CN113473527B

CN113473527B - Communication method and related device

Info

Publication number: CN113473527B
Application number: CN202010249406.9A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 赵望生; 石操
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2020-03-31
Filing date: 2020-03-31
Publication date: 2023-07-18
Anticipated expiration: 2040-03-31
Also published as: WO2021197324A1; CN113473527A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method and a related device, wherein the communication method comprises the following steps: the Access Point (AP) sends first indication information to a first Station (STA) in a plurality of Stations (STA) at the starting moment of a first time slice; the first indication information is used for indicating the opportunity that the first STA competes for sending the message on the first frequency spectrum; the AP receives a message sent by a first STA by using a first frequency spectrum in a first time slice; the AP sends second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs in a second time slice; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in a second time slice; the AP receives a message sent by a second STA by using a second frequency spectrum in a second time slice; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum do not overlap. By adopting the embodiment of the application, the time delay requirement of the STA service can be effectively ensured.

Description

Communication method and related device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a communications method and a related device.

Background

The 802.11 standard before the 802.11ax standard (also known as high-efficiency wireless, HEW) supports a distributed coordination function (distributed coordination function, DCF), i.e. an Access Point (AP) and a Station (STA) compete with each other for spectrum to transmit a message. The 802.11ax standard supports uplink scheduling, namely, the STA based on the 802.11ax standard can intensively schedule the spectrums used by the STA to transmit the message by the AP without self-competing spectrums so as to avoid conflict and competition with each other, thereby improving the resource utilization rate and the transmission efficiency and being capable of better supporting low-delay service.

In practice, however, a plurality of STAs that communicate with the AP often include STAs that support the 802.11ax standard, which may be referred to as 11 axstas, and STAs that support the 802.11 standard before the 802.11ax standard, which may be referred to as legacy (legacy) STAs. In a service scenario where legacy STAs and 11ax STAs coexist, an AP still needs to compete with the legacy STAs for a spectrum transmission message, the AP cannot control the transmission process of the legacy STAs, and under the condition that the legacy STAs occupy a longer period of spectrum, the service delay and transmission efficiency of the 11ax STAs scheduled by the AP that do not compete for spectrum cannot be guaranteed. Therefore, how to guarantee the delay requirement of 11ax STA service is a technical problem that needs to be solved by those skilled in the art.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application discloses a communication method and a related device, which can effectively ensure the time delay requirement of STA service.

In a first aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method, the method including:

the Access Point (AP) sends first indication information to a first Station (STA) in a plurality of Stations (STA) at the starting moment of a first time slice; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice;

The AP sends second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs in a second time slice; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, and the first spectrum and the second spectrum do not overlap.

In the method, the AP communicates with the first STA and the second STA respectively through different frequency spectrums in different time slices, at the starting moment of the second time slice, even if the first STA still occupies the first frequency spectrum, the frequency spectrum of the AP is switched from the first frequency spectrum to the second frequency spectrum, and the AP communicates with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, so that the time delay requirement of the second STA service is effectively ensured.

In an alternative aspect of the first aspect, the method further includes: and if the AP competes for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice, sending the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

In yet another alternative of the first aspect, the method further comprises: and the AP sends a message to the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

In a further optional aspect of the first aspect, the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a packet using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, and the message comprises the following steps:

and the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

Specifically, if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the starting time of the second time slice, the second indication information is specifically used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, that is, the AP and the second STA can use the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum to communicate in the second time slice.

In the method, if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP and the second STA can utilize the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum to communicate in the second time slice, so that the first frequency spectrum idle in the second time slice can be effectively utilized, the frequency spectrum utilization rate is improved, more services of the second STA can be borne in the second time slice, and the transmission efficiency of the second STA service is improved.

In yet another alternative of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

the AP sends third indication information to the first STA by utilizing the first frequency spectrum at the cut-off time of the first time slice; the third indication information is used for indicating that the first STA does not compete for opportunities to send messages on the first spectrum.

In the method, the AP may send the indication information to the first STA at both the start time and the stop time of the first time slot, so that the first STA does not compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum in the second time slot, that is, the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

In yet another alternative of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

the AP sends fourth indication information to the first STA; the fourth indication information is for indicating an opportunity for the first STA to contend for transmitting data on a first spectrum within the first time slice.

Specifically, the fourth indication information is specifically configured to indicate that the first STA contends for an opportunity to transmit data on the first spectrum every second preset duration, where the duration of each contention is a second preset duration, and optionally, the time when the first STA starts to contend is a starting time of the first time slice, the first preset duration is a sum of time lengths of the first time slice and the second time slice, and the second preset duration is a time length of the first time slice.

In the above method, the AP may instruct the first STA to compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum only in the first time slot through the fourth indication information, so that the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

In still another optional aspect of the first aspect, the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and the AP.

In yet another alternative of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

if an interference signal exists on the second frequency spectrum before the cut-off time of the first time slice, the first time slice is prolonged by a first preset length;

and if the interference signal exists on the first frequency spectrum before the cut-off time of the second time slice, extending the second time slice by a second preset length.

In the method, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the interference condition of the frequency spectrum, so that the situation that the frequency spectrum without the interference signal is wasted because the equipment cannot transmit a message when the interference signal exists on a part of the frequency spectrum is avoided, and the transmission efficiency of the equipment is maximized under the interference scene.

In yet another alternative of the first aspect, the method further comprises:

and dynamically adjusting the time domain length of the first time slice and the time domain length of the second time slice according to the service flow of the first STA and the service flow of the second STA in a preset time period.

In the method, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the service demands of different STAs, so that the situation of time domain resource waste or shortage in the transmission process is avoided, and the transmission efficiency of the equipment is maximized.

In a further alternative of the first aspect, the cut-off time of the first time slice is the start time of the second time slice or the start time of the first time slice is the cut-off time of the second time slice.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses an access point AP, where the AP includes:

a first transmitting unit, configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA of the plurality of STAs at a start time of a first time slice; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

a first receiving unit, configured to receive, in the first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the first spectrum;

A second transmitting unit, configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs in a second time slice; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in the second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the second spectrum; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, and the first spectrum and the second spectrum do not overlap.

In the device, the AP communicates with the first STA and the second STA respectively through different frequency spectrums in different time slices, at the starting moment of the second time slice, even if the first STA still occupies the first frequency spectrum, the frequency spectrum of the AP is switched from the first frequency spectrum to the second frequency spectrum, and the AP communicates with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, so that the time delay requirement of the second STA service is effectively ensured.

In an optional aspect of the second aspect, the AP further includes:

and a third sending unit, configured to send a message to the first STA by using the first spectrum in the first time slot if the AP competes for sending a message on the first spectrum in the first time slot.

In yet another alternative aspect of the second aspect, the AP further includes:

and a fourth sending unit, configured to send a message to the second STA by using the second spectrum in the second time slice.

In a further alternative aspect of the second aspect, the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a packet using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

the second receiving unit is specifically configured to receive, in the second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum.

In the above device, if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP and the second STA can communicate with each other by using the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, so that the first frequency spectrum idle in the second time slice can be effectively utilized, the spectrum utilization rate is improved, more services of the second STA can be borne in the second time slice, and the transmission efficiency of the second STA service is improved.

a fifth transmitting unit, configured to transmit third indication information to the first STA using the first spectrum at a deadline of the first time slice; the third indication information is used for indicating that the first STA does not compete for opportunities to send messages on the first spectrum.

In the above device, the AP may send the indication information to the first STA at both the start time and the stop time of the first time slot, so that the first STA does not compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum in the second time slot, that is, the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

a sixth transmitting unit, configured to transmit fourth indication information to the first STA; the fourth indication information is for indicating an opportunity for the first STA to contend for transmitting data on a first spectrum within the first time slice.

In the above device, the AP may instruct the first STA to compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum only in the first time slot through the fourth indication information, so that the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

In still another optional aspect of the second aspect, the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and the AP.

a first extending unit, configured to extend the first time slice by a first preset length if there is an interference signal on the second spectrum before the cut-off time of the first time slice;

And the second prolonging unit is used for prolonging the second time slice by a second preset length if the interference signal exists on the first frequency spectrum before the cut-off time of the second time slice.

In the device, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the interference condition of the frequency spectrum, so that the situation that the frequency spectrum without the interference signal is wasted because the equipment cannot transmit a message when the interference signal exists on a part of the frequency spectrum is avoided, and the transmission efficiency of the equipment is maximized under the interference scene.

and the adjusting unit is used for dynamically adjusting the time domain length of the first time slice and the time domain length of the second time slice according to the service flow of the first STA and the service flow of the second STA in the preset time period.

In the device, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the service demands of different STAs, so that the situation of time domain resource waste or shortage in the transmission process is avoided, and the transmission efficiency of equipment is maximized.

In a further alternative of the second aspect, the expiration time of the first time slice is the start time of the second time slice, or the start time of the first time slice is the expiration time of the second time slice.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses an access point AP, where the AP includes a communication interface, a processor, and a memory, where the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke the computer program and control the communication interface to perform the following operations:

transmitting first indication information to a first STA in a plurality of site STAs at the starting moment of a first time slice; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

receiving a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice;

transmitting second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs in a second time slice; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

receiving a message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, and the first spectrum and the second spectrum do not overlap.

In an optional aspect of the third aspect, the processor is further configured to control the communication interface to perform: and if the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum is competing in the first time slice, sending the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

In yet another alternative of the third aspect, the processor is further configured to control the communication interface to perform: and transmitting a message to the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

In a further optional aspect of the third aspect, the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a packet using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

the processor controls the communication interface to execute the specific execution of the communication interface when the second time slice receives the message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum: and receiving a message sent by the second STA by using the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

In yet another alternative of the third aspect, the processor is further configured to control the communication interface to perform:

transmitting third indication information to the first STA by using the first spectrum at the expiration time of the first time slice; the third indication information is used for indicating that the first STA does not compete for opportunities to send messages on the first spectrum.

transmitting fourth indication information to the first STA; the fourth indication information is for indicating an opportunity for the first STA to contend for transmitting data on a first spectrum within the first time slice.

In still another optional aspect of the third aspect, the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and the AP.

In yet another alternative of the third aspect, the processor is further configured to perform:

In a further alternative of the third aspect, the cut-off time of the first time slice is the start time of the second time slice, or the start time of the first time slice is the cut-off time of the second time slice.

In a fourth aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method, the method including:

the Access Point (AP) sends first indication information to a first Station (STA) in a plurality of Station (STA); the first indication information is used for allocating a first frequency spectrum and a first main channel for the first STA;

the AP sends second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a second main channel of the AP to the second STA;

the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in a first time slice;

the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the working channel in a second time slice; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel, the first main channel is in the first frequency spectrum, and the second main channel is in the second frequency spectrum.

In the method, the AP monitors different main channels in different time slices and communicates with the first STA and the second STA respectively through different frequency spectrums of the main channels, for example, at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP switches the monitored main channels from the first main channel to the second main channel and communicates with the second STA through the working channel of which the main channel is the second main channel, thereby effectively guaranteeing the time delay requirement of the STA service.

In an alternative aspect of the fourth aspect, the method further includes:

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose an access point AP, where the AP includes:

a first transmitting unit configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA among a plurality of STAs; the first indication information is used for allocating a first frequency spectrum and a first main channel for the first STA;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a second main channel of the AP to the second STA;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in a first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the first spectrum;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in a second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the working channel; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel, the first main channel is in the first frequency spectrum, and the second main channel is in the second frequency spectrum.

In the device, the AP monitors different main channels in different time slices and communicates with the first STA and the second STA respectively through different frequency spectrums of the main channels, for example, at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP switches the monitored main channels from the first main channel to the second main channel and communicates with the second STA through the working channel of which the main channel is the second main channel, thereby effectively guaranteeing the time delay requirement of the STA service.

In an optional aspect of the fifth aspect, the AP further includes:

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses an access point AP, where the AP includes a communication interface, a processor, and a memory, where the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke the computer program and control the communication interface to perform the following operations:

transmitting first indication information to a first STA among a plurality of station STAs; the first indication information is used for allocating a first frequency spectrum and a first main channel for the first STA;

Transmitting second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a second main channel of the AP to the second STA;

receiving a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in a first time slice;

receiving a message sent by the second STA by using the working channel in a second time slice; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel, the first main channel is in the first frequency spectrum, and the second main channel is in the second frequency spectrum.

In an alternative aspect of the sixth aspect, the processor is further configured to:

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose a communication method, the method including:

the Access Point (AP) sends first indication information to a first Station (STA) in a plurality of Station (STA); the first indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a first main channel of the AP to the first STA;

the AP sends second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing the working channel and a second main channel to the second STA;

the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the working channel in a first time slice;

The AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the working channel in a second time slice; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, and the first main channel and the second main channel are two different sub-channels in the working channel.

In an optional implementation manner of the seventh aspect, the first primary channel is in a first frequency spectrum, the second primary channel is in a second frequency spectrum, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums that are not overlapped with each other in the working channel; the method further comprises the steps of:

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application disclose an access point AP, where the AP includes:

a first transmitting unit configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA among a plurality of STAs; the first indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a first main channel of the AP to the first STA;

a second transmitting unit configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing the working channel and a second main channel to the second STA;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in a first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the working channel;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in a second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the working channel; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, and the first main channel and the second main channel are two different sub-channels in the working channel.

In an optional implementation manner of the eighth aspect, the first primary channel is in a first frequency spectrum, the second primary channel is in a second frequency spectrum, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums that are not overlapped with each other in the working channel; the AP further includes:

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application discloses an access point AP, where the AP includes a communication interface, a processor, and a memory, where the memory is configured to store a computer program, and the processor is configured to invoke the computer program and control the communication interface to perform the following operations:

transmitting first indication information to a first STA among a plurality of station STAs; the first indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a first main channel of the AP to the first STA;

transmitting second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing the working channel and a second main channel to the second STA;

receiving a message sent by the first STA by using the working channel in a first time slice;

receiving a message sent by the second STA by using the working channel in a second time slice; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, and the first main channel and the second main channel are two different sub-channels in the working channel.

In an optional implementation manner of the ninth aspect, the first primary channel is in a first frequency spectrum, the second primary channel is in a second frequency spectrum, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums that are not overlapped with each other in the working channel; the processor is further configured to:

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, including an access point AP, a first station STA, and a second station STA, where: the AP is the AP described in the second aspect, or any optional solution of the second aspect, or the AP is the AP described in the third aspect, or any optional solution of the third aspect; the first STA is the first STA described in the second aspect, or any optional solution of the second aspect, or the first STA is the first STA described in the third aspect, or any optional solution of the third aspect; the second STA is a second STA described in the second aspect, or any optional solution of the second aspect, or the second STA is a second STA described in the third aspect, or any optional solution of the third aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, including an access point AP, a first station STA, and a second station STA, where: the AP is an AP described in the fifth aspect, or any optional solution of the fifth aspect, or the AP is an AP described in the sixth aspect, or any optional solution of the fifth aspect; the first STA is the first STA described in the fifth aspect, or any optional solution of the fifth aspect, or the first STA is the first STA described in the sixth aspect, or any optional solution of the sixth aspect; the second STA is a second STA described in the fifth aspect, or any optional solution of the fifth aspect, or the second STA is a second STA described in the sixth aspect, or any optional solution of the sixth aspect.

In a twelfth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a communication system, including an access point AP, a first station STA, and a second station STA, where: the AP is an AP described in the eighth aspect, or any optional solution of the eighth aspect, or the AP is an AP described in the ninth aspect, or any optional solution of the ninth aspect; the first STA is the first STA described in the eighth aspect, or any optional aspect of the eighth aspect, or the first STA described in the ninth aspect, or any optional aspect of the ninth aspect; the second STA is a second STA described in the eighth aspect, or any optional aspect of the eighth aspect, or the second STA is a second STA described in the ninth aspect, or any optional aspect of the ninth aspect.

In a thirteenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium having instructions stored therein that, when executed on a processor, implement a method as described in any one of the first aspect, the fourth aspect, and the seventh aspect, or an alternative of any one of the aspects.

Drawings

The drawings used in the embodiments of the present application are described below.

Fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 2A illustrates a resource partitioning diagram of a communication process;

FIG. 2B is a diagram illustrating a resource partitioning of an uplink scheduling procedure;

fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIGS. 4A-4B are schematic resource partitioning diagrams for some scan stages provided by embodiments of the present application;

FIGS. 5A-5B are schematic diagrams illustrating some resource partitioning of a communication method according to embodiments of the present application;

fig. 6A-6C are schematic resource division diagrams of some spectrum resource allocation manners provided in embodiments of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of resource division in a time domain resource allocation manner according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 8 is a schematic diagram of another resource partitioning of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a flow chart of yet another communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of resource partitioning of yet another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 11 is a schematic diagram of another resource partitioning of another communication method provided by an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another access point according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another access point provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of yet another access point according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

Embodiments of the present application are described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application.

Referring to fig. 1, fig. 1 is a schematic architecture diagram of a communication system provided in the embodiment of the present application, where the communication system includes an Access Point (AP) 110 and a plurality of Stations (STAs) 120, and the plurality of STAs 120 are illustrated in fig. 1 by taking STA121, STA122, STA123 and STA124 as examples, and in practice, the number of STAs may be greater or fewer.

The virtual logical ports on the AP110 and the plurality of STAs 120 may be referred to as air interfaces (simply referred to as air interfaces). The institute of electrical and electronics engineers (institute of electrical and electronics engineers, IEEE) 802.11 standard defines a set of wireless transmission specifications over the air, which may include the frequency of use, bandwidth, access timing and coding method of each wireless channel, and the links established between the air are referred to as wireless links (e.g., WIFI, bluetooth, and mobile device networks, etc.). The AP110 in the embodiments of the present application may be a device that communicates with a plurality of STAs 120 through a wireless link, and the AP110 may support the 802.11ax standard (also called high-efficiency wireless, HEW)), or support the 802.11 standard after the 802.11ax standard.

The STA in the embodiment of the present application may be a smart phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, a desktop computer, a sensing device (such as a smart watch), or other devices with communication functions. It should be noted that, the STA supports the 802.11 standard before 802.11ax, or supports the 802.11ax standard, where the 802.11 standard before 802.11ax may be the 802.11 standard such as high throughput enhancement (enhancements for higher throughput,802.11 n), very high rate wireless standard (very high throughput wireless,802.11 ac), etc., and may be collectively referred to as a legacy (legacy) STA for convenience of description of the STA that supports such 802.11 standard; whereas the 802.11ax standard includes the 802.11ax standard itself and/or the 802.11 standard where the spectrum resources used by STAs proposed after the 802.11ax standard may be AP-scheduled for transmission of messages, for convenience in describing the subsequent STA collectively referred to as an 11ax STA supporting such 802.11 standard. In addition, the 802.11 standard supported by any two STAs may be the same or different, i.e., any two STAs may be either legacy STAs, 11ax STAs, or 11ax STAs.

In this embodiment, the AP110 and the STAs 120 communicate through an operating channel, and different network elements use the operating channel in different time domains, for example:

Referring to fig. 2A, fig. 2A illustrates a resource partition diagram in a coexistence scenario of a first STA and a second STA. Wherein, the horizontal direction represents time, the vertical direction represents the frequency of the working channel, and the frequency width of the working channel is 80MHz, the working channel comprises 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, sub-channel 1 is a main channel, and other sub-channels are auxiliary channels for illustration.

The first STA is a STA that uses a distributed coordination function (distributed coordination function, DCF) to compete for opportunities to send a message on a working channel, and the first STA may be a legacy STA or an 11axSTA; the second STA is an STA supporting uplink scheduling, that is, the spectrum resource used by the second STA to transmit the message is centrally scheduled by the AP, and the second STA may be an 11axSTA.

As shown in fig. 2A, the time domain resources shown in the lateral direction may be divided into a plurality of frames, each of which may include a contention period and a transmission period. The AP and the first STA may use respective contention parameters to contend for the opportunity to send a message on the working channel with the primary channel being the sub-channel 1 in the contention period, and use the working channel to perform message transmission by the network element with successful contention in the transmission period. If the AP contends for the working channel successfully, the AP may centrally schedule the spectrum resources used by the second STA to transmit the message during the transmission period.

When the AP centrally schedules the spectrum resources used by the second STA to transmit the message, the second STA transmits the uplink message in the uplink direction based on the trigger frame sent by the AP, and the second STA can send the message to the AP according to the spectrum resources (and/or time domain resources) allocated by the trigger frame; in the downlink direction, the AP may transmit a message to the second STA using the working channel if the working channel is not allocated to the second STA. An example of an uplink scheduling procedure may be as shown in fig. 2B below.

In the resource partitioning diagram shown in fig. 2B, the horizontal direction indicates time, the vertical direction indicates the frequency of the operating channel, and STA124 is a first STA, and STA121, STA122, and STA123 are second STAs among a plurality of STAs communicating with the AP. Fig. 2B illustrates an example in which the operating channel includes 3 spectrum resources, each of which may include at least one Resource Unit (RU).

Specifically, the AP may send a trigger frame to the second STA through any one of spectrum resources in the working channel, where the trigger frame may include, but is not limited to, multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) configuration, orthogonal frequency division multiple access (orthogonal frequency division multiple access, OFDMA) configuration (such as frequency and RU size), power control information, and transmission period, etc. The second STA may transmit a physical layer protocol message unit (physical layer protocol data unit, PPDU) to the AP in accordance with the spectrum resources (and/or transmission periods) specified by the trigger frame transmitted by the AP. And the AP sends an acknowledgement frame (acknowledge character, ACK) to the second STA through any frequency spectrum resource in the working channel under the condition that the AP receives the PPDU sent by the second STA, so that the uplink scheduling process is completed once.

As shown in fig. 2B, the AP may send a trigger frame to the second STA using spectrum resource 1 of the 3 spectrum resources to indicate the spectrum resource used by the second STA for the next uplink transmission. For example, STA121 is instructed to transmit an uplink PPDU over spectrum resource 1, STA122 is instructed to transmit an uplink PPDU over spectrum resource 2, and STA123 is instructed to transmit an uplink PPDU over spectrum resource 3. Meanwhile, the trigger frame may also be used to indicate a transmission period of the next uplink transmission of the second STA: a first period of time, thereby ensuring that the second STA can start and end uplink transmissions simultaneously. Then, after receiving PPDUs sent by STA121, STA122 and STA123, the AP sends an ACK to the second STA using the above-mentioned spectrum resource 1 to identify that the reception message is successful, thereby completing the uplink scheduling process once.

Not limited to the above-listed cases, in particular implementations, the operating channel may also include other amounts of spectral resources. In addition, other allocation manners of the spectrum resources and the time domain resources indicated by the trigger frame are also possible. The transmission method of the trigger frame shown in fig. 2B is a broadcast transmission method, and in a specific implementation, the transmission method of the trigger frame may also be a unicast transmission method or other methods.

As shown in fig. 2A, the interval between two adjacent AP contention working channels is a first waiting period, where the first waiting period includes three contention periods and two transmission periods, and since the AP cannot control the transmission process of the first STA, if the transmission period occupied by the first STA is long, the AP cannot use the working channel for a long period of time, so that the service delay and transmission efficiency of the second STA scheduled by the AP cannot be guaranteed, thereby affecting the experience of the second STA user.

In a specific implementation, there are a large number of STAs associated with the AP, and the waiting period between successful intervals of two adjacent APs competing for the working channel may be longer, so that the AP cannot control the service delay of the second STA, although the AP may make it easier to compete for success by adjusting the contention parameters of the AP and the first STA, or reduce or avoid the frame aggregation capability of the first STA as much as possible, so as to shorten the length of the transmission period of the first STA that occupies the working channel once. However, when the distance between the first STA and the AP is longer and the transmission rate is lower, the transmission period of the first STA occupying the working channel once is still longer, and the service delay of the second STA scheduled by the AP still cannot be guaranteed. The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, which can ensure the time delay requirement of the second STA service, and is specifically shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 3, fig. 3 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method according to an embodiment of the present application, and the method may be implemented based on the communication system shown in fig. 1. The method includes, but is not limited to, the steps of:

step S301: the AP transmits first indication information to the first STA.

In the embodiment of the present application, there are multiple STAs, and optionally, the multiple STAs may be part of STAs that communicate with the AP. The plurality of STAs may be classified into at least two types, wherein one type of STA may be referred to as a first STA, and another type of STA may be referred to as a second STA, for example, may be classified into different types based on different manners of acquiring spectrum, may be classified into different types based on different supported protocol types, may be classified into different types based on different provided services, and may be classified into different types based on different other performance parameters. For convenience of description, the following description will be given by taking the case of classifying the first STA into different types based on different manners of acquiring the spectrum, where the first STA is an STA that acquires the spectrum in a contention manner to send a message to the AP, and the first STA may be the legacy STA or the 11axSTA; the second STA is a STA that obtains a spectrum through an AP centralized scheduling manner to send a message to the AP, and the second STA may be an 11axSTA.

The operating channel of the AP includes a first frequency spectrum and a second frequency spectrum, and optionally, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum do not overlap at all in the frequency domain. The first indication information is used to indicate the first STA to contend for the opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum, that is, the first indication information is used to allocate the first spectrum to the first STA.

Step S302: the first STA receives first indication information sent by the AP.

Specifically, the first STA may establish an association relationship before communicating with the AP. The process of establishing association between the first STA and the AP generally includes three phases of scanning, link authentication and association.

In detail, the scanning may be a process in which the first STA actively discovers the AP through a probe request frame (probe request), or a process in which the AP transmits a beacon frame (beacon) to the first STA using a primary channel (hereinafter may be referred to as a first primary channel) within a first spectrum, so that the first STA passively discovers the AP. Link authentication is the process by which the first STA and AP negotiate the relevant parameters of wireless link authentication through an authentication request frame (authentication request) and an authentication response frame (authentication response). In the association process, in response to the association request frame (associate request) of the first STA, the AP transmits an association response frame (associate response) to the first STA; after the first STA receives associate response, the association relationship is established, that is, the first STA is successfully online through the first primary channel. The authentication method of the wireless link may include, but is not limited to, open system authentication (open system authentication), shared key authentication (shared-key authentication), and the like. The subsequent first STA may authenticate based on the parameters negotiated by the link authentication procedure, and the first STA may communicate with the AP if the link authentication passes.

Optionally, if during the scanning process, the AP sends a beacon to the first STA by using the first primary channel, so that the first STA actively discovers the AP, the first indication information may be the beacon. The beacon may include identification information of the first primary channel and bandwidth information of the first spectrum, and the subsequent first STA may send a message to the AP based on the first primary channel and the first spectrum indicated by the beacon.

Optionally, if the first STA actively discovers the AP through the probe request during the scanning process, the first indication information may be a probe response frame (probe response) of the AP in response to the probe request. The probe response may include identification information of the first main channel and bandwidth information of the first spectrum, and the subsequent first STA may send a message to the AP based on the first main channel and the first spectrum indicated by the probe response.

The following describes a scanning phase in which the first STA actively discovers the AP as an example. The sub-channel used by the first STA to send the probe request to the AP may be a first main channel, or may be a main channel in the second spectrum (hereinafter may be referred to as a second main channel).

Referring to fig. 4A and fig. 4B, fig. 4A and fig. 4B show resource partitioning diagrams in some scan stages, where a horizontal direction indicates time, a vertical axis indicates a frequency of an operating channel, and the operating channel is illustrated by taking a bandwidth of the operating channel as 80MHz as an example, where the operating channel includes 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, namely, a sub-channel 1, a sub-channel 2, a sub-channel 3 and a sub-channel 4, the sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, a bandwidth of a first frequency spectrum is 40MHz, the sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and a bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum is 40MHz.

Optionally, the sub-channel used by the first STA to send the probe request to the AP is the first main channel. As shown in fig. 4A, the first STA may send a probe request to the AP through sub-channel 1; the AP receives the probe request through the sub-channel 1, and according to the built-in classification rule of the AP: the first STA operates on subchannel 1, and thus the AP transmits a probe response to the first STA through subchannel 1 in response to the probe request. The probe response may include identification information of the first primary channel and bandwidth information of the first spectrum, and the first STA may confirm the first primary channel and the first spectrum according to the probe response, so that the subsequent first STA may communicate with the AP through the confirmed first spectrum.

Optionally, the sub-channel used by the first STA to send the probe request to the AP is the second main channel. As shown in fig. 4B, the first STA may send a probe request to the AP through sub-channel 4; the AP receives the probe request through the sub-channel 4, and according to the built-in classification rule of the AP: the first STA operates on subchannel 1 and thus the AP transmits a pilot message (e.g., a message frame of the IEEE 802.11v standard) to the first STA through subchannel 4 in response to the probe request. The pilot information may include identification information of a sub-channel 1, where the pilot information is used to instruct a first STA to switch from the sub-channel 4 to the sub-channel 1, and the first STA determines the sub-channel 1 as a main channel according to the pilot information, and then sends a probe request to the AP through the sub-channel 1; the AP receives the probe request through the subchannel 1 and confirms that the probe request meets the classification rule built in the AP, so that the probe response is sent to the first STA through the subchannel 1. The probe response may include bandwidth information of a first spectrum, and the first STA may confirm the first spectrum according to the probe response, and subsequently the first STA may communicate with the AP through the confirmed first spectrum.

Step S303: the first STA contends for an opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum according to the first indication information.

Specifically, after determining the first spectrum according to the first indication information, the first STA contends for an opportunity to send a message on the first spectrum. For example, if the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, the working channel includes 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, the first main channel is sub-channel 2, the bandwidth of the first spectrum is 40MHz, and the first indication information includes identification information of sub-channel 2 and bandwidth information of the first spectrum. The first STA may determine, according to the first indication information, that the first spectrum includes a subchannel 1 and a subchannel 2, and that a main channel in the first spectrum is subchannel 2. It should be noted that, in consideration of allocation and utilization of actual spectrum resources, the first spectrum is not a spectrum including sub-channel 2 and sub-channel 3, so as not to be wasted by sub-channel 1.

Step S304: the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice, or sends the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

Specifically, the AP may only receive, in the first time slot, a message sent by the first STA using the first spectrum, or may compete with the first STA for an opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum in the first time slot, and if the AP competes for an opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum, the AP sends the message to the first STA using the first spectrum in the first time slot. The message may be a data message, for example, may be web page data, voice data, video data, etc.; the message may also be a management message, for example, beacon, guidance information, information indicating a contention moment or a contention period, and the like.

Specifically, the transmission period in which the AP communicates with the plurality of STAs may include a plurality of transmission periods, and the first transmission period is one of the plurality of transmission periods. In a first transmission period, the AP may communicate with two classes of STAs (i.e., a first STA and a second STA); therefore, corresponding to the two types of STAs, there are a first time slice and a second time slice in the first transmission period, where the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap in the time domain, and optionally, the ending time of the first time slice is the starting time of the second time slice, or the starting time of the first time slice is the ending time of the second time slice. The embodiment of the present application will be described taking the expiration time of the first time slice as the start time of the second time slice as an example.

In addition, the operating channel includes a first spectrum and a second spectrum that do not overlap each other in the frequency domain. The AP communicates with a first STA over a first frequency spectrum during the first time slot and communicates with a second STA over a second frequency spectrum or operating channel (including the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum) during the second time slot.

Alternatively, the first time slice may include a plurality of frames, each frame including a contention period and a transmission period. In the contention period of each frame, the first STAs may compete for the opportunity to transmit the message on the first spectrum, or the AP and the first STAs together compete for the opportunity to transmit the message on the first spectrum; during the transmission period of each frame, network elements with successful contention can transmit messages using the first frequency spectrum.

In this embodiment of the present application, the AP may send indication information to the first STA in a process of transmitting a message, so that the first STA contends for an opportunity to send a message on the first spectrum in the first time slice, does not contend for an opportunity to send a message on the first spectrum in the second time slice, and is described in the following cases:

in the first case, the first indication information sent by the AP to the first STA at the starting time of the first time slice is used to indicate the first STA to compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum; the AP sends third indication information to the first STA at the expiration time of the first time slice, where the third indication information is used to indicate the first STA does not compete for an opportunity to send a message on the first spectrum. For example, the first indication information is specifically configured to indicate that the first STA starts to contend for an opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum from a start time of the first time slot, and the third indication information is specifically configured to indicate that the first STA ends to contend for an opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum at a stop time of the first time slot.

In the second case, the AP may send fourth indication information to the first STA in the process of establishing the association between the AP and the first STA, or may send fourth indication information to the first STA before the start time of the first time slice, or may send fourth indication information to the first STA in the first time slice. The fourth indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity to transmit data on the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice, in detail, the fourth indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity to transmit data on the first frequency spectrum every other first preset duration, and the duration of each competition is the second preset duration; optionally, the time when the first STA starts to compete is the starting time of the first time slice, the first preset duration is the sum of the time lengths of the first time slice and the second time slice, and the second preset duration is the time length of the first time slice; optionally, the time at which the first STA starts to contend is any time in the first time slice (which may be referred to as a first time later), the first preset duration is a sum of time lengths of the first time slice and the second time slice, the second preset duration is a time length between the first time slice and the second time slice, and the second time slice is any time between the first time slice and a deadline of the first time slice or a deadline of the first time slice.

Not limited to the above-listed case, the AP may not send, to the first STA, information indicating the contention moment or the contention period in the process of transmitting the message, where the first indication information is beacon or probe response in the process of establishing the association between the AP and the first STA in step S302. After the first STA establishes an association relation with the AP through the first frequency spectrum, the first STA always competes for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum in the subsequent transmission process. The first time slice may include a period of transmitting a data message by the AP and the first STA, and may also include a period of establishing an association process between the AP and the first STA; optionally, the starting time of the first time slice is a deadline of a process of establishing an association between the AP and the first STA.

Step S305: the AP transmits second indication information to the second STA.

Specifically, the association relationship between the second STA and the AP may be established before the communication, and the principle of the process of establishing the association relationship between the second STA and the AP is the same as that of the process of establishing the association relationship between the first STA and the AP, which is not described herein. In addition, the procedure of establishing the association relationship between the first STA and the AP, and the order of the procedure of establishing the association relationship between the second STA and the AP are not limited.

Specifically, the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message to the AP by using the second spectrum in the second time slice.

Step S306: the second STA receives second indication information sent by the AP.

Step S307: and the second STA sends a message to the AP by using a second frequency spectrum in a second time slice according to the second indication information.

Specifically, the second indication information may also be used to instruct the second STA to send a message to the AP using the working channel (including the first spectrum and the second spectrum) in the second time slice, that is, the second indication information is specifically used to allocate the second spectrum or the working channel to the second STA. The following is a description of the case:

if the first frequency spectrum is not idle at the expiration time of the first time slice, the second indication information is specifically used for allocating a second frequency spectrum to the second STA, and the second STA sends a message to the AP through the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice according to the second indication information; if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the expiration time of the first time slice, the second indication information is used for distributing a working channel to the second STA, and the second STA sends a message to the AP by using the working channel in the second time slice according to the second indication information.

On the premise of the first case, the second indication information may be the trigger frame described in fig. 2B. If the first frequency spectrum is not idle at the expiration time of the first time slice, the RUs allocated by the trigger frame for the second STA are RUs in the second frequency spectrum, and the second STA sends a message to the AP through the RUs allocated by the second indication information; if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the expiration time of the first time slice, the RU allocated to the second STA by the trigger frame may include the RU in the second frequency spectrum and the RU of the first frequency spectrum, and the second STA sends a message to the AP through the RU allocated by the second indication information.

And secondly, whether the first frequency spectrum is idle or not at the expiration time of the first time slice, the second indication information is specifically used for distributing the second frequency spectrum to the second STA, and the second STA sends a message to the AP through the second frequency spectrum according to the second indication information.

On the premise of the second case, the second indication information may be beacon or probe response described in the step S302, where the second indication information includes identification information of a primary channel (hereinafter may be referred to as a second primary channel) in the second spectrum and bandwidth information of the second spectrum.

And thirdly, whether the first frequency spectrum is idle or not at the expiration time of the first time slice, the second indication information is specifically used for distributing a working channel for the second STA, and the second STA sends a message to the AP by utilizing the working channel according to the second indication information.

On the premise of the third scenario, the second indication information may be beacon or probe response described in the step S302, where the second indication information includes identification information of the second main channel and bandwidth information of the working channel.

Step S308: and the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, or sends the message to the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

Specifically, in the second time slice, the AP centrally schedules spectrum resources used by the second STA to transmit the message. In the uplink direction, the second STA sends a message to the AP according to the frequency spectrum resource (and/or time domain resource) indicated by the trigger frame sent by the AP, and the AP receives the message sent by the second STA by using the frequency spectrum resource indicated by the trigger frame in a second time slice. In the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA using the second spectrum or the working channel if the second spectrum or the working channel is not allocated. The schematic resource division of the spectrum resources used for the AP to schedule the second STA to transmit the message in the uplink may be referred to the description of fig. 2B, which is not repeated herein.

If the second indication information indicates according to the first case described in step S307, if the first frequency spectrum is not idle at the expiration time of the first time slice, in the uplink direction, the AP receives, in the second time slice, the packet sent by the second STA through the second frequency spectrum; in the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA in the second time slice through the unassigned second spectrum. If the first frequency spectrum is idle at the cut-off time of the first time slice, in the uplink direction, the AP receives a message sent by the second STA through a working channel in the second time slice; in the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA over the unassigned working channel in the second time slot.

If the second indication information indicates according to the second case described in step S307, the AP receives, in the uplink direction, the packet sent by the second STA through the second spectrum in the second time slice. In the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA in the second time slice through the unassigned second spectrum.

If the second indication information indicates according to the third scenario described in step S307, the AP receives, in the uplink direction, the message sent by the second STA through the working channel in the second time slice. In the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA over the unassigned working channel in the second time slot.

In the embodiment of the present application, a first spectrum and a second spectrum respectively have a main channel, the main channel in the first spectrum is a first main channel, the main channel in the second spectrum is a second main channel, and the first main channel and the second main channel are two different sub-channels in a working channel. The process of the AP communicating with different STAs through different frequency spectrums in different time slices is actually a process of the AP monitoring different primary channels in different time slices and communicating with different STAs through different frequency spectrums of the primary channels in different time slices. Specifically, the AP listens to a first primary channel in a first spectrum in a first time slice, and communicates with a first STA through the first spectrum; the AP listens for a second primary channel in a second frequency spectrum during a second time slice and communicates with a second STA over a second frequency spectrum or operating channel.

For better understanding of the above scheme, the following is illustrated in conjunction with fig. 5A and 5B, where the resource partitioning diagrams shown in fig. 5A and 5B are horizontal to time and vertical to frequency of the operating channel. The working channel is illustrated by taking the bandwidth of the working channel as 80MHz as an example, and the working channel comprises 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, namely a sub-channel 1, a sub-channel 2, a sub-channel 3 and a sub-channel 4, wherein the sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, the bandwidth of a first frequency spectrum is 40MHz, the sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and the bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum is 40MHz.

As shown in fig. 5A, during a first time slice of a first transmission period, the AP listens to a first primary channel (i.e., subchannel 1), and a first STA communicates with the AP over a first spectrum (including subchannel 1 and subchannel 2). In detail, the plurality of first STAs contend for an opportunity to transmit a message to the AP on the first spectrum, or the AP contends with the plurality of first STAs together for an opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum.

At the expiration time of the first time slice of the first transmission period, the first frequency spectrum is not idle; thus, during a second time slice of the first transmission period, the AP listens to the second primary channel (i.e., subchannel 4), and the AP communicates with the second STA over a second spectrum (including subchannel 3 and subchannel 4). In detail, the second STA transmits a message to the AP using spectrum resources within the second spectrum scheduled by the AP, or the AP transmits a message to the second STA if the second spectrum is idle.

As shown in fig. 5B, during a first time slice of a second transmission period, the AP listens to a first primary channel (i.e., subchannel 1), and a first STA communicates with the AP over a first spectrum (including subchannel 1 and subchannel 2). Wherein the second transmission period is one transmission period other than the first transmission period among the plurality of transmission periods.

At the expiration time of the first time slice of the second transmission period, the first frequency spectrum is idle; thus, during a second time slice of the second transmission period, the AP listens to the second primary channel (i.e., subchannel 4), and the AP communicates with the second STA over the operating channel (including the first spectrum and the second spectrum). In detail, the second STA transmits a message to the AP using spectrum resources within the working channel scheduled by the AP, or the AP transmits a message to the second STA in case that the working channel is idle.

In fig. 5A and fig. 5B, the time period between the communication interval between the two adjacent APs and the second STA is the first time slice, and in this embodiment of the present application, the uncontrollable service delay (such as the first waiting period shown in fig. 2A) can be converted into the controllable time slice (such as the first time slice shown in fig. 5A and fig. 5B), so that the service delay of the second STA is effectively ensured.

In this embodiment of the present application, the AP monitors only the second primary channel in the second time slice, and even if the first STA still uses the first spectrum to send a message to the AP in the second time slice, the AP cannot normally receive the message. Thus, the first spectrum is wasted in the second time slice of fig. 5A, and the first spectrum is effectively utilized in the second time slice of fig. 5B. In order to avoid the situation that the first spectrum is wasted in the second time slot shown in fig. 5A as much as possible, the first STA may be instructed by the instruction information in the first case and/or the second case in step S304 to not compete for the opportunity to transmit data on the first spectrum in the second time slot.

In an alternative, before step S301, the method may further include:

the AP dynamically adjusts the bandwidth of the first frequency spectrum and the bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum according to the service flow of the first STA and the service flow of the second STA in a preset time period.

Optionally, the first ratio is positively correlated with the second ratio. The first ratio is a ratio of a traffic flow of the first STA to a traffic flow of the second STA, and the second ratio is a ratio of a bandwidth of the first spectrum to a bandwidth of the second spectrum. Examples of the above-described methods can be seen in fig. 6A, 6B, and 6C described below. Wherein, the horizontal direction in the resource division diagrams shown in fig. 6A, 6B and 6C represents time, and the vertical direction represents the frequency of the operating channel. Fig. 6A illustrates an example in which the bandwidth of the operation channel is 80MHz, sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and fig. 6B and 6C illustrate an example in which the bandwidth of the operation channel is 160MHz, sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, and sub-channel 8 is a second main channel.

For example, when the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, the second ratio may be 1:3 when the first ratio is 1:3, that is, the bandwidth of the first spectrum is 20MHz, the bandwidth of the second spectrum is 60MHz, and the resource division corresponding to the above-mentioned spectrum resource allocation manner is shown in fig. 6A. When the bandwidth of the working channel is 160MHz, the second ratio may be 1:3 when the first ratio is 1:3, that is, the bandwidth of the first spectrum is 40MHz, the bandwidth of the second spectrum is 120MHz, and the resource division diagram corresponding to the above spectrum resource allocation mode is shown in fig. 6B. In the case that the first ratio is 1:7, the second ratio may also be 1:7, that is, the bandwidth of the first spectrum is 20MHz, the bandwidth of the second spectrum is 140MH, and the resource division corresponding to the above spectrum resource allocation manner is shown in fig. 6C.

In yet another alternative, the method may further comprise:

the AP dynamically adjusts the time length of the first time slice and the time length of the second time slice according to the service flow of the first STA and the service flow of the second STA in a preset time period.

Specifically, the above-mentioned dynamic adjustment process may precede step S301, for example, in a process in which the AP and the STA establish an association relationship; the above-mentioned dynamic adjustment process may also be performed before any one transmission period in the transmission process, for example, the preset period is a period before the start time of the first time slice.

Optionally, the first ratio is positively correlated with the third ratio. The first ratio is a ratio of a traffic flow of the first STA to a traffic flow of the second STA, and the third ratio is a ratio of a time domain length of the first time slice to a time domain length of the second time slice.

For example, in the case where the first ratio is 3:2, the third ratio is also 3:2, and the schematic diagram of the resource division corresponding to the time domain resource allocation manner is shown in fig. 7, where the ratio of the time domain length of the first time slice to the time domain length of the second time slice in fig. 7 is 3:2. In the resource division diagram shown in fig. 7, time is represented horizontally, frequency is represented vertically, and fig. 7 illustrates that the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, the sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, and the sub-channel 4 is a second main channel.

In yet another alternative, the AP may direct an STA operating on the second spectrum (currently classified as a second STA) onto the first spectrum before the start time of the first time slice, so that the STA contends for an opportunity to transmit data on the first spectrum for a subsequent transmission of a message, that is, the STA is subsequently classified as the first STA. The AP may also direct another STA operating in the first spectrum (currently classified as a first STA) onto the second spectrum before the start time of the first time slot, so that the STA performs a subsequent process of transmitting a message using the second spectrum or the operating channel scheduled in the AP set, that is, the STA is classified as a second STA. That is, the AP may flexibly adjust the classification of the STA according to the traffic situation of the STA, thereby maximizing the transmission efficiency of the device.

For example, one 11axSTA is currently classified as a second STA, and the 11axSTA sends a message to the AP using a second spectrum or working channel that is centrally scheduled by the AP; the AP transmits fifth indication information to the 11axSTA before the start time of the first time slot, so that the 11axSTA switches from the second frequency spectrum to the first frequency spectrum according to the fifth indication information, and in the process of subsequently transmitting the message, the 11axSTA competes for the opportunity of transmitting the message on the first frequency spectrum, so that the message is transmitted to the AP by using the first frequency spectrum, that is, the 11axSTA is subsequently classified as the first STA.

In yet another alternative, the method may further comprise:

if an interference signal exists on the first frequency spectrum before the cut-off time of the second time slice, the second time slice is prolonged by a second preset length.

FIG. 8 illustrates an alternative resource partitioning scheme. In the resource division diagram shown in fig. 8, the horizontal direction indicates time, and the vertical direction indicates frequency. Fig. 8 illustrates an example in which the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, and the working channel includes 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, namely sub-channel 1, sub-channel 2, sub-channel 3 and sub-channel 4, wherein the sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, the bandwidth of the first frequency spectrum is 40MHz, the sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and the bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum is 40MHz.

As shown in fig. 8, if an interference signal exists on the second spectrum before the expiration time of the first time slot, the AP cannot communicate with the second STA even if the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the first primary channel to the second primary channel at the expiration time of the first time slot, so the AP may continue to monitor the first primary channel, i.e., the AP may extend the first time slot by a first preset length. And the AP can communicate with the first STA through the first frequency spectrum in a time period with the first preset length prolonged, so that the situation that a message cannot be transmitted and the first frequency spectrum of the interference signal is not wasted due to switching to the second time slice under the condition that the interference signal exists on the second frequency spectrum is avoided.

As shown in fig. 8, if an interference signal exists on the first spectrum before the expiration time of the second time slice, the AP cannot communicate with the first STA even if the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the second primary channel to the first primary channel at the expiration time of the second time slice, so the AP may continue to monitor the second primary channel, i.e., the AP may extend the second time slice by a second preset length. And the AP can communicate with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in a time period with a second preset length prolonged, so that the situation that a message cannot be transmitted and the second frequency spectrum of the interference signal is not wasted due to switching to the first time slice under the condition that the interference signal exists on the first frequency spectrum is avoided.

The presence of the interference signal on the first spectrum may be the presence of the interference signal on the subchannel 1, the presence of the interference signal on the subchannel 2, or the presence of the interference signals on both the subchannel 1 and the subchannel 2. The presence of an interfering signal on the second spectrum may be the presence of an interfering signal on subchannel 3, the presence of an interfering signal on subchannel 4, or the presence of an interfering signal on both subchannel 3 and subchannel 4.

In a specific implementation, the AP may shorten the first time slot by a third preset length if an interference signal exists on the first spectrum between the middle time and the cut-off time of the first time slot, and the third preset length may be a time length of a period between the middle time and the cut-off time of the first time slot. That is, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain length of the time slice according to the interference condition of the spectrum resource, so as to maximize the transmission efficiency in the interference scene, and avoid the situation that the AP and the STA cannot transmit the message when the interference signal exists on a part of the spectrum.

The frequency bandwidth of the working channels may be 160MHz, 40MHz, 20MHz, etc., and the number of the sub-channels may be 6, 4, 2, 1, etc., without being limited to the above example.

It may be appreciated that the plurality of STAs may include three types of STAs, and accordingly, the operation channel may include three main channels, the first transmission period may include three time slices, and the AP may communicate with the STAs of different types through different operation channels of the main channels in different time slices, that is, the number of packets of the STAs may be in one-to-one correspondence with the number of main channels and/or the number of time slices.

In the method described in fig. 3, the AP communicates with a first STA (such as legacy STA or 11 axSTA) and a second STA (such as 11 axSTA) respectively through different frequency spectrums in the working channel in different time slices, at the start time of the second time slice, even if the first STA is still occupying the first frequency spectrum, the frequency spectrum of the AP is switched from the first frequency spectrum to the second frequency spectrum, and the AP communicates with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, thereby effectively guaranteeing the delay requirement of the second STA service.

Besides, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain length of the time slice according to the interference condition of the frequency spectrum, and the frequency spectrum without interference signals is communicated with the corresponding STA, so that the sending efficiency of the message in the interference scene is maximized, and the frequency spectrum utilization rate is improved.

Referring to fig. 9, fig. 9 is a flow chart of another communication method according to an embodiment of the present application. The method may be implemented based on the communication system shown in fig. 1. The method includes, but is not limited to, the steps of:

step S901: the AP transmits first indication information to the first STA.

In the embodiment of the present application, there are multiple STAs, and optionally, the multiple STAs may be part of STAs that communicate with the AP. The plurality of STAs may be classified into at least two types, wherein one type of STA may be referred to as a first STA, and another type of STA may be referred to as a second STA, for example, may be classified into different types based on different manners of acquiring spectrum, may be classified into different types based on different supported protocol types, may be classified into different types based on different provided services, and may be classified into different types based on different other performance parameters. For convenience of description, the following description will be given by taking the case of classifying the services into different types based on the difference of the provided services, wherein the service of the first STA is a preset service with no low latency requirement, and the service of the second STA is a preset service with low latency requirement. The following is a description of the case:

in the first case, the first STA is a legacy STA, and the second STA is an 11ax STA with higher service delay requirement.

And secondly, the first STA is an 11ax STA with low service delay requirement, and the second STA is an 11ax STA with high service delay requirement.

The operating channel of the AP includes a first frequency spectrum and a second frequency spectrum, optionally, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are completely non-overlapping in the frequency domain, the first primary channel is within the first frequency spectrum, and the second primary channel is within the second frequency spectrum.

On the premise of the first case, the first indication information is used to allocate a first spectrum and a first primary channel to the first STA.

On the premise of the second case, the first indication information is used for allocating the working channel and the first main channel to the first STA.

Step S902: the first STA receives first indication information sent by the AP.

Specifically, the first STA may establish an association relationship before communicating with the AP. The process of establishing the association between the first STA and the AP is the same as the principle of the process of establishing the association in step S302 in fig. 3, and will not be described here again.

Specifically, if the first indication information indicates according to the first case, the first indication information includes identification information of the first main channel and bandwidth information of the first spectrum. And if the first indication information indicates according to the second condition, the first indication information comprises the identification information of the first main channel and the bandwidth information of the working channel.

Optionally, if the AP uses the first primary channel to send beacon to the first STA during the scanning process, so that the first STA discovers the AP. The first indication information may be the beacon.

Optionally, if the first STA actively discovers the AP through the probe request during the scanning process, the first indication information may be a probe response of the AP in response to the probe request.

Step S903: the AP transmits second indication information to the second STA.

Specifically, the second indication information is used to allocate an operating channel and a second primary channel to the second STA.

Step S904: the second STA receives second indication information sent by the AP.

Specifically, the second STA may establish an association relationship before communicating with the AP. The process of establishing the association between the second STA and the AP is the same as the principle of the process of establishing the association in step S302 in fig. 3, and will not be described here again. In addition, the procedure of establishing the association relationship between the first STA and the AP, and the order of the procedure of establishing the association relationship between the second STA and the AP are not limited.

Specifically, the second indication information includes identification information of the second main channel and bandwidth information of the working channel.

Step S905: and the first STA transmits a message to the AP by using a first frequency spectrum or a working channel according to the first indication information.

If the first indication information indicates according to the first condition, the first STA determines a first main channel and a first frequency spectrum according to the first indication information, and then competes for the opportunity of sending a message on the first frequency spectrum in a first time slice; when competing for the opportunity to send messages on the first frequency spectrum, the first STA sends messages to the AP by using the first frequency spectrum.

If the first indication information indicates according to the second condition, the first STA determines a first main channel and a working channel according to the first indication information, and then sends a message to the AP by utilizing the working channel which is intensively scheduled by the AP in a first time slice; in detail, the first STA transmits a message to the AP based on the spectrum resources (and/or time domain resources) in the working channel allocated by the trigger frame transmitted by the AP in the first time slot.

Step S906: the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum or the working channel in the first time slice, or sends the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum or the working channel in the first time slice.

If the first indication information indicates according to the first condition, the AP receives a message sent by the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice. Optionally, the AP may also compete with the first STA for the opportunity to transmit a message on the first spectrum during the first time slot. And when the AP competes for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum, the AP sends the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

If the first indication information indicates according to the second case, in the uplink direction, the second STA sends a message to the AP according to the spectrum resource (and/or the time domain resource) indicated by the trigger frame sent by the AP, and the AP receives, in the second time slice, the message sent by the second STA by using the spectrum resource indicated by the trigger frame. Optionally, in the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA using the working channel if the working channel is not allocated.

Specifically, the message may be a data message, for example, may be web page data, voice data, video data, etc.; the message may also be a management message, for example, beacon, guidance information, trigger frame, information indicating a contention moment or a contention period, and the like.

Optionally, the AP may also send, to the first STA, information indicating a contention time or a contention period before the start time of the first time slot, for example, indicating an opportunity for the first STA to contend for sending a message on the first spectrum in the first time slot; the details of this information can be found in the first case and the second case described in step S304 of fig. 3, which are not described here.

In addition, the working channel includes a first spectrum and a second spectrum that do not overlap each other in the frequency domain, the first primary channel being within the first spectrum, the second primary channel being within the second spectrum. The AP communicates with the first STA through a first spectrum in which the primary channel is a first primary channel in the first time slot, and the AP communicates with the second STA through a working channel (including the first spectrum and the second spectrum) in which the primary channel is a second primary channel in the second time slot.

Step S907: and the second STA sends a message to the AP by using the working channel according to the second indication information.

Specifically, after determining the second main channel and the working channel according to the second indication information, the second STA sends a message to the AP by using the working channels centrally scheduled by the AP in a second time slice. In detail, the second STA transmits a message to the AP based on the spectrum resources (and/or time domain resources) in the working channel allocated by the trigger frame transmitted by the AP in the second time slot. Optionally, the trigger frame may be used to allocate spectrum resources of the entire working channel to the second STA, or may be used to allocate spectrum resources of the second spectrum to the second STA, which is specifically described in the above-mentioned case one in step S307 of fig. 3, and will not be described herein.

Step S908: and the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the working channel in the second time slice, or sends the message to the second STA by using the working channel in the second time slice.

Specifically, in the second time slice, the AP centrally schedules spectrum resources used by the second STA to transmit the message. In the uplink direction, the second STA sends a message to the AP according to the frequency spectrum resource (and/or time domain resource) indicated by the trigger frame sent by the AP, and the AP receives the message sent by the second STA by using the frequency spectrum resource indicated by the trigger frame in a second time slice; optionally, the spectrum resource indicated by the trigger frame may be in the second spectrum only or in the whole working channel. In the downlink direction, the AP sends a message to the second STA using the spectrum resource in the working channel if the working channel is not allocated. The schematic resource division of the spectrum resources used for the AP to schedule the second STA to transmit the message in the uplink may be referred to the description of fig. 2B, which is not repeated herein.

Specifically, the AP listens to different primary channels in different time slices and communicates with different STAs in different time slices through different frequency spectrums of the primary channels. Specifically, the AP listens to a first primary channel in a first spectrum during a first time slice and communicates with a first STA using a first spectrum or an operating channel (including the first spectrum and a second spectrum); the AP listens for a second primary channel in a second frequency spectrum during a second time slice and communicates with a second STA using the operating channel (including the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum).

For better understanding of the above scheme, the following description will be given with reference to fig. 10, where the resource partitioning diagram shown in fig. 10 is a diagram in which time is represented laterally and the frequency of the operating channel is represented vertically. Fig. 10 illustrates an example in which the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, and the working channel includes 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, namely sub-channel 1, sub-channel 2, sub-channel 3 and sub-channel 4, wherein sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, the bandwidth of the first frequency spectrum is 40MHz, sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and the bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum is 40MHz.

As shown in fig. 10, during a first time slice of a first transmission period, the AP listens to a first primary channel (i.e., subchannel 1), and a first STA communicates with the AP over a first spectrum (including subchannel 1 and subchannel 2) or operating channels (including subchannel 1, subchannel 2, subchannel 3, and subchannel 4). During a second time slice of the first transmission period, the AP listens to a second primary channel (i.e., subchannel 4), and the second STA communicates with the AP over a second spectrum (including subchannel 3 and subchannel 4) or operating channels (including subchannel 1, subchannel 2, subchannel 3, and subchannel 4).

In an alternative, the method may further comprise:

FIG. 11 illustrates an alternative resource partitioning scheme. In the resource division diagram shown in fig. 11, the horizontal direction represents time, and the vertical axis represents frequency of an operating channel. Fig. 11 illustrates an example in which the bandwidth of the working channel is 80MHz, and the working channel includes 4 sub-channels of 20MHz, namely sub-channel 1, sub-channel 2, sub-channel 3 and sub-channel 4, wherein the sub-channel 1 is a first main channel, the bandwidth of the first frequency spectrum is 40MHz, the sub-channel 4 is a second main channel, and the bandwidth of the second frequency spectrum is 40MHz.

As shown in fig. 11, if an interference signal exists on the second spectrum before the expiration time of the first time slot, the AP cannot communicate with the second STA even if the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the first primary channel to the second primary channel at the expiration time of the first time slot, so the AP may continue to monitor the first primary channel, i.e., the AP may extend the first time slot by a first preset length. And the AP can communicate with the first STA through the first frequency spectrum in a time period with the first preset length prolonged, so that the situation that a message cannot be transmitted and the first frequency spectrum of the interference signal is not wasted due to switching to the second time slice under the condition that the interference signal exists on the second frequency spectrum is avoided.

As shown in fig. 11, if an interference signal exists on the first spectrum before the expiration time of the second time slice, the AP cannot communicate with the first STA even if the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the second primary channel to the first primary channel at the expiration time of the second time slice, so the AP may continue to monitor the second primary channel, i.e., the AP may extend the second time slice by a second preset length. And the AP can communicate with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in a time period with a second preset length prolonged, so that the situation that a message cannot be transmitted and the second frequency spectrum of the interference signal is not wasted due to switching to the first time slice under the condition that the interference signal exists on the first frequency spectrum is avoided.

In the method described in fig. 9, the AP listens to different primary channels in different time slices, and communicates with the first STA and the second STA through different frequency spectrums of the primary channels, for example, at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the first primary channel to the second primary channel, and communicates with the second STA through the working channel in which the primary channel is the second primary channel, so that the delay requirement of the STA service is effectively ensured.

Besides, the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the interference condition of the frequency spectrum, so that the situation that the frequency spectrum without the interference signal is wasted due to the fact that the equipment cannot transmit a message when the interference signal exists on a part of the frequency spectrum is avoided, and the sending efficiency of the equipment is maximized under the interference scene.

The foregoing details the method of embodiments of the present application, and the apparatus of embodiments of the present application is provided below.

Referring to fig. 12, fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of an AP provided in the embodiment of the present application, an AP1200 may include a first sending unit 1201, a first receiving unit 1202, a second sending unit 1203, and a second receiving unit 1204, where detailed descriptions of the respective units are as follows:

a first transmitting unit 1201, configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA of the plurality of STAs at a start time of a first time slice; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

a first receiving unit 1202, configured to receive, in the first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the first spectrum;

a second transmitting unit 1203 configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs in a second time slice; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

a second receiving unit 1204, configured to receive, in the second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the second spectrum; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, and the first spectrum and the second spectrum do not overlap.

It can be seen that the AP communicates with the first STA and the second STA through different frequency spectrums in different time slices, at the start time of the second time slice, even if the first STA is still occupying the first frequency spectrum, the frequency spectrum of the AP is switched from the first frequency spectrum to the second frequency spectrum, and the AP communicates with the second STA through the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice, thereby effectively guaranteeing the delay requirement of the second STA service.

In an alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

In yet another alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

In yet another alternative, the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a packet using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

the second receiving unit 1204 is specifically configured to receive, in the second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the first spectrum and the second spectrum.

It can be seen that if the first frequency spectrum is idle at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP and the second STA can use the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum to communicate in the second time slice, so that the first frequency spectrum idle in the second time slice can be effectively used, the spectrum utilization rate is improved, more services of the second STA can be borne in the second time slice, and the transmission efficiency of the second STA service is improved.

In yet another alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

It can be seen that the AP may send the indication information to the first STA at both the start time and the stop time of the first time slot, so that the first STA does not compete for the opportunity to send the message on the first spectrum in the second time slot, that is, the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

In yet another alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

It can be seen that the AP may instruct, through the fourth indication information, the first STA to compete only for the first time slot for the opportunity to send a message on the first spectrum, so that the first spectrum is in an idle state at the start time of the second time slot, so that the AP may communicate with the second STA by using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slot, and the second time slot may carry more services of the second STA, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the second STA service.

In still another alternative, the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and the AP.

In yet another alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

It can be seen that the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the interference situation of the spectrum, so as to avoid the situation that the device cannot transmit a message when an interference signal exists on a part of the spectrum, and the spectrum without the interference signal is wasted, thereby maximizing the transmission efficiency of the device in the interference scenario.

In yet another alternative, the AP1200 may further include:

It can be seen that the AP can flexibly adjust the time domain lengths of different time slices according to the service requirements of different STAs, so as to avoid the situation of time domain resource waste or deficiency in the transmission process, thereby maximizing the transmission efficiency of the device.

In yet another alternative, the expiration time of the first time slice is the start time of the second time slice, or the start time of the first time slice is the expiration time of the second time slice.

It should be noted that the implementation of the respective operations may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown with reference to fig. 3. The AP1200 is an access point in the method embodiment shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 13, fig. 13 is a schematic structural diagram of still another AP according to an embodiment of the present application, and an AP1300 may include a first transmitting unit 1301, a second transmitting unit 1302, a first receiving unit 1303, and a second receiving unit 1304. Wherein, the detailed description of each unit is as follows:

a first transmitting unit 1301 configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA among the plurality of STAs; the first indication information is used for allocating a first frequency spectrum and a first main channel for the first STA;

a second transmitting unit 1302 configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a second main channel of the AP to the second STA;

A first receiving unit 1303, configured to receive, in a first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the first spectrum;

a second receiving unit 1304, configured to receive, in a second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the working channel; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel, the first main channel is in the first frequency spectrum, and the second main channel is in the second frequency spectrum.

It can be seen that the AP listens to different primary channels in different time slices and communicates with the first STA and the second STA through different frequency spectrums of the primary channels, for example, at the starting time of the second time slice, the AP switches the monitored primary channel from the first primary channel to the second primary channel, and communicates with the second STA through the working channel in which the primary channel is the second primary channel, so as to effectively guarantee the delay requirement of the STA service.

In an alternative, the AP1300 may further include:

In one possible implementation, the detailed descriptions of the individual units are as follows:

a first transmitting unit 1301 configured to transmit first indication information to a first STA among the plurality of STAs; the first indication information is used for distributing a working channel and a first main channel of the AP to the first STA;

a second transmitting unit 1302 configured to transmit second indication information to a second STA of the plurality of STAs; the second indication information is used for distributing the working channel and a second main channel to the second STA;

a first receiving unit 1303, configured to receive, in a first time slice, a packet sent by the first STA using the working channel;

a second receiving unit 1304, configured to receive, in a second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the working channel; the first time slice and the second time slice are not overlapped, and the first main channel and the second main channel are two different sub-channels in the working channel.

In an alternative scheme, the first main channel is in a first frequency spectrum, the second main channel is in a second frequency spectrum, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel; the AP1300 may further include:

It should be noted that the implementation of the respective operations may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown with reference to fig. 9. The AP1300 is an access point in the method embodiment shown in fig. 9.

Referring to fig. 14, fig. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of still another AP provided in an embodiment of the present application, where an AP1400 may include a processor 1401, a memory 1402, and a communication interface 1403, and the processor 1401, the memory 1402, and the communication interface 1403 are connected to each other through a bus.

Memory 1402 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (random access memory, RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable programmable read only memory, EPROM), or portable read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM). The memory 1402 is used for storing related computer programs and messages. Communication interface 1403 is used to receive and transmit messages.

The processor 1401 may be one or more central processing units (central processing unit, CPU). In the case where the processor 1401 is one CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

A processor 1401 in the AP1400 may be used to read computer program code stored in a memory 1402, control a communication interface 1403 to:

In an alternative, processor 1401 is also operative to control communication interface 1403 to perform: and if the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum is competing in the first time slice, sending the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

In yet another alternative, processor 1401 is further operative to control communication interface 1403 to perform: and transmitting a message to the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

when the processor 1401 controls the communication interface 1403 to execute receiving the message sent by the second STA using the second spectrum in the second time slice, the processor 1401 controls the communication interface 1403 to specifically execute: and receiving a message sent by the second STA by using the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

In yet another alternative, processor 1401 is further operative to control communication interface 1403 to perform:

In yet another alternative, the processor 1401 is further operable to perform:

It should be noted that the implementation of the respective operations may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown with reference to fig. 3. The AP1400 is an access point in the method embodiment shown in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 15, fig. 15 is a schematic structural diagram of still another AP according to an embodiment of the present application, where an AP1500 may include a processor 1501, a memory 1502 and a communication interface 1503, and the processor 1501, the memory 1502 and the communication interface 1503 are connected to each other by a bus.

Memory 1502 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (random access memory, RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (erasable programmable read only memory, EPROM), or portable read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM). The memory 1502 is used for storing relevant computer programs and messages. The communication interface 1503 is used to receive and transmit messages.

The processor 1501 may be one or more central processing units (central processing unit, CPU). In the case where the processor 1501 is a CPU, the CPU may be a single-core CPU or a multi-core CPU.

The processor 1501 in the AP1500 may be used to read the computer program code stored in the memory 1502, control the communication interface 1503 to:

In an alternative, processor 1501 is also operative to:

In one possible implementation, the processor 1501 in the AP1500 may also be configured to read the computer program code stored in the memory 1502, control the communication interface 1503 to:

In an alternative scheme, the first main channel is in a first frequency spectrum, the second main channel is in a second frequency spectrum, and the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum are two frequency spectrums which are not overlapped with each other in the working channel; the processor 1501 is also configured to:

It should be noted that the implementation of the respective operations may also correspond to the corresponding description of the method embodiment shown with reference to fig. 9. The AP1500 is an access point in the method embodiment shown in fig. 9.

The embodiment of the application also provides a chip system, which comprises at least one processor, a memory and an interface circuit, wherein the memory, the communication interface and the at least one processor are interconnected through lines, and the at least one memory stores a computer program. The computer program, when executed by the processor, implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 3, or implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 9.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer readable storage medium, in which a computer program is stored, which when run on a processor, implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 3, or implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 9.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product that, when run on a processor, implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 3, or implements the operations performed by the AP in the embodiment shown in fig. 9.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that implementing all or part of the above-described embodiment methods may be accomplished by a computer program in hardware associated with the computer program, which may be stored on a computer readable storage medium, which when executed may comprise the above-described embodiment methods. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media capable of storing computer program code, such as ROM or random access memory RAM, magnetic or optical disk.

Claims

1. A method of communication, comprising:

an Access Point (AP) sends first indication information to a first Station (STA) in a plurality of Station (STA) at the starting moment of a first time slice, wherein the first STA is used for acquiring a frequency spectrum in a working channel of the AP in a competition mode so as to send a message to the AP; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

the AP sends second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs in a second time slice, and the second STA is used for acquiring a frequency spectrum in a working channel of the AP in a centralized scheduling mode of the AP so as to send a message to the AP; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

the AP receives a message sent by the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum do not overlap, and the working channel of the AP includes the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

and if the AP competes for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice, sending the message to the first STA by using the first frequency spectrum in the first time slice.

3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the method further comprises:

And the AP sends a message to the second STA by using the second frequency spectrum in the second time slice.

4. The method of any one of claims 1-3, wherein the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a packet using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

6. The method of claim 4, wherein the method further comprises:

7. The method according to any one of claims 1-6, wherein the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and the AP.

8. The method of claim 6 or 7, wherein the method further comprises:

9. The method of any one of claims 1-8, wherein the method further comprises:

10. The method according to any of claims 1-9, wherein the expiration time of the first time slice is the start time of the second time slice or the start time of the first time slice is the expiration time of the second time slice.

11. An access point AP, comprising:

a first sending unit, configured to send first indication information to a first STA of a plurality of STAs at a start time of a first time slice, where the first STA is configured to obtain a frequency spectrum in a working channel of the AP in a contention manner to send a message to the AP; the first indication information is used for indicating the first STA to compete for the opportunity of sending the message on the first frequency spectrum;

a second sending unit, configured to send second indication information to a second STA in the plurality of STAs in a second time slice, where the second STA is configured to obtain, by using the AP centralized scheduling manner, a spectrum in a working channel of the AP to send a packet to the AP; the second indication information is used for indicating the second STA to send a message by using a second frequency spectrum in the second time slice;

a second receiving unit, configured to receive, in the second time slice, a packet sent by the second STA using the second spectrum; wherein the first time slice and the second time slice do not overlap, the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum do not overlap, and the working channel of the AP includes the first frequency spectrum and the second frequency spectrum.

12. The access point of claim 11, wherein the AP further comprises:

13. The access point of claim 11 or 12, wherein the AP further comprises:

14. The access point according to any of claims 11-13, wherein the second indication information is specifically configured to instruct the second STA to send a message using the first spectrum and the second spectrum in the second time slice;

15. The access point of claim 14, wherein the AP further comprises:

16. The access point of claim 14, wherein the AP further comprises:

17. The access point according to any of claims 11-16, wherein the first indication information is a probe response frame or a beacon frame in a process of establishing an association between the first STA and an AP.

18. The access point of claim 16 or 17, wherein the AP further comprises:

19. The access point of any of claims 11-18, wherein the AP further comprises:

20. A communication system comprising an access point AP, a first station STA and a second station STA, wherein the AP is an AP as claimed in any one of claims 11 to 19.