CN116980968B

CN116980968B - Multilink data transmission method and device

Info

Publication number: CN116980968B
Application number: CN202311202575.7A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 范小凤; 张云华
Original assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Current assignee: Honor Device Co Ltd
Priority date: 2023-09-18
Filing date: 2023-09-18
Publication date: 2024-03-01
Anticipated expiration: 2043-09-18
Also published as: CN116980968A

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a multilink data transmission method and device, which relate to the field of communication and can improve the transmission quality of service data so as to improve the user Internet surfing experience. The method is applied to a first MLD, a plurality of links exist between the first MLD and a second MLD, and the method comprises the following steps: evaluating the link quality of each link in the plurality of links to obtain the link quality score of each link; mapping the first data packet onto a first link, and transmitting the first data packet to a second MLD through the first link; mapping the second data packet onto a second link for transmission over the second link to a second MLD; wherein the first link and the second link are each links of a plurality of links, and the link quality score of the first link is higher than the link quality score of the second link; the first data packet includes a first TID and the second data packet includes a second TID, the first TID having a higher priority than the second TID.

Description

Multilink data transmission method and device

Technical Field

The present disclosure relates to the field of communications, and in particular, to a method and apparatus for transmitting data in multiple links.

Background

In the next generation wireless network technology (e.g., wi-Fi 7), a multi-link operation (MLO) technology may be employed. The MLO technology allows one electronic device to use multiple links (links) for data transmission. For example, the electronic device may be simultaneously connected to the 2.4G band link and the 5G band link, and simultaneously transmit and receive data through the 2.4G band link and the 5G band link.

Currently, electronic devices may map TIDs (TID 0-TID 7) to corresponding links for data transmission through negotiated traffic identifier-to-link mapping (TID-to-link mapping). Wherein TID is the traffic identifier (traffic identifier).

If the electronic device does not negotiate or does not acquire TID-to-link mapping, default TID-to-link mapping may be used, i.e., TIDs (TID 0-TID 7) may be mapped onto all links for data transmission. However, this may lead to that the transmission quality of some high-priority service data is not guaranteed, which affects the user's internet surfing experience.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a multilink data transmission method and device, which can improve the transmission quality of service data, thereby improving the user Internet surfing experience.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting data in multiple links, which is applied to a first multi-link device MLD, where multiple links exist between the first MLD and a second MLD, and the method includes: evaluating the link quality of each link in the plurality of links to obtain the link quality score of each link; mapping the first data packet onto a first link, and transmitting the first data packet to a second MLD through the first link; mapping the second data packet onto a second link for transmission over the second link to a second MLD; wherein the first link and the second link are each links of a plurality of links, and the link quality score of the first link is higher than the link quality score of the second link; the first data packet includes a first traffic identifier TID and the second data packet includes a second TID, the first TID having a higher priority than the second TID.

Based on the method provided by the embodiment of the application, the first MLD can evaluate the link quality of each link in the plurality of links to obtain the link quality score of each link, and map the data packet to the corresponding link according to the link quality score of the link. For example, a first data packet (high priority data packet) may be mapped onto a first link (link with a high link quality score) for transmission over the first link to a second MLD; the second data packet (low priority data packet) is mapped onto a second link (link with low link quality score) and transmitted over the second link to the second MLD. Therefore, the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be ensured, and the user Internet surfing experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, the first data packet is mapped onto a first link, and transmitted to a second MLD over the first link; mapping the second data packet onto a second link for transmission over the second link to a second MLD, comprising: judging whether the link quality scores of the links are higher than a preset threshold value or not; if the link quality score of a first link of the plurality of links is higher than a preset threshold value and the link quality score of a second link is lower than or equal to the preset threshold value, mapping the first data packet onto the first link, transmitting the first data packet to the second MLD through the first link, mapping the second data packet onto the second link, and transmitting the second data packet to the second MLD through the second link.

The link quality score of each link in the plurality of links can be compared with a preset threshold, if the link quality score of the first link is higher than the preset threshold, the link quality score of the first link indicates that the transmission quality of the first link is higher, the interference is smaller, and the transmission speed is faster, so that the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be mapped onto the first link, the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) is ensured, and the user surfing experience is improved. If the link quality score of the second link is lower than the preset threshold, it indicates that the transmission quality of the second link is lower, the interference is larger, and the transmission speed is slower, so that the second data packet (low-priority data packet) can be mapped onto the second link, and the transmission quality of the first data packet (high-priority data packet) can be prevented from being affected under the condition that the transmission quality requirement (for example, the time delay requirement) of the second data packet is met, thereby improving the user internet surfing experience.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: and if the link quality scores of the links are lower than or equal to a preset threshold value, mapping the first data packet to each link in the links, and transmitting the first data packet to the second MLD through the links. In this way, the transmission success rate of the data packets with high priority can be improved by simultaneously transmitting the data packets with high priority through a plurality of links. In addition, a second data packet (low priority data packet) may be mapped to a link of the plurality of links having a lowest link quality score for transmission. Alternatively, the low priority data packets may be mapped to any one of the plurality of links for transmission. In this way, the influence on the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be avoided under the condition that the transmission quality requirement (for example, the time delay requirement) of the second data packet is met, so that the user surfing experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, the method further includes: if the link quality scores of the links are higher than a preset threshold, splitting the first data packet into a plurality of data packets, mapping the plurality of data packets onto each link of the links respectively, and transmitting the data packets to the second MLD through the links. In this way, the transmission delay of the first data packet can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved. In addition, a second data packet (low priority data packet) may be mapped to a link of the plurality of links having a lowest link quality score for transmission. Alternatively, the low priority data packets may be mapped to any one of the plurality of links for transmission. In this way, the influence on the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be avoided under the condition that the transmission quality requirement (for example, the time delay requirement) of the second data packet is met, so that the user surfing experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, determining the link quality score for the plurality of links includes, for each of the plurality of links, determining the link quality score for the link based on at least one of a received signal strength indication (received signal strength indication, RSSI), frequency band, bandwidth, link load, and link noise for the link. It will be appreciated that the RSSI, frequency band, bandwidth, link load and link noise associated with a link are important factors affecting the link quality, and thus the link quality score for a link may be determined based on at least one of the RSSI, frequency band, bandwidth, link load and link noise associated with the link. If the link quality score of the first link is higher than the preset threshold, the link quality score indicates that the transmission quality of the first link is higher, the interference is smaller, and the transmission speed is higher, so that the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be mapped onto the first link, the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) is ensured, and the user surfing experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, each of the plurality of links is scored according to the following formula:

Link Score== RSSI_score + band_score + width_score + chload_score + noise_score

the Link Score represents the quality Score of the Link, the RSSI_score represents the Score of the signal strength, the RSSI_score is determined according to an RSSI coefficient and an RSSI weight, the RSSI coefficient is determined according to the interval range of the RSSI corresponding to the Link, and the RSSI weight is preset; the band_score represents the score of the frequency band, the band_score is determined according to a band coefficient and a band weight, the band coefficient is determined according to the type of the frequency band corresponding to the link, and the band weight is preset; the width_score represents the score of the bandwidth, the width_score is determined according to a width coefficient and a width weight, the width coefficient is determined according to the size of the bandwidth width corresponding to the link, and the width weight is preset; the chlorine_score represents the score of the link load, the chlorine_score is determined according to a chlorine coefficient and a chlorine weight, the chlorine coefficient is determined according to the interval range where the value of the link load chlorine is located, and the chlorine weight is preset; the noise_score represents the score of the noise of the link, the noise_score is determined according to the noise coefficient and the noise weight, the noise coefficient is determined according to the range of the section where the noise value of the link is located, and the noise weight is preset.

If the link quality score of the first link is higher than the preset threshold, the link quality score indicates that the transmission quality of the first link is higher, the interference is smaller, and the transmission speed is higher, so that the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be mapped onto the first link, the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) is ensured, and the user surfing experience is improved.

In one possible implementation, the first MLD sends a request message to the second MLD, the request message carrying a TID-to-link mapping element including mapping information that maps a first data packet corresponding to the first TID to the first link and maps a second data packet corresponding to the second TID to the second link. That is, the first MLD and the second MLD may negotiate link mapping information through a request message carrying TID-to-link mapping elements, which may be used to indicate that data packets of different priorities are mapped to respective links, i.e. different TIDs (corresponding data) are mapped to respective links. Thus, the first MLD and the second MLD may perform transmission of the data packet according to the link mapping information indicated by the TID-to-link mapping element.

In one possible implementation, the first data packet includes at least one of voice service data or video service data or best effort data. The TID (first TID) corresponding to the first data packet may include at least one of 6, 7, 5, 4, 3, or 0.

In one possible implementation, the second data packet includes at least one of best effort data or background traffic data. The TID (second TID) to which the second data packet corresponds may include at least one of 1, 2, 3, or 0.

In a second aspect, the present application provides a chip system comprising one or more interface circuits and one or more processors. The interface circuit and the processor are interconnected by a wire. The above chip system may be applied to a first MLD including a communication module and a memory. The interface circuit is for receiving signals from the memory of the first MLD and transmitting the received signals to the processor, the signals including computer instructions stored in the memory. When executed by a processor, the first MLD may perform the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its possible designs.

In a third aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions. When executed on a first MLD (e.g., STA MLD), the computer instructions cause the first MLD to perform the method as described in the first aspect and any one of its possible designs.

In a fourth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product which, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the method according to the first aspect and any one of its possible designs.

In a fifth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a multi-link data transmission apparatus, including a processor, the processor being coupled to a memory, the memory storing program instructions that, when executed by the processor, cause the apparatus to implement the method of the first aspect and any one of the possible designs thereof. The apparatus may be a first MLD or a server device; or may be an integral part of the first MLD or server device, such as a chip.

In a sixth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a multi-link data transmission device, where the device may be functionally divided into different logic units or modules, and each unit or module performs a different function, so that the device performs the method described in the first aspect and any possible design manner thereof.

It will be appreciated that the advantages achieved by the chip system according to the second aspect, the computer readable storage medium according to the third aspect, the computer program product according to the fourth aspect, and the apparatus according to the fifth aspect and the sixth aspect provided above may refer to the advantages as in the first aspect and any of the possible designs thereof, and will not be repeated here.

Drawings

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

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a communication link between an STA MLD and an AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram of a protocol layer of an STA MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a protocol layer of an accessory STA of the STA MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of an STA MLD or an AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic signal interaction diagram provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of an MADU/AMSDU/MPDU according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic diagram of link mapping according to a link quality score according to an embodiment of the present application;

FIG. 9 is a schematic diagram of still another link mapping according to the link quality score according to the embodiments of the present application;

FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of link mapping according to a link quality score according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a TID-to-link mapping element according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic structural diagram of a chip system according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

For clarity and conciseness in the description of the embodiments below, a brief introduction to related concepts or technologies is first given:

wireless multimedia (WMM): is a subset of the 802.11e standard, a quality of service (quality of service, qoS) protocol, for ensuring that high priority messages have priority to be sent, thereby ensuring better quality for applications such as voice, video, etc. in wireless networks.

Enhanced distributed channel access (enhanced distributed channel access, EDCA), a set of channel contention mechanisms defined by WMM, facilitates the preferential transmission of high priority messages with more bandwidth.

Among them, EDCA defines 8 Traffic Categories (TCs) and 4 Access Categories (ACs). The 8 TCs may be mapped into queues of 4 ACs, respectively.

Wherein, the data traffic of 4 kinds of ACs (ACs may also be called priority or class) are sorted from high to low according to priority:

voice service (ac_vo): for example, voice over IP (voice over internet protocol, voIP) traffic types may be the most delay sensitive traffic, as well as the highest priority traffic.

Video service (Video, ac_vi): video services are also delay-sensitive types of services, with priority being lower than voice services and higher than the other two (best effort and background traffic).

Best effort (Best-effort), ac_be): such as the type of data traffic that may be accessed for a web page. The default wireless traffic type is Best-effect type, which has some requirement for latency but is less sensitive.

Background traffic (ac_bk): for example, the traffic type of the file transfer can be the least sensitive to the latency requirements.

Wherein, TIDs respectively corresponding to 8 TCs can comprise 0-7. The TID corresponding to the service type can be carried in the data packets of the corresponding service of different service types TC. Therefore, the TC to which the packet belongs may be determined according to the TID and then allocated to the corresponding AC. For example, the TID may be set in the QoS control field of the MAC header of the packet.

For example, as shown in table 1, data traffic for different ACs (data traffic of different priorities) may correspond to different TIDs.

TABLE 1

For example, TID corresponding to traffic data of ac_be type is 0 or 3; TID corresponding to the flow data of the AC_BK type is 1 or 2; TID corresponding to the AC_VI type flow data is 5 or 4; the TID corresponding to the ac_vo type traffic data is 6 or 7.

MLO: techniques to allow an electronic device to use multiple links (links) for data transmission. The plurality of links may include, for example, a link of a 2.4G band, a link of a 5G band, and a link of a 6G band. For example, the electronic device may be simultaneously connected to the 2.4G band link and the 5G band link, and simultaneously transmit and receive data through the 2.4G band link and the 5G band link. Alternatively, the electronic device may be connected to the link of the 2.4G band and the link of the 6G band simultaneously, and receive and transmit data through the link of the 2.4G band and the link of the 6G band simultaneously. Alternatively, the electronic device may be connected to the 6G band link and the 5G band link simultaneously, and receive and transmit data through the 6G band link and the 5G band link simultaneously. Alternatively, the electronic device may be connected to the 2.4G band link, the 5G band link, and the 6G band link simultaneously, and receive and transmit data through the 2.4G band link, the 5G band link, and the 6G band link simultaneously.

MLD: MLO capable devices (e.g., access Points (APs), stations (STAs), etc.) may be referred to as multi-link device MLDs. For example, an MLO capable AP may be referred to as an AP MLD, and an MLO capable STA that does not act as an AP may be referred to as a non-AP MLD, and may also be referred to as an STA MLD.

Currently, MLD can map TIDs (TID 0-TID 7) to corresponding links for data transmission through negotiated TID-to-link mapping (TID-to-link mapping) elements. If the MLD does not negotiate or does not acquire TID-to-link mapping, a default TID-to-link mapping mode (default TID-to-link mapping mode) may be used, i.e., TIDs (TID 0-TID 7) are mapped to any link for data transmission using default TID-to-link mapping.

Illustratively, as shown in Table 2, in the default TID to link mapping mode, all TIDs (TID 0-TID 7) may be mapped to all links (e.g., links 1-3).

TABLE 2

However, the default mapping mode may cause that the transmission quality of some high-priority service data is not guaranteed, which affects the user internet surfing experience.

The embodiment of the application provides a multilink data transmission method which can ensure the transmission quality of high-priority service data, thereby improving the user Internet surfing experience.

As shown in fig. 1, a schematic system architecture is provided in an embodiment of the present application, where the system may include an AP MLD 10 and a STA MLD 11. Among them, the STA MLD may also be referred to as a non-AP MLD. The AP MLD 10 may be, for example, a router, and the STA MLD 11 may be, for example, a mobile phone. The AP MLD 10 and the STA MLD 11 may include a plurality of links therebetween, for example, may include three links, which are a link based on a 5GHz Wi-Fi network, a link based on a 2.4GHz Wi-Fi network, and a link based on a 6GHz Wi-Fi network, respectively. Communication between the AP MLD 10 and the STA MLD 11 may be performed through a plurality of links. The AP MLD 10 may communicate (not shown) with a network, such as the internet, via wired and/or wireless communication channels.

As shown in fig. 2, the STA MLD may include a plurality of STAs (i.e., dependent STAs), and may include STA1, STA2, and STA3, for example. The AP MLD may include a plurality of APs, and may include, for example, AP1, AP2, and AP3. Multiple links may be established between STA MLD and AP MLD, for example, link 1, link 2, and link 3 may be established. Link 1 corresponds to the 2.4GHz band, link 2 corresponds to the 5GHz band, and link 3 corresponds to the 6GHz band. STA1 in STA MLD may communicate with AP1 in AP MLD through link 1. STA2 in STA MLD may communicate with AP2 in AP MLD through link 2. STA3 in STA MLD may communicate with AP3 in AP MLD through link 3.

As shown in fig. 3, a procedure of transmitting a data packet by the STA MLD will be described by taking the STA MLD as an example. STA MLD may include an application layer, a transport layer, a network layer, a link layer, and a physical layer. The user process of the application layer can transfer the data packet to be sent based on the socket system call interface. And the kernel socket layer reads the data packet and sends the data packet to the corresponding transmission layer according to the protocol type of the application layer. The transport layer may apply for the skb data structure and populate the data packets to the skb data structure and then pass the skb data structure down to the network layer and link layer. An internet protocol (internet protocol, IP) header (header) and a MAC header may be added to the skb data structure at the network layer and the link layer, respectively. The skb data structure may then be transferred to the physical layer.

Where skb is an abbreviation for struct sk_buff, struct sk_buff is an important data structure in the linux network code, which represents header information of a received or transmitted data packet, and contains many member variables for each subsystem in the network code. The data structure may be used by different protocol layers (e.g., MAC layer, transport layer) of the network, and the member variables therein change as the structure passes from one layer to another.

It should be noted that, when a packet arrives at the MAC layer, the packet may be mapped to queues with different priorities (access classes) according to TID carried in the packet (e.g., MSDU/MSDUs or a-MSDUs), and then the packet in the queues with different priorities may be mapped to a corresponding link for data transmission.

As shown in fig. 4, the MAC layer of the STA MLD may include a higher layer MAC (U-MAC) and a lower layer MAC (L-MAC). STA MLD may include a plurality of STAs, for example, may include STAs 1, …, and STA n, where n may be an integer greater than or equal to 2. Multiple dependent STAs may share the U-MAC. Different dependent STAs respectively correspond to different L-MACs, namely the different L-MACs are mutually independent.

Wherein the U-MAC is a common part of a plurality of dependent STAs. After the U-MAC receives the packet, sequence number assignment and aggregation/deaggregation of MAC service data units (MAC service data unit, MSDUs) may be performed. Furthermore, common management functions of all links, such as setup, association and authentication, may also be performed in the U-MAC. The U-MAC may perform queue mapping and link mapping according to the EDCA mechanism. That is, the U-MAC may map the packets to queues of different priorities (access classes) according to TIDs carried in the packets (e.g., MSDUs/MSDUs or a-MSDUs), and then map the packets in the queues of different priorities to corresponding links. The U-MACs may send packets in different priority queues to different L-MACs so that the L-MACs transmit packets via corresponding links.

The L-MAC is independent. Each dependent STA corresponds to a separate L-MAC. Different L-MACs may correspond to different physical layers (PHYs) and different links. The L-MAC layer can perform the processes of creating and verifying the MAC header.

Each dependent STA may correspond to a physical layer (PHY). Each dependent STA may communicate via a corresponding link. For example, the dependent STA 1 may communicate through the link 1, …, and the dependent STA n may communicate through the link n. Different dependent STAs of the STA MLD may use the same or different basic service sets (basic service set, BSS). Each BSS is uniquely identified using a basic service set identifier (basic service set identifier, BSSID).

For example, an apparatus for implementing the functions of the multi-link device (e.g., STA MLD or AP MLD) provided in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented by the apparatus 500 in fig. 5. Fig. 5 is a schematic hardware structure of an apparatus 500 according to an embodiment of the present application. The apparatus 500 includes at least one processor 501 configured to implement the functions of the multilink device provided in the embodiments of the present application. A bus 502 and at least one communication interface 504 may also be included in the apparatus 500. Memory 503 may also be included in apparatus 500.

In embodiments of the present application, the processor may be a central processing unit (central processing unit, CPU), a general purpose processor, a network processor (network processor, NP), a digital signal processor (digital signal processing, DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (programmable logic device, PLD). The processor may also be any other device having processing functionality, such as an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (field programmable gate array, FPGA) or other programmable logic device, a transistor logic device, a hardware component, a software module, or any combination thereof.

Bus 502 may be used to transfer information between the components described above.

A communication interface 504 for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as ethernet, radio access network (radio access network, RAN), wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN), etc. Communication interface 504 may be an interface, circuit, transceiver, or other device capable of communicating, without limitation. The communication interface 504 may be coupled with the processor 501. The coupling in the embodiments of the present application is an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which may be in electrical, mechanical, or other forms for information interaction between the devices, units, or modules.

In the present embodiment, the memory may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that may store static information and instructions, a random access memory (random access memory, RAM) or other type of dynamic storage device that may store information and instructions, or an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (electrically erasable programmable read-only memory, EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory) or other optical disk storage, optical disk storage (including compact disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium that can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and that can be accessed by a computer, but is not limited thereto. The memory may be separate or coupled to the processor, such as through bus 502. The memory may also be integrated with the processor.

The memory 503 is configured to store program instructions and may be controlled to be executed by the processor 501, so as to implement a communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application. The processor 501 is configured to invoke and execute instructions stored in the memory 503, thereby implementing the communication method provided in the embodiments described below in the present application.

Alternatively, the computer-executable instructions in the embodiments of the present application may be referred to as application program codes, which are not specifically limited in the embodiments of the present application.

Optionally, a memory 503 may be included in the processor 501.

In a particular implementation, as one embodiment, processor 501 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 5.

In a particular implementation, as one embodiment, the apparatus 500 may include a plurality of processors, such as the processor 501 and the processor 505 in FIG. 5. Each of these processors may be a single-core (single-CPU) processor or may be a multi-core (multi-CPU) processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data (e.g., computer program instructions).

The apparatus 500 may be a general purpose device or a special purpose device. In a specific implementation, the multi-link device 500 may be an in-vehicle terminal or a traffic device with a built-in computer (processor) or a device having a similar structure as in fig. 5. The embodiments of the present application are not limited in type to the apparatus 500.

The technical solution of the embodiment of the application can be applied to various communication systems, for example: global system for mobile communications (global system of mobile communication, GSM), code division multiple access (code division multiple access, CDMA) system, wideband code division multiple access (wideband code division multiple access, WCDMA) system, general packet radio service (general packet radio service, GPRS), long term evolution (long term evolution, LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (frequency division duplex, FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (time division duplex, TDD), universal mobile telecommunications system (univeRMal mobile telecommunication system, UMTS), worldwide interoperability for microwave access (worldwide interoperability for microwave access, wiMAX) communication system, 5G mobile communication system or New Radio (NR), etc., the 5G mobile communication system described herein includes a non-stand alone Networking (NSA) 5G mobile communication system and/or a stand alone networking (SA) 5G mobile communication system. The technical scheme provided by the application can also be applied to future communication systems, such as a sixth generation mobile communication system. The communication system may also be a future evolution public land mobile network (public land mobile network, PLMN) network, a device-to-device (D2D) network, a machine-to-machine (machine to machine, M2M) network, an internet of things (internet of things, ioT) network, or other network.

The technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be described below with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Wherein, in the description of the present application, unless otherwise indicated, "at least one" means one or more, and "a plurality" means two or more. 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", and the like are used to distinguish the same item or similar items having substantially the same function and effect. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the words "first," "second," and the like do not limit the amount and order of execution, and that the words "first," "second," and the like do not necessarily differ.

For easy understanding, the link mapping method provided in the embodiments of the present application is specifically described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

As shown in fig. 6, an embodiment of the present application provides a method for transmitting data in multiple links, taking a first MLD as an STA MLD and a second MLD as an AP MLD as an example, including:

601. the STA MLD and the AP MLD establish a communication connection.

The STA MLD may establish a communication link (simply referred to as a link) with the AP MLD through a Scanning (Scanning), authentication (Authentication), association (Association), or the like. There may be multiple links between STA MLD and AP MLD, such as link 1, link 2 and link 3. For example, link 1 may be a 2.4G band link, link 2 may be a 5G band link, and link 3 may be a 6G band link.

602. The STA MLD evaluates the link quality of each of the plurality of links to obtain a link quality score for each link.

In some embodiments, the STA MLD may score each link according to a quality parameter corresponding to each link of the plurality of links. The quality parameter corresponding to the link may include at least one of RSSI, frequency band, bandwidth, link load, and link noise.

That is, the STA MLD may determine a link quality score of each link according to at least one of RSSI, frequency band, bandwidth, link load and link noise corresponding to the link.

Illustratively, individual links may be scored by the following formula:

Link Score = f(RSSI, band, width, chload, noise)

=rssi_score+band_score+width_score+chlorine_score+noise_score formula (1);

where Link Score represents the quality Score of the Link. RSSI represents signal strength. band represents a frequency band, and may include 2.4G/5G/6G, for example. width represents bandwidth, load represents link load, noise represents noise of the link (link noise).

Where rssi_score represents a score for signal strength, the rssi_score is determined from an RSSI coefficient and an RSSI weight, e.g., rssi_score=rssi coefficient. The RSSI coefficient may be determined according to the RSSI signal strength, where the greater the RSSI signal strength, the greater the RSSI coefficient. For example, when RSSI is < -85dbm, the RSSI coefficient can be 0; when the RSSI is E [ 85 dbm-70 dbm ], the RSSI coefficient can be 0.5; when the RSSI is E [ 70 dbm-65 dbm ], the RSSI coefficient can be 0.8; when RSSI > 65dbm, the RSSI coefficient may be 1. The RSSI weight is preset and may be, for example, 0.3.

Where band_score represents the score of the frequency band, the band_score is determined according to the band coefficient and the band weight, for example, band_score=band coefficient. Wherein the band coefficients can be distinguished according to the type of band. For example, when band is 2.4G, the band coefficient may be 0.6; when band is 5G, the band coefficient may be 0.8; when band is 6G, the band coefficient may be 1. The band weight is preset, for example, the band weight may be 0.2.

Where width_score represents a score of bandwidth, width_score is determined according to a width coefficient and a width weight, for example, width_score=width coefficient×width weight. The width coefficient may be differentiated according to the width size. The larger the width, the larger the width coefficient. For example, when the width is 20M, the width coefficient may be 0.2; when the width is 40M, the width coefficient may be 0.4; when the width is 80M, the width coefficient may be 0.6; when the width is 160M, the width coefficient may be 0.8; when the width is 320M, the width coefficient may be 1. The width weight is preset, for example, the width weight may be 0.2.

The chlorine_score represents a score of the link load, and is determined according to the chlorine coefficient and the chlorine weight, for example, chlorine_score=chlorine coefficient. The chlorine coefficient may be determined according to the interval range in which the corresponding percentage of the link load chlorine is located. The larger the corresponding percentage of the link load chlorine is, the larger the link load is, and the larger the value of the chlorine coefficient can be; the smaller the corresponding percentage of the link load chlorine, the smaller the link load, and the smaller the value of the chlorine coefficient. For example, when chlorine >80%, the chlorine coefficient may be 0; when chlorine e [ 50%,80% ], the chlorine coefficient may be 0.2; when chlorine e [ 20%,50% ], the chlorine coefficient may be 0.6; when the chlorine <20%, the chlorine coefficient may be 1. The chlorine weight is preset, for example, the chlorine weight may be 0.15.

noise_score represents the score of the noise of the link, which is determined from the noise coefficient and the noise weight, e.g., noise_score=noise coefficient. The noise coefficient is determined according to the range of the interval where the value of the link noise is located. The smaller the noise, the larger the noise coefficient. For example, when noise e [ 40 dbm, 0dbm ], the noise coefficient may be 0; when the noise is E [ 70 dbm, -40 dbm ], the noise coefficient can be 0.3; when the noise E is [ 90dbm, -70 dbm ], the noise coefficient may be 0.6; when the noise E [ 100 dbm, -90dbm ], the noise coefficient may be 1. The noise weight is preset, for example, the noise weight may be 0.15.

In one possible implementation, it may be determined whether a link quality score for a plurality of links is above a preset threshold. If the link quality score of the link (e.g., the first link) is higher than a preset threshold (e.g., 0.5), the link has better transmission quality, less interference and faster transmission speed. If the link quality score of the link (e.g., the second link) is lower than or equal to the preset threshold, the link has poor transmission quality, more interference and slower transmission speed. I.e. the transmission quality of the link with higher score is better, the interference is less and the transmission speed is faster.

For example, assuming that the RSSI corresponding to the link 1 is-60 dbm, the RSSI coefficient is 0.8, the RSSI weight may be 0.3, and the rssi_score=0.8×0.3=0.24; the frequency band corresponding to the link 1 is 5g, the band coefficient can be 0.8, the band weight can be 0.2, and then the band_score=0.8×0.2=0.16; the bandwidth corresponding to the link 1 is 80m, the width coefficient may be 0.6, the width weight may be 0.2, and the width_score=0.6x0.2=0.12; the percentage of the link load corresponding to the link 1 is 10%, the chlorine coefficient may be 1, the chlorine weight may be 0.15, and the chlorine_score=1×0.15=0.15; link 1 corresponds to a link noise of-80 dbm, a noise coefficient may be 0.6, a noise weight may be 0.15, and a noise_score=0.6×0.15=0.09.

Link quality score=rssi_score+band_score+width/u for link 1 score+chlorine_score+noise_score=0.24+0.16+0.12+0.15+0.09=0.76.

Assuming that the RSSI corresponding to the link 2 is-80 dbm, the RSSI coefficient is 0.5, the RSSI weight may be 0.3, and the rssi_score=0.5×0.3=0.15; the frequency band corresponding to the link 2 is 2.4g, the band coefficient can be 0.6, the band weight can be 0.2, and then the band_score=0.6x0.2=0.12; the bandwidth corresponding to the link 2 is 40m, the width coefficient may be 0.4, the width weight may be 0.2, and the width_score=0.4×0.2=0.08; the percentage of link load corresponding to link 2 is 70%, the chloride coefficient may be 0.2, the chloride weight may be 0.15, and chloride_score=1×0.15=0.03; link 2 corresponds to a link noise of-50 dbm, a noise coefficient may be 0.3, a noise weight may be 0.15, and a noise_score=0.3×0.15=0.045.

Link quality score=rssi_score+band_score+width/u for link 2 score+chlorine_score+noise_score=0.15+0.12+0.08+0.03+0.045=0.425.

Assuming that the preset threshold is 0.5, the link quality score (i.e., 0.76) of the link 1 is higher than the preset threshold, which means that the transmission quality of the link 1 is higher, the interference is smaller, and the transmission speed is faster. The link quality score (i.e., 0.425) of link 2 is less than the preset threshold, which means that the transmission quality of link 2 is lower, the interference is larger, and the transmission speed is slower.

603. The STA MLD maps the data packets to the corresponding links according to the link quality scores of the links.

It should be noted that, different packets may correspond to different TIDs, and the STA MLD may map different packets to different priority (access class) queues according to the TIDs, and then map the packets in the different priority queues to corresponding links. In other words, the STA MLD may map different TIDs (corresponding data packets) to the respective links according to the link quality scores of the links.

The data packet may be a MAC service data unit (MAC service data unit, MSDU) or an AMSDU or MPDU, for example. Wherein the MSDU is an Ethernet (Ethernet) frame and is delivered from the IP layer to the MAC layer. The MAC layer may aggregate a plurality of MSDUs (MSDUs) together to form an AMSDU, and then add a MAC header to the AMSDU to form an MPDU, after which the MAC layer may transmit the MPDU to the PHY layer.

As shown in fig. 7, the AMSDU may include a plurality of MSDUs (MSDUs), ampdu= (msdus1+ … +msdun). MPDUs may include an AMSDU and a MAC header (MAC header).

Alternatively, the data packet may be a packet, frame or other data unit, without limitation.

In some possible implementations, the first data packet may be mapped onto the first link; mapping the second data packet onto a second link; wherein the first link and the second link are each links of a plurality of links, and the link quality score of the first link is higher than the link quality score of the second link; the first data packet includes a first traffic identifier TID and the second data packet includes a second TID, the first TID having a higher priority than the second TID. I.e., a high priority packet (e.g., a first packet) may be mapped to a link with a higher link quality score (e.g., a first link) for transmission, and a low priority packet (e.g., a second packet) may be mapped to a link with a lower link quality score (e.g., a second link) for transmission. Therefore, the transmission delay of the data packet with high priority is lower, the transmission efficiency is higher, and the user Internet surfing experience is improved.

Wherein the high priority data packets may comprise at least one of voice service data or video service data or best effort data. The TID (first TID) corresponding to the high priority packet may include at least one of 6, 7, 5, 4, 3, or 0.

The low priority data packets may include at least one of best effort data or background traffic data. The TID (second TID) corresponding to the low priority packet may include at least one of 1, 2, 3, or 0.

In some embodiments, when the high priority data packets include best effort data, the low priority data packets include background traffic data.

Illustratively, as shown in fig. 8, it is assumed that there are two queues in STA MLD, respectively, queue 1 and queue 2. Wherein queue 1 is a high priority queue and queue 2 is a low priority queue. The queue 1 may include high priority packets, and the TID in the high priority packets may be 6 or 7. I.e., TID in each packet in queue 1 (e.g., packet 1, packet 2, …, packet n) may be 6 or 7. The low priority packets may be included in queue 2 and the TID in the low priority packets may be 1 or 2. I.e., TID in each packet in queue 2 (e.g., packet 11, packet 12, …, packet 1 n) may be 1 or 2. Queue 1 may also be referred to as a first TID queue, and queue 2 may be referred to as a second TID queue, as this application is not limited. STA MLD may include STA1, STA2, and STA3. The AP MLD may include AP1, AP2, and AP3. Link 1, link 2 and link 3 may be included between STA MLD and AP MLD. STA1 of STA MLD may communicate with AP1 of AP MLD through link 1, STA2 of STA MLD may communicate with AP2 of AP MLD through link 2, and STA3 may communicate with AP3 of AP MLD through link 3. Of course, the STA MLD may further include more or fewer STAs, the AP MLD may further include more or fewer APs, and the STA MLD and the AP MLD may further include more or fewer links, which is not limited in this application.

STA MLD may evaluate the link quality scores of link 1, link 2, and link 3, and may map high-priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 1) to link 1 if the link quality score of link 1 is above a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 1 is high); if the link quality scores for link 2 and link 3 are below a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score for link 2 is low), low priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 2) may be mapped to either link 2 or link 3. It will be appreciated that when the link quality score of a link is higher than the preset threshold, the communication performance of the link is better (for example, the delay is lower, the reliability is higher, and the transmission rate is faster), so that the transmission quality of the high-priority data packet (the delay is lower, the reliability is higher, and the transmission rate is faster) can be ensured by mapping the high-priority data packet to the link (link 1) with the high link quality score.

In other possible embodiments, when the link quality scores of the multiple links are all lower than the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality scores of the multiple links are all worse), the high-priority data packets may be mapped to each of the multiple links simultaneously for transmission (i.e., the STA MLD may map the high-priority data packets to each of the multiple links simultaneously for transmission to the AP MLD). In this way, the transmission success rate of the data packets with high priority can be improved by simultaneously transmitting the data packets with high priority through a plurality of links. In addition, low priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 2) may be mapped to links of the plurality of links for transmission with the lowest link quality scores. Alternatively, low priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 2) may be mapped to any of the plurality of links for transmission. Therefore, the transmission quality of the data packets with high priority can be prevented from being influenced under the condition that the transmission quality requirements (such as time delay requirements) of the data packets with low priority are met, and therefore the user surfing experience is improved.

For example, as shown in fig. 9, two queues, namely, queue 1 and queue 2, are still illustrated in STA MLD. The description of the STA MLD may refer to the description of the related description above, which is not described herein. STA MLD may evaluate the link quality scores for link 1, link 2, and link 3. If the link quality score of link 1 is below the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 1 is low) and the link quality score of link 2 is below the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 2 is low) and the link quality score of link 3 is below the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 3 is low). I.e., link 1, link 2, and link 3 have link quality scores below a preset threshold, high priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 1) may be mapped to each of link 1, link 2, and link 3 simultaneously. I.e. high priority packets can be transmitted simultaneously on a per link basis of links 1, 2 and 3. In this way, the transmission success rate of the data packet with high priority can be improved.

In still other possible embodiments, when the link quality scores of the multiple links are all higher than the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality scores of the multiple links are all better), the high-priority data packets may be split and mapped to each of the multiple links for transmission (i.e., the STA MLD may split the high-priority data packets into multiple data packets and then map the split data packets to each of the multiple links for transmission to the AP MLD). Thus, the time delay can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved. In addition, low priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 2) may be mapped to links of the plurality of links for transmission with the lowest link quality scores. Alternatively, low priority packets (i.e., packets in queue 2) may be mapped to any of the plurality of links for transmission. Therefore, the transmission quality of the data packets with high priority can be prevented from being influenced under the condition that the transmission quality requirements (such as time delay requirements) of the data packets with low priority are met, and therefore the user surfing experience is improved.

As shown in fig. 10, two queues, namely, queue 1 and queue 2, are still illustrated as an example in the STA MLD. The description of the STA MLD may refer to the description of the related description above, which is not described herein. STA MLD may evaluate the link quality scores of link 1 and link 2, and may split queue 1 into multiple "queues" (i.e., split packets in queue 1 into multiple portions, each of which includes one or more packets) if the link quality score of link 1 is above a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 1 is high) and the link quality score of link 2 is above a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality score of link 2 is high) and the link quality score of link 3 is above a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality scores of link 3 are all above a preset threshold). For example, queue 1 may be split into "queue" 11, "queue" 12, and "queue" 13. For example, the first m packets of the queue 1 may be included in the "queue" 11, the (m+1) th to (m+p) th packets of the queue 1 may be included in the "queue" 12, and the (m+p+1) th to (n) th packets of the queue 1 may be included in the "queue" 13. Wherein m is less than p, and p is less than n. The packets in "queue" 11 may be mapped to link 1, the packets in "queue" 12 may be mapped to link 2, and the packets in "queue" 13 may be mapped to link 3. The high-priority queue can be split into a plurality of queues, the queues are respectively mapped to different links, and data packets in the different queues are respectively transmitted based on the different links. Thus, the time delay can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved.

In one possible design, queue 1 may also be split into more or fewer "queues," e.g., queue 1 may be split into "queue" 11 and "queue" 12. For example, the first m packets of queue 1 may be included in "queue" 11, and the (m+1) th packet and the (n) th packet of queue 1 may be included in "queue" 12. The packets in "queue" 11 may be mapped to link 1 and the packets in "queue" 12 may be mapped to link 2. I.e. the high priority queues may be split into a plurality of queues (e.g. two queues), which are mapped to different links, respectively, based on which data packets in the different queues are transmitted, respectively. Thus, the time delay can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved.

604. The STA MLD and the AP MLD negotiate TID-to-link mapping (TID-to-link mapping).

TID-to-link mapping can be negotiated between the AP MLD and the STA MLD through a wireless management frame, and the TID-to-link mapping is used for indicating the mapping relation between the data packet corresponding to the TID and the link (namely, the mapping relation between the TID and the link), namely, which TIDs are mapped to which links.

The wireless management frame may include, for example, a beacon frame, an auth frame, a deauth frame, an assoc frame, etc.

Illustratively, taking a wireless management frame as an assoc frame, the assoc frame may carry a TID-to-link mapping request, and the TID-to-link mapping request may carry a TID-to-link mapping element (TID-to-link mapping element).

As shown in fig. 11, TID-to-link mapping element may include, but is not limited to, one or more of the following fields or subfields: an element identifier (element ID) field, a length field, an element ID extension (element ID extension) field, and a TID-to-link mapping control (TID-to-link mapping control) field. The element ID field, the length field, and the element ID extension field each include one octet (octet), and the TID-to-link mapping control field may include 1 or 2 octets.

The element ID field and element ID extension field are used to indicate that the element is a TID-to-link mapping element. The length field is used to indicate the length of TID-to-link mapping element. The TID-to-link mapping control field may include a default mapped link (default link mapping) subfield, default link mapping subfield to indicate whether a default TID-to-link mapping mode is employed. For example, if the default link mapping subfield has a value of 1, it indicates that the default TID-to-link mapping mode is adopted, and if the default link mapping subfield has a value of 0, it indicates that the default TID-to-link mapping mode is not adopted.

Optionally, when the value of the default link mapping subfield is 0, the TID-to-link mapping element may further include one or more of TID 0-to-link map (link mapping of TID 0) field, link mapping of TID1 field, link mapping of TID 2 field, link mapping of TID 3 field, link mapping of TID 4 field, link mapping of TID 5 field, link mapping of TID field, link mapping of TID 7 field.

The TID 0-to-link map field (link mapping of TID 0) is used to indicate whether TID 0 is mapped to a link. Similarly, link mapping of TID field is used to indicate whether TID1 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID field is used to indicate whether TID 2 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID 3 field is used to indicate whether TID 3 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID 4 field is used to indicate whether TID 4 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID 5 field is used to indicate whether TID 5 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID 6 field is used to indicate whether TID 6 is mapped to a link, link mapping of TID 7 is used to indicate whether TID 7 is mapped to a link.

Illustratively, the TID 0-to-link map field (link mapping of TID 0) may include a link ID subfield. The link ID subfield may indicate the ID of the corresponding link. The data packet corresponding to TID 0 may be mapped to the link indicated by the link ID subfield of link mapping of TID 0. For example, if the link ID subfield indicates the ID of link 1, the packet corresponding to TID 0 may be mapped to link 1.

Accordingly, the link mapping of TID, link mapping of TID 2, link mapping of TID 3, link mapping of TID 4, link mapping of TID 5, link mapping of TID 6, link mapping of TID 7 fields may each include a link ID subfield, and the corresponding TID may be mapped to the link indicated by the link ID subfield. I.e., the data packet corresponding to the corresponding TID may be mapped to the link indicated by the link ID subfield.

For any link, if at least one TID is mapped to that link, that link may be considered enabled (enabled), and if no TID is mapped to that link, that link may be considered disabled. If the link is enabled, the link may be used for packet transmission. If the link is disabled, the link is not used for packet transmission.

In the embodiment of the application, the STA MLD and the AP MLD negotiate TID-to-link mapping. For example, it may be that the STA MLD may transmit a request message including the TID-to-link mapping element to the AP MLD through an assoc frame. Alternatively, the AP MLD may transmit a request message including the TID-to-link mapping element to the STA MLD through an assoc frame.

Wherein the TID-to-link mapping element may be used to indicate that packets in different priority queues are mapped to respective links, i.e., different TIDs (corresponding data) are mapped to respective links.

For example, the TID-to-link mapping element may include mapping information that maps a first packet corresponding to a first TID to a first link and maps a second packet corresponding to a second TID to a second link. I.e., packets in the high priority queue (the TID corresponding to the packets in the high priority queue may be 6 or 7) may be mapped to links (e.g., first links) with high link quality scores. The packets in the low priority queue (the TID corresponding to the packets in the low priority queue may be 1 or 2) are mapped to links (e.g., second links) with low link quality scores.

For another example, when the link quality scores of the plurality of links are all below a preset threshold (i.e., the link quality scores of the plurality of links are all poor), the high priority data packets may be mapped to the plurality of (e.g., two) links for transmission at the same time. In this way, the transmission success rate of the data packets with high priority can be improved by simultaneously transmitting the data packets with high priority through a plurality of links.

For another example, when the link quality scores of the multiple links are all higher than the preset threshold (i.e., the link quality scores of the multiple links are all better), the data packets with high priority may be split and mapped to multiple (e.g., two) links for transmission. Thus, the time delay can be reduced, and the transmission efficiency can be improved.

In addition, if the receiving end (for example, STA MLD or AP MLD) refuses the request message including TID-to-link mapping element sent by the opposite end (for example, STA MLD or AP MLD), or STA MLD and AP MLD do not negotiate TID-to-link mapping, a default TID-to-link mapping mode (default TID-to-link mapping mode) may be adopted, that is, TIDs (TID 0 to TID 7) are mapped to any link for data transmission.

605. STA MLD transmits data packets through the link to which the data packets are mapped.

I.e. the STA MLD transmits the data packet over one or more of the links to which the TID of the data packet maps.

For example, if the link to which the TID of the packet is mapped (i.e., the link to which the packet corresponding to the TID is mapped) includes link 1 and link 2, the sta MLD may transmit the packet through link 1 and link 2. STA 1 of STA MLD may receive the data packet through link 1 and STA 2 of STA MLD may receive the data packet through link 2.

606. The AP MLD receives the data packet through the link to which the data packet is mapped.

I.e. the AP MLD receives the data packet over the link to which the TID of the data packet maps.

For example, if the link to which the TID of the packet maps includes link 1 and link 2, the ap MLD may receive the packet through link 1 and link 2. AP 1 of AP MLD may receive the data packet through link 1 and AP 2 of AP MLD may receive the data packet through link 2. The AP MLD may buffer data packets corresponding to different TIDs in different RX buffers/queues, respectively.

Based on the method provided by the embodiment of the application, the STA MLD evaluates the link quality of each link in the plurality of links to obtain the link quality score of each link, maps the data packet to the corresponding link according to the link quality score of the link, for example, maps the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) to the first link (the link with high link quality score), and transmits the first data packet to the AP MLD through the first link; therefore, the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet with high priority) can be ensured, and the user Internet surfing experience is improved.

And, can map the second data packet (the data packet of low priority) to the second link, can avoid influencing the transmission quality of the first data packet (the data packet of high priority) under the condition of meeting the transmission quality demand (for example, time delay requirement) of the second data packet, thus promote user's online experience.

Embodiments of the present application also provide a chip system, as shown in fig. 12, that includes at least one processor 1201 and at least one interface circuit 1202. The processor 1201 and the interface circuit 1202 may be interconnected by wires. For example, the interface circuit 1202 may be used to receive signals from other devices (e.g., memory of the first MLD). For another example, interface circuit 1202 may be used to send signals to other devices (e.g., processor 1201).

For example, the interface circuit 1202 may read an instruction stored in the memory in the first MLD and send the instruction to the processor 1201. The instructions, when executed by the processor 1201, may cause the first MLD (e.g., the apparatus 500 shown in fig. 5) to perform the various steps of the embodiments described above.

Of course, the chip system may also include other discrete devices, which are not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

Embodiments also provide a computer-readable storage medium including computer instructions that, when executed on a first MLD (e.g., the apparatus 500 shown in fig. 5), cause the apparatus 500 to perform the functions or steps performed by the first MLD (e.g., STA MLD) in the above-described method embodiments.

The present application also provides a computer program product, which when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the functions or steps performed by the first MLD and the second MLD in the method embodiments described above.

The embodiment of the application also provides a processing device, which can be divided into different logic units or modules according to functions, and each unit or module executes different functions, so that the processing device executes each function or step executed by the first MLD and the second MLD in the embodiment of the method.

From the description of the above embodiments, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the above functional allocation may be performed by different functional modules, i.e., the internal structure of the apparatus is divided into different functional modules, as needed, to perform all or part of the functions described above.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the apparatus embodiments described above are merely illustrative, e.g., the division of the modules or units is merely a logical functional division, and there may be additional divisions when actually implemented, e.g., multiple units or components may be combined or integrated into another apparatus, 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 units, which may be in electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and the parts displayed as units may be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in a plurality of different places. 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 integrated units may be implemented in hardware or in software functional units.

The integrated units, if implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as stand-alone products, may be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on such understanding, the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application may be essentially or a part contributing to the prior art or all or part of the technical solution may be embodied in the form of a software product stored in a storage medium, including several instructions for causing a device (may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip or the like) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the methods described in the embodiments of the present application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a Read Only Memory (ROM), a random access memory (random access memory, RAM), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

The foregoing is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of the present application is not limited thereto, and any changes or substitutions within the technical scope of the present disclosure should be covered in 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 of multilink data transmission, applied to a first multilink device MLD, between which there are a plurality of links, the method comprising:

evaluating the link quality of each link in the plurality of links to obtain a link quality score of each link;

judging whether the link quality scores of the links are higher than a preset threshold value or not;

if the link quality score of the first link in the plurality of links is higher than the preset threshold, and the link quality score of the second link is lower than or equal to the preset threshold, mapping a first data packet onto the first link, transmitting the first data packet to the second MLD through the first link, mapping a second data packet onto the second link, and transmitting the second data packet to the second MLD through the second link;

if the link quality scores of the links are all lower than or equal to the preset threshold value, mapping the first data packet to each link in the links, and transmitting the first data packet to the second MLD through the links;

If the link quality scores of the links are higher than the preset threshold, splitting the first data packet into a plurality of data packets, mapping the plurality of data packets onto each link of the links respectively, and transmitting the data packets to the second MLD through the links;

wherein the first link and the second link are both links of the plurality of links, and a link quality score of the first link is higher than a link quality score of the second link; the first data packet includes a first traffic identifier TID, the second data packet includes a second TID, and the first TID has a higher priority than the second TID.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein evaluating the link quality of each of the plurality of links to obtain a link quality score for each link comprises:

for each of the plurality of links, evaluating a link quality score for the link based on at least one of a received signal strength indicator RSSI, a frequency band, a bandwidth, a link load, and a link noise for the link.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the step of determining the position of the substrate comprises,

Scoring each of the plurality of links according to the following formula:

Link Score== RSSI_score + band_score + width_score + chload_score + noise_score

the Link Score represents a quality Score of a Link, the RSSI_score represents a Score of signal strength, the RSSI_score is determined according to an RSSI coefficient and an RSSI weight, the RSSI coefficient is determined according to a range of a section where a value of an RSSI corresponding to the Link is located, and the RSSI weight is preset;

the band_score represents the score of the frequency band, the band_score is determined according to a band coefficient and a band weight, the band coefficient is determined according to the type of the band corresponding to the link, and the band weight is preset;

the width_score represents a score of the bandwidth, the width_score is determined according to a width coefficient and a width weight, the width coefficient is determined according to the size of the bandwidth width corresponding to the link, and the width weight is preset;

the method comprises the steps that a chlorine_score represents a score of a link load, the chlorine_score is determined according to a chlorine coefficient and a chlorine weight, the chlorine coefficient is determined according to a section range where a value of the link load chlorine is located, and the chlorine weight is preset;

the noise_score represents a score of noise of the link, the noise_score is determined according to a noise coefficient and a noise weight, the noise coefficient is determined according to a range of intervals where a value of noise of the link is located, and the noise weight is preset.

4. A method according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein,

the first MLD sends a request message to the second MLD, the request message carrying a TID-to-link mapping element, the TID-to-link mapping element including mapping information that maps the first data packet corresponding to the first TID to the first link and maps the second data packet corresponding to the second TID to the second link.

5. A method according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein,

the first data packet includes at least one of voice service data or video service data or best effort data.

6. A method according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein,

the second data packet includes at least one of best effort data or background traffic data.

7. A method according to any one of claim 1 to 3, wherein,

the first MLD is a station STA MLD and the second MLD is an access point AP MLD.

8. A first multi-link device, MLD, characterized in that the first MLD comprises: a wireless communication module, a memory, and one or more processors; the wireless communication module, the memory, and the processor are coupled;

Wherein the memory is for storing computer program code, the computer program code comprising computer instructions; the computer instructions, when executed by the processor, cause the first MLD to perform the method of any one of claims 1-7.

9. A computer-readable storage medium comprising computer instructions;

when executed on a first MLD, the computer instructions cause the first MLD to perform the method of any one of claims 1-7.