CN114765901B

CN114765901B - Method, device, equipment and storage medium for managing multi-link equipment connection

Info

Publication number: CN114765901B
Application number: CN202111559920.3A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 吴昊; 尹蕾
Original assignee: Jimi Technology Co ltd
Current assignee: Jimi Technology Co ltd
Priority date: 2021-12-20
Filing date: 2021-12-20
Publication date: 2023-05-02
Anticipated expiration: 2041-12-20
Also published as: CN114765901A; WO2023115871A1

Abstract

The application discloses a method, a device, equipment and a storage medium for managing multi-link equipment connection. The method comprises the following steps: the access device sends a connection response message or a disconnection message to the terminal, and sets the value of the state parameter of the terminal; after receiving the connection response message or disconnection message sent by the access device, the terminal may set a value of a state parameter of the access device according to the received connection response message or disconnection message, or according to a connection state with the access device. According to the method and the device, through processing of the connection state parameters and/or the security key parameters, when the multilink configuration of the multilink access equipment is changed, the multilink access equipment can dynamically conduct link reconfiguration, so that the multilink terminal can select a link configuration mode which is more favorable for the terminal according to the configuration change of the accessed multilink access equipment, the utilization rate of wireless resources is improved, the data transmission rate is improved, and the service delay is reduced.

Description

Method, device, equipment and storage medium for managing multi-link equipment connection

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular, to a method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium for managing multi-link device connection.

Background

In the 802.11 system, an access device (AP STA) and a terminal (Non-AP STA) are internally deployed with a MAC layer and a PHY layer, wherein main functions of the MAC layer include channel management, connection management, quality of service management, power control, time synchronization, and the like, and main functions of the PHY layer include modulation, coding, transmission, and the like.

Both the MAC layer and the PHY layer conceptually include management entities referred to as a medium access layer management entity MLME (MAC sublayer management entity) and a physical layer management entity PLME (PHY sublayer management entity), respectively. These entities provide low-level management service interfaces through which low-level management functions can be invoked.

In order to provide proper MAC operation, each device (including Non-AP STA and AP STA) has a higher-level management entity therein, such as SME (station management entity, device management entity), which means that the higher-level management entity above the MAC layer is a layer-independent entity, which is located in a separate management plane.

Action of SME: typically, the entity is responsible for functions such as collecting layer-related states from various layer management entities (MLME and PLME), and similarly, it will also set layer-specific parameter values. SMEs typically perform such functions on behalf of general system management entities. The layers interact through defined primitives. Fig. 1 depicts the relationship between management entities.

802.11be networks, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT) networks, enhance functionality through a range of system characteristics and mechanisms to achieve extremely high throughput. As the use of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs) continues to grow, it is increasingly important to provide wireless data services in many environments, such as homes, businesses, and hotspots. In particular, video traffic will continue to be the dominant traffic type in many WLAN deployments. The throughput requirements of these applications are evolving due to the advent of 4k and 8k video (20 Gbps uncompressed rate). New high throughput, low latency applications such as virtual or augmented reality, gaming, remote offices, and cloud computing will proliferate (e.g., latency for real-time gaming is less than 5 milliseconds).

In view of the high throughput and stringent real-time delay requirements of these applications, users desire to support their applications over a WLAN with higher throughput, higher reliability, less delay and jitter, and higher power efficiency. Users desire improved integration with Time Sensitive Networks (TSNs) to support applications on heterogeneous ethernet and wireless LANs. The 802.11be network aims to ensure the competitiveness of WLAN by further improving the overall throughput and reducing the delay while ensuring backward compatibility and coexistence with legacy technology standards. 802.11 compatible devices operating in the 2.4GHz,5GHz and 6GHz frequency bands.

Disclosure of Invention

The multilink access device can flexibly set logic access points for a plurality of links on different frequency bands, for example, after initial startup, the logic access points are set on the frequency bands of 2.4Ghz and 5Ghz, and then the number of the accessed devices is increased, and a new logic access point is added to operate in the 6GHz frequency band. As time changes, the access device gets smaller, then the logic access point on the 6GHz band is cancelled, for example, the interference on the 2.4GHz band is found to be larger in the running process, the logic access point on the 2.4GHz band is cancelled, and the logic access point operating on the 6GHz band is newly added. In view of this, embodiments of the present application provide a method, an apparatus, a device, and a storage medium for managing a connection of a multi-link device, so that a multi-link terminal may perform link reconfiguration according to a configuration change of an accessed multi-link access device.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing a multi-link device connection, including:

the method comprises the steps that a terminal receives a connection response message or a disconnection message sent by an access device, wherein the connection response message indicates whether connection establishment is agreed, the terminal and the access device are multi-link devices, and the terminal stores a first parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the access device;

If the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is a link, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter as a connected state;

if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter to be in a non-connection state.

In one possible implementation manner, after the terminal receives the disconnection message sent by the access device, the method further includes:

the low-level management entity of the terminal sends a disconnection indication primitive to the high-level management entity of the terminal;

after receiving the disconnection indication primitive, a high-level management entity of the terminal reserves a pair of temporary security association keys used for communicating with the access equipment if the operation range indicated in the primitive is a link, and deletes a group temporary key, an integrity group temporary key and a beacon integrity group temporary key used for communicating with the access equipment on the link receiving the disconnection message; if the operating range is indicated in the primitive as the basic service set, the paired temporary security association key, the group temporary key, the integrity group temporary key, and the beacon integrity group temporary key for use in communicating with the access device are deleted.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing a multi-link device connection, including:

the method comprises the steps that a terminal receives a connection response message or a disconnection message sent by an access device, wherein the connection response message indicates whether to agree to establish connection on a link of which the terminal requests to establish connection, the terminal and the access device are multi-link devices, and the terminal stores first parameters which are used for indicating the connection state of the access device;

if a connection response message sent by the access equipment is received, the terminal sets a second parameter, wherein the second parameter is used for indicating the connection state of a logic access point which operates on a link of the access equipment, the connection of which is requested to be established by the terminal; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is allowed to be established on the link of the terminal requesting to establish the connection, the terminal sets the value of the second parameter as a connected state; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not allowed to be established on the link of the terminal request for establishing the connection, the terminal sets the value of the second parameter to be in a non-connection state;

if a disconnection message sent by an access device is received, the terminal sets a value of a parameter for indicating a connection state of a logical access point operating on a link receiving the disconnection message in the access device to a non-connection state;

If there is a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical access point in the access device as a connected state, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter as the connected state; if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection state of the logic access point in the access equipment are all in a non-connection state, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter to be in the non-connection state.

after receiving the disconnection indication primitive, a higher-layer management entity of the terminal reserves a pair of temporary security association keys used for communicating with the access device and deletes a group temporary key, an integrity group temporary key and a beacon integrity group temporary key used for communicating with the access device on a link receiving the disconnection message if a value of a parameter used for indicating the connection state of a logic access point in the access device is in a connected state; and deleting the paired temporary security association key, the group temporary key, the integrity group temporary key and the beacon integrity group temporary key for use in communication with the access device if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection state of the logical access points in the access device are all in a non-connection state.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing a multi-link device connection, including:

the access equipment sends a connection response message or a disconnection message to the terminal, wherein the connection response message indicates whether connection establishment is agreed, the terminal and the access equipment are multi-link equipment, and the access equipment stores a third parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the terminal;

if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the access device sets the value of the third parameter to be in a connected state;

if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the access device sets the value of the third parameter to a non-connection state.

In one possible implementation manner, after the access device sends the disconnect message to the terminal, the method further includes:

the lower layer management entity of the access device sends a disconnection confirmation primitive to the higher layer management entity of the access device;

after receiving the disconnection confirmation primitive, the higher-layer management entity of the access device reserves a pair of temporary security association keys used for communicating with the terminal if the operation range is indicated as a link in the primitive, and deletes a group temporary key, an integrity group temporary key and a beacon integrity group temporary key used for communicating with the terminal on the link for sending the disconnection message; if the operating range is indicated as the basic service set in the primitive, the paired temporary security association key, the group temporary key, the integrity group temporary key and the beacon integrity group temporary key used for communication with the terminal are deleted.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing a multi-link device connection, including:

the access equipment sends a connection response message or a disconnection message to the terminal, wherein the connection response message indicates whether to agree to establish connection on a link of the terminal requesting to establish connection, the terminal and the access equipment are multi-link equipment, and the access equipment stores a third parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the terminal;

if a connection response message is sent to the terminal, the access device sets a fourth parameter, wherein the fourth parameter is used for indicating the connection state of a logic terminal which operates on a link of the terminal requesting to establish connection in the terminal; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is allowed to be established on the link of the terminal requesting to establish the connection, the access device sets the value of the fourth parameter to be in a connected state; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not allowed to be established on the link of the terminal request for establishing the connection, the access equipment sets the value of the fourth parameter to be in a non-connection state;

if a disconnection message is transmitted to a terminal, an access device sets a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical terminal operating on a link transmitting the disconnection message in the terminal to a non-connection state;

If there is a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical terminal among the terminals as a connected state, the access device sets a value of the third parameter as a connected state; if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection state of the logic terminal in the terminals are all in a non-connection state, the access device sets the value of the third parameter to be in a non-connection state.

after receiving the disconnection confirmation primitive, the higher-layer management entity of the access device reserves a pair of temporary security association keys used for communication with the terminal and deletes a group temporary key, an integrity group temporary key and a beacon integrity group temporary key used for communication with the terminal on a link transmitting the disconnection message if a value of a parameter used for indicating the connection state of a logic terminal in the terminal is in a connected state; and if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection states of the logic terminals in the terminals are all in a non-connection state, deleting the paired temporary security association key, the group temporary key, the integrity group temporary key and the beacon integrity group temporary key for communication with the terminals.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link device connection management apparatus, including:

the communication module is used for receiving a connection response message or a disconnection message sent by the access equipment through the terminal, wherein the connection response message indicates whether connection establishment is agreed, the terminal and the access equipment are both multi-link equipment, and the terminal stores a first parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the access equipment;

the state setting module is used for setting the value of the first parameter as a connected state through the terminal if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed and the operation range is a link, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link; and if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, setting the value of the first parameter to be in a non-connection state through the terminal.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link device connection management apparatus, including:

the communication module is used for receiving a connection response message or a disconnection message sent by the access equipment through the terminal, wherein the connection response message indicates whether to agree to establish connection on a link of the terminal requesting to establish connection, the terminal and the access equipment are multi-link equipment, and the terminal stores a first parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the access equipment;

A logic state setting module, configured to set, by a terminal, a second parameter if a connection response message sent by an access device is received, where the second parameter is used to indicate a connection state of a logic access point in the access device that operates on a link where the terminal requests to establish a connection; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is allowed to be established on the link of the terminal requesting to establish the connection, setting the value of the second parameter to be a connected state through the terminal; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not allowed to be established on the link of the terminal request for establishing the connection, setting the value of the second parameter to be in a non-connection state through the terminal; if a disconnection message sent by an access device is received, setting, by a terminal, a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical access point operating on a link on which the disconnection message is received in the access device to a non-connection state;

a device state setting module configured to set, if there is a connected state as a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical access point in the access device, the value of the first parameter to the connected state through a terminal; and if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection state of the logic access point in the access equipment are all in the non-connection state, setting the value of the first parameter to be in the non-connection state through the terminal.

In a seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link device connection management apparatus, including:

the communication module is used for sending a connection response message or a disconnection message to the terminal through the access equipment, wherein the connection response message indicates whether connection establishment is agreed, the terminal and the access equipment are both multi-link equipment, and the access equipment stores a third parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the terminal;

a state setting module, configured to set, if the connection response message indicates that connection is not allowed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, set, by the access device, a value of the third parameter to be a connected state; and if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, setting the value of the third parameter to be in a non-connection state through the access device.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link device connection management apparatus, including:

the communication module is used for sending a connection response message or a disconnection message to the terminal through the access equipment, wherein the connection response message indicates whether to agree to establish connection on a link of the terminal requesting to establish connection, the terminal and the access equipment are multi-link equipment, and the access equipment stores a third parameter which is used for indicating the connection state of the terminal;

A logic state setting module, configured to set, if a connection response message is sent to a terminal, a fourth parameter through an access device, where the fourth parameter is used to indicate a connection state of a logic terminal operating on a link where the terminal requests to establish a connection in the terminal; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is allowed to be established on the link of the terminal requesting to establish the connection, setting the value of the fourth parameter to be a connected state through the access equipment; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not allowed to be established on the link of the terminal requesting to establish the connection, setting the value of the fourth parameter to be in a non-connection state through the access equipment; setting, by an access device, a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical terminal operating on a link on which the disconnection message is transmitted, among the terminals, to a non-connection state if the disconnection message is transmitted to the terminal;

a device state setting module for setting, if there is a connected state for which a value of a parameter indicating a connection state of a logical terminal among the terminals is present, a value of the third parameter to the connected state through an access device; and if the values of the parameters for indicating the connection states of the logic terminals in the terminals are all in the non-connection state, setting the value of the third parameter to be in the non-connection state through the access equipment.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a multi-link device connection management device, including a memory, a processor, and a computer program stored on the memory, where the processor executes the computer program to implement the steps of the method according to any one of the first to fourth aspects.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium having stored thereon a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method of any of the first to fourth aspects.

In an eleventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising instructions which, when executed by a processor, implement the steps of the method of any one of the first to fourth aspects.

It should be noted that, the apparatus according to the fifth aspect is used to implement the method according to the first aspect, the apparatus according to the sixth aspect is used to implement the method according to the second aspect, the apparatus according to the seventh aspect is used to implement the method according to the third aspect, the apparatus according to the eighth aspect is used to implement the method according to the fourth aspect, the device according to the ninth aspect, the storage medium according to the tenth aspect and the computer program product according to the eleventh aspect are used to implement the method provided in any one of the first aspect to the fourth aspect, so that the same advantageous effects as those of the first aspect or the second aspect or the third aspect or the fourth aspect can be achieved, and the embodiments of the present application will not be repeated.

According to the method and the device, through processing of the connection state parameters and/or the security key parameters, when the multilink configuration of the multilink access equipment is changed, the multilink access equipment can dynamically conduct link reconfiguration, so that the multilink terminal can select a link configuration mode which is more favorable for the terminal according to the configuration change of the accessed multilink access equipment, the utilization rate of wireless resources is improved, the data transmission rate is improved, and the service delay is reduced.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the relationship between management entities in a prior art device;

fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for managing multi-link device connection according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a multi-link device connection management device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

In order to better understand the technical solutions in the present application, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below, and it is obvious that the described embodiments are only some embodiments of the present application, not all embodiments. It should be understood that the specific embodiments described herein are for purposes of illustration only and are not intended to limit the present application. While the disclosure has been presented in terms of an exemplary embodiment or embodiments, it should be appreciated that the various aspects of the disclosure can be individually identified as a complete set of aspects. The following embodiments and features of the embodiments may be combined with each other without conflict.

In the embodiments of the present application, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. "and/or", describes an association relationship of an association object, and indicates that there may be three relationships, for example, a and/or B, and may indicate: a alone, a and B together, and B alone, wherein a, B may be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the context-dependent object is an "or" relationship. The word "comprising" or "comprises", and the like, means that elements or items preceding the word are included in the element or item listed after the word and equivalents thereof, but does not exclude other elements or items. In addition, in order to clearly describe the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, in the embodiments of the present application, the words "first," "second," etc. are used to distinguish identical items or similar items having substantially the same function and effect, and those skilled in the art will understand that the words "first," "second," etc. do not limit the number and execution order, but merely serve to illustrate and distinguish between the objects to be described, and do not indicate any limitation on the number of devices in the embodiments of the present application. The words "exemplary" or "such as" are used to mean that any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "such as" in the embodiments of the present application is not to be interpreted as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "such as" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete fashion.

It should be noted that the multi-link device includes a plurality of logic entities, each logic entity performs data transmission through a link, and each logic entity includes an independent data transceiver module. The single-link device has only one logical entity and only one MAC address, while the multi-link device has one MAC address for each logical entity affiliated to the multi-link device, e.g., a multi-link device operates with three logical entities, then there are four MAC addresses on this physical device, one for the multi-link device and one for each of the three logical entities. In this embodiment, a logical entity belonging to a terminal is referred to as a logical terminal, and a logical entity belonging to an access point is referred to as a logical access point. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the term "Access Point (AP)" in accordance with the principles and functions described herein may also be used to describe an access port or any other device capable of receiving and transmitting wireless signals within a network architecture, and thus, the use of an access point is merely exemplary.

Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for managing multi-link device connection according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the method for managing the multi-link device connection includes the steps of:

S101, the multi-link access device AP MLD sends a connection response message or a disconnection message to the multi-link terminal STA MLD, and sets the value of the state parameter of the STA MLD, wherein the connection response message indicates whether to agree to establish connection.

Specifically, the AP MLD and the STA MLD may each store a STATE parameter of the other party, for example, the AP MLD stores a STATE parameter sta_state of the STA MLD, and the STA MLD stores a STATE parameter ap_state of the AP MLD.

In some embodiments, the AP MLD may indicate the operation range in a connection response message or a disconnection message, e.g., the AP MLD simply does not agree on a connection on a link on which the STA MLD currently requests to establish a connection or just wants to disconnect a connection on a link on which the disconnection message is transmitted, or the AP MLD determines that there is a link connection with the STA MLD, indicates the operation range as a link in a connection response message or a disconnection message, e.g., the AP MLD does not agree on a connection on all links or wants to disconnect a connection on all links, or the AP MLD determines that there is no link connection with the STA MLD, and indicates the operation range as a basic service set in a connection response message or a disconnection message. If the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the AP MLD sets the value of sta_state to a connected STATE; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the AP MLD sets the value of sta_state to the non-connected STATE. If the connection response message indicates that the connection establishment is agreed, the AP MLD sets the value of sta_state to the connected STATE.

In other embodiments, the AP MLD may also set the value of sta_state according to the connection STATE with the STA MLD, specifically, if the AP MLD has a link connection with the STA MLD, the AP MLD sets the value of sta_state to the connected STATE; if the AP MLD has no link connection with the STA MLD, the AP MLD sets the value of STA_STATE to a non-connected STATE.

S102, after receiving a connection response message or a disconnection message sent by the AP MLD, the STA MLD sets the value of the state parameter of the AP MLD.

In some embodiments, the STA MLD may set the value of the ap_state according to information in the connection response message or the disconnection message, specifically, if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is a link, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the STA MLD sets the value of the ap_state to the connected STATE; if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the STA MLD sets the value of ap_state to a non-connection STATE; if the connection response message indicates that the connection establishment is agreed, the STA MLD sets the value of ap_state to the connected STATE.

In other embodiments, the STA MLD may also set the value of sta_state according to the connection STATE with the AP MLD, specifically, if the STA MLD has a link connection with the AP MLD, the STA MLD sets the value of ap_state to the connected STATE; if the STA MLD has no link connection with the AP MLD, the STA MLD sets the value of the ap_state to the non-connected STATE.

Before the AP MLD transmits the connection response message to the STA MLD, the method may further include the steps of:

s1001.ap MLD transmits information of the newly added link to STA MLD.

The AP MLD may include the information of the newly added link in the broadcast message, or may send a proprietary message to the STA MLD, where the proprietary message includes the information of the newly added link.

S1002, after receiving information of a new link sent by the AP MLD, if the new link is decided to be established, the STA MLD sends a connection request message to the AP MLD on a first link, wherein the connection request message indicates the STA MLD to request the link for establishing the connection, and the first link belongs to the new link.

S1003. the ap MLD receives the connection request message sent by the STA MLD on the first link.

It should be understood that the connection request message in steps S1002 and S1003 may be a Association request message or a ReAssociation request message. Accordingly, the connection response message in steps S101 and S102 may be a Association response message or ReAssociation response message.

For a better understanding of the present application, the present application is described below in connection with one specific embodiment. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the STA MLD has three logical terminals STA1, STA2 and STA3, the AP MLD has three logical access points AP1, AP2 and AP3, after the start-up operation, the AP1 is set to operate in the 2.4GHz band, the Link identifier is set to be Link 1, the AP2 is set to operate in the 5GHz band, and the Link identifier is set to be Link 2, and the AP3 is not operated.

The method comprises the steps that a multi-Link terminal STA MLD establishes connection with multi-Link access equipment AP MLD, wherein STA1 is connected with AP1, and a Link identifier between the STA1 and the AP1 is Link 1; STA2 is connected to AP2 and the Link between them is identified as Link 2. Illustratively, the manner of establishing the connection includes the steps of:

s201.sta1 sends a connection request message (e.g. Association request message) to AP1, which contains Multi link element information elements, for example Multi link element information elements containing the parameters shown in table 1. The information contained here is used to indicate to the AP MLD that a request is made to establish a plurality of link connections.

TABLE 1

Link ID	STA info
		Link 1	Capability information and/or operation information of STA1
Link 2	Capability information and/or operation information of STA2

The Link ID is used for indicating a Link identifier; the STA info is used to set information of the logical terminal.

S202.Ap1, after receiving the connection request message, if agreeing to the connection request of STA1, sends a connection response message (e.g. Association response message) to STA1, where the message indicates that the connection is agreed to be established, and the connection response message includes Multi link element information elements, for example, multi link element information elements include parameters shown in table 2.

TABLE 2

Link ID	AP info
		Link 1	Capability information and/or operation information of AP1
Link 2	Capability information and/or operation information of AP2

The Link ID is used for indicating a Link identifier; the AP info is used to set information of the logical access point.

If the connection request of the STA1 is not agreed, a connection response message is sent to the STA1, and the message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established. In the embodiment of the present application, it is assumed that the connection response message indicates that the connection is agreed to be established.

S203, after the STA1 receives the connection response message, if the connection is agreed to be established in the message, the connection between the multi-link terminal STA MLD and the multi-link access equipment AP MLD is established, the STA MLD stores the received link information and the AP information, and data transmission is carried out according to the AP information.

S204, after connection is established, the STA MLD sets a parameter AP_STATE value of the STATE of the locally set AP MLD as STATE_B; the AP MLD sets a parameter STA_STATE value of the STATE of the locally stored STA MLD as STATE_B; the value state_b represents the connected STATE.

After the AP MLD operates for a period of time, when detecting that the number of terminals connected to the equipment is large or the service data volume of the terminals is large, determining to start the AP3, operating the AP3 on a 6GHz frequency band, and identifying an operation Link as Link 3, the AP MLD sends information of the newly added Link 3 to the STA MLD, and after the STA MLD receives the information, the STA MLD can perform Link reconfiguration according to own requirements, and specifically comprises the following steps:

s301, the AP MLD contains information of a new link in a broadcast message (such as a beacon message) or a probe response message (probe response message) sent by the AP1 and/or the AP2, as shown in a table 3.

TABLE 3 Table 3

Link ID	AP info
		Link 3	Capability information and/or operation information of AP3

Or alternatively, the process may be performed,

the AP MLD transmits a proprietary message to the STA1 through the AP1 to which it belongs, or transmits a proprietary message to the STA2 through the STA2 to which it belongs, where the message contains the same information as above, so as to inform the STA that the MLD has a new link.

S302, after the STA MLD acquires that the AP MLD adds a link through a broadcast message or a detection response message or a proprietary message, determining whether to request to establish the new link according to own strategies, for example, if own service needs higher transmission rate or lower transmission delay, for example, if own service has idle unused logic terminals, if the decision is negative, not executing the following operations; if yes, the embodiment of the application sets the STA MLD to establish a connection on the new link by using the logical terminal STA3, and sends a Association request message or ReAssociation request message to the logical access points AP3, association request message or ReAssociation request message affiliated to the AP MLD by the STA3, where the Multi link element message includes an Multi link element information element, and the Multi link element information element includes parameters shown in table 4, for example.

TABLE 4 Table 4

S303. After the ap MLD receives the Association request message or ReAssociation request message,

if the STA3 is accepted to establish a connection with the AP3, the value of the parameter status code is set to SUCCESS, which indicates that the connection is agreed to be established, the value of the parameter sta_state is set to state_b, and a Association response message or ReAssociation response message is sent to the STA MLD, where the message contains the parameter status code. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a parameter scope in a Association response or ReAssociation response message, where the parameter scope is used to indicate an operation range, and its value is set to indicate that the operation range is a link or a basic service set, and the value of the parameter sta_state is state_b.

If the connection between the STA3 and the AP3 is not accepted, setting the value of the parameter status code to be Non-Success, which means that the connection is not agreed, keeping the value of the parameter sta_state to be state_b, and sending Association response or ReAssociation response message to the STA MLD, where the message contains the parameter status code. Optionally, the AP MLD may further include a parameter scope in the Association response or ReAssociation response message, set a value of the parameter sta_state to state_b if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a link, and set a value of the parameter sta_state to state_a if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a basic service set, indicating a non-connection STATE.

S304. after sta MLD receives Association response message or ReAssociation response message,

if the status code value in the message is SUCCESS, the STA3 and the AP3 are in a connection STATE, and the value of the parameter AP_STATE is kept as STATE_B;

if the status code value in the message is not SUCCESS, STA3 and AP3 are in an unconnected STATE, and if Association response message or ReAssociation response message does not contain a parameter scope, the value of the parameter ap_state is kept to be state_b; if the Association response message or ReAssociation response message contains a parameter scope, the value of the parameter ap_state is set to state_b when the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a link, and the value of the parameter ap_state is set to state_a when the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a basic service set.

After a period of operation, if the AP MLD decides to stop the operation of the AP3, it further includes:

s401.AP MLD may send a disconnect message (e.g., a association message) to STA3 through AP 3.

In some embodiments, the disconnect message may include a Multi link element information element, for example, multi link element information element including the parameters shown in table 5.

TABLE 5

The AP MLD may set a value of sta_state according to a connection STATE with the STA MLD. Specifically, if the AP MLD and the STA MLD are also connected with other links, for example, in the embodiment of the present application, STA1 and AP1 are also connected, STA2 and AP2 are also connected, and the value of the parameter sta_state is kept to be state_b; if the AP MLD and the STA MLD are not connected by a link, the value of the parameter sta_state is set to state_a, indicating a non-connected STATE.

In other embodiments, the disconnect message may include a parameter scope, which sets the value of parameter sta_state to state_b if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a link, and sets the value of parameter sta_state to state_a if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a basic service set.

Optionally, the MLME of the AP MLD sends a disconnection confirmation primitive (e.g., a MLME-disassociate. Confirm primitive) to the SME of the AP MLD, and after the SME of the AP MLD receives the disconnection confirmation primitive, if the AP MLD and the STA MLD are connected with other links, the PTKSA (paired temporary security association key) for communicating with the STA MLD is reserved, and the GTK (group temporary key), IGTK (integrity group temporary key) and BIGTK (beacon integrity group temporary key) used for communicating with the STA MLD on Link 3 are deleted; if the AP MLD and the STA MLD have no link connection, PTKSA, GTK, IGTK and BIGTK used for communication with the STA MLD are deleted.

If the disconnecting message contains a parameter scope, when the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a Link, reserving PTKSA for communicating with the STA MLD, and deleting GTK, IGTK and BIGTK used for communicating with the STA MLD on Link 3; when the parameter scope indicates an operation range as the basic service set, PTKSA, GTK, IGTK and BIGTK used for communication with STA MLD are deleted.

S402. after receiving the disconnection message, the sta MLD sets the value of ap_state.

In some embodiments, the STA MLD may set the value of ap_state according to a connection STATE with the AP MLD. Specifically, if STA MLD and AP MLD are also connected with other links, the value of the parameter ap_state is kept as state_b; if the STA MLD and the AP MLD have no link connection, the value of the parameter ap_state is set to state_a.

In other embodiments, the STA MLD may set the value of ap_state according to information in the disconnect message. Specifically, the disconnect message includes a parameter scope, and if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a link, the value of the parameter sta_state is set to state_b, and if the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a basic service set, the value of the parameter sta_state is set to state_a.

Optionally, the MLME of the STA MLD may send a disconnection indication primitive (such as a MLME-discsociate. Indication primitive) to the SME of the STA MLD, and after the SME of the STA MLD receives the disconnection indication primitive, if the STA MLD and the AP MLD are still connected with other links, the PTKSA (paired temporary security association key) for communicating with the AP MLD is reserved, and the GTK (group temporary key), IGTK (integrity group temporary key) and BIGTK (beacon integrity group temporary key) used for communicating with the AP MLD on Link 3 are deleted; if the STA MLD and the AP MLD have no link connection, PTKSA, GTK, IGTK and BIGTK for communication with the AP MLD are deleted.

If the disconnecting message contains a parameter scope, when the parameter scope indicates that the operation range is a Link, reserving a PTKSA for communicating with the AP MLD, and deleting a GTK, an IGTK and a BIGTK used for communicating with the AP MLD on Link 3; when the parameter scope indicates an operation range as the basic service set, PTKSA, GTK, IGTK and BIGTK for use in communication with the AP MLD are deleted.

In some embodiments, after the STA MLD establishes a connection with the AP MLD on Link 1 and Link 2, the STA MLD also locally sets parameters including a logical_state_ap1 and a logical_state_ap2, where the parameters are used to indicate a connection STATE of a Logical access point of the connected AP MLD, and the values of the parameters are set to be a logical_state_ap1=state_b and a logical_state_ap2=state_b; the AP MLD also locally sets parameters of logical_state_sta1 and logical_state_sta2, which are used to indicate the connection STATE of the Logical terminals of the connected STA MLD, and its value is set to be logical_state_sta 1=state_b, and logical_state_sta 2=state_b.

In step S303, the AP MLD also sets a parameter local_state_sta 3 locally, and if it is accepted that STA3 establishes a connection with AP3, sets its value to be local_state_sta 3=state_b; if STA3 is not accepted to establish a connection with AP3, its value is set to logical_state_sta 3=state_a.

In step S304, the STA MLD also sets a parameter local_state_ap 3 locally, and if the status code value in the message is SUCCESS, sets the value to be local_state_ap 3 = state_b; if the status code value in the message is not SUCCESS, then its value is set to logical_state_ap 3=state_a.

In step S401, the AP MLD further sets the parameter logical_state_sta3 value to be state_a, and if the parameter logical_state_sta1 or logical_state_sta2 value is state_b, the AP MLD keeps the value of sta_state to be state_b; if the values of the parameters logical_state_sta1, logical_state_sta2 and logical_state_sta3 are both state_a, the AP MLD sets the value of sta_state to state_a.

In step S402, the STA MLD also sets the parameter logical_state_ap3 value to be state_a, and if the parameter logical_state_ap1 or logical_state_ap2 value is state_b, the STA MLD keeps the ap_state value to be state_b; if the values of the parameters logical_state_ap1, logical_state_ap2 and logical_state_ap3 are both state_a, then STA MLD sets the value of ap_state to state_a.

The embodiment of the application also provides a device for connecting the multi-link equipment, which comprises:

In an alternative example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above apparatus may be specifically configured as the STA MLD in the above embodiment, and the apparatus may be configured to perform each flow and/or step corresponding to the STA MLD in the above method, which is not repeated herein.

The embodiment of the application also provides a device for managing the connection of the multi-link equipment, which comprises the following components:

In an alternative example, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that the above apparatus may be specifically an AP MLD in the above embodiment, and the apparatus may be configured to perform each flow and/or step corresponding to the AP MLD in the above method, which is not repeated herein.

It should be understood that the apparatus herein is embodied in the form of functional modules. The term module herein may refer to an application specific integrated circuit (application specific integrated circuit, ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (e.g., a shared, dedicated, or group processor, etc.) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that support the described functionality. The device has the function of realizing the corresponding steps in the method; the above functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the functions described above. In embodiments of the present application, the apparatus may also be a chip or a chip system, for example: system on chip (SoC). The present application is not limited herein.

The embodiment of the application also provides a multi-link device connection management device, and fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of the multi-link device connection management device provided in the embodiment of the application. As shown in fig. 3, the device 300 comprises a processor 301, a memory 302 and a communication interface 303, wherein the processor 301, the memory 302 and the communication interface 303 are in communication with each other via a bus 304, and instructions executable by the processor 301 are stored in the memory 302, and are loaded and executed by the processor 301 to control the communication interface 303 to send signals and/or receive signals.

It should be understood that the apparatus 300 may be specifically configured as the STA MLD or the AP MLD in the above embodiments, or the functions of the STA MLD or the AP MLD in the above embodiments may be integrated in the apparatus 300, and the apparatus 300 may be configured to perform the respective steps and/or flows corresponding to the STA MLD or the AP MLD in the above embodiments. Alternatively, the memory 302 may include read-only memory and random access memory, and provide instructions and data to the processor 301. A portion of memory 302 may also include non-volatile random access memory. For example, the memory 302 may also store information of the device type. The processor 301 may be configured to execute instructions stored in the memory 301, and when the processor 301 executes the instructions, the processor 301 may perform corresponding steps and/or flows in the above-described method embodiments.

It should be appreciated that in embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (centralprocessing unit, CPU), the processor may also be other general purpose processors, digital Signal Processors (DSPs), application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like.

In implementation, the steps of the above method may be performed by integrated logic circuits of hardware in a processor or by instructions in the form of software. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the embodiments of the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in the processor for execution. The software modules may be located in a random access memory, flash memory, read only memory, programmable read only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers, etc. as well known in the art. The storage medium is located in a memory, and the processor executes instructions in the memory to perform the steps of the method described above in conjunction with its hardware. To avoid repetition, a detailed description is not provided herein.

The above embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any other combination. When implemented in software, the above-described embodiments may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product comprises one or more computer instructions or computer programs. When the computer instructions or computer program are loaded or executed on a computer, the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the present application are all or partially produced. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored in a computer-readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer-readable storage medium to another computer-readable storage medium, for example, the computer instructions may be transmitted from one website site, computer, server, or data center to another website site, computer, server, or data center by wired (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer readable storage medium may be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device such as a server, data center, etc. that contains one or more sets of available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., DVD), or a semiconductor medium. The semiconductor medium may be a solid state disk.

It should be understood that, in various embodiments of the present application, the sequence numbers of the foregoing processes do not mean the order of execution, and the order of execution of the processes should be determined by the functions and internal logic thereof, and should not constitute any limitation on the implementation process of the embodiments of the present application.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the various illustrative modules and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as electronic hardware, or combinations of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether such functionality is implemented as hardware or software depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus, device, and method may be implemented in other manners. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules is merely a logical function division, and there may be other manners of dividing the modules or components into multiple modules or components when actually implemented, or multiple modules or components may be combined or integrated into another system, or some features may be omitted, or not performed. Alternatively, the coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed with each other may be an indirect coupling or communication connection via some interfaces, devices or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms.

The units described as separate units may or may not be physically separate, and units shown as units may or may not be physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed on a plurality of network units. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of this embodiment. In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated in one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units may be integrated in one unit.

The foregoing is merely specific embodiments of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any person skilled in the art can easily think about changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and the changes and substitutions are intended to be covered by the scope of the present application. Therefore, the protection scope of the present application shall be subject to the protection scope of the claims.

Claims

1. A method for managing a multi-link device connection, comprising:

If the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter to be in a connected state, wherein when the access device only does not agree to connect on the link on which the terminal currently requests to establish the connection or only wants to disconnect the link on which the disconnection message is currently sent, or the access device judges that the connection with the terminal is still a link, the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link;

if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the terminal sets the value of the first parameter to be in a non-connection state, wherein when the access device does not agree to connect on all links or wants to disconnect all links, or the access device determines that no link is connected with the terminal, the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set.

2. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 1, further comprising, before the terminal receives the connection response message sent by the access device:

The terminal receives the information of the newly added link sent by the access equipment;

and the terminal sends a connection request message to the access equipment on a first link, wherein the connection request message indicates that the terminal requests to establish a link of connection, and the first link belongs to the newly added link.

3. The method for managing connection of multiple links according to claim 1, further comprising, after the terminal receives the disconnection message sent by the access device:

4. A method for managing a multi-link device connection, comprising:

5. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 4, further comprising, before the terminal receives the connection response message sent by the access device:

6. The method for managing connection of multiple links according to claim 4, further comprising, after the terminal receives the disconnection message sent by the access device:

7. A method for managing a multi-link device connection, comprising:

If the connection response message indicates that the connection is not allowed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, the access device sets the value of the third parameter to be in a connected state, wherein when the access device only does not agree to establish the connection on the link currently requested by the terminal or only wants to disconnect the connection on the link currently transmitting the disconnection message, or the access device determines that the connection with the terminal is still available, the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link;

if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set, the access device sets the value of the third parameter to be in a non-connection state, wherein when the access device does not agree to connect on all links or wants to disconnect on all links, or the access device determines that no link is connected with the terminal, the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the basic service set.

8. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 7, further comprising, before the access device transmits a connection response message to the terminal:

The access equipment sends information of a newly added link to the terminal;

the access device receives a connection request message sent by the terminal on a first link, wherein the connection request message indicates that the terminal requests to establish a link of connection, and the first link belongs to the newly added link.

9. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 7, further comprising, after the access device transmits a disconnection message to the terminal:

10. A method for managing a multi-link device connection, comprising:

11. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 10, further comprising, before the access device transmits a connection response message to the terminal:

the access equipment sends information of a newly added link to the terminal;

12. The method for managing a multi-link device connection according to claim 10, further comprising, after the access device transmits a disconnect message to the terminal:

13. A multi-link device connection management apparatus, comprising:

the state setting module is used for setting the value of the first parameter as a connected state through the terminal if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not agreed and the operation range is a link, or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link; setting, by the terminal, a value of the first parameter to a non-connected state if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not to be established and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates the operation range is the basic service set, wherein the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the link when the access device only does not agree to connect on the link on which the terminal currently requests to establish the connection or only wants to disconnect the link on which the disconnection message is currently sent, or the access device determines that there is a link connection with the terminal; the operation range is indicated as the basic service set in the connection response message or the disconnection message when the access device does not agree on the connection on all links or wants to disconnect the connection on all links, or the access device judges that there is no link connection with the terminal.

14. A multi-link device connection management apparatus, comprising:

15. A multi-link device connection management apparatus, comprising:

a state setting module, configured to set, if the connection response message indicates that connection is not allowed to be established and the operation range is a link, or if the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is a link, set, by the access device, a value of the third parameter to be a connected state; setting, by the access device, a value of the third parameter to a non-connected state if the connection response message indicates that the connection is not granted and the operation range is the basic service set, or the disconnection message indicates the operation range is the basic service set, wherein the connection response message or the disconnection message indicates that the operation range is the link when the access device only does not grant the connection on the link on which the terminal currently requests to establish the connection or only wants to disconnect the connection on the link on which the disconnection message is currently sent, or the access device determines that there is a link connection with the terminal; the operation range is indicated as the basic service set in the connection response message or the disconnection message when the access device does not agree on the connection on all links or wants to disconnect the connection on all links, or the access device judges that there is no link connection with the terminal.

16. A multi-link device connection management apparatus, comprising:

17. A multi-link device connection management device comprising a memory, a processor and a computer program stored on the memory, characterized in that the processor executes the computer program to carry out the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1-12.

18. A computer readable storage medium, on which a computer program is stored, characterized in that the computer program, when being executed by a processor, implements the steps of the method of any of claims 1-12.