Wireless access point device, wireless communication method, and wireless communication chip

Abstract

Embodiments of the present application provide a wireless access point (AP) device. The wireless AP device comprises a first wireless baseband processor and a second wireless baseband processor; the first wireless baseband processor provides a wireless communication service for station (STA) devices in a first sub-area by means of a first sub-device; the first wireless baseband processor provides a wireless communication service for STA devices in a second sub-area by means of a second sub-device; and the second wireless baseband processor provides a wireless communication service for STA devices in a third sub-area by means of a third sub-device, wherein the third sub-area is located between the first sub-area and the second sub-area.

Description

Wireless access point equipment, wireless communication methods and wireless communication chips

[0001] Cross-references to related applications

[0002] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510120774.6, filed on January 24, 2025, entitled "Wireless Access Point Device", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

[0003] This application relates to the field of wireless communication, and more particularly to a wireless access point device, a wireless communication method, and a wireless communication chip. Background Technology

[0004] Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) technology allows multiple station (STA) devices to simultaneously receive and transmit data from a single wireless access point (WAP) device.

[0005] In related technologies, access point (AP) devices can use MU-MIMO to build multiple parallel transmission channels and transmit data with multiple STA devices through these channels. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a wireless access point device to improve the quality of communication services.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a wireless access point device, the wireless access point AP device including a first wireless baseband processor and a second wireless baseband processor;

[0008] The first wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices in the first sub-area through a first sub-device; the first wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices in the second sub-area through a second sub-device.

[0009] The second wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices within the third sub-area through the third sub-device;

[0010] in,

[0011] The third sub-region is located between the first sub-region and the second sub-region.

[0012] In one possible implementation, the distance between the first sub-device and the second sub-device is greater than the distance between the first sub-device and the third sub-device; and the distance between the first sub-device and the second sub-device is greater than the distance between the second sub-device and the third sub-device.

[0013] In one possible implementation, the AP device further includes a central processing unit (CPU) for identifying a first STA device and a second STA device, wherein the first STA device is a device among the site STA devices in the first sub-area and the second STA device is a device among the site STA devices in the second sub-area, and the AP device communicates with both the first STA device and the second STA device simultaneously.

[0014] In one possible implementation, the CPU is configured to determine a first STA device among the STA devices in the first sub-region and a second STA device among the STA devices in the second sub-region, including:

[0015] The CPU determines a first STA device from a first group of STA devices, wherein when each STA device in the first group of STA devices communicates with the first sub-device and the second sub-device, the signal strength difference is greater than a first threshold; and

[0016] The CPU determines the second STA device from the second group of STA devices. When each STA device in the second group of STA devices communicates with the second sub-device and the first sub-device, the signal strength difference is greater than a second threshold.

[0017] In one possible implementation, the CPU is also used to determine the transmission rates of the first STA device and the second STA device.

[0018] In one possible implementation, the CPU is further configured to determine the transmission rate of the first STA device, including:

[0019] Determine the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device;

[0020] The transmission rate of the first STA device is determined based on the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0021] In one possible implementation, determining the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device includes:

[0022] Determine the first signal strength difference of multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device;

[0023] Determine the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the first STA device;

[0024] The difference between the first signal strength difference and the signal strength adjustment value is determined as the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device.

[0025] In one possible implementation, determining the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the first STA device includes:

[0026] Obtain the channel state information of each of the plurality of transceiver links;

[0027] Based on the channel state information of each transceiver link, the correlation value of the plurality of transceiver links is determined;

[0028] Determine the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the correlation value.

[0029] In one possible implementation, the first wireless baseband processor and the second wireless baseband processor communicate via a Multi-Link Operation (MLO) link.

[0030] In one possible implementation,

[0031] The third STA device in the STA devices of the site within the first sub-area is communicatively connected to the first sub-device;

[0032] When the third STA device moves from the first sub-region to the third sub-region, the second wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to the third STA device.

[0033] The wireless access point (AP) device provided in this application embodiment may include a first wireless baseband processor and a second wireless baseband processor. The first wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA devices within a first sub-area through a first sub-device; the first wireless baseband processor can also provide wireless communication services to STA devices within a second sub-area through a second sub-device. The second wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA devices within a third sub-area through a third sub-device; wherein the third sub-area is located between the first and second sub-areas. By using the third sub-area to establish a communication interval between the first and second sub-areas, interference in signal transmission between the first wireless baseband processor and the STA devices can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of communication services. Attached Figure Description

[0034] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with this application and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of this application.

[0035] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of the application scenario provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0036] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0037] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of a process for determining the transmission rate according to an embodiment of this application; and

[0038] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of another wireless communication system provided in an embodiment of this application.

[0039] The accompanying drawings illustrate specific embodiments of this application, which will be described in more detail below. These drawings and descriptions are not intended to limit the scope of the concept in any way, but rather to illustrate the concept of this application to those skilled in the art through reference to particular embodiments. Detailed Implementation

[0040] The technical solutions of the embodiments of this application 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.

[0041] The terms "first," "second," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application are used to distinguish similar objects and are not used to describe a specific order or sequence. It should be understood that such data can be interchanged where appropriate so that embodiments of this application can be implemented in orders other than those illustrated or described herein, and the objects distinguished by "first," "second," etc., are generally of the same class and are not limited in number; for example, a first object can be one or more.

[0042] Furthermore, 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 generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship.

[0043] The terms "at least one," "at least one of," etc., used in the specification and claims of this application refer to any one, any two, or a combination of two or more of the included items. For example, at least one of a, b, and c can mean: "a," "b," "c," "a and b," "a and c," "b and c," and "a, b, and c," where a, b, and c can be single or multiple. Similarly, "at least two" refers to two or more items, and its meaning is similar to that of "at least one."

[0044] Exemplary embodiments will now be described in detail, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. When the following description relates to the drawings, unless otherwise indicated, the same numbers in different drawings denote the same or similar elements. The embodiments described in the following exemplary embodiments do not represent all embodiments consistent with this application. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with some aspects of this application as detailed in the appended claims.

[0045] In related technologies, AP devices can construct multiple parallel transmission channels using MU-MIMO. The AP device can then wirelessly connect with multiple STA devices within the communication area through these channels. However, in real-world indoor environments, STA devices move, reducing the orthogonality between the multiple transmission channels and causing communication interference between them, resulting in lower communication service quality. When this quality deteriorates, reducing the MU-MIMO transmission rate to ensure data transmission diminishes the performance gains offered by MU-MIMO.

[0046] This application provides a wireless access point (AP) device, which may include a first wireless baseband processor and a second wireless baseband processor. The first wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices within a first sub-area through a first sub-device; the first wireless baseband processor also provides wireless communication services to STA devices within a second sub-area through a second sub-device. The second wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices within a third sub-area through a third sub-device; wherein the third sub-area is located between the first and second sub-areas. The first wireless baseband processor communicates simultaneously with STA devices in both the first and second sub-areas using MU-MIMO technology. Because the third sub-area provides a communication interval between the first and second sub-areas, interference in signal transmission between the first wireless baseband processor and the STA devices can be reduced, thereby improving the quality of communication services.

[0047] Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario provided by an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 1, the wireless communication system 100 may include an access point (AP) device 101 and multiple site (STA) devices 102.

[0048] AP device 101 may include a main body and sub-devices. The main body may include multiple wireless baseband processors, each of which is interconnected. Each wireless baseband processor can communicate with at least one sub-device. The wireless baseband processor can simultaneously communicate with multiple STA devices 102 in different sub-areas corresponding to different sub-devices using distributed MU-MIMO technology.

[0049] In some implementations, a wireless baseband processor is used to process wireless signals in a frequency band, such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, or 6 GHz.

[0050] AP device 101 may include multiple sub-devices. Sub-devices may include transceiver links and antennas. Sub-devices may be physically independent of the main body of AP device 101. Different sub-devices may be deployed in different sub-areas, enabling AP device 101 to provide communication services to STA devices 102 in multiple sub-areas.

[0051] AP device 101 can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0052] STA device 102 can support communication or sensing based on WiFi protocols, such as 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation or later protocols.

[0053] The communication in the communication system 100 can be communication between AP device 101 and STA device 102, or communication between STA device 102 and STA device 102, or communication between AP device 101 and AP device 101.

[0054] AP device 101 acts as a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet.

[0055] In some scenarios, AP device 101 and STA device 102 can be devices used in vehicle networking, IoT nodes and sensors in the Internet of Things (IoT), smart cameras, smart remote controls, smart water meters and electricity meters in smart homes, and sensors in smart cities.

[0056] In some scenarios, AP device 101 can be a terminal device (such as a mobile phone) or a network device (such as a router) with a WiFi chip.

[0057] In this application embodiment, the STA device 102 may be a mobile phone, tablet computer, computer, virtual reality (VR) device, augmented reality (AR) device, wireless device in industrial control, set-top box, wireless device in self-driving, vehicle communication device, wireless device in remote medical, wireless device in smart grid, wireless device in transportation safety, wireless device in smart city or smart home, wireless device, wireless communication chip, etc. that support WLAN or WiFi technology.

[0058] For any one of the multiple wireless baseband processors in AP device 101, this wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA device 102 in at least one sub-area within the communication area. When the number of sub-areas corresponding to this wireless baseband processor is greater than one, sub-areas corresponding to other wireless baseband processors are set between any two sub-areas corresponding to this wireless baseband processor. In this way, by using the sub-areas corresponding to other wireless baseband processors, any two sub-areas corresponding to this wireless baseband processor are physically isolated, improving signal isolation and enhancing signal transmission quality.

[0059] The technical solution of this application and how the technical solution of this application solves the above-mentioned technical problems are described in detail below with specific embodiments. These specific embodiments can be combined with each other, and the same or similar concepts or processes may not be described again in some embodiments. The embodiments of this application will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0060] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a wireless access point device provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 2, the AP device includes a central processing unit (CPU) and two wireless baseband processors. The CPU communicates with each wireless baseband processor. The first wireless baseband processor is wireless baseband processor 1, and the second wireless baseband processor is wireless baseband processor 2.

[0061] Please refer to Figure 2. In the main body of the AP device, the wireless baseband processor 1 can be connected to transceiver links 11, 12, 13 and 14, and the wireless baseband processor 2 can be connected to transceiver links 21, 22 and 23 and 24.

[0062] During signal reception, the transceiver link in the main unit of the device converts the radio frequency signal into a baseband signal and sends the baseband signal to the wireless baseband processor for digital processing. During signal transmission, the transceiver link receives the baseband signal generated by the wireless baseband processor and converts the baseband signal back into a radio frequency signal. The transceiver link in the main unit of the device has strong signal processing capabilities, supports complex protocols and higher data rates, and is capable of handling concurrent connections and data streams from multiple STA devices. It can centrally process and manage the transmission and reception of wireless signals, such as signal modulation and demodulation, power control, and channel selection.

[0063] In some possible embodiments, the transceiver link in the device body includes a radio frequency (RF) chip for signal conversion between baseband signals and RF signals.

[0064] As shown in Figure 2, the AP device can connect to multiple sub-devices via radio frequency (RF) lines or fiber optic lines. Each sub-device can include a transceiver link and an antenna. The transceiver link of the sub-device is connected to the transceiver link in the main body of the AP device, and the transceiver link of the sub-device is connected to the antenna of the sub-device.

[0065] The transceiver links in the sub-devices are used to extend the coverage area, transmitting signals from the main body of the AP device to a more distant area. They are mainly used for signal transmission and amplification.

[0066] AP devices can extend their transceiver links and antennas to designated sub-areas through sub-devices, allowing the AP devices' antennas to be distributed over a wider area and achieving greater signal coverage.

[0067] In some possible embodiments, each sub-device includes a transceiver link for receiving wireless signals corresponding to a wireless baseband processor. That is, the transceiver link in each sub-device is used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in a specific frequency band.

[0068] Referring to Figure 2, during downlink, the main body of the AP device transmits electrical or optical signals through its transceiver link. The transceiver link of the sub-device can receive these signals, process them, and then send them to the sub-device's antenna. The sub-device's antenna then transmits the received signals. During uplink, the sub-device's antenna can receive signals from the STA device. The sub-device's antenna sends these signals to its transceiver link, which processes the received signals and then sends the processed electrical or optical signals back to the transceiver link in the main body of the AP device.

[0069] In some possible embodiments, the transceiver links in the sub-device correspond one-to-one with the transceiver links in the main body of the device.

[0070] In some possible embodiments, one transceiver link in a sub-device corresponds to multiple transceiver links in the main body of the device.

[0071] Referring to Figure 2, transceiver links 11 and 12 in the main unit of the device are connected to sub-device 1, and the AP device provides services to sub-area 1 through sub-device 1. Transceiver links 13 and 14 in the main unit of the device are connected to sub-device 2, and the AP device provides services to sub-area 2 through sub-device 2. In some embodiments, since transceiver links 11, 12, 13, and 14 are all connected to the wireless baseband processor 1, sub-device 1 and sub-device 2 are used to process wireless signals in the same frequency band.

[0072] Transceiver links 21 and 22 in the main body of the device are connected to sub-device 3, and the AP device provides services to sub-area 3 through sub-device 3. Transceiver links 23 and 24 in the main body of the device are connected to sub-device 4, and the AP device provides services to sub-area 4 through sub-device 4. In some embodiments, since transceiver links 21, 22, 23, and 24 are all connected to the wireless baseband processor 2, sub-devices 3 and 4 are used for transmitting and receiving wireless signals in the same frequency band.

[0073] As shown in Figure 2, the AP device can provide communication services to the sub-area through multiple transceiver links, which can enhance the signal strength in the sub-area and achieve load balancing, thereby improving the quality of wireless communication services to the sub-area.

[0074] In related technologies, the AP device is a single unit with the antenna built into it. When the AP device provides wireless communication services to multiple STA devices within the communication area via MU-MIMO, the orthogonality between multiple transmission channels decreases due to the movement of the STA devices, causing communication interference between the multiple STA devices and resulting in low communication service quality.

[0075] In this embodiment, for any one of the multiple wireless baseband processors of the AP device, the first wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA devices in a first sub-area through a first sub-device. The first wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA devices in a second sub-area through a second sub-device. The second wireless baseband processor can provide wireless communication services to STA devices in a third sub-area through a third sub-device. The third sub-area is located between the first and second sub-areas. In this embodiment, the AP device extends to multiple areas through sub-devices, and multiple sub-devices corresponding to the same wireless baseband processor are physically isolated from each other, improving the isolation between signals from the same wireless baseband processor. Therefore, in this architecture, performing MU-MIMO transmission on STA devices among the multiple sub-devices corresponding to the same wireless baseband processor can reduce interference between links and effectively improve communication quality.

[0076] Referring to Figure 2, the AP device can provide wireless communication services to the communication area. Four sub-devices are deployed within the communication area: sub-device 1, sub-device 2, sub-device 3, and sub-device 4. Sub-device 1 covers sub-area 1, sub-device 2 covers sub-area 2, sub-device 3 covers sub-area 3, and sub-device 4 covers sub-area 4. Wireless baseband processor 1 can be the first wireless baseband processor, providing wireless communication services to both sub-area 1 and sub-area 2; that is, sub-area 1 is the first sub-area, and sub-area 2 is the second sub-area. Sub-area 3 is located between sub-area 1 and sub-area 2, corresponding to the sub-area of ​​wireless baseband processor 2; that is, wireless baseband processor 2 is the second wireless baseband processor.

[0077] Sub-device 1 and sub-device 2 are connected to the wireless baseband processor 1 of the AP device, and the STA devices within sub-area 1 and sub-area 2 are provided with wireless communication services by the wireless baseband processor 1. Sub-device 3 and sub-device 4 are connected to the wireless baseband processor 2 of the AP device, and the STA devices within sub-area 3 and sub-area 4 are provided with wireless communication services by the wireless baseband processor 2.

[0078] The third sub-region corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor can be used to establish communication intervals between the first sub-region and the second sub-region corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor, thereby reducing interference between transmission channels and improving the quality of communication services.

[0079] During deployment, a third sub-device is deployed between the first and second sub-devices to isolate them. The distance between the first and second sub-devices is greater than the distance between the first and third sub-devices, and the distance between the first and second sub-devices is also greater than the distance between the second and third sub-devices.

[0080] Furthermore, since each sub-device has its own coverage radius, the preset deployment distance between sub-devices can be determined based on their coverage radii. The expected distance is greater than the coverage radius but less than the sum of the two coverage radii.

[0081] In some possible embodiments, the coverage radius of each sub-device is 7 meters. Taking the first and third sub-devices as examples, the preset distance between these two sub-devices can be greater than 10 meters and less than 14 meters. Here, 10 meters can also be other values, such as 9 meters, 11 meters, etc. The preset distance between the sub-devices can be determined based on the surrounding environment (such as whether there are obstacles) and signal transmission quality.

[0082] In some possible embodiments, the coverage radius of different sub-devices is different. Taking the first sub-device and the third sub-device as an example, the coverage radius of the first sub-device is 7 meters and the coverage radius of the third sub-device is 9 meters. The preset distance between the first sub-device and the third sub-device can be greater than 12 meters and less than 16 meters. Here, 12 meters can also be other values, such as 11 meters, 13 meters, etc.

[0083] Please refer to Figure 2. The distance between sub-device 1 and sub-device 2 is the first distance, the distance between sub-device 1 and sub-device 3 is the second distance, and the distance between sub-device 2 and sub-device 3 is the third distance. The first distance is greater than the second distance, and the third distance is greater than the third distance. Furthermore, the second and third distances may be equal or unequal.

[0084] By deploying the first and second sub-regions corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor at intervals through the third sub-region corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor, a certain degree of isolation is guaranteed between the signals covered by the same wireless baseband processor. When STA devices in the first sub-region and STA devices in the second sub-region corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor perform MU-MIMO transmission, the transmission quality of wireless communication can be improved.

[0085] Each sub-region may include multiple STA devices. Referring to Figure 2, an example of two STA devices per sub-region is provided. This embodiment does not limit the number of STA devices in each sub-region. Sub-region 1 includes STA device 1 and STA device 2; sub-region 3 includes STA device 3 and STA device 4; sub-region 2 includes STA device 5 and STA device 6; and sub-region 4 includes STA device 7 and STA device 8.

[0086] In some possible embodiments, the AP device can communicate simultaneously with STA devices in sub-area 1 and sub-area 2, that is, it can communicate with STA devices in sub-area 1 and sub-area 2 using MU-MIMO technology. For example, the AP device can communicate simultaneously with STA1 and STA5, that is, the AP device can communicate with STA1 and STA5 using MU-MIMO technology. Those skilled in the art will understand that STA1 and STA5 are merely examples; STA1 can be any STA device in sub-area 1, and STA5 can be any STA device in sub-area 2.

[0087] In some possible embodiments, the AP device can communicate simultaneously with STA devices in sub-region 3 and sub-region 4, that is, the AP device uses MU-MIMO technology to communicate with the STA devices in sub-region 3 and sub-region 4. For example, the AP device can communicate simultaneously with STA3 and STA7, that is, it uses MU-MIMO technology to communicate with both STA3 and STA7. Those skilled in the art will understand that STA3 and STA7 are merely examples; STA3 can be any STA device in sub-region 3, and STA7 can be any STA device in sub-region 4.

[0088] In some possible embodiments, the AP device can communicate simultaneously with the STA devices in sub-region 1 and sub-region 2, and simultaneously with the STA devices in sub-region 3 and sub-region 4. That is, the AP device uses MU-MIMO technology to communicate with STA1 and STA5, and uses MU-MIMO technology to communicate with the STA devices in sub-region 3 and sub-region 4.

[0089] In this embodiment, the AP device extends to multiple areas through sub-devices. Multiple sub-devices correspond to the same wireless baseband processor, and these sub-devices are physically isolated from each other, improving the isolation between signals from the same wireless baseband processor. Therefore, in this architecture, performing MU-MIMO transmission on the STA devices among the multiple sub-devices corresponding to the same wireless baseband processor can reduce interference between links and effectively improve communication quality.

[0090] In related technologies, when an AP device transmits data with multiple STA devices via MU-MIMO, the channel between the AP and STA devices may change due to factors such as STA device movement or interference variations, thus altering the channel matrix. Therefore, the AP device needs to perform channel probing on the STA devices periodically to obtain an accurate channel matrix between the AP and STA devices. This channel probing process consumes significant air interface resources, especially as STA devices move, increasing the frequency of probing. Furthermore, when a STA device transmits a small number of data packets, the channel probing process needs to be repeated upon retransmission.

[0091] This application provides a scheduling method for STA devices, which effectively reduces the number of channel probes and the utilization of air interface resources.

[0092] Referring to Figure 2, STA devices in sub-regions 1 and 2 communicate wirelessly with the AP device via channel 1, while STA devices in sub-regions 3 and 4 communicate wirelessly with the AP device via channel 2. When performing MU-MIMO transmission between the AP and STA devices, the AP needs to determine which STA devices can transmit simultaneously. STA devices capable of simultaneous transmission exhibit good isolation between signals on different antennas of the same channel.

[0093] Specifically, the CPU can identify the first STA device from the first group of STA devices, where the signal strength difference between each STA device in the first group and the first and second sub-devices is greater than a first threshold; and the CPU can identify the second STA device from the second group of STA devices, where the signal strength difference between each STA device in the second group and the second and first sub-devices is greater than a second threshold. The AP device communicates with both the first and second STA devices simultaneously.

[0094] The first threshold and the second threshold can be the same or different. For example, both the first threshold and the second threshold can be 15 dB.

[0095] Furthermore, the first group of STA devices can be a group corresponding to the first sub-region of the first sub-device, and the second group of STA devices can be a group corresponding to the second sub-region of the second sub-device. When grouping STA devices, they can be grouped into the group corresponding to the sub-region with the highest signal strength. It can be understood that the sub-region with the highest signal strength refers to the sub-region where the STA device receives the highest AP signal strength.

[0096] In this embodiment, by grouping STA devices, the AP device no longer needs to determine the STA devices through channel probing when performing MU-MIMO transmission; instead, it can directly select the STA devices from the corresponding groups. Therefore, the solution in this embodiment can reduce MU-MIMO overhead and improve MU-MIMO performance.

[0097] When determining the grouping of STA devices, the CPU can traverse the STA devices in the first sub-region and the second sub-region corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor. For any STA device, the signal strength difference between the STA device's transceiver link corresponding to the first sub-region and the transceiver link corresponding to the second sub-region can be determined. When the signal strength difference is greater than a first threshold, the STA device can perform MU-MIMO transmission. If the signal strength obtained by the STA device in the first sub-region is greater than the signal strength obtained in the second sub-region, the STA device can be identified as the first group STA device corresponding to the first sub-region; if the signal strength obtained by the STA device in the second sub-region is greater than the signal strength obtained in the first sub-region, the STA device can be identified as the second group STA device corresponding to the second sub-region.

[0098] When performing MU-MIMO transmission, the first STA device can be determined in the first group of STA devices, and the second STA device can be determined in the second group of STA devices, and the first STA device and the second STA device can be transmitted simultaneously.

[0099] Please refer to Figure 2. The first wireless baseband processor is wireless baseband processor 1, the first sub-region is sub-region 1, and the second sub-region is sub-region 2. STA device 1 is located in sub-region 1. The signal strength between STA device 1 and its corresponding sub-device 1 in sub-region 1 is relatively high, while the signal strength between STA device 1 and its corresponding sub-device 2 is relatively low due to the greater distance between them. Therefore, based on the signal strength difference between sub-region 1 and sub-region 2, STA device 1 is determined to be an STA device capable of MU-MIMO transmission. STA device 1 is grouped and designated as the first group of STA devices corresponding to sub-region 1. Similarly, STA device 5 is located in the second group of STA devices corresponding to sub-region 2, allowing simultaneous transmission by both STA device 1 and STA device 5.

[0100] The wireless access point device provided in this application embodiment can group STA devices, and when the AP device determines the MU-MIMO STA device, it can select from the corresponding group without performing channel detection, thereby improving the transmission performance of wireless communication.

[0101] During MU-MIMO transmission, the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) of the STA device decreases. If the transmission rate is determined based on packet loss rate and channel feedback, packet loss and significant CPU overhead will occur, reducing the transmission performance between the STA and AP devices. In this embodiment, the CPU can dynamically adjust the transmission rates of the first and second STA devices. A higher transmission rate can be configured when the SNR is high, and a lower transmission rate can be configured when the SNR is low, reducing packet loss during signal transmission. Furthermore, when determining the SNR, information collected during communication between the STA and AP devices (e.g., channel state information) can be reused, reducing overhead and improving the performance of wireless communication transmission. The following, with reference to Figure 3, uses the first STA device as an example to further explain the process of determining the transmission rate of the first STA device.

[0102] Figure 3 is a schematic flowchart illustrating a process for determining the transmission rate according to an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 3, it may include:

[0103] S301. Determine the first signal strength difference between the multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device.

[0104] The first signal strength difference can be used to indicate the signal difference between the transceiver links that provide communication services for each sub-region in the first wireless baseband processor.

[0105] For example, please refer to Figure 2. The first STA device is STA device 1. The transceiver links 11 and 12 corresponding to the wireless baseband processor 1 provide services for the first sub-area, and the transceiver links 13 and 14 provide services for the second sub-area. It can be determined that the signal difference between transceiver links 11 and 12 and transceiver links 13 and 14 is the first signal difference.

[0106] S302. Obtain the channel status information of multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device.

[0107] Channel State Information (CSI) is used to indicate detailed information about the wireless channel characteristics of a link. CSI can include path loss, fading, delay, and interference.

[0108] For example, please refer to Figure 2. The first STA device is STA device 1. STA device 1 has corresponding transceiver links 11 and 12. It obtains the channel state information of transceiver link 11 and the channel state information of transceiver link 12. At the same time, STA device 1 also obtains the channel state information of transceiver link 13 and transceiver link 14 to confirm the interference of transceiver link 13 and transceiver link 14 to the first STA device.

[0109] S303. Determine the correlation value of the corresponding transceiver link for the first STA device based on the channel state information of each transceiver link.

[0110] The correlation value can be used to indicate the similarity of signals between multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device.

[0111] Correlation values ​​can be obtained by processing the channel state information of each transmit and receive link through convolution operations.

[0112] S304. Determine the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the correlation value.

[0113] In some possible embodiments, multiple preset adjustment values ​​corresponding to multiple correlation intervals can be configured, and among the preset adjustment values ​​corresponding to multiple correlation intervals, the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the correlation value can be determined.

[0114] In some possible embodiments, as shown in Table 1, there are three correlation intervals, namely intervals 1-3. The preset modulation value corresponding to each interval can be as shown in Table 1. Assuming the correlation value is 0.4, the signal strength adjustment value can be determined to be 6dB. The values ​​in this embodiment are only examples, and the correlation intervals and preset adjustment values ​​can also be other values.

[0115] Table 1

[0116] S305. The difference between the first signal strength difference and the signal strength adjustment value is determined as the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device.

[0117] For example, assuming the first signal strength difference is 26dB and the signal strength adjustment value is 6dB, the signal-to-noise ratio can be determined to be 20dB.

[0118] S306. Determine the transmission rate of the first STA device based on the signal-to-noise ratio.

[0119] A rate table can be obtained, which can include the transmission rate corresponding to multiple signal-to-noise ratio intervals. The transmission rate corresponding to the signal-to-noise ratio can be queried through the rate table.

[0120] The rate table can be a rate table of the 802.11 standard. The 802.11 standard is a collection of wireless local area network (WLAN) technology standards developed by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE).

[0121] The wireless access point device provided in this application embodiment can determine the correlation value of multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device through the channel state information of each transceiver link of the first STA device. It can then determine the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the correlation value, adjust the first signal strength difference, determine the signal-to-noise ratio of the first STA device, and subsequently determine the transmission rate of the corresponding packet queue of the first STA device. Determining the transmission rate through the signal characteristics of the first STA device during MU-MIMO transmission can reduce packet loss and CPU overhead during signal transmission, thereby improving the performance of wireless communication transmission.

[0122] In addition, the parameters used in the above embodiments can reuse information extracted by other communication modules, such as the Internet Protocol (IP), when transmitting messages, without requiring additional distributed MU-MIMO overhead.

[0123] The distributed MIMO architecture provided in this embodiment allows the AP device to extend the transceiver link corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor to different first and second sub-regions via sub-devices, and deploy another transceiver link corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor between the first and second sub-regions. The AP device provided in this embodiment can achieve effective MU-MIMO transmission in WLAN, improving performance by more than 30% under the same spectrum, significantly enhancing the experience in wireless mobile scenarios, and enabling robust MU-MIMO application in indoor WLAN systems.

[0124] Wireless roaming refers to the process where a STA device moves to a border area between two AP devices, where the STA device associates with the new AP device and disconnects from the previously associated AP device, maintaining an uninterrupted network connection throughout this process. However, in actual roaming, when the STA device associates with a new AP device, an association operation is required, causing network service interruption for the STA device and affecting user experience.

[0125] The scheme in this application embodiment achieves seamless roaming in multiple sub-regions of the communication area through a distributed MIMO architecture combined with Multi-Link Operation (MLO).

[0126] The following section explains how to achieve seamless roaming across multiple sub-regions within a communication area based on the MLO link.

[0127] As shown in Figure 2, the first and second wireless baseband processors can communicate via an MLO link. The STA device connects to both the first and second wireless baseband processors simultaneously, achieving multi-link connectivity. When the STA device roams between two links, the AP device can establish a communication connection between the wireless baseband processors via the MLO link. The AP device can then transfer the STA device's data stream from one wireless baseband processor's transceiver link to another, achieving seamless roaming. In some possible implementations, the MLO link between the wireless baseband processors is used to transmit information such as channel status, link load, and data flow control information to coordinate during roaming handover and achieve seamless roaming.

[0128] Within the communication area, the STA device can search for the wireless network of the AP device. The AP device covers the entire communication area with the wireless network through its sub-devices. Each wireless baseband processor of the AP device is connected to each other through an MLO link. The STA device can establish wireless communication with each wireless baseband processor of the AP device simultaneously. When the STA device moves within the communication area, the AP device can switch the wireless baseband processor providing the service through the MLO link. The communication connection between the STA device and the AP device can be maintained without interruption.

[0129] Because the communication distance between the STA device and the corresponding sub-device of each wireless baseband processor varies, the communication quality between the STA device and each wireless baseband processor also varies. The closer the STA device is to the corresponding sub-device of the wireless baseband processor, the higher the communication quality. The STA device can feed back channel status information to the AP device. The AP device can evaluate the channel quality of each link based on the channel status information, thereby determining the communication quality between the corresponding wireless baseband processor and the STA device.

[0130] When the AP device switches from the first wireless baseband processor to the second wireless baseband processor, the STA device simultaneously establishes connections with both the first and second wireless baseband processors. When the third STA device switches from the transceiver link corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor to the transceiver link corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor, information exchange between the wireless baseband processors can be achieved through the MLO link between the first and second wireless baseband processors. For example, the first wireless baseband processor sends the association information of the third STA device to the second wireless processor via the MLO link, so that the third STA device can transmit data without re-establishing an association with the second wireless baseband processor. The AP device uses the MLO link to switch the wireless baseband processor providing wireless communication services for the STA device.

[0131] The AP device includes a first wireless baseband processor and a second wireless baseband processor. The first wireless baseband processor can correspond to a first sub-region and a second sub-region. When the third STA device is in the first sub-region corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor, the signal strength of the transceiver link for communication between the first wireless baseband processor and the third STA device is relatively high.

[0132] Users may move a third STA device within the communication area. When the third STA device is in the first sub-area, it communicates with the first sub-device. When the third STA device moves from the first sub-area to the second sub-area, the signal strength of the wireless communication between the third STA device and the first wireless baseband processor decreases, while the signal strength of the wireless communication between the third STA device and the second wireless baseband processor corresponding to the second sub-area increases. After determining that the signal strength of the second wireless baseband processor is greater than that of the first wireless baseband processor, the CPU of the AP device controls the data flow to switch the transceiver link corresponding to the third STA device and the first wireless baseband processor to the transceiver link corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor. The first and second wireless baseband processors can exchange channel state information, data packet processing information, etc., through the MLO link to achieve seamless switching of the transceiver link corresponding to the first wireless baseband processor to the transceiver link corresponding to the second wireless baseband processor, thus ensuring seamless data flow transfer.

[0133] Figure 4 is a schematic diagram of another wireless communication system architecture provided in an embodiment of this application. Referring to Figure 4, based on Figure 2, the third STA device can be STA device 1 in Figure 4. The first sub-region of STA device 1 is sub-region 1. In this case, the AP device can establish a communication link 1 between STA device 1 and the wireless baseband processor 1 through sub-device 1. Communication link 1 is provided by transceiver link 11 and transceiver link 12. A communication link 3 is established between STA device 1 and the wireless baseband processor 2 through sub-device 3. Communication link 3 is provided by transceiver link 21 and transceiver link 22. If the signal strength between STA device 1 and communication link 1 is greater than the signal strength between STA device 1 and communication link 3, then the AP device provides wireless communication services to STA device 1 through the wireless baseband processor 1 corresponding to communication link 1.

[0134] When STA device 1 can move to sub-area 3, when it is in a position close to sub-area 1 in sub-area 3, the signal strength of communication link 1 decreases and the signal strength of communication link 3 increases. AP device can provide wireless communication service to STA device 1 through wireless baseband processor 2 corresponding to communication link 3.

[0135] Due to the limited wireless communication coverage of the sub-devices, when STA device 1 moves to a location in sub-region 3 that is far from sub-region 1 and close to sub-region 2, the signal of sub-device 1 corresponding to sub-region 1 cannot provide wireless communication service for AP device STA device 1, and communication link 1 is disconnected. However, the wireless communication of sub-device 2 corresponding to sub-region 2 can cover STA device 1, and AP device 1 can establish communication link 2 between STA device 1 and wireless baseband processor 2 through sub-device 2. Communication link 2 is provided by transceiver links 13 and 14. At this time, the signal strength of communication link 3 is greater than the signal strength of communication link 2, and wireless baseband processor 2 still provides wireless communication service for STA device 1.

[0136] STA device 1 can continue to move within the communication area. Referring to Figure 4, when STA device 1 is in sub-area 2, the AP device can establish a communication link 4 between STA device 1 and the wireless baseband processor 2 via sub-device 4. Communication link 4 is provided by transceiver links 23 and 24. At this time, the signal strength of communication link 2 is greater than that of communication link 4, and the wireless baseband processor 1 provides wireless communication service to STA device 1. When STA device 1 moves to sub-area 4, the signal strength of communication link 4 is greater than that of communication link 2, and the wireless baseband processor 2 provides wireless communication service to STA device 1.

[0137] The wireless access point device provided in this application embodiment allows the third STA device to simultaneously communicate with the first wireless baseband processor and the second wireless baseband processor. When the third STA device is in the first sub-area, the first wireless baseband processor corresponding to the first sub-area in the AP device can provide wireless communication services to the first STA device. When the third STA device moves to the third sub-area, the first and second wireless baseband processors can transmit information to the third STA device respectively during the handover process via the MLO link, switching the first wireless baseband processor providing wireless communication services to the second wireless baseband processor corresponding to the third sub-area without re-establishing a connection with the second wireless baseband processor, thus maintaining uninterrupted communication between the STA device and the AP device and enabling seamless roaming of the STA device within the communication area.

[0138] It should also be noted that the terms "comprising," "including," or any other variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion, such that a process, method, article, or apparatus that comprises a list of elements includes not only those elements but also other elements not expressly listed, or elements inherent to such process, method, article, or apparatus. Unless otherwise specified, an element defined by the phrase "comprising one..." does not exclude the presence of other identical elements in the process, method, article, or apparatus that includes that element.

[0139] The above are merely embodiments of this application and are not intended to limit the scope of this application. Various modifications and variations can be made to this application by those skilled in the art. Any modifications, equivalent substitutions, improvements, etc., made within the spirit and principles of this application should be included within the scope of the claims of this application.

Claims

1. A wireless access point (AP) device, wherein, The AP device includes a first wireless baseband processor, a second wireless baseband processor, and multiple sub-devices, wherein the multiple sub-devices include the first sub-device and the second sub-device. The first wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices in the first sub-area through the first sub-device; the first wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices in the second sub-area through the second sub-device. as well as The second wireless baseband processor provides wireless communication services to STA devices within the third sub-area through the third sub-device; wherein, The third sub-region is located between the first sub-region and the second sub-region.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein, The first distance between the first sub-device and the second sub-device is greater than the second distance between the first sub-device and the third sub-device; and the first distance is greater than the third distance between the second sub-device and the third sub-device.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein, The first distance is greater than the coverage radius of the first sub-device or the third sub-device, but less than the sum of the coverage radii of the first sub-device and the coverage radii of the third sub-device.

4. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein, The AP device further includes a processor for identifying a first STA device and a second STA device, wherein the first STA device is a device among the STA devices in the first sub-area and the second STA device is a device among the STA devices in the second sub-area, and the AP device communicates with both the first STA device and the second STA device simultaneously.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The processor is used to determine the first STA device and the second STA device, including: The first STA device is determined from the first group of STA devices, wherein when each STA device in the first group of STA devices communicates with the first sub-device and the second sub-device, the signal strength difference is greater than a first threshold; and The second STA device is determined from the second group of STA devices, wherein when each STA device in the second group of STA devices communicates with the second sub-device and the first sub-device, the signal strength difference is greater than a second threshold.

6. The device according to claim 5, wherein, The first threshold is the same as the second threshold, or the first threshold is different from the second threshold.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein, The first threshold or the second threshold is 15dB.

8. The device according to claim 4, wherein, The processor is also used to determine the transmission rates of the first STA device and the second STA device.

9. The device according to claim 8, wherein, The processor is further configured to determine the transmission rate of the first STA device, including: Determine the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device; and The transmission rate of the first STA device is determined based on the signal-to-noise ratio.

10. The device according to claim 9, wherein, Determining the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device includes: Determine the first signal strength difference of multiple transceiver links corresponding to the first STA device; Determine the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the first STA device; and The difference between the first signal strength difference and the signal strength adjustment value is determined as the signal-to-noise ratio corresponding to the first STA device.

11. The device according to claim 10, wherein, Determining the signal strength adjustment value corresponding to the first STA device includes: Obtain the channel state information of each of the plurality of transceiver links; Based on the channel state information of each transceiver link, determine the correlation value of the plurality of transceiver links; and The signal strength adjustment value of the first STA device is determined based on the correlation value.

12. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein, The first sub-device and the second sub-device use the same frequency band for signal transmission and reception.

13. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein, The third sub-device and the first sub-device use wireless signals in different frequency bands for signal transmission and reception.

14. The device according to any one of claims 1 to 13, wherein, The first wireless baseband processor and the second wireless baseband processor communicate through a multi-link operation (MLO) link, which is used for channel state information and data packet processing information of multiple transceiver links of the first wireless baseband processor and the second wireless baseband processor.

15. The device according to claim 14, wherein, The third STA device in the first sub-region is communicatively connected to the first sub-device; The AP device is configured to allow the second wireless baseband processor to provide wireless communication services to the third STA device when the third STA device moves from the first sub-area to the third sub-area.

16. The device according to claim 15, wherein, The AP device is further configured such that when the third STA device moves from the first sub-area to the third sub-area, the first wireless baseband processor sends the association information of the third STA device to the second wireless baseband processor through the MLO link.

17. The device according to claims 1 to 16, wherein, Both the first wireless baseband processor and the second wireless baseband processor communicate simultaneously with multiple STA devices in different sub-regions corresponding to the multiple sub-devices via distributed MU-MIMO.

18. A wireless communication method applied to a wireless access point (AP) device, the AP device comprising a first wireless baseband processor, a second wireless baseband processor, and a plurality of sub-devices, the plurality of sub-devices including a first sub-device and a second sub-device; the method comprising: The first wireless baseband processor and the first sub-device provide wireless communication services to the STA devices in the first sub-area; The first wireless baseband processor and the second sub-device provide wireless communication services to STA devices within the second sub-area; as well as The second wireless baseband processor and the third sub-device provide wireless communication services to STA devices within the third sub-area; The third sub-region is located between the first sub-region and the second sub-region.

19. The method according to claim 18, wherein, The first distance between the first sub-device and the second sub-device is greater than the second distance between the first sub-device and the third sub-device; and the first distance is greater than the third distance between the second sub-device and the third sub-device.

20. A wireless communication chip, applied to a device as described in any one of claims 1-17, the wireless communication chip being used to perform the method as described in claim 18 or 19.

Images