver again, the sender can re-enable ICF / ICR interaction with the receiver.

[0167] It should be noted that in Embodiment 2, on the receiving end side, opposite to the sending end, the bandwidth information notification request is a static bandwidth, and the reply bandwidth information includes one or more of the following: second reply bandwidth information, the bandwidth of the second reply bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; second reply bandwidth indication information, the bandwidth indicated by the second reply bandwidth indication information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0168] Figure 7 illustrates the case where the bandwidth determined by the receiver itself is less than the bandwidth notified in the bandwidth information.

[0169] In the above embodiments one and two, the corresponding bandwidth information notification can be carried in the fields of the first initial control frame.

[0170] In the first specific implementation, the bandwidth signaling information can be carried in the first common information field of the corresponding ICF trigger frame.

[0171] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame includes a first public information field, which includes one or more of the following: a first request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; a first bandwidth information field, in which the bandwidth information field is used to carry the bandwidth information to be requested; and the first bandwidth information field reuses the uplink bandwidth subfield in the first public information field.

[0172] In one specific embodiment, the first request field is further used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth or static bandwidth.

[0173] Specifically, the bandwidth information notification is carried in the first public information field of the corresponding ICF trigger frame. The first public information field contains a first request field indicating whether the bandwidth information notification is carried.

[0174] In some embodiments, the first public information field contains first bandwidth information that needs to be requested: including distinguishing whether the request is for dynamic bandwidth or whether the request is for static bandwidth.

[0175] In one specific embodiment, the first bandwidth information can reuse the uplink bandwidth (UL BW) subfield in the current first public information field.

[0176] In a second specific implementation, the bandwidth signaling information can be carried in the first user information (User Info) field of the corresponding ICF trigger frame.

[0177] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame may include a first user information field, which includes one or more of the following: a second request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; and a second bandwidth information field, which is used to carry the bandwidth information that the sender needs to request.

[0178] In one specific embodiment, the second request field is also used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth or static bandwidth.

[0179] Specifically, the bandwidth information notification is carried in the first user information field of the corresponding ICF trigger frame. The first user information field also carries a second request field indicating whether the bandwidth information notification is carried.

[0180] In some embodiments, the first user information field contains second bandwidth information that needs to be requested: including distinguishing whether the request is for dynamic bandwidth or whether the request is for static bandwidth.

[0181] In some embodiments of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the communication method further includes one or more of the following: in response to the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information being less than or equal to the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, sending data packets using a bandwidth equal to or less than the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information; in response to the bandwidth of the reply bandwidth information being less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, not sending data packets; in response to the bandwidth being less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, not sending data packets before the next transmission opportunity.

[0182] Specifically, at the sending end, i.e. the device sending the ICF, when it receives the corresponding ICR carrying the bandwidth information notification, it can perform subsequent operations based on the received reply bandwidth information (i.e. the information used to reply to the bandwidth information notification).

[0183] In some embodiments, if the received response bandwidth information is less than or equal to the corresponding request bandwidth information, then the bandwidth of the data packets that the sender can subsequently send can be equal to or less than the response bandwidth information.

[0184] In some embodiments, if the received response bandwidth information is less than the corresponding requested bandwidth information, the sender may also choose not to send subsequent data packets.

[0185] In some embodiments of Embodiment 1 and Embodiment 2, the communication method may further include one or more of the following: indicating to the receiving end whether it supports carrying the bandwidth information notification in the first initial control frame; indicating to the receiving end whether it supports receiving the reply information of the bandwidth information notification.

[0186] Specifically, the two devices that perform ICF / ICR interaction can indicate whether they support carrying bandwidth information notifications in ICF / ICR.

[0187] In some embodiments, one or more of the following may be satisfied: indicating whether the bandwidth information notification is supported in the first initial control frame via a capability field; indicating whether the response information for receiving the bandwidth information notification is supported via a capability field; wherein the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: confirming the capability field of the receiving end during connection with the receiving end; carrying the capability field in the Ultra-High Reliability Capability (UHR Capability) field.

[0188] Specifically, the capability field can be carried in the corresponding ultra-high reliability capability field, and the capability field can be mutually confirmed by the two devices during the connection process.

[0189] Example 3

[0190] In Embodiment 3, the sending end may request spatial stream signaling, which may be explicitly carried in the first initial control frame.

[0191] In some embodiments, the spatial stream information notification may be used to instruct the requesting receiver to reply with the number of spatial streams that it can provide to the sending end.

[0192] In some embodiments, each transmission opportunity (TxOP) may have its own number of spatial streams.

[0193] In one specific embodiment, the sender may request the receiver to reply with the number of spatial streams that can be provided to the sender for each transmission opportunity.

[0194] In one specific embodiment, the sending end may request the receiving end to reply with the number of spatial streams that can be provided to the sending end for one or more preset transmission opportunities.

[0195] In a first specific implementation, the spatial flow information notification information may be carried in the second common information (Common Info) field contained in the first initial control frame.

[0196] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame includes a second public information field, which includes one or more of the following: a third request field, wherein some or all of the information in the third request field is used to indicate whether the spatial stream information notification is carried; and a third spatial stream information field, wherein the third spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sender needs to request.

[0197] Specifically, the second public information field contains a third request field indicating whether spatial flow information notification information is being carried.

[0198] The second public information field contains a field that carries spatial flow information notification information.

[0199] In a second specific implementation, the spatial flow information notification information can be carried in the second user information (User Info) field contained in the first initial control frame.

[0200] In some embodiments, the first initial control frame may include a second user information field, which includes one or more of the following: a fourth request field, wherein some or all of the information in the fourth request field is used to indicate whether the spatial stream information notification is carried; and a fourth spatial stream information field, wherein the fourth spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sender needs to request.

[0201] Specifically, the second user information field may include a fourth request field indicating whether spatial stream information notification information is being carried.

[0202] The second user information field may include a field that carries spatial flow information notification information.

[0203] Referring to Figure 8, which is a data flow diagram of the first spatial flow information notification and response mechanism in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0204] The method may include steps S801 to S810, and each step is described below.

[0205] S801, the sending end indicates to the receiving end that it supports carrying and / or receiving spatial stream information notifications. In response, the receiving end determines that the sending end supports carrying and / or receiving spatial stream information notifications.

[0206] In step S802, the receiver indicates to the transmitter that it supports carrying reply space stream information. In response, the transmitter confirms that the receiver supports carrying reply space stream information.

[0207] In some embodiments, the communication method may further include one or more of the following: the sending end instructs the receiving end whether it supports carrying the spatial stream information notification in the first initial control frame; the sending end instructs the receiving end whether it supports receiving a reply message of the spatial stream information notification.

[0208] In some embodiments, the communication method may further include: the receiving end instructing the sending end whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame.

[0209] Specifically, the two devices that perform ICF / ICR interaction can indicate whether they support carrying spatial flow information notifications in ICF / ICR.

[0210] In some embodiments, one or more of the following may be satisfied: indicating whether the spatial stream information notification is supported in the first initial control frame via a capability field; indicating whether the response information of the spatial stream information notification is supported via a capability field; wherein the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: confirming the capability field of the receiving end during connection with the receiving end; carrying the capability field in the Ultra High Reliability Capability (UHR Capability) field.

[0211] Specifically, the capability field can be carried in the corresponding ultra-high reliability capability field, and the capability field can be mutually confirmed by the two devices during the connection process.

[0212] S803, the transmitting end sends a first initial control frame to the receiving end. Conversely, the receiving end receives the first initial control frame from the transmitting end.

[0213] In step S804, the receiving end sends a first initial reply frame to the sending end, and the number of received spatial streams is 2. Conversely, the sending end receives the first initial reply frame from the receiving end, and the number of received spatial streams is also 2.

[0214] In S805, the sending end transmits data frames to the receiving end, with a maximum available spatial stream of ≤2. Conversely, the receiving end receives data frames from the sending end, with a maximum available spatial stream of ≤2.

[0215] S806: When the sending end transmits data frames to the receiving end, the maximum available spatial stream is ≤2. Conversely, when the receiving end receives data frames from the sending end, the maximum available spatial stream is ≤2.

[0216] It should be noted that in the method shown in Figure 8, steps S805 and S806 are used to describe the situation in which the sending end sends data frames to the receiving end, but the number of data frames sent is not limited to this.

[0217] S807, the transmitting end sends a first initial control frame to the receiving end. Conversely, the receiving end receives the first initial control frame from the transmitting end.

[0218] In step S808, the receiving end sends a first initial reply frame to the sending end, and the number of received spatial streams is 1. Conversely, the sending end receives the first initial reply frame from the receiving end, and the number of received spatial streams is 1.

[0219] S809: When the sending end sends a data frame to the receiving end, the maximum available spatial stream is ≤1. Conversely, when the receiving end receives a data frame from the sending end, the maximum available spatial stream is ≤1.

[0220] In S810, the sending end transmits data frames to the receiving end, with a maximum available spatial stream of ≤1. Conversely, the receiving end receives data frames from the sending end, with a maximum available spatial stream of ≤1.

[0221] It should be noted that in the method shown in Figure 8, steps S809 and S810 are used to describe the situation in which the sending end sends a data frame to the receiving end, but the number of data frames sent is not limited to this.

[0222] It should be noted that Figure 8 also shows transmission opportunities 1 to n, which can trigger the transmitter to send the first initial control frame to the receiver based on the transmission opportunity (TxOP).

[0223] In one specific embodiment, it can be triggered once for each transmission opportunity, or it can be triggered once for multiple transmission opportunities.

[0224] In some embodiments of Embodiment 3, the communication method may further include: in response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, sending data packets with a number of spatial streams equal to or less than the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information.

[0225] Specifically, at the sending end, i.e. the device side sending the ICF, when it receives the corresponding ICR carrying the bandwidth information notification, the device side sending the ICF can determine whether the spatial flow of the subsequent data packets can be equal to or less than the spatial flow information of the reply spatial flow, based on the received reply spatial flow information notification.

[0226] Example 4

[0227] In some embodiments of Example 4, the ICF of the sending end may not need to explicitly carry spatial stream information notification information.

[0228] Specifically, the receiving end (such as the device that sends the corresponding ICR) can carry the maximum receive space stream that the device can allow in its ICR.

[0229] Referring to Figure 9, which is a flowchart illustrating the second communication method in an embodiment of the present invention, the second communication method can be used at the sending end and may further include steps S91 and S92.

[0230] Step S91: Send a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification;

[0231] Step S92: Receive a second initial response frame, which contains the maximum receive space stream that the receiver can allow.

[0232] Specifically, in response to receiving the second initial control frame, the receiving end can reply with the maximum allowable receive spatial stream, such as WIFI 2x2 MIMO, which allows a maximum receive spatial stream of 2.

[0233] It should be noted that in the second communication method, the maximum permissible spatial stream is determined independently of spatial stream information notification.

[0234] In some embodiments, the method may further include: in response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, sending data packets with a number of spatial streams equal to or less than the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information.

[0235] In this embodiment of the invention, by sending a second initial control frame that does not contain spatial stream information notification, the receiving end can be implicitly instructed to reply with the maximum permissible spatial stream, thereby saving signaling overhead while acquiring information.

[0236] Referring to Figure 10, which is a flowchart of the third communication method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0237] It should be noted that the third communication method shown in Figure 10 corresponds to the preceding text and Examples 1 to 3.

[0238] The third communication method can be used at the receiving end and may include step S101 and step S102.

[0239] The receiving end can be the device side that sends an initial response frame (ICR) that can carry response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information.

[0240] In some embodiments, the transmitting end can be an AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0241] In some embodiments, the sending end can be a hotspot AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0242] Step S101: Receive a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame containing bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification;

[0243] Step S102: Send a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information.

[0244] The response bandwidth information can be determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification.

[0245] The response spatial stream information can be determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

[0246] In some embodiments, the first initial response frame may be carried in one or more of the following: a non-high throughput PPDU; a non-high throughput repeated PPDU.

[0247] For more information on non-high throughput PPDUs and non-high throughput duplicate PPDUs, please refer to the previous text and Figure 3, which will not be repeated here.

[0248] In some embodiments, the type of the initial response frame may include one or more of the following: Multi-STA Block Ack frame (Multi-STA BA frame); Clear to Send frame (CTS frame); Quality of Service Null frame (QoS Null frame).

[0249] It should be noted that the type of the initial response frame may also include other appropriate subtypes of control frames, and is not limited to the three types mentioned above.

[0250] In a first specific implementation, the first initial response frame may be a multi-site block confirmation control frame and may include: a per-association or service identification information field (Per AID TID Info).

[0251] In some embodiments, the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information may satisfy one or more of the following, each of which is described below.

[0252] (1) The response bandwidth information uses a single specific field for each associated or service identification information.

[0253] Specifically, bandwidth information can be retrieved using a specific Per AID TID Info field.

[0254] (2) The response bandwidth information is shared with other information using the same field for each associated or service identification information, and uses different sub-fields for each other information.

[0255] Specifically, response bandwidth information can use the same Per AID TID Info field as other information, but with different subfields within it.

[0256] As shown above, response bandwidth information can share the same field with other information, but use the subfields within that field independently.

[0257] (3) The response space flow information uses a single specific field for each association or business identification information.

[0258] Specifically, the response spatial stream information can use a specific Per AID TID Info field.

[0259] (4) The response space flow information shares the same associated or business identification information field with other information, and uses different sub-fields with other information.

[0260] Specifically, the response spatial stream information can use the same Per AID TID Info field as other information, and use different subfields within it.

[0261] As shown above, response space stream information can share the same field with other information, but use the subfields within that field independently.

[0262] In a second specific implementation, the type of the first initial response frame can be a clear send control frame.

[0263] In some embodiments, the response bandwidth information and / or the response space stream information satisfy one or more of the following: the service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput duplicate PPDU where the clear transmission control frame is located contains the response bandwidth information; the service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput duplicate PPDU where the clear transmission control frame is located contains the response space stream information.

[0264] Specifically, the corresponding information (such as response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information) can be carried in the Service field of the non-HT or non-HT DUP PPDU where the clear transmission control frame is located.

[0265] In a third specific implementation, the type of the first initial response frame is a Quality of Service (QoS) empty data control frame.

[0266] In some embodiments, the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information satisfy one or more of the following, each of which is described below.

[0267] (1) The High Throughput Control (HTC) field in the MAC header of the Quality of Service Null Data Control Frame contains the response bandwidth information.

[0268] The high throughput control field is also known as the HTC field.

[0269] Specifically, the corresponding information (such as reply bandwidth information) can be carried in the HTC control field in the MAC header of the QoS Null frame.

[0270] (2) The response bandwidth information is contained in the Channel Width field of the Operation Mode (OM Mode) subfield in the High Throughput Control field of the MAC header of the Quality of Service Null Data Control Frame.

[0271] (3) The high throughput control field in the MAC header of the Quality of Service Null Data Control Frame contains the response space stream information.

[0272] Specifically, the corresponding information (such as response space flow information) can be carried in the HTC control field in the MAC header of the QoS Null frame.

[0273] (4) The response spatial stream information is contained in the receive (Rx) spatial stream (NSS) field of the operation mode subfield in the high throughput control field of the MAC header of the quality of service empty data control frame.

[0274] In some embodiments, data transmission and reception between the receiver and the sender can be single-user data transmission and reception.

[0275] In some embodiments, data transmission and reception between the receiver and the transmitter can be single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received between the receiver and the transmitter uses bandwidth including the main channel.

[0276] In some embodiments, part or all of the first initial response frame may be on the main channel.

[0277] In conjunction with the preceding text and Embodiment 1, in some embodiments, the bandwidth information notification request is a dynamic bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information may include one or more of the following: first response bandwidth information, wherein the bandwidth of the first response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; and first response bandwidth indication information, wherein the bandwidth indicated by the first response bandwidth indication information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0278] In conjunction with the preceding text and Embodiment 2, in some embodiments, the bandwidth information notification request is a static bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information may include one or more of the following: second response bandwidth information, the bandwidth of the second response bandwidth information being determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification; second response bandwidth indication information, the bandwidth indicated by the second response bandwidth indication information being determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and equal to the bandwidth of the bandwidth information notification.

[0279] In one specific embodiment, the bandwidth information notification requests static bandwidth, and the method further includes: in response to the receiving end detecting that the bandwidth is less than the bandwidth requested in the bandwidth information notification, not sending a first initial reply frame.

[0280] In conjunction with the preceding text and Embodiment 3, in some embodiments, the communication method may further include: the receiving end instructing the sending end whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame.

[0281] In one specific embodiment, the receiving end may indicate whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame through a capability field; the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: confirming the capability field of the sending end during the connection process with the sending end; carrying the capability field in the ultra-reliable capability field.

[0282] Referring to Figure 11, which is a flowchart of the fourth communication method in an embodiment of the present invention.

[0283] It should be noted that the fourth communication method shown in Figure 11 corresponds to the above and Embodiment 4.

[0284] The fourth communication method can be used at the receiving end and may include steps S111 to S112.

[0285] The receiving end can be the device side that sends an initial response frame (ICR) that can carry response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information.

[0286] In some embodiments, the transmitting end can be an AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0287] In some embodiments, the sending end can be a hotspot AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0288] Step S111: Receive a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification;

[0289] Step S112: Send a second initial response frame, the second initial response frame containing the maximum permissible receive space stream.

[0290] In some embodiments, the method further includes: the receiving end instructing the sending end whether it supports carrying the spatial stream information notification in the second initial response frame.

[0291] In some embodiments, the receiving end may indicate whether it supports carrying the spatial stream information notification in the second initial response frame through a capability field; wherein the capability field satisfies one or more of the following: confirming the capability field of the receiving end during connection with the receiving end; carrying the capability field in the ultra-reliable capability field.

[0292] For more details on steps S111 to S112, please refer to the preceding text and the description in Example 4; they will not be repeated here.

[0293] Referring to Figure 12, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a first communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device may include:

[0294] The first sending module 121 is used to send a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame including bandwidth information notification and / or spatial flow information notification.

[0295] For more information on the working principle, operation method, and beneficial effects of the communication device shown in Figure 12, please refer to the previous text and the detailed descriptions in Figures 3 to 8. It will not be repeated here.

[0296] Referring to Figure 13, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a second communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device may include:

[0297] The second sending module 131 is used to send a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification;

[0298] The first receiving response module 132 is used to receive a second initial response frame, the second initial response frame containing the maximum receive space stream that the receiving end can allow.

[0299] For more information on the working principle, operation method, and beneficial effects of the communication device shown in Figure 13, please refer to the previous text and the detailed description in Figure 9. It will not be repeated here.

[0300] Referring to Figure 14, which is a schematic diagram of a third type of communication device in an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device may include:

[0301] The first receiving module 141 is used to receive a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame including bandwidth information notification and / or spatial flow information notification.

[0302] For more information on the working principle, operation method, and beneficial effects of the communication device shown in Figure 14, please refer to the previous text and the detailed description in Figure 10. It will not be repeated here.

[0303] Referring to Figure 15, which is a schematic diagram of the structure of a fourth communication device according to an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device may include:

[0304] The second receiving module 151 is used to receive a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification.

[0305] The first sending reply module 152 is used to send a second initial reply frame, the second initial reply frame containing the maximum allowable receive space stream.

[0306] For more information on the working principle, operation method, and beneficial effects of the communication device shown in Figure 15, please refer to the detailed description above and in Figure 11. It will not be repeated here.

[0307] In specific implementations, the communication devices shown in Figures 12 to 15 may correspond to chips with communication functions in communication equipment; or correspond to communication equipment including chips or chip modules with communication functions; or correspond to communication equipment.

[0308] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program thereon. When the computer program is run by a computer, the aforementioned communication method is executed. The storage medium may include read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, etc. The storage medium may also include non-volatile memory or non-transitory memory, etc.

[0309] This application embodiment also provides a transmitting end, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the above-described communication method when running the computer program.

[0310] This application embodiment also provides a receiving end, including a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program that can run on the processor, and the processor executes the steps of the above-described communication method when running the computer program.

[0311] The transmitting end may include AP and / or STA, and the receiving end may include AP and / or STA. For example, it can be applied to scenarios of communication or sensing between AP and STA, between AP and AP, or between STA and STA in WIFI, and may include, but is not limited to, terminal devices such as mobile phones, computers, tablets, vehicle terminals and wearable devices.

[0312] In some embodiments, the transmitting end can be an AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0313] In some embodiments, the sending end can be a hotspot AP, and the receiving end can be a STA.

[0314] Referring to Figure 16, which is a schematic diagram of the hardware structure of a communication device in an embodiment of this application.

[0315] The communication device may be a WIFI device.

[0316] The terminal shown in Figure 16 includes a memory 161, a processor 162, and a transceiver 163. The processor 162 is coupled to the memory 161 and the transceiver 163. The memory 161 can be located inside or outside the terminal. The memory 161, processor 162, and transceiver 163 can be connected via a communication bus. The transceiver 163 is used to communicate with other devices or communication networks.

[0317] Optionally, transceiver 163 can be a transmitter. The memory 161 stores a computer program that can run on the processor 162, and when the processor 162 runs the computer program, the transceiver 163 performs the steps in the communication method provided in the above embodiments.

[0318] This application also provides a computer program product, including a computer program / instructions, which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the above-described communication method.

[0319] It should be understood that in the embodiments of this application, the processor can be a central processing unit (CPU), or it can 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 can be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

[0320] It should also be understood that the memory in the embodiments of this application can be volatile memory or non-volatile memory, or may include both volatile and non-volatile memory. Non-volatile memory can be ROM, programmable read-only memory (PROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or flash memory. Volatile memory can be random access memory (RAM), which is used as an external cache. By way of example, but not limitation, many forms of RAM are available, such as static RAM (SRAM), dynamic random access memory (DRAM), synchronous dynamic random access memory (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous linked dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

[0321] The above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination thereof. When implemented using software, the above embodiments can be implemented, in whole or in part, as a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or 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 program can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transferred from one computer-readable storage medium to another. For example, the computer program can be transferred from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wired or wireless means.

[0322] It should be understood that 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.

[0323] In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed methods, apparatuses, and systems can be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative; for example, the division of units is only a logical functional division, and there may be other division methods in actual implementation; 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, and the indirect coupling or communication connection between devices or units may be electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

[0324] 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.

[0325] Furthermore, the functional units in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit can be physically included separately, or two or more units can be integrated into one unit. The integrated units described above can be implemented in hardware or in a combination of hardware and software functional units. For example, for various devices or products applied to or integrated into a chip, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware such as circuits, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs running on a processor integrated within the chip, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware such as circuits; for various devices or products applied to or integrated into a chip module, each module / unit can be implemented using hardware such as circuits, and different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or different components of the chip module, or at least some modules / units can be implemented using hardware such as circuits. The components can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the chip module. The remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. For various devices and products applied to or integrated into the terminal, each of its components / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits. Different modules / units can be located in the same component (e.g., chip, circuit module, etc.) or in different components within the terminal. Alternatively, at least some modules / units can be implemented using software programs that run on the processor integrated within the terminal, while the remaining (if any) modules / units can be implemented using hardware methods such as circuits.

[0326] The integrated units implemented as software functional units described above can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. These software functional units, stored in a storage medium, include several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute some steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, ROM, random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

[0327] It should be understood that the term "and / or" in this article 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 article indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0328] In the embodiments of this application, "multiple" refers to two or more.

[0329] In this application, "equal to" can be used with "less than" or "greater than", but not simultaneously with both. When "equal to" is used with "less than", it applies to the technical solution adopted by "less than". When "equal to" is used with "greater than", it applies to the technical solution adopted by "greater than".

[0330] The descriptions of "first," "second," etc., appearing in the embodiments of this application are for illustrative purposes and to distinguish the objects being described. They have no order and do not indicate any special limitation on the number of devices in the embodiments of this application, nor do they constitute any limitation on the embodiments of this application.

[0331] While the embodiments disclosed above are described in this application, this application is not limited thereto. Any person skilled in the art can make various modifications and alterations without departing from the spirit and scope of this application; therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be determined by the scope defined in the claims.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a first initial control frame, which includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial flow information notification.

2. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The type of the first initial control frame includes one or more of the following: Buffer status report polling trigger frame; Multiple users request to send trigger frames.

3. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame satisfies one or more of the following: The first initial control frame is a unicast frame; The first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, and the number of valid peers is one.

4. The communication method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The first initial control frame is a broadcast frame, satisfying one or more of the following: The first initial control frame includes a MAC header field, and the receive address in the MAC header field is a broadcast address; The user information field in the payload of the broadcast frame contains user information for a single valid peer.

5. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame contains first request information; Wherein, the first request information is used to request the first initial response frame from the receiving end to be carried in a non-high throughput PPDU, or the first initial response frame from the receiving end to be requested to be carried in a non-high throughput repeated PPDU.

6. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The bandwidth information notification satisfies one or more of the following: The bandwidth information notification is used to instruct the requesting receiver to reply with information on the bandwidth that can be provided to the sending end. The bandwidth information notification includes the requested bandwidth; The bandwidth information notification includes indication information of the requested bandwidth; The bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth. The bandwidth information notification request is for static bandwidth.

7. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame includes a first public information field, which includes one or more of the following: A first request field, wherein some or all of the information in the first request field is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; The first bandwidth information field is used to carry the bandwidth information that needs to be requested; The first bandwidth information field reuses the uplink bandwidth subfield in the first public information field.

8. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame includes a first user information field, which includes one or more of the following: The second request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification is carried; The second bandwidth information field is used to carry the bandwidth information requested by the sending end.

9. The communication method according to claim 7 or 8, characterized in that, The first request field is also used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification requests dynamic bandwidth or static bandwidth. And / or, The second request field is also used to indicate whether the bandwidth information notification requests dynamic or static bandwidth.

10. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame includes a second public information field, which includes one or more of the following: The third request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the spatial flow information notification is carried; The third spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sending end needs to request.

11. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The first initial control frame includes a second user information field, which includes one or more of the following: The fourth request field, in which some or all of the information is used to indicate whether the spatial flow information notification is carried; The fourth spatial stream information field is used to carry the spatial stream information that the sending end needs to request.

12. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Meet one or more of the following: The spatial stream information notification is used to indicate the number of spatial streams that the requesting receiver can provide to the sending end in response. Each transport opportunity has its own number of spatial streams.

13. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Also includes: Receive a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information; The response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification. And / or, the response spatial stream information is determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

14. The communication method according to claim 13, characterized in that, It also includes one or more of the following: In response to a situation where the bandwidth of the replied bandwidth information is less than or equal to the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, a data packet is sent using a bandwidth equal to or less than that of the replied bandwidth information; If the bandwidth of the response bandwidth information is less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, no data packet is sent; If the bandwidth of the response bandwidth information is less than the bandwidth of the corresponding bandwidth information notification, no data packet will be sent before the next transmission opportunity. In response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, a data packet is sent using a number of spatial streams equal to or less than the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information.

15. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, It also includes one or more of the following: Indicate to the receiving end whether it supports carrying the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification in the first initial control frame; A response message indicating to the receiving end whether it supports receiving the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial stream information notification.

16. The communication method according to claim 15, characterized in that, Meet one or more of the following: The capability field indicates whether it supports carrying the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial flow information notification in the first initial control frame; The capability field indicates whether it supports receiving response information for the bandwidth information notification and / or the spatial flow information notification; The capability field satisfies one or more of the following: During the connection process with the receiving end, the capability field of the receiving end is confirmed; The capability field is carried in the ultra-high reliability capability field.

17. The communication method according to claim 1, characterized in that, Meet one or more of the following: Data transmission and reception between the receiver and the receiving end is single-user data transmission and reception; Data transmission and reception with the receiving end is single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received with the receiving end uses the bandwidth including the main channel; Part or all of the first initial response frame is on the main channel.

18. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Send a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification; Receive a second initial response frame, which contains the maximum receive space stream that the receiver can allow.

19. The communication method according to claim 18, characterized in that, The method further includes: In response to the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information being less than or equal to the number of spatial streams in the corresponding spatial stream information notification, a data packet is sent using a number of spatial streams equal to or less than the number of spatial streams in the reply spatial stream information.

20. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a first initial control frame, which includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial flow information notification.

21. The communication method according to claim 20, characterized in that, The method further includes: Send a first initial response frame, the first initial response frame containing response bandwidth information and / or response spatial stream information; The response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end and the bandwidth information notification. And / or, the response spatial stream information is determined based on the number of spatial streams at the receiving end and the spatial stream information notification.

22. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The bandwidth information notification request is for dynamic bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information includes one or more of the following: The first response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth notified by the bandwidth information. The first response bandwidth indication information indicates that the bandwidth is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is less than or equal to the bandwidth notified by the bandwidth information.

23. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The bandwidth information notification request is for static bandwidth, and the response bandwidth information includes one or more of the following: The second response bandwidth information is determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth notified by the bandwidth information. The second response bandwidth indication information indicates a bandwidth determined based on the bandwidth detected by the receiving end itself, and is equal to the bandwidth notified by the bandwidth information.

24. The communication method according to claim 23, characterized in that, The bandwidth information notification request is for static bandwidth, and the method further includes: If the bandwidth detected by the receiving end is less than the bandwidth requested in the bandwidth information notification, the first initial response frame is not sent.

25. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first initial response frame carries one or more of the following: Non-high throughput PPDU; Non-high throughput repetitive PPDU.

26. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first initial response frame is a multi-site block confirmation control frame and contains each associated or service identification information field; The response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information satisfy one or more of the following: The response bandwidth information uses a single, specific field for each associated or service identifier; The response bandwidth information is shared with other information using the same field for each associated or service identifier information, but uses different subfields for each of the other information. The response space stream information uses a single, specific field for each association or business identifier; The response space stream information shares the same associated or business identifier information field with other information, but uses different sub-fields with other information.

27. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first initial response frame is a clear send control frame; The response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information satisfy one or more of the following: The service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput duplicate PPDU containing the cleared transmission control frame includes the response bandwidth information. The service field in the non-high throughput PPDU or non-high throughput duplicate PPDU containing the cleared transmission control frame includes the response space stream information.

28. The communication method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The first initial response frame is a Quality of Service (QoS) empty data control frame. The response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information satisfy one or more of the following: The high throughput control field in the MAC header of the Quality of Service Null Data Control Frame contains the response bandwidth information; The channel width field in the operation mode subfield of the high throughput control field in the MAC header of the QoS empty data control frame contains the response bandwidth information; The high throughput control field in the MAC header of the Quality of Service (QoS) empty data control frame contains the response space stream information; The response space stream information is contained in the receive space stream field of the operation mode subfield in the high throughput control field of the MAC header of the reused quality of service null data control frame.

29. The communication method according to claim 20, characterized in that, Also includes: Indicate to the sending end whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial stream information in the first initial response frame.

30. The communication method according to claim 29, characterized in that, The capability field indicates whether it supports carrying the response bandwidth information and / or the response spatial flow information in the first initial response frame; The capability field satisfies one or more of the following: During the connection process with the sender, the sender's capability field is confirmed; The capability field is carried in the ultra-high reliability capability field.

31. The communication method according to claim 20, characterized in that, Meet one or more of the following: Data transmission and reception between the sender and receiver is single-user data transmission and reception; Data transmission and reception with the sending end is single-user data transmission and reception, and the PPDU transmitted and received with the sending end uses the bandwidth including the main channel; Part or all of the first initial response frame is on the main channel.

32. A communication method, characterized in that, include: Receive a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification; Send a second initial response frame, which contains the maximum permissible receive space stream.

33. The communication method according to claim 32, characterized in that, Also includes: Indicate to the sending end whether it supports carrying the spatial stream information notification in the second initial response frame.

34. The communication method according to claim 33, characterized in that, The capability field indicates whether the spatial flow information notification is supported in the second initial response frame; The capability field satisfies one or more of the following: During the connection process with the receiving end, the capability field of the receiving end is confirmed; The capability field is carried in the ultra-high reliability capability field.

35. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A first sending module is configured to send a first initial control frame, the first initial control frame containing bandwidth information notification and / or spatial flow information notification.

36. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The second sending module is used to send a second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification; The first receiving response module is used to receive a second initial response frame, which contains the maximum receive space stream that the receiving end can allow.

37. A communication device, characterized in that, include: A first receiving module is configured to receive a first initial control frame, wherein the first initial control frame includes bandwidth information notification and / or spatial stream information notification.

38. A communication device, characterized in that, include: The second receiving module is used to receive the second initial control frame, which does not contain spatial flow information notification; A first sending reply module is used to send a second initial reply frame, the second initial reply frame containing the maximum permissible receive space stream.

39. A computer-readable storage medium having a computer program stored thereon, characterized in that, When the computer program is executed by the processor, it causes the communication method of any one of claims 1 to 17 to be executed, or the communication method of claim 18 or 19 to be executed, or the communication method of any one of claims 20 to 31 to be executed, or the communication method of any one of claims 32 to 34 to be executed.

40. A transmitting end, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or performs the steps of the communication method according to claim 18 or 19.

41. A receiving end, comprising a memory and a processor, wherein the memory stores a computer program executable on the processor, characterized in that, When the processor runs the computer program, it performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, or performs the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 32 to 34.

42. A computer program product comprising a computer program / instructions, characterized in that, When executed by a processor, the computer program / instruction implements the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17, or the steps of the communication method according to claims 18 or 19, or the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 20 to 31, or the steps of the communication method according to any one of claims 32 to 34.

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