Communication method, and apparatus

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications, and in particular to a communication method and an apparatus. The present application is applied to the IEEE 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, the 802.11bn standard, etc. and other standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as the 802.15 standard, the 802.11bf standard, the IMMW standard, or the NearLink standard. In the present application, a first AP exchanges a first ICF and a first ICR frame with a first non-AP STA, and a second AP exchanges a second ICF and a second ICR frame with a second non-AP STA; the first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, the trigger frame comprising information used for coordinated transmission, such as first received signal strength or first information; and after receiving the trigger frame, the second AP may determine suitable transmission parameters on the basis of the information used for coordinated transmission. Thus, the present application effectively saves resources, and improves the performance of coordinated transmission.

Description

Communication methods and devices

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 202510400030.X, filed on March 28, 2025, entitled "Communication Method and Apparatus", the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. Technical Field

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

[0003] With the development of wireless networks and the increasing prevalence of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technology, WLAN devices are becoming increasingly dense. Because wireless access points (APs) are easy to deploy, this increasing density of APs also leads to more inter-cell interference. Therefore, how to reduce inter-cell interference and improve user service quality through AP cooperation is a problem that next-generation Wi-Fi technology needs to consider.

[0004] Cooperation among multiple access points (APs) includes coordinated spatial reuse (co-SR / CSR). Taking two APs as an example, when the two APs are far apart, they can transmit simultaneously on the same channel / resource block. By controlling power and user selection, the interference between the two APs is kept low, thereby effectively utilizing channel resources.

[0005] Therefore, improving the performance of collaborative transmission is an urgent issue to be addressed. Summary of the Invention

[0006] This application provides a communication method and apparatus that can effectively improve the performance of collaborative transmission.

[0007] In a first aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second access point (AP). This method can be implemented by the second AP itself, or by components on the second AP side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the second AP). The method includes:

[0008] The second AP receives a trigger frame from the first AP, the trigger frame including information for cooperative transmission; the second AP determines the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-access point station (non-AP STA) based on the cooperative transmission information; wherein,

[0009] The information used for cooperative transmission includes information about a first received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio frames received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA; or,

[0010] The information used for cooperative transmission includes first information, which is determined based on the transmission power of the first AP and the first received signal strength, the first received signal strength being the received signal strength of the wireless frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA.

[0011] Optionally, the trigger frame is used by the first AP to initiate cooperative transmission, or in other words, the trigger frame is used by the first AP to initiate CSR transmission.

[0012] In this embodiment of the application, by adding a first received signal strength or first information to the trigger frame, the second AP can select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the first received signal strength or first information, ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0013] For example, the second AP determines the signal-to-interference ratio (SIR), signal-to-noise ratio (SNR), and signal-to-interference plus noise ratio (SINR) of the second non-AP STA based on the first received signal strength or the first information, and then selects appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on its SIR / SNR / SINR. These transmission parameters include, but are not limited to, modulation and coding scheme (MCS), number of spatial streams (NSS), or number of spatial and time streams (NSTS).

[0014] For example, the second AP estimates the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the two APs based on the first received signal strength, and then selects appropriate transmission parameters (such as the transmit power of the second AP) for the second non-AP STA based on the path loss.

[0015] When the trigger frame does not include the first received signal strength and the first information, the second AP cannot select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA and can only blindly select transmission parameters. For example, if the second AP selects conservative transmission parameters (such as a low MCS or a low NSS), it will waste transmission resources. Conversely, if the second AP selects aggressive transmission parameters (such as a high MCS or a high NSS), transmission failure may occur, also resulting in resource waste. Therefore, the technical solution provided in this application can effectively save resources and improve the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0016] Secondly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first access point (AP). This method can be implemented by the first AP or by components on the first AP side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the first AP). The method includes:

[0017] The first AP generates a trigger frame, which includes information for cooperative transmission; the first AP sends the trigger frame to the second AP; wherein...

[0018] The information used for cooperative transmission includes information about a first received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio frames received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA; or,

[0019] The information used for cooperative transmission includes first information, which is determined based on the transmission power of the first AP and the first received signal strength, the first received signal strength being the received signal strength of the wireless frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA.

[0020] In this embodiment, by adding a first received signal strength or first information to the trigger frame, the first AP enables the second AP to select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the first received signal strength or first information, ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0021] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the radio frame from the second non-AP STA is a second initial control response (ICR) frame.

[0022] In this embodiment, the first received signal strength included in the trigger frame is the received signal strength of the second ICR frame, and the interval between the trigger frame and the second ICR frame is short, thereby ensuring the validity of the first received signal strength or the first information. Since the channel does not change in a short period of time, the transmission parameters determined based on the first received signal strength or the first information can effectively match the current channel, thereby further improving the rationality of the transmission parameters determined by the second AP, ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, and saving resources.

[0023] In one possible implementation, combining the first or second aspect,

[0024] The information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the second AP; or,

[0025] The information used for cooperative transmission also includes second information, which is determined based on the transmit power of the first AP, the SIR of the first non-AP STA, and the second received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio frame received by the first AP from the first non-AP STA.

[0026] In this embodiment, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the transmission power of the second AP or second information. This allows the second AP to combine the first received signal strength (or first information) and the second AP's transmission power (or second information) to select more suitable transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA, thereby saving resources, improving resource utilization, and enhancing the performance of cooperative transmission. Simultaneously, the first AP can effectively control interference from the first AP to the second AP or the second non-AP STA, as well as control interference from the second AP or the second non-AP STA to the first AP (or the first non-AP STA), further improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0027] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the radio frame from the first non-AP STA is the first ICR frame.

[0028] In this embodiment, determining the second information based on the received signal strength of the first ICR frame effectively ensures the validity of the second information. This makes the transmission parameters selected by the second AP for the second non-AP STA more compatible with the current channel, further improving the rationality of the transmission parameters determined by the second AP, ensuring successful data transmission by the second AP, saving resources, and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0029] In conjunction with the first or second aspect, in one possible implementation, the information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the first AP.

[0030] In this embodiment of the application, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the transmission power of the first AP. The second AP can also estimate the interference from the first AP to the second non-AP STA based on the transmission power of the first AP. This allows the second AP to select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA by combining the transmission power of the first AP, the transmission power of the second AP (or the second information), and the first receiving power (or the first information), ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0031] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0032] The second AP sends a second initial control frame (ICF) to the second non-AP STA; the second AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA. Optionally, the second non-AP STA is an associated site of the second AP, and the second non-AP STA is the target receiver of the data frames sent by the second AP. For example, if the target receiver of the second ICF includes the second non-AP STA, the target receiver of the second ICR frame is the second AP.

[0033] In this embodiment of the application, the second AP and the second non-AP STA interact with each other through ICF and ICR frames, which enables the first AP to control the transmission power of the second AP more accurately and enables the second AP to determine the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA more accurately.

[0034] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0035] The second AP receives a first ICF from the first AP; the second AP also receives a first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA. Optionally, the first non-AP STA is an associated site of the first AP, and the first non-AP STA is the target receiver of the data frame sent by the first AP. For example, the target receiver of the first ICF includes the first non-AP STA, and the target receiver of the first ICR frame is the first AP.

[0036] In this embodiment of the application, after the second AP receives the first ICF and the first ICR frame, it may not parse the first ICF and the first ICR frame.

[0037] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the second AP sends a second ICF, including:

[0038] After receiving the first ICR frame, the second AP sends the second ICF after a preset interval. Optionally, this preset interval can be defined by a standard.

[0039] In this embodiment, setting a preset duration not only ensures the timing between frames but also simplifies the implementation.

[0040] In conjunction with the first aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0041] The second AP receives a first frame from the first AP, which instructs the second AP to send a second ICF; the second AP sends a second frame to the first AP, which instructs the second AP to send a second ICF.

[0042] In this embodiment, the second AP sends a second ICF after receiving the first frame. Optionally, the second AP can send a second frame after receiving a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA. Thus, by exchanging the first and second frames, not only is the timing between frames guaranteed, but flexibility is also achieved.

[0043] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0044] The first AP sends the first ICF to the first non-AP STA; the first AP receives the first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA.

[0045] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0046] The first AP receives the second ICF from the second AP; the first AP receives the second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA.

[0047] In this embodiment of the application, after the first AP receives the second ICF and the second ICR frames, it may not parse the second ICF and the second ICR frames.

[0048] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the first AP receives a second ICF from the second AP, including:

[0049] After receiving the first ICR frame, the first AP receives the second ICF from the second AP after a preset time interval.

[0050] In conjunction with the second aspect, in one possible implementation, the method further includes:

[0051] The first AP sends a first frame to the second AP, which is used to instruct (or request) the second AP to send a second ICF;

[0052] The first AP receives a second frame from the second AP, which indicates that the second AP has sent a second ICF.

[0053] The beneficial effects of the second aspect are discussed in the first aspect and will not be elaborated here.

[0054] Thirdly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second access point (AP). This method can be implemented by the second AP itself, or by components on the second AP side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the second AP). The method includes:

[0055] The second AP receives a first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA; the second AP sends a second ICF, which includes information on a third received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the second AP, and the third received signal strength is used to determine the transmission power of the second AP; the second AP receives a trigger frame from the first AP, which includes information for cooperative transmission, and the information is used to indicate the transmission power of the second AP.

[0056] In this embodiment, the second AP adds a third received signal strength to the second ICF, which enables the first AP to determine the transmission power of the second AP by combining the third received signal strength, thereby reasonably controlling the transmission power of the second AP, reducing interference between multiple APs, and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0057] Fourthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a first access point (AP). This method can be implemented by the first AP or by components on the first AP side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the first AP). The method includes:

[0058] The first AP sends a first initial control frame (ICF) to a first non-AP STA; the first AP receives a first initial control response (ICR) frame from the first non-AP STA; the first AP receives a second ICF from a second AP, the second ICF including information on a third received signal strength, the third received signal strength being the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the second AP, the third received signal strength being used to determine the transmit power of the second AP; the first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, the trigger frame including information for cooperative transmission, the information being used to indicate the transmit power of the second AP.

[0059] In this embodiment of the application, a third received signal strength is added to the second ICF, which enables the first AP to determine the transmission power of the second AP based on the third received signal strength, thereby reasonably controlling the transmission power of the second AP, reducing interference between multiple APs, and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0060] In conjunction with the third or fourth aspect, in one possible implementation, the transmission power of the second AP is determined based on the third received signal strength and the second received signal strength, where the second received signal strength is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the first AP.

[0061] Fifthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second access point (AP). This method can be implemented by the second AP or by components on the second AP side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the second AP). The method includes:

[0062] The second AP sends a second ICF to the second non-AP STA; the second AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA, the second ICR frame including information for cooperative transmission, the information including information on the path loss difference between a first path loss and a second path loss, the first path loss being the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, the second path loss being the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP, the path loss difference being determined based on the received signal strength of the first ICF received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of the second ICF received by the second non-AP STA.

[0063] Optionally, the road loss difference can be used to estimate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA.

[0064] In this embodiment, by adding path loss difference information to the second ICR frame, the second AP can estimate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA based on the path loss difference. This allows the second AP to select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA, thereby effectively saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0065] Sixthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication method applied to a second non-AP STA. This method can be implemented by the second non-AP STA or by components on the second non-AP STA side (such as chips, functional modules, or processing systems within the second non-AP STA). The method includes:

[0066] The second non-AP STA receives a first ICF from the first AP; the second non-AP STA receives a second ICF from the second AP; the second non-AP STA transmits a second ICR frame, which includes information for cooperative transmission, including information on the path loss difference between a first path loss and a second path loss, wherein the first path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and the second path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP, and the path loss difference is determined based on the received signal strength of the first ICF received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of the second ICF received by the second non-AP STA.

[0067] In this embodiment, by adding path loss information to the second ICR frame, the second non-AP STA can estimate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA based on the path loss information. This allows the second AP to select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the SIR / SNR / SINR, thereby effectively saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0068] In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for performing the methods of the first aspect, the third aspect, the fifth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. The communication device includes a module for performing the methods of the first aspect, the third aspect, the fifth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof.

[0069] The communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module performs the sending or receiving actions as described in the first, third, or fifth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. The processing module performs the processing actions as described in the first, third, or fifth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. This communication device is a second access point (AP), or a chip or circuit within a second AP, or a functional module within a second AP, etc.

[0070] Eighthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device for performing the methods in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation. The communication device includes a module for performing the methods in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation.

[0071] The communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module performs the sending or receiving actions as described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof, while the processing module performs the processing actions as described in the second aspect, the fourth aspect, or any possible implementation thereof. This communication device is a first access point (AP), or a chip or circuit within a first AP, or a functional module within a first AP, etc.

[0072] Ninthly, embodiments of this application provide a communication apparatus for performing the method of the sixth aspect. The communication apparatus includes a module for performing the method of the sixth aspect.

[0073] The communication device includes a processing module and a transceiver module. The transceiver module performs the sending or receiving actions as described in the sixth aspect, and the processing module performs the processing actions as described in the sixth aspect. This communication device is a second non-AP STA, or a chip or circuit within a second non-AP STA, or a functional module within a second non-AP STA, etc.

[0074] The modules in aspects seven through nine can also be replaced with units or means, etc. These modules can be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of both.

[0075] In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including at least one processor and a transceiver; wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a trigger frame; and the processor is configured to determine transmission parameters between a second AP and a second non-AP STA based on information for cooperative transmission in the trigger frame.

[0076] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to transmit a second ICF and receive a second ICR frame.

[0077] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the processor is also used to generate a second ICF and to parse a second ICR frame.

[0078] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to receive the first ICF and the first ICR frame.

[0079] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the processor is also configured to control the transceiver to send a second ICF after receiving the first ICR frame at a preset interval.

[0080] In conjunction with aspect ten, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to receive the first frame and to send the second frame.

[0081] In conjunction with the tenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the processor is also used to parse the first frame and generate the second frame.

[0082] Eleventhly, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, which includes at least one processor and a transceiver; wherein the processor is used to generate a trigger frame; and the transceiver is used to send the trigger frame.

[0083] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to transmit the first ICF and receive the first ICR frame.

[0084] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the processor is also used to generate the first ICF and parse the first ICR frame.

[0085] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to receive a second ICF and a second ICR frame.

[0086] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the processor is also configured to control the transceiver to receive the second ICF after receiving the first ICR frame at a preset interval.

[0087] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the transceiver is also used to send the first frame and receive the second frame.

[0088] In conjunction with the eleventh aspect, in one possible implementation, the processor is also used to generate the first frame and parse the second frame.

[0089] In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication device, the communication device including at least one processor and a transceiver; wherein the transceiver is configured to receive a first ICF and a second ICF; the transceiver is also configured to transmit a second ICR frame.

[0090] For explanations of the terms involved in aspects 10 to 12, please refer to aspects 1 to 6; they will not be elaborated here.

[0091] In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface; wherein the interface is used to input a trigger frame; and the logic circuitry is used to determine transmission parameters between a second AP and a second non-AP STA based on information for cooperative transmission in the trigger frame.

[0092] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to output a second ICF and input a second ICR frame.

[0093] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to generate the second ICF and parse the second ICR frame.

[0094] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to input the first ICF and the first ICR frame.

[0095] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to control the interface to output a second ICF after a preset time interval following the input of the first ICR frame.

[0096] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to input the first frame and output the second frame.

[0097] In conjunction with aspect thirteen, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to parse the first frame and generate the second frame.

[0098] In a fourteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip, the chip including logic circuitry and an interface; wherein the logic circuitry is used to generate a trigger frame; and the interface is used to output the trigger frame.

[0099] In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to output the first ICF and input the first ICR frame.

[0100] In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to generate the first ICF and parse the first ICR frame.

[0101] In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to input a second ICF and a second ICR frame.

[0102] In conjunction with aspect fourteen, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to control the interface to input the second ICF after a preset time interval following the input of the first ICR frame.

[0103] In conjunction with the fourteenth aspect, in one possible implementation, the interface is also used to output the first frame and input the second frame.

[0104] In conjunction with aspect fourteen, in one possible implementation, the logic circuit is also used to generate the first frame and parse the second frame.

[0105] In a fifteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a chip including logic circuitry and an interface; the interface is used to input a first ICF and a second ICF; the interface is also used to output a second ICR frame. The logic circuitry can be used to control the interface to input the first and second ICFs, and to control the interface to output the second ICR frame. Optionally, the logic circuitry is used to generate the second ICR frame.

[0106] For explanations of the terms involved in aspects thirteen through fifteen, please refer to aspects one through six; they will not be elaborated upon here.

[0107] In a sixteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer-readable storage medium for storing a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the methods shown in any of the first to sixth aspects or any possible implementation thereof to be executed.

[0108] This computer program can also be called an instruction, or a computer instruction, etc. That is, a computer program can be replaced by an instruction or a computer instruction.

[0109] In a seventeenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a computer program product that, when run on a computer, causes the methods in any of the first to sixth aspects or any possible implementations described above to be executed.

[0110] In an eighteenth aspect, embodiments of this application provide a communication system including a first access point (AP) and a second access point (AP). The second AP can be an apparatus as provided in the seventh, tenth, and thirteenth aspects, and the first AP can be an apparatus as provided in the eighth, eleventh, and fourteenth aspects. The second AP can be used to implement the methods in the first, third, or fifth aspects or any possible implementations described above, and the first AP is used to implement the methods in the second or fourth aspects or any possible implementations described above.

[0111] In one possible implementation, the communication system further includes a second non-AP STA, which may be an apparatus as provided in the ninth, twelfth, or fifteenth aspect, for implementing the method in the sixth aspect described above. Attached Figure Description

[0112] Figures 1a and 1b are schematic diagrams of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0113] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the CSR transmission process provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0114] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the method for estimating path loss provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0115] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the format of a radio measurement request frame provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0116] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the format of the measurement request field provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0117] Figures 5a and 5b are schematic flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0118] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0119] Figure 6b is a schematic diagram of the format of the special user information field provided in the embodiment of this application;

[0120] Figures 7a and 7b are schematic flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0121] Figures 8a and 8b are schematic flowcharts of the communication method provided in the embodiments of this application;

[0122] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0123] Figure 10 is another schematic diagram of the communication device provided in an embodiment of this application;

[0124] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of the chip provided in an embodiment of this application. Detailed Implementation

[0125] To facilitate understanding of the technical solution of this application, the application will be further described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

[0126] The terms "first" and "second," etc., used in the specification, claims, and drawings of this application are used only to distinguish different objects and not to describe a specific order. Furthermore, the terms "comprising" and "having," and any variations thereof, are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusion. For example, a process, method, system, product, or apparatus that includes a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products, or apparatuses.

[0127] In this application, "at least one (item)" means one or more, "more than" means two or more, and "at least two (items)" means two or three or more. "And / or" describes the relationship between related objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and / or B" can represent three cases: only A exists, only B exists, and both A and B exist simultaneously, where A and B can be singular or plural. "Or" indicates that two relationships can exist, such as only A or only B exists; when A and B are not mutually exclusive, it can also represent three relationships, such as only A, only B, or both A and B exist simultaneously. The character " / " generally indicates that the preceding and following related objects have an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or similar expressions refer to any combination of these items. For example, at least one of a, b, or c can represent: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c", or "a and b and c".

[0128] In this application, "send" and "receive" indicate the direction of signal transmission. For example, "send information to XX" can be understood as the destination of the information being XX, which can include direct transmission via the air interface or indirect transmission via the air interface from other units or modules. "Receive information from YY" can be understood as the source of the information being YY, which can include direct reception from YY via the air interface or indirect reception from YY via the air interface from other units or modules. "Send" can also be understood as the "output" of a chip interface, and "receive" can also be understood as the "input" of a chip interface. In other words, sending and receiving can occur between devices, such as between devices, or within a device, such as between components, modules, chips, software modules, or hardware modules within a device via a bus, trace, or interface.

[0129] The following describes the communication system involved in this application.

[0130] The technical solutions provided in this application can be applied to wireless local area network (WLAN) systems. For example, the methods provided in this application can be applied to the IEEE 802.11 series standards, such as 802.11a / b / g, 802.11bf, 802.11az, 802.11bk, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn, or next-generation standards. Other examples include 802.11ad, 802.11ay, 802.11bq, or next-generation standards, which will not be listed here. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to wireless personal area networks (WPANs) based on ultra-wideband (UWB) technology. The technical solutions provided in this application can also be applied to integrated millimeter wave (IMMW) technology. The method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to the IEEE 802.15 series standards, such as the 802.15.4a, 802.15.4z, or 802.15.4ab standards, or a future generation of UWB WPAN standards. The method provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to the StarFlash standard. The technical solution provided in this application embodiment can also be applied to the following communication systems, for example, Internet of Things (IoT) systems, Vehicle-to-X (V2X) systems, Narrowband Internet of Things (NB-IoT) systems, Long Term Evolution (LTE) systems, and 5th-generation (5G) communication systems.

[0131] WLAN systems can provide high-speed, low-latency transmission. As WLAN application scenarios continue to evolve, WLAN systems will be applied to more scenarios or industries, such as the Internet of Things industry, the Internet of Vehicles industry, the banking industry, enterprise offices, stadiums and exhibition halls, concert halls, hotel rooms, dormitories, hospital wards, classrooms, shopping malls, squares, streets, production workshops and warehouses, etc. Of course, devices that support WLAN communication or sensing (such as access points or sites) can be sensor nodes in smart cities (such as smart water meters, smart electricity meters, and smart air monitoring nodes), smart devices in smart homes (such as smart cameras, projectors, displays, televisions, speakers, refrigerators, and washing machines), nodes in the Internet of Things (IoT), entertainment terminals (such as wearable devices for augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR), smart devices in smart offices (such as printers, projectors, loudspeakers, and speakers), vehicle-to-everything (V2X) devices, infrastructure in daily life scenarios (such as vending machines, self-service navigation kiosks in supermarkets, self-service checkout machines, and self-service ordering machines), and equipment in large sports and music venues.

[0132] Although the embodiments of this application primarily use WLAN as an example, especially networks applied to the IEEE 802.11 series of standards, the various aspects involved in the embodiments of this application can be extended to other networks employing various standards or protocols. For example, Bluetooth, high-performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless standard similar to the IEEE 802.11 standard, mainly used in Europe), and wide area networks (WANs) or other networks now known or to be developed in the future.

[0133] In one possible implementation, the method provided in this application embodiment can be implemented by a communication device in a communication system. For example, the communication device can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). Alternatively, the communication device can be a chip or circuit in the AP, or a functional module within the AP. Or, for example, the communication device can be a chip or circuit in a non-AP STA, or a functional module within a non-AP STA. For ease of description, the following description will use AP and non-AP STA as examples.

[0134] An access point is a device with wireless communication capabilities, supporting communication or sensing using WLAN protocols. It has the function of communicating or sensing with other devices in the WLAN network (such as non-AP STAs or other access points), and can also have the function of communicating or sensing 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 site (AP STA). In the embodiments of this application, the AP is a device that provides services to non-AP STAs 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 campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters; it can also be deployed outdoors. Furthermore, 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, repeaters, etc. Of course, an AP can also include APs belonging to a multi-link device (MLD), or co-located APs, etc.

[0135] A non-AP STA is a device with wireless communication capabilities that supports communication or sensing using WLAN protocols. It has the ability to communicate or sense other non-AP STAs or access points within a WLAN network. For example, a non-AP STA is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate or sense with an AP and thus with the WLAN. For instance, a non-AP STA 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 non-AP STA 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. Of course, non-AP STAs can also include non-AP STAs belonging to an MLD (Multi-Level Device), or co-located STAs, etc.

[0136] A multi-link device comprises multiple affiliated sites, which can be physical or logical sites. Each site can operate on a link, a frequency band, or a channel, etc. The affiliated sites shown here can be APs or non-AP STAs.

[0137] The communication system provided in this application includes at least two AP / AP MLDs and at least two non-AP STA / non-AP MLDs. Figures 1a and 1b illustrate the communication system exemplarily.

[0138] Figures 1a and 1b are schematic diagrams of an architecture of a communication system provided in an embodiment of this application. The communication system includes at least two APs and at least two non-AP STAs. Figure 1a shows two AP MLDs, such as AP MLD 1 and AP MLD 2, and two non-AP MLDs, such as non-AP MLD 1 and non-AP MLD 2. Figure 1b shows two APs, such as AP1 and AP2, and two non-AP STAs, such as non-AP STA 1 and non-AP STA 2.

[0139] The examples in Figures 1a and 1b, where non-AP STA represents a mobile phone and AP represents a router, are not intended to limit the AP and non-AP STA types in the embodiments of this application.

[0140] In this embodiment of the application, AP1 can also be referred to as the first AP, AP2 can also be referred to as the second AP, non-AP STA1 can also be referred to as the first non-AP STA, and non-AP STA2 can also be referred to as the second non-AP STA.

[0141] The following describes the methods involved in the embodiments of this application.

[0142] Collaboration among multiple access points (APs) includes Collaboration Service Responsibility (CSR). In this embodiment, collaboration among multiple APs includes collaboration between a first AP and a second AP, or collaboration between a first AP and multiple second APs.

[0143] Generally, the AP that initiates multi-AP cooperative transmission can be called the sharing AP or the primary AP (such as the first AP or AP1 in this application), and other APs that share transmission resources or transmission opportunities (TXOPs) can be called shared APs or secondary APs (such as the second AP or AP2 in this application). This application does not limit the names of the APs participating in the cooperative transmission.

[0144] A shared AP can control the transmission power of other shared APs, thereby controlling interference, such as reducing interference to non-AP STAs associated with the shared AP when the shared AP transmits data. For example, when a shared AP obtains a TXOP and is about to send downlink data frames to its associated non-AP STA, if the shared AP finds that the channel conditions between it and non-AP STA1 are good enough to allow other APs to transmit concurrently with the shared AP (such as a shared AP sending data to its associated non-AP STA2), the shared AP can select one or more shared APs for CSR transmission. Optionally, when selecting shared APs, the shared AP can prioritize APs that are farther away from non-AP STA1 as shared APs, thereby reducing interference to non-AP STA1 when the shared AP transmits data.

[0145] Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the CSR transmission flow provided in an embodiment of this application. In Figure 2, the sharing AP is AP1, and the shared AP is AP2. The target receiver of the downlink (DL) data frame of AP1 includes non-AP STA1, and the target receiver of the downlink data frame of AP2 includes non-AP STA2. Figure 2 illustrates cooperative transmission using two APs as an example. The number of APs involved in Figure 2 is not intended to limit the embodiments of this application.

[0146] As shown in Figure 2, AP1 sends a trigger frame (co-SR trigger frame in Figure 2) to AP2 to initiate CSR transmission. This trigger frame can be used to indicate some parameters in the CSR transmission, including AP2's transmission power, packet transmission duration, and AP1's transmission power. After obtaining the aforementioned parameters, AP2 can preferentially select a non-AP STA (such as non-AP STA2) that is farther away from AP1 for data transmission. Optionally, AP2 can estimate the interference from AP1 to non-AP STA2 based on AP1's transmission power, thereby selecting appropriate transmission parameters to maximize the success rate of AP2's data transmission.

[0147] In CSR transmission, interference exists between two access points (APs) transmitting simultaneously on the same channel / resource block. For example, AP1 sends a data frame to non-AP STA1, while AP2 sends a data frame to non-AP STA2. Non-AP STA1 receives both the useful signal from AP1 and the interference signal from AP2. Therefore, before sending a downlink data frame to non-AP STA1, AP1 can estimate the path loss between non-AP STA1 and AP2 and control AP2's transmission power accordingly to reduce interference from AP2 to non-AP STA1. Similarly, non-AP STA2 receives both the useful signal from AP2 and the interference signal from AP1. Therefore, before sending a downlink data frame to non-AP STA2, AP2 can estimate the path loss between non-AP STA2 and AP1 and determine appropriate transmission parameters to ensure successful transmission even if non-AP STA2 experiences interference from AP1. Therefore, estimating the path loss between the non-AP STA and the AP is important before CSR transmission. In other words, measuring the channel quality between multiple cells is important before CSR transmission. Generally speaking, the greater the path loss between two devices, the worse the channel quality between them.

[0148] The method for AP1 to estimate the path loss between non-AP STA1 and AP2 includes the procedures for radio measurement request and radio measurement response as defined in the 802.11 standard. Optionally, a subtype of radio measurement request is beacon request, and a subtype of radio measurement response is beacon report.

[0149] Figure 3 is a schematic diagram of the path loss estimation method provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 3, AP1 can send a radio measurement request frame to non-AP STA1. This radio measurement request frame can be used to request non-AP STA1 to measure the signal strength from other APs to non-AP STA1. The signal strength from other APs to non-AP STA1 includes the received channel power indicator (RCPI) and received signal-to-noise indicator (RSNI) of the beacon frames sent by other APs received by non-AP STA1. RCPI is used to represent the received power of the signal, and RSNI is used to represent the received signal-to-noise ratio.

[0150] Figure 4a is a schematic diagram of the format of a radio measurement request frame provided in an embodiment of this application. The number of repetitions field is used to indicate the number of times a repeated measurement is requested. Figure 4a also exemplarily illustrates the format of a measurement request element. The measurement type field is used to indicate the type of measurement. Optionally, when the value of the measurement type field is 5, it indicates that the measurement type is a beacon request, and the format of the measurement request field is shown in Figure 4b. Descriptions of other fields involved in Figure 4a refer to the 802.11 standard, and will not be detailed in this application.

[0151] Figure 4b is a schematic diagram of the format of the measurement request field provided in an embodiment of this application. The operating class field and the channel number field indicate the operating class and channel location of the AP requesting the measurement, respectively. The randomization interval field indicates the random interval, and the measurement duration field indicates the measurement time. The measurement mode field indicates the measurement mode, which includes passive measurement, active measurement, and beacon table feedback. The basic service set identifier (BSSID) field indicates the BSSID corresponding to the AP requesting the measurement.

[0152] As shown in Figure 3, after measurement, non-AP STA1 can feed back the measurement results to AP1, which include the signal strength between AP2 and non-AP STA1. Thus, AP1 can determine the path loss between non-AP STA1 and AP2.

[0153] The method shown in Figure 3 also applies to AP2 and non-AP STA2. AP2 can send a radio measurement request frame to non-AP STA2, requesting non-AP STA2 to measure the signal strength from other APs to non-AP STA2. After taking the measurement, non-AP STA2 can send the measurement results back to AP2, which include the signal strength between AP1 and non-AP STA2. Thus, AP2 can determine the path loss between non-AP STA2 and AP1.

[0154] However, the above method needs to be performed before CSR transmission. If AP1 (or AP2) does not know which non-AP STA to communicate with during CSR transmission, the above measurement process needs to be performed with multiple non-AP STAs. To ensure timely and effective measurement results, frequent measurements may be required, resulting in significant measurement overhead. If frequent measurements are not performed, the path loss between non-AP STAs and APs in neighboring cells will not be accurate enough.

[0155] In view of this, embodiments of this application provide a communication method and apparatus, which not only allows AP2 to quickly and easily obtain the path loss between two APs and non-AP STA2, but also allows it to select appropriate transmission parameters for non-AP STA2, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0156] In this embodiment, the information on the received signal strength can be the received signal power (or received power), or RSNI or received signal strength indication (RSSI). The information regarding the received signal strength also applies to information on the first received signal strength or the third received signal strength, etc.

[0157] Figure 5a is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit within the communication device, or a functional module within the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. The descriptions of the first AP, second AP, first non-AP STA, and second non-AP STA are as above and will not be detailed here. In this embodiment, the first ICF can also be referred to as ICF1, the first ICR frame can also be referred to as ICR1, the second ICF can also be referred to as ICF2, and the second ICR frame can also be referred to as ICR2. As shown in Figure 5a, the method includes:

[0158] 511. The first AP sends a radio frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the radio frame accordingly. The radio frame includes information for cooperative transmission.

[0159] This wireless frame can be used by the first AP to initiate cooperative transmission, or in other words, the wireless frame can be used by the first AP to initiate CSR transmission, or the trigger frame can be used to request the second AP to transmit simultaneously with the first AP. Other types of wireless frames, such as trigger frames, will not be listed here.

[0160] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to determine transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. These transmission parameters include at least one of the following: MCS, NSS, or NSTS. The transmission parameters also include the transmit power of the second AP.

[0161] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to determine the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA, or in other words, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to indicate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA. This SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA corresponds to the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to indicate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA and the transmission power of the second AP. The SIR / SNR / SINR shown in the embodiments of this application are merely examples; anything that can represent the relationship between the useful signal and the interference signal received by the second non-AP STA falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. For ease of description, SIR will be used as an example in the following description.

[0162] The information used for cooperative transmission indicates at least one of the following: R11, R12, first information, T1, T2, and second information. The first information is determined based on T1 and R12, and the second information is determined based on T1, SIR1, and R11. This information used for cooperative transmission can also be referred to as parameters for cooperative transmission. For example, R11 can also be called parameter R11, R12 can also be called parameter R12, etc., and so on. These will not be listed individually here.

[0163] As an example, T1 and R12 are in dBm. The first piece of information is determined based on the result of the calculation of T1 and R12. If the first piece of information is P2, then P2 = T1 + R12. As another example, T1 and R12 are in mW. The first piece of information is determined based on the result of the calculation of T1 * R12. If the first piece of information is P2, then P2 = T1 * R12.

[0164] As an example, T1 and R12 are in dBm, and SIR1 is in dB. The second information is determined based on the result of the calculation T1 - SIR1 + R11. If the second information is P1, then P1 = T1 - SIR1 + R11. As another example, T1 and R12 are in mW. The second information is determined based on the result of the calculation T1 * R11 / SIR1. If the second information is P1, then P1 = T1 * R11 / SIR1.

[0165] T1 represents the transmit power of the first AP, or more specifically, the transmit power of the first AP used for cooperative transmission, or the power of the first AP used to transmit data frames. For example, T1 is determined by the first AP according to the maximum transmit power stipulated by regulations, and this T1 is less than or equal to that maximum transmit power. Another example is that T1 is determined by the first AP according to its own scheduling algorithm. The methods for determining T1 will not be listed here. The unit of T1 is dBm or mW.

[0166] T2 represents the transmission power of the second AP, or the transmission power of the second AP used for cooperative transmission, or the power of the second AP used to send data frames, or the transmission power that the first AP expects from the second AP. The unit of T2 is dBm or mW.

[0167] SIR1 represents the SIR of the first non-AP STA. This SIR1 is the target SIR when the first AP sends a data frame to the first non-AP STA. SIR1 can be determined by the first AP based on the transmission parameters of the data frame it transmits. The unit of SIR1 is dB. Similarly, the unit of SIR2 is dB.

[0168] R11 represents the received signal strength (e.g., received power) of the radio frame received by the first AP from the first non-AP STA. R11 is also the second received signal strength. Optionally, the radio frame from the first non-AP STA is the first ICR frame. The short interval between the radio frame containing information for cooperative transmission and the first ICR frame ensures the validity of the information determined according to R11 (e.g., the second information) or R11 itself. Since the channel does not change in a short time, the transmission parameters determined according to R11 can effectively match the current channel, thereby further improving the rationality of the transmission parameters determined by the second AP, ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, and saving resources. Optionally, the radio frame from the first non-AP STA can also be other radio frames before the first non-AP STA sends the first ICR frame. The unit of R11 is decibel-milliwatt (dBm) or milliwatt (mW).

[0169] R12 represents the received signal strength of the radio frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA. R12 is also the first received signal strength. Optionally, the radio frame from the second non-AP STA is the second ICR frame. Since the interval between the radio frame containing information for cooperative transmission and the second ICR frame is short, the validity of the information determined according to R12 (such as the first information) or R12 itself is guaranteed. Because the channel does not change in a short time, the transmission parameters determined according to R12 can effectively match the current channel, thereby further improving the rationality of the transmission parameters determined by the second AP, ensuring successful data transmission by the second AP, and saving resources. Optionally, the radio frame from the second non-AP STA can also be other radio frames sent by the second non-AP STA before the second ICR frame. The unit of R12 is dBm or mw. Similarly, the units of R21 and R22 are dBm or mw.

[0170] For ease of description, Figure 5b below illustrates an example where the radio frame from the first non-AP STA is the first ICR frame, and the radio frame from the second non-AP STA is the second ICR frame.

[0171] The letter representations of the various information (or parameters) used for cooperative transmission shown in the embodiments of this application are merely examples and are not intended to limit the embodiments of this application. For ease of description, the following description uses letter representations as examples.

[0172] For further details on the information in the radio frame used for cooperative transmission, please refer to the descriptions in Figures 5b, 7a, 7b, 8a, or 8b below, which will not be elaborated here. Figures 5b, 7b, and 8b below illustrate examples where the radio frame containing the information for cooperative transmission is a trigger frame.

[0173] 512. The second AP determines the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission.

[0174] For example, the second AP determines the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission, and selects a suitable MCS or NSS for the second non-AP STA based on the SIR. For instance, if the SIR of the second non-AP STA is larger, the second AP can select a larger MCS and a larger NSS. Conversely, if the SIR of the second non-AP STA is smaller, the second AP can select a smaller MCS and a smaller NSS. The terms "larger" and "smaller" are relative. The specific relationship between SIR and MCS, or between SIR and NSS, can be determined by the scheduling algorithm of the second AP, and this application embodiment does not limit this.

[0175] For example, the second AP determines its transmission power based on information used for cooperative transmission. For instance, the second AP's transmission power may be less than or equal to T2.

[0176] In this embodiment, the first AP indicates information for cooperative transmission to the second AP, enabling the second AP to select appropriate transmission parameters or determine transmission power for the second non-AP STA based on the information for cooperative transmission. This ensures that the second AP can successfully transmit data, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0177] Figure 5b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit within the communication device, or a functional module within the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. The descriptions of the first AP, the second AP, the first non-AP STA, and the second non-AP STA are as above and will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 5b, the method includes:

[0178] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 5b includes steps 501 and 502.

[0179] 501. The first AP sends the first ICF to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the first ICF.

[0180] 502. The first non-AP STA sends the first ICR frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the first ICR frame.

[0181] As an example, the purpose of the frame interaction between the first AP and the first non-AP STA is to protect the channel. For example, the first ICF is a request to send (RTS) frame or a multiple user request to send (MU-RTS) frame, and the first ICR frame is a clear to send (CTS) frame.

[0182] As another example, if the MLD to which the first non-AP STA belongs is operating in enhanced multi-link single radio (eMLSR) mode, and the first AP needs to communicate with the first non-AP STA, the first AP can send a first ICF. For example, the first ICF is a MU-RTS frame or a buffer state report poll (BSRP) frame, and the first ICR frame is a CTS frame or a quality of service null (QoS null) frame.

[0183] As another example, if the first non-AP STA is operating in dynamic power save (DPS) mode or dynamic unavailability operation (DUO) mode, and the first AP needs to communicate with the first non-AP STA, then the first AP can send the first ICF.

[0184] The purposes of frame interaction between the first AP and the first non-AP STA are not listed here. This application embodiment does not limit the purpose of frame interaction between the first AP and the first non-AP STA.

[0185] Optionally, the first AP parses the first ICR frame. For example, the receive address of the first ICR frame includes the address of the first AP. As another example, the user information field of the first ICR frame includes the identifier (ID) of the first AP.

[0186] Optionally, the first AP measures the received signal strength of the first ICR frame. For ease of description, the received signal strength of the first ICR frame measured by the first AP is denoted as R11 or the second received signal strength. For example, the received signal strength of the first ICR frame includes the received power of the first ICR frame.

[0187] Optionally, the second AP receives a first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA. The second AP measures the received signal strength of the first ICR frame. For ease of description, the received signal strength of the first ICR frame measured by the second AP is denoted as R21 or the third received signal strength. The second AP may not parse the first ICR frame. For example, whether a station (such as an AP or a non-AP STA) parses a received frame can be determined based on the receiving address indicated by the frame, or based on the ID indicated by the frame, etc., and this application embodiment does not limit this. For example, the receiving address indicated by the first ICR frame does not include the address of the second AP. As another example, the ID indicated by the first ICR frame does not include the ID of the second AP.

[0188] Optionally, the first non-AP STA transmits the first ICR frame after receiving the first ICF at a certain time interval. This time interval may be the duration of a short inter-frame space (SIFS).

[0189] In one possible implementation, the first AP sends the first ICF either before or after the first AP sends the first ICF.

[0190] The first AP sends a third frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the third frame. This third frame can be used to instruct the first AP to cooperate with the second AP in transmission, or it can be used to inquire (or invite) whether the second AP will cooperate with the first AP in transmission, or it can be used to request the second AP to cooperate with the first AP in transmission. For example, the third frame can be an inquiry frame. Thus, the second AP can determine its cooperation with the first AP in transmission based on this third frame. Optionally, the second AP sends a response frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the response frame. This response frame is used in response to the third frame, such as instructing the second AP to cooperate with the first AP in transmission.

[0191] Optionally, the first ICF and the third frame can be the same frame. The second AP can also receive the first ICF. The receiving address indicated by the first ICF includes the address of the second AP, or the ID indicated by the first ICF includes the ID of the second AP.

[0192] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 5b includes steps 503 and 504.

[0193] 503. The second AP sends the second ICF to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the second ICF.

[0194] 504. The second non-AP STA sends a second ICR frame to the second AP, and the corresponding second AP receives the second ICR frame.

[0195] The function of the second ICF is similar to that of the first ICF, and the power of the second ICR frame is similar to that of the first ICR frame, which will not be described in detail here. Whether the purpose of the frame interaction between the second AP and the second non-AP STA is the same as the purpose of the frame interaction between the first AP and the first non-AP STA is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0196] Optionally, the second AP measures the received signal strength of the second ICR frame. For ease of description, the received signal strength of the second ICR frame measured by the second AP is denoted as R22.

[0197] Optionally, the first AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA. The first AP measures the received signal strength of the second ICR frame. For ease of description, the received signal strength of the second ICR frame measured by the first AP is denoted as R12 or the first received signal strength.

[0198] Optionally, the second non-AP STA transmits a second ICR frame after receiving the second ICF at a certain time interval. This first time interval may be the duration of the SIFS.

[0199] As one possible implementation, the order of steps 501 and 503 is not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0200] As another possible implementation, the second AP sends a second ICF after receiving the first ICR frame at a preset interval. For example, the first AP receives the second ICF after receiving the first ICR frame at a preset interval. Similarly, the first non-AP STA receives the second ICF after sending the first ICR frame at a preset interval. And again, the second non-AP STA receives the second ICF after receiving the first ICR frame at a preset interval. Because the channels between devices differ, the transmission delays between devices may vary. This results in the preset interval between the second AP receiving the first ICR frame and sending the second ICF differing from the actual preset intervals of other devices (such as the first AP, the first non-AP STA, or the second non-AP STA). This difference is relatively small compared to the preset intervals and can therefore be ignored.

[0201] For example, the preset duration mentioned above is the duration of SIFS. As another example, the preset duration is defined by a standard. This application does not limit the specific value of the preset duration in its embodiments.

[0202] In this embodiment, setting a preset duration not only ensures the timing between frames but also simplifies the implementation.

[0203] As another possible implementation, the first AP sends a first frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the first frame. This first frame is used to request (or instruct) the second AP to send a second ICF, or it is used to request the second AP to perform frame interaction with its associated station. After receiving the first frame, the second AP sends the second ICF.

[0204] Optionally, after the second AP sends the second ICF, it sends a second frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the second frame. Optionally, after receiving the second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA, the second AP sends a second frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the second frame. This second frame is used to indicate that the second AP has sent the second ICF, or to indicate that the second AP and its associated station have completed frame interaction. Optionally, after receiving the second frame, the first AP sends a trigger frame.

[0205] In this embodiment of the application, the first AP and the second AP interact with the first frame and the second frame, which not only ensures the timing between each frame, but also achieves flexibility.

[0206] 505. The first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the trigger frame. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission.

[0207] Optionally, the trigger frame is used by the first AP to initiate cooperative transmission, or in other words, by the first AP to initiate CSR transmission, or by requesting the second AP to transmit simultaneously with the first AP. This trigger frame can also be called a synchronization frame.

[0208] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to determine transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. These transmission parameters include at least one of the following: MCS, NSS, or NSTS. The transmission parameters also include the transmit power of the second AP.

[0209] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to determine the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA, or in other words, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to indicate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA. This SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA corresponds to the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission is used to indicate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA and the transmission power of the second AP. The SIR / SNR / SINR shown in the embodiments of this application are merely examples; anything that can represent the relationship between the useful signal and the interference signal received by the second non-AP STA falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. For ease of description, SIR will be used as an example in the following description.

[0210] The following describes the information content used for collaborative transmission in the embodiments of this application.

[0211] As one possible implementation 1, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information about R12 (or parameters of R12, or parameter R12), information about T1 (or parameters of T1, or parameter T1), and information about T2 (or parameters of T2, or parameter T2). The information about R12 can indicate the value of R12, or indicate the offset between R12 and a reference signal strength. Alternatively, the information about R11 is related to R11 and can be used to determine R11. The information about T1 can indicate the value of T1, or indicate the offset between T1 and a reference power. Alternatively, the information about T1 is related to T1 and can be used to determine T1. The information about T2 can indicate the value of T2, or indicate the offset between T2 and a reference power. Alternatively, the information about T2 is related to T2 and can be used to determine T2. The aforementioned reference signal strength or reference power can be defined by a standard, or indicated by the first AP through other radio frames, etc., and will not be listed here. For example, the reference power can be the maximum transmit power specified by regulations.

[0212] For example, the information in R12 is the received signal power of the radio frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA. Another example is the RSNI or Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) of the aforementioned radio frame. The explanation of the information in R12 also applies to the information in R11, etc., and will not be repeated below.

[0213] The second AP determines appropriate transmission parameters based on the information from R12, T1, and T2. Alternatively, the second AP determines the SIR (hereinafter referred to as SIR2) of the second non-AP STA based on the information from R12, T1, and T2, which can be used to determine the transmission parameters.

[0214] The SIR (i.e., SIR2) of the second non-AP STA is determined based on the useful signal received from the second AP and the interference signal received from the first AP. SIR2 can satisfy the following relationship: SIR2 = (T2 - PL22) - (T1 - PL12) (1)

[0215] Wherein, PL22 represents the path loss between the second AP and the second non-AP STA, and PL12 represents the path loss between the first AP and the second non-AP STA. Other information in relation (1) is explained above and will not be detailed here. SIR2 is the target SIR when the second AP sends a data frame to the second non-AP STA. Therefore, this SIR2 can be used to determine the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA.

[0216] The received signal strength (i.e., R12) of the second ICR frame received by the first AP is determined based on the transmission power of the second ICR frame and the path loss between the first AP and the second non-AP STA. R12 satisfies the following relationship: R12 = TICR2 - PL12 (2)

[0217] Wherein, TICR2 represents the transmission power of the second non-AP STA transmitting the second ICR frame. For further explanation of other information in relation (2), please refer to the above text; it will not be detailed here.

[0218] The received signal strength (i.e., R22) of the second ICR frame received by the second AP is determined based on the transmission power of the second ICR frame and the path loss between the second AP and the second non-AP STA. R22 satisfies the following relationship: R22=TICR2-PL22 (3)

[0219] Where R22 represents the received signal strength of the second ICR frame received by the second AP. Other information in relation (3) is explained above and will not be detailed here.

[0220] The transmission power of the second ICR frame in relation (2) and relation (3) is the same. Therefore, in relation (2) TICR2 = R12 + PL12, and in relation (3) TICR2 = R22 + PL22.

[0221] Combining relations (2) and (3), R12, R22, PL12 and PL22 satisfy the following relation: PL12-PL22=R22-R12 (4)

[0222] The difference in path loss between the two APs and the second non-AP STA can be determined based on the difference in the received signal strength of the second ICR frames received by the two APs.

[0223] Combining relations (1) and (4), SIR2 satisfies the following relation: SIR2=(T2-PL22)-(T1-PL12)=(T2-T1)+(PL12-PL22)=(T2-T1)+(R22-R12) (5)

[0224] Therefore, the second AP can not only quickly and easily determine the path loss between the two APs and the second non-AP STA based on R22 and R12, but also estimate the SIR of the second non-AP STA (reference relationship (5)) based on the received signal strength of the second ICR frame (i.e., R22) measured by itself, as well as the information of R12, T1, and T2 included in the trigger frame. The second AP selects appropriate transmission parameters (such as MCS or NSS) based on SIR2, which are the transmission parameters used by the second AP when transmitting data frames. The second AP determines the transmission power used when transmitting data frames based on T2. ​​Optionally, the second AP can skip the step of estimating SIR2, such as directly determining the transmission parameters based on the information used for cooperative transmission mentioned above. This explanation will not be repeated below.

[0225] The above relationships (1) to (5) are shown with the power unit being dBm as an example. When the power unit is mw, SIR2 satisfies the following relationship: SIR2=(T2*PL22) / (T1*PL12)

[0226] R12 satisfies the following relationship: R12=TICR2*PL22

[0227] R22 satisfies the following relationship: R22=TICR2*PL22

[0228] Therefore, SIR2 = (T2*PL22) / (T1*PL12) = (T2 / T1)*(PL22 / PL12) = (T2 / T1)*(R22 / R12). That is, SIR2 = (T2 / T1)*(R22 / R12). The second AP can estimate SIR2 based on its measured R22 and the T1, T2, and R12 included in the trigger frame. Further explanation regarding the second AP is provided above and will not be elaborated upon here.

[0229] As another possible implementation 2, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information of R12, second information, and information of T1. The second information is determined based on T1, SIR1, and R11. That is, the second information is information related to T1, SIR1, and R11. For example, the second information could be information of P1. For example, the second information could indicate the result of the operation T1-SIR1+R11, or indicate the offset of the result of the operation T1-SIR1+R11 relative to a reference value. Alternatively, the second information could be used to indicate the result of the operation T1*R11 / SIR1, or indicate the offset of the result of the operation T1*R11 / SIR1 relative to a reference value.

[0230] The SIR (i.e., SIR1) of the first non-AP STA is determined based on the useful signal received from the first AP and the interference signal received from the second AP. SIR1 can satisfy the following relationship: SIR1 = (T1 - PL11) - (T2 - PL21) (6)

[0231] Wherein, PL11 represents the path loss between the first AP and the first non-AP STA, and PL21 represents the path loss between the second AP and the first non-AP STA. Other information in relation (6) is explained above and will not be detailed here.

[0232] The received signal strength (i.e., R11) of the first ICR frame received by the first AP is determined based on the transmission power of the first ICR frame and the path loss between the first AP and the first non-AP STA. R11 satisfies the following relationship: R11 = TICR1 - PL11 (7)

[0233] Where R11 represents the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the first AP. Other information in relation (7) is explained above and will not be detailed here.

[0234] The received signal strength (i.e., R21) of the first ICR frame received by the second AP is determined based on the transmission power of the first ICR frame and the path loss between the second AP and the first non-AP STA. R21 satisfies the following relationship: R21=TICR1-PL21 (8)

[0235] The transmission power of the first ICR frame in relation (7) and relation (8) is the same. Therefore, in relation (7) TICR1 = R11 + PL11 and in relation (8) TICR1 = R21 + PL21.

[0236] Combining relations (7) and (8), R11, R21, PL11, and PL21 satisfy the following relation: PL21-PL11=R11-R21 (9)

[0237] The difference in path loss between the two APs and the first non-AP STA can be determined based on the difference in the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the two APs.

[0238] Combining relations (6) and (9), SIR1 satisfies the following relation: SIR1=(T1-PL11)-(T2-PL21)=(T1-T2)+(PL21-PL11)=T1-T2+R11-R21 (10)

[0239] According to relation (10), T2 satisfies the following relation: T2=T1-SIR1+R11-R21 (11)

[0240] That is, T2 = P1 - R21.

[0241] The above relationships (6) to (11) are shown with the power unit being dBm as an example. When the power unit is mw, T2 satisfies the following relationship: SIR1=(T1*PL11) / (T2*PL21)

[0242] R11 satisfies the following relationship: R11=TICR1*PL11

[0243] R21 satisfies the following relationship: R21=TICR1*PL21

[0244] Therefore, SIR1 = (T1 * PL11) / (T2 * PL21) = (T1 / T2) * (PL11 / PL21). That is, T2 = (T1 / SIR1) * (R11 / R21).

[0245] The second AP can estimate SIR2 based on the received signal strength of the second ICR frame (i.e., R22) measured by itself, the information of R12, the second information, and the information of T1 included in the trigger frame (refer to relations (5) and (11)). The second AP can determine the transmission power of the second AP based on the received signal strength of the first ICR frame (i.e., R21) measured by itself and the second information included in the trigger frame (refer to relations (11)). For other explanations regarding implementation method 2, please refer to implementation method 1, which will not be detailed here.

[0246] As another possible implementation 3, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information about R11, R12, and SIR1. Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the result of the operation R11-R12-SIR1, such as R11-R12-SIR1 = P3. Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information about R11, and the sum of R12 and SIR1. Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the result of the operation R11 / (SIR1*R12). The specific indication methods of R11, R12, and SIR1 are not limited in the embodiments of this application.

[0247] Combining relations (5) and (11), SIR2 satisfies the following relation: SIR2=(T1-SIR1+R11-R21)-T1+R22-R12=R22+R11-R21-R12-SIR1=R22-P3-R21 (12)

[0248] Relationship (12) is shown with power in dBm as an example. When the power in mw, SIR2 satisfies the following relationship: SIR2=(1 / SIR1)*(R11 / R21)*(R22 / R12)=(R11*R22) / (SIR1*R21*R12)

[0249] The second AP estimates SIR2 based on the received signal strength of the first ICR frame (i.e., R21), the received signal strength of the second ICR frame (i.e., R22), and the information of R11, R12, and SIR1 included in the trigger frame (reference relationship (12)).

[0250] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission also includes information from T2, or second information. Thus, the second AP can determine its transmission power based on the information from T2 or the second information. Further details regarding implementation 3 can be found in implementation 1 or implementation 2, and will not be elaborated here.

[0251] As another possible implementation 4, the information used for cooperative transmission includes first information and information for T2. The first information is determined based on T1 and R12. For example, the first information may be used to indicate P2. The first information can also be referred to as information for P2. For example, the first information may indicate the sum of T1 and R12: P2 = T1 + R12. Alternatively, the first information may indicate the offset of the sum of T1 and R12 relative to a reference value. Alternatively, the first information may indicate the result of the operation T1 * R12. Alternatively, the first information may indicate the offset of the aforementioned operation result relative to a reference value. The aforementioned reference value may be defined by a standard, or indicated by the first AP through other radio frames, etc., and will not be listed here.

[0252] According to the relationship (5) above, SIR2 = T2 + R22 - (T1 + R12) = T2 + R22 - P1. For an explanation of SIR2, please refer to implementation method 1, which will not be detailed here.

[0253] Therefore, the second AP can estimate SIR2 based on the received signal strength of the second ICR frame (i.e., R22) measured by itself, as well as the information from the first information and T2 included in the trigger frame. The second AP selects appropriate transmission parameters based on SIR2; these transmission parameters are the parameters used by the second AP when transmitting data frames. The second AP determines the transmission power used when transmitting data frames based on the information from T2. For implementation 4, the second AP can select appropriate transmission parameters based on P2 and T2; therefore, the information used for cooperative transmission does not need to include the information from T1 separately. For further explanation of implementation 4, please refer to implementations 1 through 3; details will not be elaborated here.

[0254] As another possible implementation 5, the information used for collaborative transmission includes first information and second information. For a description of the first information, refer to implementation 4; for a description of the second information, refer to implementation 2. Details will not be provided here.

[0255] Combining relations (5) and (11), SIR2 satisfies the following relation: SIR2=P1-R21-P2+R22 (13)

[0256] For an explanation of power units, please refer to the relevant descriptions of implementation methods 1 to 4, which will not be elaborated here.

[0257] The second AP can estimate SIR2 based on its measured received signal strength of the second ICR frame (i.e., R22), its measured received signal strength of the first ICR frame (i.e., R21), and the first information (e.g., (T1+R12) / P2) and the second information (e.g., (T1-SIR1+R11) / P1) included in the trigger frame (reference relationship (13)). The second AP can determine its transmission power based on its measured received signal strength of the first ICR frame (i.e., R21) and the second information (e.g., P1) (reference relationship (11)). For other explanations regarding implementation method 5, please refer to implementation methods 1 to 4, which will not be detailed here.

[0258] As another possible implementation 6, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the information from R12.

[0259] Optionally, T1 or T2 is indicated by another radio frame. This other radio frame is a radio frame transmitted by the first AP before it transmits the trigger frame. Optionally, T1 or T2 is defined by a standard, such as an offset relative to the maximum transmit power (or reference power) specified by regulations. This offset is indicated by another radio frame. This other radio frame is a radio frame transmitted by the first AP before it transmits the trigger frame. For related explanations of SIR2, please refer to Implementation 1 or Implementation 2, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0260] After receiving the trigger frame, the second AP can estimate SIR2 based on its measured received signal strength (i.e., R22) of the second ICR frame, the information of R12 included in the trigger frame, and the T1 and T2 indicated by other radio frames. The second AP selects appropriate transmission parameters based on SIR2 and determines the transmission power used when sending data frames based on T2.

[0261] Implementation method 6 is illustrated using T2 as an example. As shown in implementation method 2, T2 can also be replaced with P1-R21. Since the second AP can measure R21 itself, as another possible implementation, the value of P1 can be indicated by other radio frames, etc., which will not be detailed here. Other explanations regarding implementation method 6 can be found above and will not be detailed here.

[0262] As another possible implementation 7, the parameters used for cooperative transmission include information about R12 and information about T2. The information about R12 can indicate the value of R12 or the offset of R12 relative to the reference signal strength. The information about T2 can indicate the value of T2 or the offset of T2 relative to the reference power. For a description of the reference signal strength or reference power, please refer to implementation 1 or implementation 2, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0263] Optionally, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information determined according to R12 and T2. The information determined according to R12 and T2 can indicate the difference between T2 and R12. For related explanations of SIR2, please refer to Implementation 1 or Implementation 2, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0264] Alternatively, T1 may be indicated by other radio frames, or T1 may be defined by the standard. For a description of T1, refer to Implementation 6; it will not be detailed here.

[0265] Implementation method 7 is illustrated using T2 as an example. As shown in implementation method 2, T2 can also be replaced with P1-R21. Since the second AP can measure R21 itself, as another possible implementation, the value of P1 can be indicated by other radio frames, etc., which will not be detailed here. Other explanations regarding implementation method 7 can be found above, and will not be detailed here.

[0266] As another possible implementation 8, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information about R12 and information about T1. The information about R12 may indicate the value of R12 or the offset of R12 relative to the reference signal strength. The information about T1 may indicate the value of T1 or the offset of T1 relative to the reference power. For a description of the reference signal strength or reference power, refer to implementation 1 or implementation 2, which will not be detailed here.

[0267] Optionally, T2 can be indicated by other radio frames, or T2 can be defined by the standard. As shown in Implementation 2, T2 can also be replaced by P1-R21. Since the second AP can measure R21 itself, as another possible implementation, the value of P1 can be indicated by other radio frames, etc., which will not be detailed here. For other explanations of Implementation 8, please refer to Implementations 1 to 7, etc., which will not be detailed here.

[0268] As another possible implementation 9, the information used for cooperative transmission includes information about P2. This information about P2 can indicate the sum of T1 and R12. Alternatively, the information about P2 can indicate the offset of the sum of T1 and R12 relative to a reference value. This reference value can be defined by a standard, or indicated by the first AP via other radio frames, etc., and will not be listed here. When the power unit is mW, the information about P2 can also be replaced with the result of the operation T1*R12.

[0269] Optionally, T2 can be indicated by other radio frames, or T2 can be defined by the standard. As shown in Implementation 2, T2 can also be replaced by P1-R21. Since the second AP can measure R21 itself, as another possible implementation, the value of P1 can be indicated by other radio frames, etc., which will not be detailed here. For other explanations of Implementation 9, please refer to Implementation 1 to Implementation 8, etc., which will not be detailed here.

[0270] The format of the trigger frame can be found in Figures 6a and 6b, which will not be detailed here.

[0271] 506. The second AP determines the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission.

[0272] Optionally, the second AP determines the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission. For example, if the SIR of the second non-AP STA is larger, the second AP can select a larger MCS and a larger NSS. Conversely, if the SIR of the second non-AP STA is smaller, the second AP can select a smaller MCS and a smaller NSS. The terms "larger" and "smaller" are relative. The specific relationship between SIR and MCS, or between SIR and NSS, can be determined by the scheduling algorithm of the second AP, and this embodiment does not limit this.

[0273] For a detailed explanation of step 506, please refer to step 505, such as implementation methods 1 to 9, which will not be elaborated here.

[0274] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 5b includes step 507.

[0275] 507. The first AP sends a data frame to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the data frame accordingly.

[0276] For example, the first AP sends a data frame according to its determined transmission parameters. These transmission parameters include MCS or NSS, etc. The transmission power of the data frame is T1, or less than T1. Alternatively, the transmission power of the data frame is the result of a calculation of T1 and an offset, which can be a positive or negative number.

[0277] In one possible implementation, the method shown in Figure 5b includes step 508.

[0278] 508. The second AP sends a data frame to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the data frame.

[0279] For example, the second AP sends a data frame according to its determined transmission parameters. These transmission parameters include MCS or NSS, etc. The transmission power of the data frame is T2, or less than T2. ​​Alternatively, the transmission power of the data frame is the result of a calculation of T2 and an offset, which can be a positive or negative number.

[0280] The steps indicated by the dashed lines in Figure 5b are optional.

[0281] In this embodiment, by adding a first received signal strength or first information to the trigger frame, the second AP can select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the first received signal strength or first information, ensuring that the second AP can successfully transmit data, thereby saving resources and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0282] The following describes the trigger frame involved in the embodiments of this application by way of example.

[0283] Figure 6a is a schematic diagram of the trigger frame format provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 6a, the trigger frame includes a common info field and a user info list field, wherein the user info list field includes one or more user info fields. Figure 6a exemplarily illustrates the common info field and the user info field. Fields omitted in ellipses will not be described in detail in this embodiment.

[0284] Optionally, the user information list includes special user information fields, which can be used to carry public information that cannot be contained in the public information fields. For example, the association identifier (AID) field (AID12 field in Figure 6a) having a value of 2007 indicates that the user information field corresponding to this AID field is a special user information field. Figure 6b exemplarily shows a schematic diagram of the format of a special user information field. Further explanations of Figures 6a and 6b can be found in the 802.11 standard, and will not be detailed here.

[0285] The trigger frame includes a trigger type field, which indicates the type of trigger frame. Table 1 illustrates the relationship between the values ​​of the trigger type field and the type of trigger frame.

[0286] Table 1

[0287] Optionally, the trigger frame involved in the embodiments of this application may be referred to as a co-SR trigger frame or a CSR trigger frame. The co-SR trigger frame may adopt a new trigger type, such as the trigger type field of the co-SR trigger frame having a value of any value from 9 to 15. Alternatively, the co-SR trigger frame may reuse an existing trigger type, such as BSRP or MU-RTS, etc., which will not be listed here.

[0288] Optionally, the information used for collaborative transmission can be carried in a public information field; or a special user information field; or in the user information field corresponding to the second AP, where the AID12 field of the user information field can carry the ID of the second AP.

[0289] The explanation regarding trigger frames here also applies to the following text, and will not be repeated here.

[0290] This application also provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit in the communication device, or a functional module in the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. As shown in Figure 7a, the communication method includes:

[0291] The first non-AP STA transmits radio frame 1. Correspondingly, the first AP receives radio frame 1. The second AP receives radio frame 1.

[0292] Optionally, the second AP measures the received signal strength of radio frame 1 (referred to as the third received signal strength, denoted as R21). The first AP measures the received signal strength of radio frame 1 (referred to as the second received signal strength, denoted as R11). The third received signal strength can be used to determine the transmit power of the second AP. Optionally, the transmit power of the second AP is determined based on the second and third received signal strengths.

[0293] The second AP sends radio frame 2. Correspondingly, the first AP receives radio frame 2. Optionally, the second non-AP STA receives radio frame 2.

[0294] The radio frame 2 includes information about the third received signal strength. Optionally, the first AP determines the second AP's transmit power (T2) based on its measured R11, the first AP's transmit power (T1), the first non-AP STA's SIR (SIR1), and R21 included in the radio frame 2. For example, T2 = T1 - SIR1 + R11 - R21. The explanation of T2 refers to the relevant description of relationship (11) above, and will not be elaborated here.

[0295] Optionally, radio frame 1 is the first ICR frame. Optionally, radio frame 2 is the second ICF.

[0296] Optionally, wireless frame 1 can be an acknowledgement (ACK) frame, a block ACK (BA) frame, or a data frame. For example, before the first AP and the second AP negotiate cooperative transmission, the second AP monitors and records the received signal strength of wireless frame 1. Optionally, wireless frame 2 can be a data frame, a third frame (as shown in Figure 5b), or a management frame, etc.

[0297] The first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the trigger frame. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission, which indicates the transmission power of the second AP.

[0298] The following example uses wireless frame 1 as the first ICR frame and wireless frame 2 as the second ICF frame to illustrate this communication method.

[0299] Figure 7b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit within the communication device, or a functional module within the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. The descriptions of the first AP, the second AP, the first non-AP STA, and the second non-AP STA are as above and will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 7b, the method includes:

[0300] 701. The first AP sends the first ICF to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the first ICF.

[0301] 702. The first non-AP STA sends the first ICR frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the first ICR frame accordingly.

[0302] The second AP receives the first ICR frame. The first AP measures the received signal strength of the first ICR frame to obtain R11, and the second AP measures the received signal strength of the first ICR frame to obtain R21.

[0303] For further explanation of steps 701 and 702, please refer to Figure 5a or Figure 5b, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0304] 703. The second AP sends a second ICF to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the second ICF. The second ICF includes information about a third received signal strength. The third received signal strength is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the second AP. The third received signal strength is used to determine the transmit power of the second AP.

[0305] The first AP receives the second ICF. The first AP parses the second ICF. For example, the first AP determines the transmission power of the second AP based on the third received signal strength (i.e., R21) information included in the second ICF. The method for determining the transmission power of the second AP is described above and will not be detailed here. For example, the receive address indicated by the second ICF may include the address of the second non-AP STA and the address of the first AP. Or, for example, the ID indicated by the second ICF may include the ID of the second non-AP STA and the ID of the first AP.

[0306] The format of the second ICF is shown in Figure 6a, and will not be detailed here. For example, the second ICF can be a BSRP frame or a MU-RTS frame. Optionally, the third received signal strength information can be carried in a common information field; or a special user information field; or in the user information field corresponding to the second AP, where the AID12 field can carry the ID of the second AP.

[0307] In this embodiment of the application, by including a third received signal strength in the second ICF, the first AP can measure the path loss between the first non-AP STA and the two APs in real time (reference relationship (9)), thereby controlling the transmission power of the second AP more accurately.

[0308] 704. The second non-AP STA sends a second ICR frame to the second AP, and the corresponding second AP receives the second ICR frame.

[0309] For further details regarding the second ICF and the second ICR frames, please refer to Figure 5a or Figure 5b, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0310] 705. The first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the trigger frame. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission, which indicates the transmission power of the second AP.

[0311] For example, the information used for cooperative transmission includes the transmission power information of the second AP, that is, the information of T2. Since the first AP can determine T2 by combining its own measured R11 and R21 in the second ICF, and indicate the value of T2 through the trigger frame, the second AP does not need to calculate T2.

[0312] Optionally, the method shown in Figure 7b can also be combined with the method shown in Figure 5b. For example, the information used for cooperative transmission may also include information about R12 and T1. Alternatively, the information used for cooperative transmission may also include first information, etc., which will not be listed here. Optionally, the second AP can also determine the SIR of the second non-AP STA. Optionally, the second AP can also select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission. These will not be described in detail here.

[0313] 706. The first AP sends a data frame to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the data frame accordingly.

[0314] The transmission power of this data frame is the transmission power of the first AP (i.e., T1), or the transmission power of this data frame is less than T1. Alternatively, the transmission power of this data frame is the result of calculating T1 and an offset, where the offset can be a positive or negative number.

[0315] 707. The second AP sends a data frame to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the data frame.

[0316] The transmission power of this data frame is the transmission power of the second AP (i.e., T2), or the transmission power of this data frame is less than T2. ​​For an explanation of the SIR of the second non-AP STA, please refer to Figure 5a or Figure 5b, etc., which will not be detailed here. Alternatively, the transmission power of this data frame is the result of calculating T1 and an offset, which can be a positive or negative number.

[0317] For further explanation of steps 706 and 707, please refer to Figure 5a or Figure 5b, etc., which will not be elaborated here.

[0318] In this embodiment, the second AP adds a third received signal strength to the second ICF, which enables the first AP to determine the transmission power of the second AP by combining the third received signal strength, thereby reasonably controlling the transmission power of the second AP, reducing interference between multiple APs, and improving the performance of cooperative transmission.

[0319] This application also provides a communication method, which can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit in the communication device, or a functional module in the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. As shown in Figure 8a, the communication method includes:

[0320] The first AP sends radio frame 3. Correspondingly, the first non-AP STA receives radio frame 3. The second non-AP STA also receives radio frame 3.

[0321] Optionally, a second non-AP STA measures the received signal strength of radio frame 3. Optionally, radio frame 3 is a first ICF. Optionally, radio frame 3 is a data frame or other type of radio frame, etc.

[0322] The second AP sends radio frame 4, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives radio frame 4.

[0323] Optionally, a second non-AP STA measures the received signal strength of radio frame 4. Optionally, radio frame 4 is a second ICF. Optionally, radio frame 4 is a data frame or other type of radio frame, etc.

[0324] The second non-AP STA transmits radio frame 5, and correspondingly, the second AP receives radio frame 5. Radio frame 5 includes information for cooperative transmission, including information on the path loss difference between the first path loss and the second path loss.

[0325] The first path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and the second path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP. This path loss difference is determined based on the received signal strength of radio frame 3 received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of radio frame 4 received by the second non-AP STA. Optionally, the second AP determines the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the path loss difference. For example, SIR2 = (T2 - PL22) - (T1 - PL12) = (T2 - T1) + (PL12 - PL22). Wherein, PL12 is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and PL22 is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP. This example uses dBm as the power unit. When the power unit is mW, please refer to Figure 5a or Figure 5b for an explanation of SIR2, which will not be detailed here.

[0326] As an example, if the transmission power of wireless frame 3 is the same as that of wireless frame 4, then the path loss difference can be determined based on the difference between the received signal strength of wireless frame 3 and the received signal strength of wireless frame 4. For example, the received signal strength of wireless frame 3 = the transmission power of wireless frame 3 - the first path loss. The received signal strength of wireless frame 4 = the transmission power of wireless frame 4 - the second path loss. The first path loss - the second path loss = the received signal strength of wireless frame 4 - the received signal strength of wireless frame 3.

[0327] As another example, the transmission power of radio frame 3 and radio frame 4 are known, meaning the second non-AP STA already knows the transmission power of radio frame 3 and radio frame 4. The path loss difference is then determined based on the received signal strength of radio frame 3, the received signal strength of radio frame 4, the transmission power of radio frame 3, and the transmission power of radio frame 4. For example, the first path loss minus the second path loss equals (transmission power of radio frame 3 - received signal strength of radio frame 3) - (transmission power of radio frame 4 - received signal strength of radio frame 4).

[0328] As another example, radio frame 3 includes the transmission power of the first AP transmitting radio frame 3, and radio frame 4 includes the transmission power of the second AP transmitting radio frame 4. The second non-AP STA determines the path loss difference based on the transmission power of radio frame 3, the transmission power of radio frame 4, the received signal strength of radio frame 3, and the received signal strength of radio frame 4. For example, first path loss - second path loss = (transmission power of radio frame 3 - received signal strength of radio frame 3) - (transmission power of radio frame 4 - received signal strength of radio frame 4).

[0329] The descriptions of path loss, received signal strength, and transmitted power are similar to those in relationships (2) to (5), and will not be elaborated further here. In the embodiments of this application, transmitted power is also transmitted signal strength, and received power is also received signal strength.

[0330] Optionally, radio frame 5 is a second ICR frame. Optionally, radio frame 5 is a response frame to radio frame 4.

[0331] Optionally, the first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the trigger frame. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission. For example, the information for cooperative transmission may include information about T1 and information about T2. Alternatively, the information for cooperative transmission may include information about T1 and second information. Or, the information for cooperative transmission may include information determined based on T2 and T1, such as information including the difference between T2 and T1.

[0332] For example, the second AP can determine the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the road loss difference, T1, and T2. As another example, the second AP can determine the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the road loss difference, T1, and second information. For an explanation of SIR, please refer to the above; it will not be elaborated upon here.

[0333] The following example uses wireless frame 3 as the first ICF, wireless frame 4 as the second ICF, and wireless frame 5 as the second ICR frame to illustrate this communication method.

[0334] Figure 8b is a flowchart illustrating the communication method provided in an embodiment of this application. This method can be applied to a communication device, a chip or circuit within the communication device, or a functional module within the communication device. For ease of description, the following description uses a first AP, a second AP, a first non-AP STA, and a second non-AP STA as examples to illustrate the communication method. The descriptions of the first AP, the second AP, the first non-AP STA, and the second non-AP STA are as above and will not be detailed here. As shown in Figure 8b, the method includes:

[0335] 801. The first AP sends the first ICF to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the first ICF.

[0336] The second non-AP STA receives the first ICF. The second non-AP STA measures the received signal strength of the first ICF.

[0337] 802. The first non-AP STA sends the first ICR frame to the first AP, and the first AP receives the first ICR frame.

[0338] Further explanation of steps 801 and 802 can be found in Figure 5a, 5b, 7b, or 8a, and will not be elaborated here.

[0339] 803. The second AP sends the second ICF to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the second ICF.

[0340] The second non-AP STA measures the received signal strength of the second ICF.

[0341] 804. The second non-AP STA sends a second ICR frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the second ICR frame. The second ICR frame includes information for cooperative transmission, including information about the path loss difference between a first path loss and a second path loss. The first path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and the second path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP. This path loss difference is determined based on the received signal strength of the first ICF received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of the second ICF received by the second non-AP STA.

[0342] For further explanation of steps 803 and 804, please refer to Figure 5b, 7b, or 8a above, etc., and will not be elaborated here.

[0343] 805. The first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP, and the second AP receives the trigger frame. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission, such as the transmission power of the first AP and the transmission power of the second AP.

[0344] Optionally, the second AP determines the SIR of the second non-AP STA based on the path loss difference. The method for determining the SIR of the second non-AP STA is described above and will not be detailed here. For information regarding the content of this cooperative transmission information, refer to Figures 5a, 5b, or 8a above, etc., and will not be detailed here.

[0345] 806. The first AP sends a data frame to the first non-AP STA, and the first non-AP STA receives the data frame accordingly.

[0346] 807. The second AP sends a data frame to the second non-AP STA, and the corresponding second non-AP STA receives the data frame.

[0347] For explanations of steps 806 and 807, please refer to the above text; they will not be detailed here.

[0348] In this embodiment of the application, by adding path loss difference information to the second ICR frame, the second AP can estimate the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA based on the path loss difference, and thus select appropriate transmission parameters for the second non-AP STA based on the SIR / SNR / SINR of the second non-AP STA.

[0349] In the various embodiments or implementations shown above, any content not described in detail in one embodiment or implementation can be referred to in other embodiments or implementations.

[0350] The following describes the communication device provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0351] This application divides the communication device into functional modules according to the above-described method embodiments. For example, each function can be divided into its own functional modules, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The integrated modules can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules. It should be noted that the module division in this application is illustrative and represents only one logical functional division; in actual implementation, other division methods may be used. The communication device of this application embodiment will be described in detail below with reference to Figures 9 to 11.

[0352] Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 9, the communication device includes a processing module 901 and a transceiver module 902. The transceiver module 902 can implement corresponding communication functions, and the processing module 901 is used to implement corresponding processing functions. For example, the transceiver module 902 can also be referred to as an interface, a communication interface, or a communication module, etc.

[0353] In some embodiments of this application, the communication device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second AP in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 902 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second AP in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the second AP in the above method embodiments.

[0354] Transceiver module 902 is used to receive or input trigger frames;

[0355] Processing module 901 is used to determine the transmission parameters between the second AP and the second non-AP STA based on the trigger frame.

[0356] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to transmit or output a second ICF; and receive or input a second ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is further configured to generate a second ICF and parse a second ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is further configured to measure the received signal strength of the second ICR frame.

[0357] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to receive or input a first ICF and a first ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is further configured to measure the received signal strength of the first ICR frame.

[0358] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is also used to receive or input the first frame, and to send or output the second frame.

[0359] Reusing Figure 9, in some other embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the first AP in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 902 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the first AP in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the first AP in the above method embodiments.

[0360] Processing module 901 is used to generate trigger frames;

[0361] The transceiver module 902 is used to send or output the trigger frame.

[0362] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is further configured to transmit or output the first ICF and receive or input the first ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is further configured to generate the first ICF and parse the first ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is further configured to measure the received signal strength of the first ICR frame.

[0363] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is also configured to receive or input a second ICF and a second ICR frame. Optionally, the processing module 901 is also configured to measure the received signal strength of the second ICR frame.

[0364] Optionally, the transceiver module 902 is also used to send or output the first frame and to receive or input the second frame.

[0365] Reusing Figure 9, in some other embodiments of this application, the device can be used to perform the actions performed by the second non-AP STA in the above method embodiments. In this case, the device can be the device itself or a chip or functional module configurable in the device. The transceiver module 902 is used to perform the transceiver-related operations of the second non-AP STA in the above method embodiments, and the processing module 901 is used to perform the processing-related operations of the second non-AP STA in the above method embodiments.

[0366] The transceiver module 902 is used to receive or input a first ICF and to receive or input a second ICF; optionally, the processing module 901 is used to measure the received signal strength of the first ICF and to measure the received signal strength of the second ICF.

[0367] The transceiver module 902 is also used to send or output a second ICR frame.

[0368] For example, the transceiver module 902 described above can be an antenna module. Alternatively, the transceiver module 902 can be an input / output module. Optionally, in the above embodiments, the device may further include a storage module, which can be used to store instructions and / or data. The processing module 901 can read the instructions and / or data from the storage module to enable the device to implement the aforementioned method embodiments.

[0369] For details regarding the specific explanations of each term, noun, or step in the above embodiments, please refer to the descriptions in the above method embodiments; they will not be detailed here.

[0370] The specific descriptions of the transceiver module and processing module shown in the above embodiments are merely examples. For the specific functions or execution steps of the transceiver module and processing module, please refer to the above method embodiments, which will not be described in detail here.

[0371] It is understandable that the module division in the above-mentioned device is merely a logical functional division. Each function can correspond to a functional module, or two or more functions can be integrated into one functional module. In actual implementation, all or some modules can be integrated into one physical entity, or they can be distributed across different physical entities. Furthermore, the above-mentioned functional modules can be implemented in hardware, software, or a combination of both.

[0372] In one example, the functional unit in any of the above devices may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above methods, such as: one or more application-specific integrated circuits (ASICs), or one or more central processing units (CPUs), one or more microcontroller units (MCUs), one or more digital signal processors (DSPs), or one or more field-programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), or a combination of at least two of these integrated circuit forms.

[0373] The apparatus of the embodiments of this application has been described above. The possible product forms of the apparatus are described below. Any product possessing the functions of the apparatus described in FIG. 9 above falls within the protection scope of the embodiments of this application. The following description is merely illustrative and does not limit the product form of the apparatus of the embodiments of this application to this.

[0374] In one possible implementation, in the device shown in FIG9, the processing module 901 can be one or more processors, and the transceiver module 902 can be a transceiver, or the transceiver module 902 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be a transmitter, and the receiving module can be a receiver. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one device, such as a transceiver. In the embodiments of this application, the processor and the transceiver can be coupled, etc., and the connection method between the processor and the transceiver is not limited in the embodiments of this application. In the process of executing the above method, the process of sending information in the above method can be the process of the processor outputting the above information. When outputting the above information, the processor outputs the above information to the transceiver so that the transceiver can transmit it. After the above information is output by the processor, it may need to undergo other processing before reaching the transceiver. Similarly, the process of receiving information in the above method can be the process of the processor receiving the input above information. When the processor receives the input information, the transceiver receives the above information and inputs it into the processor. Furthermore, after the transceiver receives the above information, the above information may need to undergo other processing before being input into the processor.

[0375] Figure 10 is another schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 10, the communication device 100 includes one or more processors 1020 and transceivers 1010.

[0376] In some embodiments of this application, the above-described apparatus can be used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the second AP. For example, the processor 1020 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 901 shown in FIG. 9, and the transceiver 1010 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 902 shown in FIG. 9. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1020 and transceiver 1010 can be found in FIG. 9 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0377] In other embodiments of this application, the above-described apparatus is used to execute the steps, methods, or functions performed by the first AP. For example, the processor 1020 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 901 shown in FIG. 9, and the transceiver 1010 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 902 shown in FIG. 9. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1020 and transceiver 1010 can be found in FIG. 9 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0378] In some other embodiments of this application, the above-described apparatus is used to perform the steps, methods, or functions performed by the second non-AP STA. For example, the processor 1020 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 901 shown in FIG. 9, and the transceiver 1010 can be used to perform the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 902 shown in FIG. 9. Detailed descriptions of the processor 1020 and transceiver 1010 can be found in FIG. 9 or the method embodiments shown above, and will not be elaborated further here.

[0379] In various implementations of the communication device shown in Figure 10, the transceiver may include a receiver for performing a receiving function (or operation) and a transmitter for performing a transmitting function (or operation). The transceiver is also used to communicate with other devices / appliances via a transmission medium.

[0380] Optionally, the communication device 100 may further include one or more memories 1030 for storing program instructions and / or data. The memories 1030 are coupled to the processor 1020. The coupling in this embodiment is an indirect coupling or communication connection between communication devices, units, or modules, and can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, used for information exchange between the communication devices, units, or modules. The processor 1020 may operate in conjunction with the memories 1030. The processor 1020 can execute program instructions stored in the memories 1030. Optionally, at least one of the above-mentioned memories may be included in the processor.

[0381] This application embodiment does not limit the specific connection medium between the transceiver 1010, processor 1020, and memory 1030. In Figure 10, the memory 1030, processor 1020, and transceiver 1010 are connected via a bus 1040, which is represented by a thick line in Figure 10. The connection methods between other components are only illustrative and are not intended to be limiting. The bus can be divided into address bus, data bus, control bus, etc. For ease of illustration, only one thick line is used in Figure 10, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or one type of bus.

[0382] In the embodiments of this application, the processor may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc., and can implement or execute the various methods, steps, and logic block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of this application. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor. The steps of the methods disclosed in the embodiments of this application can be directly manifested as being executed by a hardware processor, or being executed by a combination of hardware and software modules within the processor.

[0383] In this application embodiment, the memory may include, but is not limited to, non-volatile memory such as hard disk drive (HDD) or solid-state drive (SSD), random access memory (RAM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), read-only memory (ROM), or compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), etc. Memory is any storage medium capable of carrying or storing program code having instruction or data structure forms, and capable of being read and / or written by a computer (such as the communication device shown in this application), but is not limited to this. The memory in this application embodiment may also be a circuit or any other device capable of implementing storage functions, used to store program instructions and / or data.

[0384] The processor 1020 is primarily used to process communication protocols (or standards) and communication data, control the entire communication device, execute software programs, and process the data from those programs. The memory 1030 is primarily used to store software programs and data. The transceiver 1010 may include control circuitry and an antenna. The control circuitry is primarily used for converting baseband signals to radio frequency signals and processing radio frequency signals. The antenna is primarily used for transmitting and receiving radio frequency signals in the form of electromagnetic waves. Input / output devices, such as touchscreens, displays, and keyboards, are primarily used to receive user input data and output data to the user.

[0385] When the communication device is powered on, the processor 1020 can read the software program in the memory 1030, interpret and execute the instructions of the software program, and process the data of the software program. When data needs to be transmitted wirelessly, the processor 1020 performs baseband processing on the data to be transmitted and outputs the baseband signal to the radio frequency (RF) circuit. The RF circuit then performs RF processing on the baseband signal and transmits the RF signal outward in the form of electromagnetic waves through the antenna. When data is sent to the communication device, the RF circuit receives the RF signal through the antenna, converts the RF signal into a baseband signal, and outputs the baseband signal to the processor 1020. The processor 1020 converts the baseband signal into data and processes the data.

[0386] In another implementation, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be set up independently of the processor performing baseband processing. For example, in a distributed scenario, the radio frequency circuitry and antenna can be arranged remotely, independent of the communication device.

[0387] The communication device shown in this application embodiment may have more components than those in Figure 10, and this application embodiment does not limit this. The methods executed by the processor and transceiver shown above are only examples, and the specific steps executed by the processor and transceiver can be referred to the methods described above. The dashed lines in Figure 10 indicate optional parts.

[0388] In another possible implementation, in the communication device shown in Figure 9, the processing module 901 can be one or more logic circuits, and the transceiver module 902 can be an input / output interface, or a communication interface, or an interface circuit, or an interface, etc. Alternatively, the transceiver module 902 can also be a transmitting module and a receiving module. The transmitting module can be an output interface, and the receiving module can be an input interface. The transmitting module and the receiving module are integrated into one module, such as an input / output interface.

[0389] Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a chip provided in an embodiment of this application. As shown in Figure 11, the chip includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102. That is, the processing module 901 can be implemented using the logic circuit 1101, and the transceiver module 902 can be implemented using the interface 1102. The logic circuit 1101 can be a chip, processing circuit, integrated circuit, or system-on-chip (SoC) chip, etc., and the interface 1102 can be a communication interface, input / output interface, pins, etc. For example, Figure 11 illustrates a chip using the aforementioned device as an example, where the chip includes a logic circuit 1101 and an interface 1102.

[0390] In this embodiment, the logic circuit and the interface can also be coupled to each other. The specific connection method of the logic circuit and the interface is not limited in this embodiment. For example, the logic circuit 1101 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the processing module 901 shown in FIG. 9, and the interface 1102 can be used to execute the functions or steps implemented by the transceiver module 902 shown in FIG. 9. For a detailed description of the logic circuit 1101 and the interface 1102, please refer to FIG. 9 or the method embodiment shown above, which will not be detailed here.

[0391] The communication device shown in the embodiments of this application can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in hardware form, or it can implement the method provided in the embodiments of this application in software form, etc., and the embodiments of this application do not limit it in this way.

[0392] Furthermore, embodiments of this application also provide a communication system including a first AP and a second AP, which can be used to perform the methods in any of the foregoing embodiments. Optionally, the communication system further includes a second non-AP STA. Optionally, the communication system further includes a first non-AP STA.

[0393] This application also provides a computer program for implementing the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0394] This application also provides a computer-readable storage medium storing computer code that, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the operations and / or processes performed by various communication devices in the methods provided in this application.

[0395] This application also provides a computer program product comprising computer code or a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the operations and / or processes performed by various entities in the method provided in this application to be executed.

[0396] In the embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, communication devices, and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the communication device embodiments described above are merely illustrative. For instance, the division of modules is only a logical functional division, and in actual implementation, there may be other division methods. For example, multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be ignored or not executed. In addition, the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed may be indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, communication devices, or modules, or it may be an electrical, mechanical, or other form of connection.

[0397] The modules described as separate components may or may not be physically separate. The components shown as modules may or may not be physical modules; that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network modules. Some or all of the modules can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the technical effects of the solutions provided in the embodiments of this application.

[0398] Furthermore, the functional modules in the various embodiments of this application can be integrated into one processing module, or each module can exist physically separately, or two or more modules can be integrated into one module. The integrated modules described above can be implemented in hardware or as software functional modules.

[0399] If the integrated module is implemented as a software functional module and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of this application, in essence, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or all or part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. This computer software product is stored in a readable storage medium and includes several instructions to cause a computer device (which may be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the methods described in the various embodiments of this application. The aforementioned readable storage medium includes various media capable of storing program code, such as USB flash drives, portable hard drives, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disks, or optical disks.

Claims

1. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second access point (AP) receives a trigger frame from the first AP, the trigger frame including information for cooperative transmission; The second AP determines the transmission parameters between itself and the second non-AP STA based on the information used for cooperative transmission; wherein, The information used for cooperative transmission includes information about a first received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA; or, The information used for cooperative transmission includes first information, which is determined based on the transmission power of the first AP and the first received signal strength, wherein the first received signal strength is the received signal strength of the wireless frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that, The radio frame from the second non-AP STA is a second initial control response (ICR) frame.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the second AP; or, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes second information, which is determined based on the transmit power of the first AP, the SIR of the first non-AP STA, and the second received signal strength, wherein the second received signal strength is the received signal strength of the radio frame received by the first AP from the first non-AP STA.

4. The method according to claim 3, characterized in that, The radio frame from the first non-AP STA is the first ICR frame.

5. The method according to any one of claims 1-4, characterized in that, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the first AP.

6. The method according to any one of claims 1-5, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second AP sends the second ICF to the second non-AP STA; The second AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA.

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second AP receives the first ICF from the first AP; The second AP receives the first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA.

8. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The second AP sends the second ICF, including: After receiving the first ICR frame, the second AP sends the second ICF after a preset time interval.

9. The method according to claim 6, characterized in that, The method further includes: The second AP receives a first frame from the first AP, the first frame being used to instruct the second AP to send a second ICF; The second AP sends a second frame to the first AP, the second frame being used to indicate that the second AP has sent the second ICF.

10. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first access point (AP) generates a trigger frame, which includes information for cooperative transmission. The first AP sends the trigger frame to the second AP; wherein, The information used for cooperative transmission includes information about a first received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the radio frames received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA; or, The information used for cooperative transmission includes first information, which is determined based on the transmission power of the first AP and the first received signal strength, wherein the first received signal strength is the received signal strength of the wireless frame received by the first AP from the second non-AP STA.

11. The method according to claim 10, characterized in that, The radio frame from the second non-AP STA is the second Initial Control Response (ICR) frame.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the second AP; or, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes second information, which is determined based on the transmit power of the first AP, the SIR of the first non-AP STA, and the second received signal strength, wherein the second received signal strength is the received signal strength of the radio frame received by the first AP from the first non-AP STA.

13. The method according to claim 12, characterized in that, The radio frame from the first non-AP STA is the first ICR frame.

14. The method according to any one of claims 10-13, characterized in that, The information used for cooperative transmission also includes information about the transmission power of the first AP.

15. The method according to any one of claims 10-14, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first AP sends a first initial control frame (ICF) to the first non-AP STA; The first AP receives the first ICR frame from the first non-AP STA.

16. The method according to any one of claims 10-15, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first AP receives a second ICF from the second AP; The first AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA.

17. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The first AP receives a second ICF from the second AP, including: After receiving the first ICR frame, the first AP receives the second ICF from the second AP after a preset time interval.

18. The method according to claim 16, characterized in that, The method further includes: The first AP sends a first frame to the second AP, the first frame being used to instruct the second AP to send the second ICF; The first AP receives a second frame from the second AP, the second frame being used to indicate that the second AP has sent the second ICF.

19. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The first access point (AP) sends a first initial control frame (ICF) to the first non-access point (STA). The first AP receives a first initial control response (ICR) frame from the first non-AP STA; The first AP receives a second ICF from the second AP. The second ICF includes information about a third received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the second AP. The third received signal strength is used to determine the transmit power of the second AP. The first AP sends a trigger frame to the second AP. The trigger frame includes information for cooperative transmission, which is used to indicate the transmission power of the second AP.

20. The method according to claim 19, characterized in that, The transmission power of the second AP is determined based on the third received signal strength and the second received signal strength, where the second received signal strength is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the first AP.

21. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second access point (AP) receives the first ICR frame from the first non-access point (non-AP) STA. The second AP sends a second ICF to the second non-AP STA. The second ICF includes information on a third received signal strength, which is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the second AP. The third received signal strength is used to determine the transmit power of the second AP. The second AP receives a trigger frame from the first AP, the trigger frame including information for cooperative transmission, the information for cooperative transmission being used to indicate the transmission power of the second AP.

22. The method according to claim 21, characterized in that, The transmission power of the second AP is determined based on the third received signal strength and the second received signal strength, where the second received signal strength is the received signal strength of the first ICR frame received by the first AP.

23. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second non-AP STA receives the first initial control frame (ICF) from the first access point AP. The second non-AP STA receives the second initial control frame (ICF) from the second AP; The second non-AP STA sends a second initial control response (ICR) frame. The second ICR frame includes information for cooperative transmission, which includes information on the path loss difference between a first path loss and a second path loss. The first path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and the second path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP. The path loss difference is determined based on the received signal strength of the first ICF received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of the second ICF received by the second non-AP STA.

24. A communication method, characterized in that, The method includes: The second access point (AP) sends a second initial control frame (ICF) to the second non-AP STA. The second AP receives a second ICR frame from the second non-AP STA. The second ICR frame includes information for cooperative transmission, which includes information on the path loss difference between a first path loss and a second path loss. The first path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the first AP, and the second path loss is the path loss between the second non-AP STA and the second AP. The path loss difference is determined based on the received signal strength of the first ICF received by the second non-AP STA and the received signal strength of the second ICF received by the second non-AP STA.

25. A communication device, characterized in that, Includes a module for performing the method as described in any one of claims 1-24.

26. A communication device, characterized in that, The device includes a processor and a transceiver, the processor and the transceiver being coupled to enable the communication device to implement the method as described in any one of claims 1-24.

27. A chip, characterized in that, The chip includes logic circuitry and an interface, the logic circuitry and the interface being coupled such that the chip implements the method as described in any one of claims 1-24.

28. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that, The computer-readable storage medium is used to store a computer program, which, when executed by a computer, performs the method as described in any one of claims 1-24.

29. A computer program product, characterized in that, When the computer program product is executed by a computer, the method described in any one of claims 1-24 is performed.

30. A communication system, characterized in that, The system includes a first AP and a second AP, the first AP being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 10-20, and the second AP being configured to perform the method as described in any one of claims 1-9, 21, 22, and 24.

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