CN115884237A

CN115884237A - Association method, AP and STA in WLAN

Info

Publication number: CN115884237A
Application number: CN202111136892.4A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 廖倩; 张彧
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2021-09-27
Filing date: 2021-09-27
Publication date: 2023-03-31
Also published as: WO2023045823A1

Abstract

The application provides an association method in a WLAN, which is applied to the field of wireless communication. The association method in the WLAN comprises the following steps: when the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP. In the method, the beacon frame is added with the identifier of the first STA, so that the probability that the first STA is associated to a busy AP can be reduced, the re-association times of the first STA are reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced.

Description

Association method, AP and STA in WLAN

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of wireless communications, and in particular, to an association method, an Access Point (AP), and a Station (STA) in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Background

With the popularity of WLANs, one STA can typically be within the signal coverage of multiple APs. At this time, in order to improve the network quality of the STA, the STA may acquire Received Signal Strength Indications (RSSI) of a plurality of APs through a beacon frame transmitted by the AP. And the STA determines the accessed AP in the plurality of APs according to the RSSI. However, after the STA accesses the AP, if the load situation of the AP is busy, the STA must access another AP. Specifically, fig. 1 is a flowchart illustrating an association method in a WLAN. As shown in fig. 1, in step 101, the STA and the first AP establish an association relationship. In step 102, if the first AP determines that its load condition is busy, the first AP sends a handoff notification to the STA. The handoff notification includes an identification of the second AP. In step 103, upon receiving the handoff notification, the STA transmits a disassociation request to the first AP. In step 104, the first AP sends a disassociation notification to the STA. In step 105, after the association with the first AP is released, the STA establishes an association relationship with the second AP.

In practical applications, the STA must disassociate from the first AP before re-associating with the second AP, which results in a high time delay for the STA.

Disclosure of Invention

The association method, the AP and the STA in the WLAN can reduce the probability that the first STA is associated to a busy AP by adding the identifier of the first STA in a beacon frame, thereby reducing the number of times of re-association of the first STA and reducing the communication delay of the first STA.

A first aspect of the present application provides an association method in a WLAN. The association method comprises the following steps: when the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. A first STA that is not associated with the first AP may receive the beacon frame. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP. When the load condition of the first AP is busy, the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP does not carry the identifier of the first STA. At this time, the first STA may receive the beacon frame broadcast by the other AP. When the load condition of other APs is idle, the beacon frame broadcast by other APs carries the identifier of the first STA. The first STA may associate with other APs based on beacon frames broadcast by the other APs.

In the method and the device, the probability that the first STA is associated to a busy AP can be reduced by adding the identifier of the first STA in the beacon frame, so that the number of times of re-association of the first STA is reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced.

In an optional manner of the first aspect, before the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame, the association method further includes the steps of: the first AP receives a sounding frame broadcast by the first STA. The first AP obtains an identification of the first STA in the sounding frame. In practical applications, the first STA may actively broadcast the sounding frame to acquire the AP-related information. Wherein the sounding frame includes an identifier of the first STA. Accordingly, the first AP may determine which STAs exist in the surroundings through the sounding frame broadcast by the STAs. In the application, the identifier of the first STA is obtained through the sounding frame, so that the interaction between the first AP and the first STA can be reduced, and the communication resources are saved.

In an optional manner of the first aspect, before the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame, the association method further includes the steps of: the first AP broadcasts a first message to the STAs. And the first AP receives a second message sent by the first STA. The second message is obtained by the first STA from the first message. The first AP obtains the identity of the first STA in the second message. In practical applications, some STAs may only passively receive the beacon frame transmitted by the AP. At this time, the first AP may broadcast a first message in order to sense which STAs exist around. The first message is used to instruct the first STA to reply to the second message. The second message may be a sounding frame. Therefore, the method and the device can sense the STAs around more accurately, and therefore the probability that the first STA is associated with the busy AP is reduced.

In an optional manner of the first aspect, before the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame, the association method further includes the following steps: the first AP acquires first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA. For example, the first AP may measure a sounding frame or a second message sent by the first STA to obtain the first channel quality information. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information meets the threshold condition, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STA. The beacon frame carries an identification of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information does not meet the threshold condition, the beacon frame does not carry the identification of the first STA. According to the method and the device, the probability that the first STA is associated with the AP with poor signal quality can be reduced, and therefore the communication quality of the first STA is improved.

In an optional manner of the first aspect, before the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame, the association method further includes the following steps: the first AP acquires second channel quality information between the second AP and the first STA and the load condition of the second AP. Wherein the first STA may also be within the signal coverage of the second AP. When the first AP and the second AP are directly connected by wire or wirelessly, the first AP may directly receive the second channel quality information and the load condition of the second AP from the second AP. When the first AP and the second AP are connected through an Access Controller (AC), the first AP may receive the second channel quality information and a load condition of the second AP through the AC. When the load condition of the first AP is better than that of the second AP or the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STA. The beacon frame carries an identification of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. When the load condition of the second AP is better than the load condition of the first AP and the second channel quality information is better than the first channel quality information, the beacon frame does not carry the identifier of the first STA. At this time, the beacon frame sent by the second AP may carry the identifier of the first STA. The first STA associates with the second AP according to the beacon frame sent by the second AP. Thus, the first STA may associate to an AP with better signal quality or better load conditions. Therefore, the communication quality of the first STA can be improved.

In an optional manner of the first aspect, the beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to display an identifier of the first AP differently from identifiers of other APs, and the first AP is associated according to an instruction of selecting the identifier of the first AP. Wherein for a first STA associated with a first AP, the first STA may automatically associate with the first AP according to the beacon frame. For a first STA that is not associated with the first AP, the first STA may display the identity of the first AP as distinguished from the identities of other APs based on the beacon frame. For example, beacon frames transmitted by other APs do not include the identity of the first STA. The beacon frame transmitted by the first AP includes an identification of the first STA. The first STA displays the plurality of APs in an ordering mode. The plurality of APs includes a first AP and other APs. The first AP is ordered before the other APs. In the application, even if the first STA does not associate with the first AP, the probability that the first STA associates with the busy AP can be reduced, so that the number of times of reassociation of the first STA is reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced.

In an alternative form of the first aspect, the identification of the first STA is located in a vendor specific (vendor specific) field of the beacon frame. Wherein, during the interaction between the first STA and the first AP, the first AP may add the identifier of the first STA in the destination address field of the communication frame. Such as a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the first STA. In the application, the identification of the first STA is added in the specific provider field, so that the function confusion of the identifications of the two first STAs can be avoided, and the reliability of communication is improved.

A second aspect of the present application provides an association method in a WLAN. The association method comprises the following steps: the first STA receives a beacon frame from a first AP that is not associated with the first STA. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. The identifier of the first STA is obtained according to the load condition of the first AP, and the load condition of the first AP is idle. When the loading condition of the first AP is busy, the identification of the first STA is not included in the beacon frame.

In an optional manner of the second aspect, before the first STA receives the beacon frame, the association method further includes the steps of: the first STA broadcasts a sounding frame. The sounding frame is used for the first AP to obtain an identifier of the first STA in the sounding frame.

In an optional manner of the second aspect, before the first STA receives the beacon frame, the association method further includes the steps of: the first STA receives a first message broadcast by a first AP. The first STA sends a second message to the first AP according to the first message. The second message is used for the first AP to acquire the identity of the first STA in the second message.

In an optional manner of the second aspect, when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information between the first STA and the first AP meets the threshold condition, the beacon frame carries the identifier of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information does not meet the threshold condition, the beacon frame does not carry the identification of the first STA.

In an optional manner of the second aspect, when the load condition of the first AP is better than the load condition of the second AP, or first channel quality information between the first STA and the first AP is better than second channel quality information between the first STA and the second AP, the beacon frame carries the identifier of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. When the load condition of the second AP is better than the load condition of the first AP and the second channel quality information is better than the first channel quality information, the beacon frame does not carry the identifier of the first STA.

In an alternative form of the second aspect, the first STA displays the identity of the first AP differently from the identities of the other APs. The first STA receives an instruction to select an identity of the first AP. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the instruction.

In an alternative form of the second aspect, the identity of the first STA not associated with the first AP is located in a particular vendor field of the beacon frame.

A third aspect of the present application provides an association method in a WLAN. The association method comprises the following steps: when the loading condition of the first AP is busy, the first AP transmits a first communication frame to a first STA that is not associated with the first AP. The first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identification of the third AP. The first communication frame does not include an identification of the third AP when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The first STA may associate with the first AP according to the first communication frame.

In the application, the probability that the first STA is associated to the busy AP can be reduced by adding the identifier of the third AP in the first communication frame, so that the number of times of re-association of the first STA is reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced.

In an optional manner of the third aspect, before the first AP transmits the first communication frame, the association method further includes the following steps: the first AP acquires the load condition of the third AP from the third AP, and when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. When the load condition of the third AP is busy, the first communication frame may carry an identifier of an AP whose load condition is idle. Such as a fourth AP. In the method and the device, the probability that the first STA is associated to the busy AP can be further reduced, so that the number of times of re-association of the first STA is reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced.

In an optional manner of the third aspect, before the first AP transmits the first communication frame, the association method further includes the following steps: the first AP acquires third channel quality information between the third AP and the first STA from the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality meets the threshold condition, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality does not meet the threshold condition, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP. The method and the device can reduce the probability that the first STA is associated with the AP with poor signal quality, thereby improving the communication quality of the first STA.

In an alternative form of the fourth aspect, the identity of the third AP is located in a particular vendor field of the first communication frame.

A fourth aspect of the present application provides an association method in a WLAN. The association method comprises the following steps: the first STA receives a first communication frame from a first AP that is not associated with the first STA. The first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first STA associates with the third AP according to the first communication frame. Wherein, the identifier of the third AP is obtained according to the load condition of the first AP. The load situation of the first AP is busy. The first communication frame does not include an identification of the third AP when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The first STA may associate with the first AP according to the first communication frame.

In an optional manner of the fourth aspect, when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP. When the load condition of the third AP is busy, the first communication frame may carry an identifier of an AP whose load condition is idle, for example, a fourth AP.

In an optional manner of the fourth aspect, when the load condition of the third AP is idle and a third channel quality between the third AP and the first STA meets a threshold condition, the first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP. The first STA associates with the third AP according to the first communication frame. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality between the third AP and the first STA does not meet the threshold condition, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP. The first communication frame may carry an identifier of an AP whose load condition is idle, for example, a fourth AP.

In an alternative form of the fourth aspect, the identification of the third AP is located in a particular vendor field of the first communication frame.

A fifth aspect of the present application provides a first AP. The first AP comprises an acquisition module and a sending module. The acquisition module is used for acquiring the identifier of the first STA. The sending module is used for broadcasting the beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP.

In an optional manner of the fifth aspect, the first AP further comprises a receiving module. The receiving module is used for receiving a sounding frame broadcasted by the first STA. The acquisition module is configured to acquire an identifier of the first STA in the sounding frame.

In an alternative form of the fifth aspect, the transmitting module is further configured to broadcast the first message to the STAs. The first AP further includes a receiving module. The receiving module is used for receiving a second message sent by the first STA. The second message is obtained by the first STA from the first message. The obtaining module is configured to obtain the identifier of the first STA in the second message.

In an optional manner of the fifth aspect, the obtaining module is further configured to obtain first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA. The sending module is configured to broadcast, by the first AP, a beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information satisfies a threshold condition.

In an optional manner of the fifth aspect, the obtaining module is further configured to obtain second channel quality information between the second AP and the first STA and a load situation of the second AP. The sending module is used for broadcasting the beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is better than the load condition of the second AP or the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information.

In an alternative form of the fifth aspect, the beacon frame is configured to instruct the first STA to display an identifier of the first AP differently from identifiers of other APs, and the first AP is associated according to an instruction to select the identifier of the first AP.

In an alternative form of the fifth aspect, the identification of the first STA is located in a particular vendor field of the beacon frame.

A sixth aspect of the present application provides a first STA. The first STA includes a receiving module and an association module. The receiving module is configured to receive a beacon frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The association module is configured to associate with the first AP according to the beacon frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

In an optional manner of the sixth aspect, the first STA further comprises a transmitting module. The sending module is used for broadcasting a sounding frame, and the sounding frame is used for the first AP to acquire the identifier of the first STA in the sounding frame.

In an optional manner of the sixth aspect, the receiving module is further configured to receive a first message broadcasted by the first AP. The first STA further comprises a sending module configured to send a second message to the first AP according to the first message. The second message is used for the first AP to acquire the identity of the first STA in the second message.

In an optional manner of the sixth aspect, when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information between the first STA and the first AP meets the threshold condition, the beacon frame carries the identifier of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information does not meet the threshold condition, the beacon frame does not carry the identification of the first STA. In an optional manner of the sixth aspect, when the load condition of the first AP is better than that of the second AP, or first channel quality information between the first STA and the first AP is better than second channel quality information between the first STA and the second AP, the beacon frame carries the identifier of the first STA. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame. When the load condition of the second AP is better than the load condition of the first AP and the second channel quality information is better than the first channel quality information, the beacon frame does not carry the identifier of the first STA.

In an alternative form of the sixth aspect, the association module includes a display unit, a receiving unit, and an association unit. The display unit is used for displaying the identification of the first AP different from the identifications of other APs. The receiving unit is configured to receive an instruction to select an identity of the first AP. The association unit is used for associating the first AP according to the instruction.

In an alternative form of the sixth aspect, the identification of the first STA that is not associated with the first AP is located in a particular vendor field of the beacon frame.

A seventh aspect of the present application provides a first AP. The first AP comprises a sending module and an acquisition module. The obtaining module is configured to obtain an identifier of a third AP. The transmitting module is configured to transmit a first communication frame to a first STA that is not associated with the first AP when the load condition of the first AP is busy. The first communication frame is one of a sounding response frame, an authentication response frame, or an access response frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identification of the third AP.

In an optional manner of the seventh aspect, the first AP further includes an obtaining module. The obtaining module is configured to obtain a load condition of the third AP from the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is busy, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP. The first communication frame may carry an identification of an idle AP. Such as a fourth AP.

In an optional manner of the seventh aspect, the obtaining module is further configured to obtain, from the third AP, third channel quality information between the third AP and the first STA. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality meets the threshold condition, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality does not meet the threshold condition, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP.

In an alternative form of the seventh aspect, the identification of the third AP is located in a particular vendor field of the first communication frame.

An eighth aspect of the present application provides a first STA. The first STA includes a receiving module and an association module. A receiving module to receive a first communication frame from a first AP not associated with a first STA. The first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The association module is configured to associate the third AP according to the first communication frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.

In an optional manner of the eighth aspect, when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is busy, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP.

The first communication frame may carry an identification of an idle AP. Such as the identity of the fourth AP.

In an optional manner of the eighth aspect, when the load condition of the third AP is idle and third channel quality information between the third AP and the first STA meets a threshold condition, the first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality does not meet the threshold condition, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP.

In an alternative form of the eighth aspect, the identification of the third AP is located in a specific vendor field of the first communication frame.

A ninth aspect of the present application provides a first AP. The first AP includes a transceiver and a processor. The processor is configured to obtain an identification of the first STA. The transceiver is configured to broadcast a beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP.

In an alternative form of the ninth aspect, the transceiver and the processor in the first AP are further configured to perform the method of the first aspect or any one of the preceding alternatives of the first aspect.

A tenth aspect of the present application provides a first STA. The first STA includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver is configured to receive a beacon frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The processor is configured to associate with the first AP according to the beacon frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

In an alternative form of the tenth aspect, the transceiver and the processor in the first STA are further configured to perform the method of the second aspect or any of the preceding alternatives of the second aspect.

An eleventh aspect of the present application provides a first AP. The first AP includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to determine whether a load condition of the first AP is busy. The transceiver is configured to transmit a first communication frame to a first STA that is not associated with the first AP when the load condition of the first AP is busy. The first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identification of the third AP.

In an alternative form of the eleventh aspect, the transceiver and the processor in the first AP are further configured to perform the method of the third aspect or any of the alternative forms of the third aspect.

A twelfth aspect of the present application provides a first STA. The first STA includes a transceiver and a processor. The transceiver is configured to receive a first communication frame from a first AP not associated with a first STA. The first communication frame is one of a sounding response frame, an authentication response frame, or an access response frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The processor is configured to associate with the third AP based on the first communication frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.

In an alternative form of the twelfth aspect, the transceiver and the processor in the first STA are further configured to perform the method of the fourth aspect or any of the preceding alternatives of the fourth aspect.

A thirteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer storage medium, wherein the computer storage medium has instructions stored therein, and when executed on a computer, the instructions cause the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect; or causing the computer to perform a method as described in the second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect; or causing the computer to perform a method as described in the third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect; or cause the computer to perform a method as described in the fourth aspect or any one of the embodiments of the fourth aspect.

A fourteenth aspect of the present application provides a computer program product, wherein the computer program product, when executed on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect or any one of the embodiments of the first aspect; or causing the computer to perform a method as described in the second aspect or any one of the embodiments of the second aspect; or causing the computer to perform a method as described in the third aspect or any one of the embodiments of the third aspect; or cause the computer to perform a method as described in the fourth aspect or any one of the embodiments of the fourth aspect.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a flow chart illustrating an association method in a WLAN;

fig. 2 is a first flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first interface of a first STA provided herein;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second interface of the first STA provided in the present application;

fig. 5 is a second flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application;

fig. 6 is a third flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application;

fig. 7 is a fourth flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application;

fig. 8 is a fifth flowchart of an association method in a WLAN as provided herein;

fig. 9 is a sixth flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application;

fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first AP provided in the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a first STA provided in the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a computer device provided in the present application.

Detailed Description

The application provides an association method, an AP (access point) and an STA (station) in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN). By adding an identifier of a first Station (STA) in a beacon frame, the probability that the first STA is associated to a busy Access Point (AP) can be reduced, so that the number of times of re-association of the first STA is reduced, and the communication delay of the first STA is reduced. It is to be understood that the use of "first," "second," etc. throughout this application is for purposes of distinguishing between descriptions and is not intended to indicate or imply relative importance, nor is the order in which such indications or indications are intended to be construed.

In a WLAN, a STA may associate with a first AP whose load condition is heavy. At this time, the first AP may request the STA to associate with other APs, such as the second AP. In this case, the STA must disassociate from the first AP before re-associating with the second AP, which results in a high delay of the STA.

To this end, an association method in a WLAN is provided in the present application. Fig. 2 is a first flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 2, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 201, the first STA transmits a sounding frame.

Here, the probe frame is also called a probe request (probe request) frame. The first AP may receive a sounding frame unicast or broadcast by the first STA. When the probe frame is a unicast frame, the probe frame carries a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID). The BSSID carried in the probe frame may not be the BSSID of the first AP. The probe frame may also carry a Service Set Identifier (SSID). The SSID in the probe frame may or may not be the SSID of the first AP. The source address of the probe frame is a Media Access Control (MAC) address of the first STA. The MAC address of the first STA in the source address field may serve as an identification of the first STA. In practical applications, the first STA may add the identity of the first STA in other fields. For example, the first STA joins the identity of the first STA in a specific vendor field. The identification of the first STA may be a MAC address, an IP address, or other identification of the first STA.

In step 202, the first AP adds the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame when the load condition of the first AP is idle.

The first AP may determine a load condition of the first AP according to load parameters such as a channel load (channel load), a Central Processing Unit (CPU) utilization rate, an air interface occupancy rate, and an access number. And when the load parameter meets the threshold condition, the first AP determines that the load condition of the first AP is busy. And when the load parameter does not meet the threshold condition, the first AP determines that the load condition of the first AP is idle. For example, when the number of accesses by the first AP is greater than or equal to the threshold, the first AP determines that the load condition of the first AP is busy. And when the access number of the first AP is smaller than the threshold value, the first AP determines that the load condition of the first AP is idle.

As can be seen from the foregoing description of step 201, the sounding frame sent by the first STA carries the identifier of the first STA. Therefore, after the first AP receives the sounding frame, the first AP may perceive that the first STA is within its signal coverage. When the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP adds the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame. For example, the first AP may add the identity of the first STA in a particular vendor field in the beacon frame. When the load condition of the first AP is busy, the first AP does not add the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame.

In step 203, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs.

Among them, the beacon frame is also called beacon frame. When the load condition of the first AP is idle, the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP carries the identifier of the first STA. When the load condition of the first AP is busy, the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP does not carry the identity of the first STA.

In step 204, the first STA establishes an association relationship with the first AP according to the beacon frame.

The first STA may receive a beacon frame broadcast by the first AP. And when the beacon frame carries the identifier of the first STA, the load condition of the first AP is represented as idle. The detection frame broadcast by the first AP carries the identifier of the first AP. The identification of the first AP is the BSSID of the first AP and/or the SSID of the first AP. And the first STA accesses the first AP according to the identification of the first AP. For example, upon receiving a beacon frame broadcast by a first AP, the first STA unicasts a probe frame to the first AP. The destination address of the sounding frame is the BSSID of the first AP. The probe frame carries the BSSID of the first AP and the SSID of the first AP. Alternatively, the first STA broadcasts a sounding frame to the AP. The sounding frame carries an SSID of the first AP. After the first AP receives the sounding frame, the first AP sends a sounding reply frame to the first STA. The sounding reply frame is also called (probe response) frame. After the first STA receives the probe reply frame, the first STA sends an authentication frame to the first AP. The authentication frame is also called an authentication request (authentication request) frame. After the first AP receives the authentication frame, the first AP transmits an authentication reply (authentication response) frame to the first STA. After the first STA receives the authentication reply frame, the first STA transmits an access frame to the first AP. The access frame is also called an access request (association request) frame. Thereafter, the first AP transmits an access reply (association response) frame to the first STA. The first AP and the first STA establish an association relationship.

In practical applications, the first STA may receive beacon frames transmitted by multiple APs. The plurality of APs includes, for example, a first AP and a second AP. The first AP and the second AP may include the same SSID or different SSIDs. When the load condition of the first AP is busy, the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP does not carry the identifier of the first STA. Similar to the description of the foregoing first AP, when the load condition of the second AP is idle, the beacon frame broadcast by the second AP carries the identifier of the first STA. At this time, the first STA establishes an association relationship with the second AP according to the beacon frame broadcast by the second AP.

In practical applications, the first AP may receive sounding frames transmitted by a plurality of STAs. For example, the plurality of STAs includes a first STA and a second STA. When the load condition of the first AP is idle, the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP may carry the identifiers of the multiple STAs. For example, the identities of the plurality of STAs include an identity of a first STA and an identity of a second STA.

For a first STA associated with a first AP, the first STA may automatically associate with the first AP according to a beacon frame of the first AP. For a first STA that is not associated with a first AP, the first STA may display the identity of the first AP differently from the identities of other APs. The beacon frames broadcast by other APs do not carry the identifier of the first STA, and the load condition of the other APs is characterized to be busy or unknown. The distinguishing display method comprises the steps of adding identification, prioritizing and the like. The following description is made separately.

For example, fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a first interface of a first STA provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 3, the first STA300 receives beacon frames of four APs. The SSIDs of the four APs are respectively UNI 01-UNI 04. Beacon frames sent by the UNI01 and the UNI03 carry the identifier of the first STA. The identity of the first STA characterizes the load condition of UNI01 and UNI03 as idle. Beacon frames sent by UNI02 and UNI04 do not carry the identity of the first STA. Beacon frames sent by UNI02 and UNI04 do not carry the identity of the first STA. The first STA adds the flag "load good" to UNI01 and UNI03, distinguishing UNI01 and UNI03 from other APs. Other APs are UNI02 and UNI04. After receiving the instruction of the selected UNI01, the first STA associates the UNI01 according to the instruction. It should be understood that the identification of "load good" is only one example. In practical applications, the first STA may add other identities to UNI01 and UNI 03. Such as "recommend priority access", etc.

For example, fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a second interface of the first STA provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 4, the first STA400 receives beacon frames of four APs. SSIDs of the four APs are UNI 01-UNI 04 respectively. Beacon frames sent by the UNI01 and the UNI03 carry the identifier of the first STA. The identity of the first STA characterizes the load condition of UNI01 and UNI03 as idle. Beacon frames sent by the UNI02 and the UNI04 do not carry the identifier of the first STA. The first STA sequences the 4 APs according to whether the identification of the first STA is carried. The APs carrying the identifier of the first STA are ranked in the top. For example, in fig. 4, UNI01 and UNI03 are ordered first, so that UNI01 and UNI03 are distinguished from other APs. Other APs are UNI02 and UNI04.UNI02 and UNI04 are ranked behind. For a plurality of APs carrying the identifier of the first STA, the first STA may rank the plurality of APs according to the channel quality information. The APs with the better channel quality information are ranked first. For example, in fig. 4, the channel quality information of UNI01 is better than that of UNI 03. Therefore, UNI01 ranks first and UNI03 ranks second. Similarly, for a plurality of APs not carrying the identifier of the first STA, the first STA may also rank the plurality of APs according to the channel quality information. For example, in fig. 4, the channel quality information of UNI02 is better than that of UNI04. Therefore, UNI02 ranks first and UNI04 ranks second.

It should be appreciated that in the foregoing example of prioritization, the first STA performs the ranking according to whether the first STA carries the identifier of the first STA, and then performs the ranking according to the channel quality information (referred to as load priority for short). In practical application, the first STA may perform ranking according to the channel quality information, and then perform ranking according to whether the identifier of the first STA is carried (quality priority for short). For example, the first STA ranks channel quality information for a plurality of APs. The level of channel quality information for UNI01 and UNI02 is 4. The level of channel quality information for UNI03 and UNI04 is 3. The first STA first orders the APs according to the level of the channel quality information. The APs with the better channel quality information are ranked first. Therefore, UNI01 and UNI02 are ranked first and UNI03 and UNI04 are ranked later. And then, the first STA sorts the APs in the same channel quality information level according to whether the identification of the first STA is carried by the first STA. The APs carrying the identity of the first STA are ordered first. Therefore, UNI01 is ordered before UNI02 and UNI03 is ordered before UNI04. The plurality of APs are ordered in UNI01, UNI02, UNI03, and UNI04.

It should be appreciated that in practical applications, the first STA may employ both the addition of the identification and the prioritization. For example, in fig. 4, the first STA adds the flag "load good" to UNI01 and UNI 03. At this time, the first STA not only uses a load-first method to sort the APs, but also adds an identifier "load is good" to the AP carrying the identifier of the first STA. For example, in fig. 3, the first STA not only ranks the APs in a quality-first manner, but also adds an identifier "load is good" to the AP carrying the identifier of the first STA.

In the foregoing example of fig. 1, the first AP perceives the first STA through its sounding frame. In practical applications, some STAs may only passively receive the beacon frame transmitted by the AP, and may not actively broadcast the sounding frame. Thus, in order to sense which STAs are present in the surroundings, the first AP may trigger the first STA to transmit a signal. The first AP perceives which STAs are present in the surroundings through signals transmitted by the first STA. Specifically, fig. 5 is a second flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 5, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 501, a first AP broadcasts a first message to a STA. The first AP may periodically broadcast the first message. The specific format of the first message may be agreed upon by the STA. For example, a certain field of the first message carries the target identifier. The target identifier is used to instruct the first STA to reply to the second message.

In step 502, the first STA sends a second message to the AP. After receiving the first message, the first STA sends a second message to the AP. The second message includes an identification of the first STA. The identity of the first STA may be the source address of the second message. Wherein the second message may be a sounding frame. At this time, the first STA broadcasts the second message to the AP, and reference may be made to the description in step 201 of fig. 2 described above with respect to step 502. The source address in the first message may carry the BSSID of the first AP. Thus, upon receiving the first message, the first STA may also unicast the second message to the first AP.

In step 503, when the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP adds the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame.

In step 504, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs.

In step 505, the first STA establishes an association relationship with the first AP according to the beacon frame.

The description of steps 503 to 505 may refer to the description of steps 202 to 204 in fig. 2. In fig. 2 and 5, the first STA perceives the first STA through different methods. In practical applications, the first AP may also perceive the first STA through communication frames between the first STA and other APs. For example, after the first STA associates with the third AP, the first STA transmits a communication frame to the third AP. The source address of the communication frame is the MAC address of the first STA. The first AP may perceive the first STA through the communication frame. In the following description, the technical solution in the present application will be described by taking an example in which the first AP perceives the first STA through a sounding frame sent by the first STA.

Fig. 6 is a third flowchart of an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 6, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 601, the first STA transmits a sounding frame. The sounding frame includes an identification of the first STA.

In step 602, the first AP acquires first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA according to the sounding frame. The channel quality information may be Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI), channel duty cycle, or transmission power, etc. The first AP may obtain the first channel quality information by measuring a sounding frame transmitted by the first STA. It should be understood that, in practical applications, the first STA may also obtain the first channel quality information by measuring other signals transmitted by the first STA. Such as the second message sent by the first STA in step 502 above.

In step 603, when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information satisfies the threshold condition, the first AP adds the identifier of the first STA to the beacon frame. The description of the first AP determining the loading condition of the first AP may refer to the description in step 202 of fig. 2. The first channel quality information is assumed to be RSSI. When the RSSI is greater than or equal to the threshold value, the first channel quality information is characterized to meet the threshold value condition. And when the RSSI is smaller than the threshold value, the first channel quality information is represented to be not satisfied with the threshold value condition. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information meets the threshold condition, the first AP adds the identification of the first STA into the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information does not meet the threshold condition, the first AP does not add the identifier of the first STA into the beacon frame. When the loading condition of the first AP is busy, the first AP does not join the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame. For the description of the beacon frame, reference may be made to the description in step 202 in fig. 2 described above.

In step 604, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs.

In step 605, the first STA establishes an association relationship with the first AP according to the beacon frame.

For the description of step 601, reference may be made to the description of step 201 in fig. 2, and also to the description of step 502 in fig. 5. With regard to the description of step 604 and step 605, reference may be made to the description of step 203 and step 204 previously described.

In this application, the first AP adds the identifier of the first STA to the beacon frame only when the first channel quality information satisfies the threshold condition. Therefore, the method and the device can reduce the probability that the first STA is associated with the AP with poor signal quality, and therefore the communication quality of the first STA is improved.

In practical applications, the first STA may be within signal coverage of multiple APs. At this time, the first AP may compare channel quality information between the first STA and a plurality of APs. When the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA is better than the channel quality information between other APs and the first STA, the first AP adds the identification of the first STA into the beacon frame. For example, fig. 7 is a fourth flowchart illustrating an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 7, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 701, the first STA transmits a sounding frame. The probe frame includes an identification of the first SAT.

In step 702, the second AP acquires second channel quality information between the second AP and the first STA according to the sounding frame.

In step 703, the first AP acquires first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA according to the sounding frame.

In step 704, the second AP transmits second channel quality information to the first AP. When the first AP and the second AP are directly connected by wire or wirelessly and a related protocol is established, the second AP may directly transmit the second channel quality information to the first AP. When the first AP and the second AP are connected through the AC, the second AP may transmit the second channel quality information to the first AP through the AC. In order for the first AP to perceive that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the second AP, the second AP may further send the identifier of the first STA to the first AP. When the second AP perceives multiple STAs, the second AP may send a second list to the first AP. The second list includes identities of a plurality of STAs. The identification of the plurality of STAs includes an identification of the first STA.

In step 705, the first AP transmits first channel quality information to the second AP. In order for the second AP to perceive that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the first AP, the first AP may also send the identity of the first STA to the second AP. The identity of the first STA may be carried in a first list. The first list records the identity of STAs perceived by the first AP.

In step 706, the second AP does not join the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame when the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information. To avoid the first AP being in a busy state, the first STA has no accessible AP. The first AP may send the load condition of the first AP to the second AP. The second AP may send the load condition of the second AP to the first AP. When the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information, the second AP does not access the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame regardless of whether the load condition of the second AP is idle or busy. And when the load condition of the first AP is busy and the load condition of the second AP is idle, the second AP adds the identifier of the first STA into the beacon frame regardless of whether the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the load situation of the first AP is idle.

In step 707, when the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information, the first AP adds the identifier of the first STA to the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the second channel quality information is superior to the first channel quality information, the first AP does not add the identifier of the first STA into the beacon frame.

In step 708, the second AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs. The beacon frame does not carry the identity of the first STA.

In step 709, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STAs. The beacon frame carries an identification of the first STA.

In step 710, the first AP establishes an association relationship with the first AP according to the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP.

It should be understood that there is no strict timing constraint between step 702 and step 703. There is no strict timing constraint between step 704 and step 705. There is no strict timing constraint between step 706 and step 707. There is no strict timing constraint between step 708 and step 709. For the description of step 701, reference may be made to the description of step 201 in fig. 2, and also to the description of step 502 in fig. 5. For the description of step 702 and step 703, reference may be made to the description of step 602 in fig. 6. With regard to the description of step 707, reference may be made to the description of step 202 in fig. 2 and step 603 in fig. 6. With respect to the description of step 710, reference may be made to the description of step 204 in fig. 2.

In the present application, channel quality information is exchanged between a plurality of APs. Therefore, the first STA may associate to an AP with better channel quality, thereby improving the communication quality of the first STA.

In a WLAN system, the load of multiple APs may be unbalanced. To this end, multiple APs may interact with the load case. For example, fig. 8 is a fifth flowchart illustrating an association method in a WLAN provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 8, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 801, a first STA transmits a sounding frame. The sounding frame includes an identification of the first STA.

In step 802, the second AP sends the load condition of the second AP to the first AP. In order for the first AP to perceive that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the second AP, the second AP may also send the first STA's identification to the first AP. The identity of the first STA may be carried in a second list. The second list has recorded therein the identities of the STAs perceived by the second AP.

In step 803, the first AP sends the load situation of the first AP to the second AP. In order for the second AP to perceive that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the first AP, the first AP may also send the identity of the first STA to the second AP. The identity of the first STA may be carried in a first list. The first list has recorded therein the identities of the STAs perceived by the first AP.

In step 804, when the load condition of the first AP is better than the load condition of the second AP, the second AP does not join the identity of the first STA in the beacon frame.

In step 805, when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the load condition of the first AP is better than the load condition of the second AP, the first AP adds the identifier of the first STA to the beacon frame. And when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the load condition of the second AP is better than that of the first AP, the first AP does not add the identification of the first STA into the beacon frame. In this embodiment, it is assumed that the load situation of the first AP is better than the load situation of the second AP. For example, the number of accesses by the first AP is smaller than the number of accesses by the second AP.

In step 806, the second AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STA. The beacon frame does not carry the identity of the first STA.

In step 807, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to the STA. The beacon frame carries an identification of the first STA.

In step 808, the first AP establishes an association relationship with the first AP according to the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP.

It should be understood that there is no strict timing constraint between step 802 and step 803. There is no strict timing constraint between step 804 and step 805. There is no strict timing constraint between step 806 and step 807. For the description of step 801, reference may be made to the description of step 201 in fig. 2, and also to the description of step 502 in fig. 5. With respect to the description of the foregoing step 808, reference may be made to the description of step 204 in fig. 2.

In the present application, load conditions are interacted among a plurality of APs. Therefore, the first AP can access the AP with better load condition, thereby improving the communication quality of the first STA.

In practical application, load conditions and channel quality information can be interacted among a plurality of APs. Each AP in the plurality of APs determines whether to add the identification of the first STA in the beacon frame according to the load conditions of the plurality of APs and the channel quality information between the plurality of APs and the first STA. For example, the plurality of APs includes a first AP and a second AP. The first AP sends the load condition of the first AP and first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA to the second AP. And the second AP sends the load condition of the second AP and second channel quality information between the second AP and the first STA to the first AP. And when the load condition of the first AP is better than that of the second AP or the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information, the first AP adds the identification of the first STA into the beacon frame. The first STA associates with the first AP according to the beacon frame broadcast by the first AP. And when the load condition of the second AP is better than that of the first AP and the second channel quality information is better than the first channel quality information, the first AP does not add the identification of the first STA into the beacon frame.

In the association method in the WLAN, the first AP adds the identifier of the first STA to the beacon frame, so that the first STA can access the first AP through the beacon frame. However, in practical applications, there may be a case where the first STA does not support extension of the beacon frame. Therefore, even if the load situation of the first AP is busy, and the beacon frame of the first AP does not carry the identifier of the first STA, the first STA may still initiate an access request to the first AP. Or, for a first STA that does not access the first AP. The user of the first STA selects a first AP that does not carry the identity of the first STA, such as UNI02 in fig. 3, previously described. At this time, even if the load situation of the first AP is busy, the first STA may initiate an access request to the first AP. At this time, the first STA must disassociate the first AP after associating with the first AP. And then associating other APs, so that the time delay of the first STA is higher.

To this end, an association method in a WLAN is provided in the present application. Fig. 9 is a sixth flowchart illustrating an association method in a WLAN according to the present application. As shown in fig. 9, the association method in the WLAN includes the following steps.

In step 901, the first STA transmits an association request frame to the first AP.

After determining to access the first AP, the first STA transmits a sounding frame to the first AP. The association request frame may be one of a probe frame, an authentication frame, or an access frame. When the association request frame is a probe frame, the probe frame may be a unicast frame or a broadcast frame. When the probe frame is a broadcast frame, the probe frame carries the SSID of the first AP. When the probe frame is a unicast frame, the probe frame carries the BSSID and SSID of the first AP. When the association request frame is an authentication frame, the association request frame is obtained by the first STA according to a probe reply frame sent by the first AP. When the association request frame is an access frame, the association request frame is obtained by the first STA according to an authentication reply frame transmitted by the first AP.

In step 902, the first AP adds the identity of the third AP to the first communication frame when the loading condition of the first AP is busy.

For the description of the load condition of the first AP, reference may be made to the description in step 202 in fig. 2. The first communication frame is one of a sounding reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. Wherein the first communication frame is a sounding reply frame when the association request frame is a sounding frame. When the association request frame is an authentication frame, the first communication frame is an authentication reply frame. When the association request frame is an access frame, the first communication frame is an access reply frame. When the first AP and the third AP are closer in location, the first AP defaults that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the third AP. The first AP may have an identity of a third AP stored therein. The first AP may also receive an identification of the third AP from the third AP. Or after the third AP perceives the first STA, the third AP sends the identifier of the first STA to the first AP. The identification of the first STA is used to make the first AP perceive that the first STA is also within the signal coverage of the third AP. The identification of the first STA may be the MAC address of the first STA. When the first AP and the third AP have different SSIDs, the identification of the third AP may be the SSID or BSSID of the third AP. The identification of the third AP may be the BSSID of the third AP when the first AP and the third AP have the same SSID. The first AP may add the identity of the third AP in a particular vendor field in the first communication frame. When the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP does not add the identifier of the third AP in the first communication frame. The first AP associates with the first STA according to the association request frame.

In step 903, the first AP transmits a first communication frame to the first STA. The first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP.

In step 904, the first STA and the third AP establish an association relationship. The first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. And after receiving the first communication frame, the first STA establishes an association relation with the third AP according to the identifier of the third AP. For the description of the association relationship between the first STA and the third AP, reference may be made to the description of the association relationship between the first STA and the first AP.

In order to avoid that the load condition of the third AP is busy, which causes the first STA to re-associate with an AP other than the third AP, the first AP may acquire the load condition of the third AP from the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP. And the first STA associates the third AP according to the identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is busy, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP. The first communication frame carries the identification of the other APs. The first STA associates with the other AP according to the identification of the other AP.

In order to improve the communication quality of the first STA, the first AP may acquire third channel quality information between the third AP and the first STA from the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality information meets the threshold condition, carrying the identifier of the third AP in the first communication frame. And the first STA associates the third AP according to the identifier of the third AP. And when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality information does not meet the threshold condition, the first communication frame does not carry the identifier of the third AP. The first communication frame carries the identification of the other APs. The first STA associates with the other AP according to the identification of the other AP.

The association method in the WLAN is simply referred to as the association method in this application. It should be understood that the association method in fig. 9 does not conflict with the association method in any of the aforementioned fig. 2, 5 to 8. Specifically, after the association method in any one of fig. 2, 5 to 8 is adopted, the first STA may receive a beacon frame from the first AP, where the beacon frame does not include the identification of the first STA. At this time, the load situation of the first AP is busy. The first STA may still transmit an association request frame to the first AP. Upon receiving the association request frame, the first AP may transmit a first communication frame including an identification of the third AP to the first STA using the association method in fig. 9. Therefore, as for the association method in fig. 9, the association method in any one of the foregoing fig. 2, fig. 5 to fig. 8 may be cited. Similarly, the association method in fig. 2, 5 to 8 may also be referred to as the association method in fig. 9.

The association method in the WLAN provided in the present application is described above, and the AP and the STA provided in the present application are described below. Fig. 10 is a schematic structural diagram of a first AP provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 10, the first AP 1000 includes an acquisition module 1001 and a transmission module 1002. The first AP 1000 may be the first AP in any one of fig. 2, fig. 5 to fig. 9.

When the first AP 1000 is the first AP in any one of fig. 2, fig. 5 to fig. 8, the obtaining module 1001 is configured to obtain an identifier of the first STA. The sending module 1002 is configured to broadcast a beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP.

When the first AP 1000 is the first AP in fig. 9, the obtaining module 1001 is configured to obtain an identifier of a third AP. The transmitting module 1002 is configured to transmit a first communication frame to a first STA that is not associated with a first AP when a load condition of the first AP is busy. The first communication frame is one of a sounding response frame, an authentication response frame, or an access response frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identification of the third AP.

In other embodiments, the first AP 1000 may also include a receiving module, an adding module, and the like. Various modules in the first AP 1000 are configured to perform operations that the first AP in any one of fig. 2 and fig. 5 to 9 may perform. For example, in fig. 2, the receiving module is configured to perform step 201. The add module is configured to perform step 202. The sending module 1002 is configured to execute step 203. The receiving module and receiving module 1002 are configured to perform step 204. For example, in fig. 9, the receiving module is configured to perform step 901. The add module is configured to perform step 902. The sending module 1002 is configured to perform step 903.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a first STA provided in the present application. As shown in fig. 11, the first STA1100 includes a receiving module 1101 and an associating module 1102. The first STA1100 may be the first STA in any of the aforementioned fig. 2, 5-9.

When the first STA1100 is the first STA in any one of the preceding fig. 2, 5 to 8, the 1101 receiving module is configured to receive a beacon frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. An association module 1102 is configured to associate with the first AP according to the beacon frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

When the first STA1100 is the aforementioned first STA in fig. 9, the receiving module 1101 is configured to receive a first communication frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The first communication frame is one of a sounding response frame, an authentication response frame, or an access response frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The associating module 1102 is configured to associate with the third AP according to the first communication frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.

In other embodiments, the first STA1100 may further include a transmission module and the like. Various modules in the first STA1100 are configured to perform operations that the first STA of any of fig. 2, 5 through 9 may perform. For example, in fig. 2, the sending module is configured to execute step 201. The receiving module 1101 is configured to perform step 203. The association module 1102 is configured to perform step 204. For example, in fig. 9, the sending module is configured to execute step 901. The receiving module 1101 is configured to perform step 903. The association module 1102 is configured to perform step 904.

The first AP and the first STA in the present application are described above, and the computer device in the present application is described below. Fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a computer device provided in the present application. The computer device in the present application may be the first AP or the first STA in any one of the foregoing fig. 2, fig. 5 to fig. 9. As shown in fig. 12, the computer device 1200 includes a processor 1201 and a transceiver 1202.

The processor 1201 may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a Network Processor (NP), or a combination of the CPU and the NP. The processor 1201 may further include a hardware chip or other general purpose processor. The hardware chip may be an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a Programmable Logic Device (PLD), or a combination thereof. The transceiver 1202 may be a wireless radio frequency module.

When the computer device 1200 is the first AP in any one of fig. 2, fig. 5 to fig. 8, the processor 1201 is configured to obtain an identifier of the first STA. The transceiver 1202 is configured to broadcast a beacon frame to the STA when the load condition of the first AP is idle. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. The beacon frame is used to instruct the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identity of the first AP.

When the computer device 1200 is the first STA of any of the foregoing fig. 2, 5-8, the transceiver 1202 is configured to receive a beacon frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The beacon frame includes an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP. Processor 1201 is configured to associate with the first AP according to the beacon frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

When the computer device 1200 is the first AP in fig. 9, the processor 1201 is configured to determine whether the load condition of the first AP is busy. The transceiver 1202 is configured to transmit a first communication frame to a first STA that is not associated with a first AP when a load condition of the first AP is busy. The first communication frame is one of a sounding response frame, an authentication response frame, or an access response frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. The first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identification of the third AP.

When the computer device 1200 is the aforementioned first STA in fig. 9, the transceiver 1202 is configured to receive a first communication frame from a first AP not associated with the first STA. The first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame. The first communication frame includes an identification of the third AP. Processor 1201 is configured to associate with a third AP based on the first communication frame. Wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.

In other embodiments, the computer device 1200 also includes a memory 1203. The memory 1203 may be either volatile memory or nonvolatile memory, or may include both volatile and nonvolatile memory. The nonvolatile memory may be a read-only memory (ROM), a Programmable ROM (PROM), an erasable programmable PROM (EPROM), or the like. The volatile memory may be a Random Access Memory (RAM).

The memory 1203 stores a computer program executable by the processor 1201. When the processor 1201 reads and executes the computer program, the operations that the first AP or the first STA may perform in any one of fig. 2 and 5 to 9 may be performed.

The application also provides a digital processing chip. Integrated with circuitry and one or more interfaces to carry out the functions of the processor 1201 described above. The digital processing chip may perform the method steps of any one or more of the foregoing embodiments when the digital processing chip is coupled to a memory.

The above description is only for the 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 conceive of the changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present application, and shall be covered by the scope of the present application.

Claims

1. An association method in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), comprising:

when the load condition of a first Access Point (AP) is idle, the first AP broadcasts a beacon frame to a Station (STA);

the beacon frame comprises an identifier of a first STA and an identifier of the first AP, and the beacon frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identifier of the first AP.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to the first AP broadcasting a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP receives a sounding frame broadcast by the first STA;

and the first AP acquires the identification of the first STA in the sounding frame.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein prior to the first AP broadcasting a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP broadcasts a first message to the STA;

the first AP receives a second message sent by the first STA, wherein the second message is obtained by the first STA according to the first message;

and the first AP acquires the identification of the first STA in the second message.

4. The method of any of claims 1-3, wherein prior to the first AP broadcasting a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP acquires first channel quality information between the first AP and the first STA;

when the load condition of the first AP is idle, the broadcasting, by the first AP, the beacon frame to the STA includes:

and when the load condition of the first AP is idle and the first channel quality information meets a threshold condition, the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame to the STA.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein prior to the first AP broadcasting a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP acquires second channel quality information between a second AP and the first STA and the load condition of the second AP;

when the load condition of the first AP is idle, the first AP broadcasting the beacon frame to the STA comprises the following steps:

and when the load condition of the first AP is better than that of the second AP or the first channel quality information is better than the second channel quality information, the first AP broadcasts the beacon frame to the STA.

6. The method of any of claims 1 to 5, wherein the beacon frame instructing the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the first AP's identity comprises:

the beacon frame is used for indicating the first STA to display the identifier of the first AP different from the identifiers of other APs, and the first AP is associated according to the instruction of selecting the identifier of the first AP.

7. The method of any of claims 1-6, wherein the identification of the first STA is located in a particular vendor field of the beacon frame.

8. An access method in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), comprising:

a first Station (STA) receiving a beacon frame from a first Access Point (AP) not associated with the first STA, the beacon frame comprising an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP;

the first STA associating with the first AP according to the beacon frame;

wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to the first STA receiving a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

and the first STA broadcasts a sounding frame, wherein the sounding frame is used for the first AP to acquire the identification of the first STA in the sounding frame.

10. The method of claim 8, wherein prior to the first STA receiving a beacon frame, the method further comprises:

the first STA receives a first message broadcast by the first AP;

and the first STA sends a second message to the first AP according to the first message, wherein the second message is used for the first AP to acquire the identifier of the first STA in the second message.

11. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 10,

the first STA associating with the first AP according to the beacon frame comprises:

the first STA displays the identifier of the first AP different from the identifiers of other APs;

the first STA receiving an instruction to select an identity of the first AP;

and the first STA associates the first AP according to the instruction.

12. The method of any of claims 8-11, wherein the identity of the first STA that is not associated with the first AP is located in a specific vendor field of the beacon frame.

13. An association method in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), comprising:

when the load condition of a first Access Point (AP) is busy, the first AP sends a first communication frame to a first STA which is not associated with the first AP, wherein the first communication frame is one of a detection reply frame, an authentication reply frame or an access reply frame;

the first communication frame comprises an identifier of a third AP, and the first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identifier of the third AP.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein prior to the first AP transmitting the first communication frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP acquires the load condition of the third AP from the third AP, and when the load condition of the third AP is idle, the first communication frame carries the identifier of the third AP.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein before the first AP transmits the first communication frame, the method further comprises:

the first AP acquires third channel quality information between the third AP and the first STA from the third AP, and when the load condition of the third AP is idle and the third channel quality information meets a threshold condition, the first communication frame carries an identifier of the third AP.

16. The method of any of claims 13-15, wherein the identification of the third AP is located in a particular vendor field of the first communication frame.

17. An association method in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN), comprising:

a first Station (STA) receives a first communication frame from a first Access Point (AP) which is not associated with the first STA, wherein the first communication frame is one of a detection reply frame, an authentication reply frame or an access reply frame, and the first communication frame comprises an identifier of a third AP;

the first STA associating with the third AP according to the first communication frame;

wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the identification of the third AP is located in a particular vendor field of the first communication frame.

19. A first Access Point (AP), comprising:

the acquisition module is used for acquiring an identification of a first station STA;

a sending module, configured to broadcast a beacon frame to the STA when a load condition of the first AP is idle;

the beacon frame comprises an identifier of the first STA and an identifier of the first AP, and the beacon frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the first AP according to the identifier of the first AP.

20. The first AP of claim 19, wherein the first AP further comprises:

a receiving module, configured to receive a sounding frame broadcast by the first STA;

the acquiring module is configured to acquire the identifier of the first STA and includes:

the acquisition module is configured to acquire an identifier of the first STA in the sounding frame.

21. The first AP of claim 19,

the sending module is further configured to broadcast a first message to the STA;

the receiving module is further configured to receive a second message sent by the first STA, where the second message is obtained by the first STA according to the first message;

the acquiring module is configured to acquire the identifier of the first STA, and includes:

the obtaining module is configured to obtain the identifier of the first STA in the second message.

22. A first Station (STA), comprising:

a receiving module for receiving a beacon frame from a first access point, AP, not associated with the first STA, the beacon frame including an identification of the first STA and an identification of the first AP;

an association module for associating the first AP according to the beacon frame;

wherein the load condition of the first AP is idle.

23. The first STA of claim 22, wherein the first STA further comprises:

a sending module, configured to broadcast a probe frame, where the probe frame is used for the first AP to obtain an identifier of the first STA in the probe frame.

24. The first STA of claim 22,

the receiving module is further configured to receive a first message broadcast by the first AP;

the first STA further comprises:

a sending module, configured to send a second message to the first AP according to the first message, where the second message is used for the first AP to obtain an identifier of the first STA in the second message.

25. A first Access Point (AP), comprising:

an obtaining module, configured to obtain an identifier of a third AP;

a sending module, configured to send a first communication frame to a first station STA that is not associated with a first AP when a load situation of the first AP is busy, where the first communication frame is one of a detection reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame;

the first communication frame comprises an identifier of the third AP, and the first communication frame is used for indicating the first STA to associate with the third AP according to the identifier of the third AP.

26. A first Station (STA), comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a first communication frame from a first access point AP that is not associated with a first STA, where the first communication frame is one of a probe reply frame, an authentication reply frame, or an access reply frame, and the first communication frame includes an identifier of the third AP;

an association module configured to associate the third AP according to the first communication frame;

wherein the load condition of the first AP is busy.