CN117042045A

CN117042045A - Data transmission method and device

Info

Publication number: CN117042045A
Application number: CN202210467489.8A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 顾祥新
Original assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Current assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Shanghai Co Ltd
Priority date: 2022-04-29
Filing date: 2022-04-29
Publication date: 2023-11-10

Abstract

The embodiment of the application provides a data transmission method and device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: sending indication information to the second device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multiple radio frequency EMLMR mode. The first device operates in a first mode by exchanging frames with the second device over the link. The first equipment is instructed to enter the active state by the indication information, and the first equipment is instructed to enable the first mode, so that the signaling overhead of additionally sending the EML operation mode notification frame by the first equipment can be saved, and then the first equipment operates in the first mode to exchange frames through a link between the first equipment and the second equipment, so that the system efficiency can be effectively improved.

Description

Data transmission method and device

Technical Field

The embodiment of the application relates to a communication technology, in particular to a data transmission method and device.

Background

A Multi-Link Device (MLD) is a Device supporting simultaneous data transmission over multiple links, and there are currently non-Access Point (non-AP) MLDs supporting EMLSR mode, and also non-AP MLDs supporting EMLMR mode.

Currently, when the non-AP MLD is not in the EMLSR mode, or the non-AP MLD is not in the EMLMR mode, the STA affiliated to the non-AP MLD is in the sleep state most of the time in the power saving mode, and when it needs to perform data reception, it needs to first send notification information to the AP MLD to inform the AP MLD that it is already in the active state, and then can send the EML operation mode notification frame again, enabling the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, and then perform data transmission.

However, the implementation described above results in a large signaling load and delay, which in turn results in reduced system efficiency.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a data transmission method and a data transmission device, which are used for reducing signaling load and improving system efficiency.

In a first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission method, applied to a first device, where at least two links are established between the first device and a second device, the method includes:

sending indication information to the second device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single-frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multi-frequency EMLMR mode;

And carrying out frame exchange through the link and the second equipment, wherein the first equipment operates in the first mode.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission method applied to a second device, where at least two links are established between the second device and a first device, and the method includes:

receiving indication information sent by the first device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single-frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multi-frequency EMLMR mode;

after the first device operates in the first mode, a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the link.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission apparatus, applied to a first device, where at least two links are established between the first device and a second device, where the apparatus includes:

the sending module is configured to send indication information to the second device, where the indication information is used to instruct the first device to enter an active state, and the indication information is further used to instruct the first device to enable a first mode, where the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multi-link single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multi-link multi-radio frequency EMLMR mode;

And the transmission module is used for carrying out frame exchange with the second equipment through the link, and the first equipment operates in the first mode.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission apparatus applied to a second device, where at least two links are established between the second device and a first device, where the apparatus includes:

the receiving module is configured to receive indication information sent by the first device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters an active state, and the indication information is further used to indicate that the first device enables a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multi-link single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multi-link multi-radio frequency EMLMR mode;

and the transmission module is used for carrying out frame exchange with the first equipment through the link after the first equipment operates in the first mode.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission apparatus, including:

a memory for storing a program;

a processor for executing the program stored by the memory, the processor being for performing the method as described in the first aspect above when the program is executed.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a data transmission apparatus, including:

a memory for storing a program;

a processor for executing the program stored by the memory, the processor being for performing the method as described in the second aspect above when the program is executed.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a chip including instructions, the chip including a processor, the processor executing computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to perform the method as described above in the first aspect and in any of the various possible designs of the first aspect, and in the second aspect and in any of the various possible designs of the second aspect.

In an eighth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of the first aspect and any of the various possible designs of the first aspect, and the second aspect and any of the various possible designs of the second aspect, as described above.

In a ninth aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product comprising a computer program which, when executed by a processor, implements a method as described in the first aspect and any of the various possible designs of the first aspect, and in the second aspect and any of the various possible designs of the second aspect.

The embodiment of the application provides a data transmission method and device, wherein the method comprises the following steps: receiving indication information sent by a first device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multiple radio frequency EMLMR mode. After the first device operates in the first mode, a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the link. The first equipment is instructed to enter the active state by the indication information, and the first equipment is instructed to enable the first mode, so that the signaling overhead of additionally sending the EML operation mode notification frame by the first equipment can be saved, and then the first equipment operates in the first mode to exchange frames through a link between the first equipment and the second equipment, so that the system efficiency can be effectively improved.

Drawings

In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present application or the technical solutions of the prior art, the drawings that are needed in the embodiments or the description of the prior art will be briefly described below, it will be obvious that the drawings in the following description are some embodiments of the present application, and that other drawings can be obtained according to these drawings without inventive effort to a person skilled in the art.

Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of a communication scenario provided in an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a link between multiple link devices according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating implementation of data transmission by MLSR non-AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of a format of an EML control field according to an embodiment of the application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart of a transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a format of a frame control field according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic diagram of a first implementation of data transmission in EMLSR mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a second schematic diagram of implementation of data transmission in EMLSR mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating implementation of data transmission in EMLMR mode according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 10 is a second flowchart of a data transmission method according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a second structure of the data transmission device according to the embodiment of the present application;

fig. 13 is a schematic hardware structure of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 14 is a schematic hardware structure of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more apparent, the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below with reference to the accompanying drawings in the embodiments of the present application, and it is apparent that the described embodiments are some embodiments of the present application, but not all embodiments of the present application. All other embodiments, which can be made by those skilled in the art based on the embodiments of the application without making any inventive effort, are intended to be within the scope of the application.

In order to better understand the technical scheme of the application, the related technology related to the application is further described in detail.

802.11be is the next generation WiFi standard, an 802.11be network, also known as Extremely High Throughput (EHT, very high throughput) network, which is enhanced in functionality through a range of system features and mechanisms to achieve very high throughput, 802.11be is a new WLAN standard proposed following WiFi6 (802.11 ax).

According to the definition of the two communication ends in 802.11, one end is an AP device, and the other end is an STA device, for example, the communication scenario may be understood with reference to fig. 1, and fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of the communication scenario provided by the embodiment of the present application. Referring to fig. 1, in this communication scenario, one end is an Access Point (AP) device, and the other end is a Station (STA) device.

The AP may be an access point of a mobile subscriber operating in a wired network, and is mainly deployed in a home, a building, and a campus, where a typical coverage radius is several tens meters to hundreds meters, and of course, may be deployed outdoors. The AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting a wired network and a wireless network, and mainly serves to connect each wireless network client together and then access the wireless network to the ethernet. In particular, the AP may be a terminal device or a network device with a wireless-fidelity (WiFi) chip. The AP may be a device supporting the 802.11ax standard. The AP may be a device supporting multiple wireless local area network (wireless local area networks, WLAN) standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11 a.

The STA may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal. Such as a mobile phone supporting a WiFi communication function, a tablet computer supporting a WiFi communication function, a set top box supporting a WiFi communication function, a smart television supporting a WiFi communication function, a smart wearable device supporting a WiFi communication function, a vehicle communication device supporting a WiFi communication function, and a computer supporting a WiFi communication function. Optionally, the STA may support the 802.11ax standard. The STA may also support multiple WLAN standards such as 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, and 802.11 a.

In the actual implementation process, the specific implementation manner of the AP device and the STA device may be selected according to actual requirements, which is not limited in this embodiment, as long as the AP device may be used as an access point and the STA device may be used as a station.

At present, in 802.11be, a function capable of supporting 802.11 Multiple Links (MLD) is defined, and in the above description, one end is an AP MLD (access point multi-link device) and the other end is an STA MLD (station multi-link device), where the STA MLD may also be referred to as a non-AP MLD (non-access point device multi-link).

And Multi-Link Device (MLD) MLD, which is currently introduced in 802.11be (EHT), is a Device that supports simultaneous data transmission over multiple links. For example, the multi-link device can simultaneously communicate in the frequency bands of 2.4GHz, 5GHz and 60GHz, and even if the number of antennas is limited, the multi-link device can switch in different frequency bands, so that the optimal frequency band is selected, and the communication quality is ensured.

The multi-link STA MLD and the multi-link AP MLD can utilize the advantages of the multi-link to transmit and receive data on a plurality of links so as to achieve the advantages of high throughput, low time delay and the like.

Wherein the multi-link device may contain one or more APs if the multi-link device is an AP device, and one or more STAs if the multi-link device is an STA device.

It will be appreciated that whether an STA or AP multilink device is a device in nature, the AP MLD described above may include one or more APs, and the STA MLD may include one or more STAs, which may be understood as including one or more virtual entities in the multilink device, where each logical entity communicates data with the other end of the communication via a link, which is a radio resource for transmitting data, respectively.

For example, the multi-link between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may be understood in conjunction with fig. 2, and fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a link between multi-link devices according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 2, it is assumed that AP1, AP2, …, APn are currently included in the AP MLD, and STA1, STA2, …, STA n are included in the non-AP MLD, where a link (link) 1 is established between AP1 and STA1, a link 2 is established between AP2 and STA2, …, a link n is established between APn and STA n, in one possible implementation, each AP may operate on a different frequency band, and each STA may operate on a different frequency band, and accordingly, each link established is a link on a corresponding frequency band. Data may be transmitted over multiple links.

In the actual implementation process, the specific number of APs included in the AP multi-link device and the specific number of STAs included in the STA multi-link device may be selected according to actual requirements, which is not limited in this embodiment.

Currently, the standard specifies two non-AP MLDs:

multiple link single radio frequency (Multi-Link Single Radio, MLSR) non-AP MLD, wherein the MLSR non-AP MLD has only one radio and can only transmit data on one link at a time;

a Multi-Link Multi-Radio (MLMR) non-AP MLD, wherein the MLMR non-AP MLD has a plurality of Radio groups and is capable of transmitting data over a plurality of links at a time.

Wherein the MLSR non-AP MLD can cut on different links at different times. For example, it can be understood with reference to fig. 3, and fig. 3 is a schematic diagram illustrating implementation of data transmission by MLSR non-AP MLD according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in FIG. 3, the AP-MLD has three APs, AP1, AP2, and AP3, respectively. And the non-AP MLD has three STAs, namely STA1, STA2 and STA3, wherein the STA1 and the AP1 establish a link, and refer to a link 1 in FIG. 3; STA2 and AP2 establish a link, referring to link 2 in fig. 3; STA3 and AP3 establish a link, see link 3 in fig. 3.

Referring to fig. 3, it can be determined that STA1 and STA2 belonging to the non-AP MLD can transmit and receive data using the same Radio at different times, and the data transmitted and received in fig. 3 can be transmitted using a BU-carrying protocol data unit (Presentation Protocol Data Unit, PPDU) from the AP MLD to the non-AP MLD.

Referring to fig. 3, it may be determined that the data transmission is performed by using the link 1 at the beginning, and then the data transmission is switched to the link 2, where the STA corresponding to the link performing the data transmission is in an active state (awake). While before switching to link 2, the power management subfield (Power Management subfield) of the MAC header (MAC header) of the last frame that STA1 sent to AP1 may instruct STA1 to go to sleep (doze).

Furthermore, the standard also specifies an MLSR non-AP MLD supporting Enhanced Multi-Link Single-Radio mode EMLSR (Enhanced Multi-Link Single-Radio) mode.

Wherein, the non-AP MLD supporting the EMLSR mode may send an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame (EML Operating Mode Notification frame) to the AP MLD indicating that it wants to enable the EMLSR mode by setting the EMLSR mode subfield (EMLSR Mode subfield) therein to 1. The EMLSR mode may then be enabled after EML Operating Mode Notification frame of the AP MLD reply.

The enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame (EML Operating Mode Notification frame format) is described in detail below.

The EML operation mode notification frame is used to indicate that the non-AP MLD to which the STA transmitting the data belongs is changing its EML operation.

The operation field format (EML Operating Mode Notification frame Action field format) of the EML operation mode notification frame is described below in conjunction with table 1.

TABLE 1

Wherein the category field is defined in 9.4.1.11 (Action field) in the protocol;

the EHT operation field is defined in 9.6.34.1 (EHT Actionfield)

The dialog token field is set by the non-AP MLD to a non-zero value selected by the non-AP MLD and by the AP MLD to a value copied from the corresponding received EML operation mode notification frame;

the EML control field is defined in 9-144i (EML Control field format).

The specific implementation of the EML control field will be described in detail below, and it can be understood with reference to fig. 4, where fig. 4 is a schematic diagram of the format of the EML control field according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 4, the total length of the EML control field may be 65 bits, or 89 bits, or 113 bits, and a plurality of subfields are included inside the EML control field, and are described below, respectively.

Wherein, the EMLSR Mode field occupies 1 bit and is located at bit 0. The EMLSR mode field is used to indicate whether the non-AP MLD enables the EMLSR mode, which is actually the non-AP MLD operating in EMLSR mode.

And, the EMLMR Mode (EMLMR Mode) field occupies 1 bit, which is located at bit 1. The EMLMR mode field is used to indicate whether the non-AP MLD is enabled for the EMLMR mode, which is actually the non-AP MLD operating in the EMLMR mode.

And the EMLSR link bitmap (EMLSR Link Bitmap) field occupies 16 bits, located at bit 2-bit 17. The EMLSR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLSR link set in which links are used for frame switching between AP MLD and non-AP MLD in EMLSR mode. For example, the EMLSR link bitmap field may be 11100000 00000000 (Bit 0 is at the forefront), indicating that the EMLSR link set includes: link1, link2, link3.

And the Reserved (Reserved) field occupies 6 bits, located in bits 18-23.

And, the EMLMR link bitmap (EMLMR Link Bitmap) field occupies 0 bits or 16 bits, located at bit 24-bit 39. The EMLMR link bitmap field is used to indicate the EMLMR link set, the links in which are used for frame exchange between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD in EMLMR mode. For example, the EMLMR link bitmap field may be 11000000 00000000 (Bit 0 is forward most), indicating that the EMLMR link set includes: link1, link2.

And the number of bits occupied by the EMLMR supported MAS and NSS set (EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set) fields is variable, and may be located in bits 42-65, 42-89, or 42-113. Wherein the EMLMR supported MAS and NSS set fields are used to indicate the set of supported modulation and coding strategies (Modulation and Coding Scheme, MCS) and spatial streams (Number of Spatial Stream, NSS) for the non-AP MLD in EMLMR mode.

And, the MCS Map Count field occupies 0 bits or 2 bits, located in bit 40-bit 41. The MCS mapping number field is used to indicate which bits occupied by the above-mentioned MAS and NSS set fields supported by EMLMR are, specifically, any of the following three types: bit 42-bit 65, bit 42-bit 89, bit 42-bit 113.

The following describes the relevant processing in the EMLSR mode, in which the non-AP MLD is active:

and, the non-AP MLD listens to each link in the EMLSR link set indicated by EMLSR Link Bitmap subfield. Radio supporting multiple-in multiple-out (multiple in multiple out, MIMO) multiple streams has multiple Radio chains (Radio Frequency chain, RF chain) that are tuned to the links, respectively.

When an initial control frame is received on a link, a corresponding reply is made after a short interframe space (Short Inter Frame Space, SIFS) time.

And after SIFS, performing frame exchange (frame exchange) within EMLSR MIMO capability on the link, where the RF chain switches to the link and the other links stop listening.

After the frame exchange stops, EMLSR Transition Timeout (transition timeout) time, the listening state of each link in the EMLSR link set is returned.

And, the non-AP MLD may send EML Operating Mode Notification frame to the AP MLD, set the EMLSR mode field therein to 0, indicate that it wants to disable the EMLSR mode, and after EML Operating Mode Notification frame of the AP MLD reply, may disable the EMLSR mode.

The above description is related to EMLSR mode, and the following description is related to EMLMR mode.

Furthermore, the standard also specifies an MLMR non-AP MLD supporting Enhanced Multi-Link Multi-Radio mode EMLMR (Enhanced Multi-Link Multi-Radio) mode.

Wherein the non-AP MLD supporting the EMLMR mode may send an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame (EML Operating Mode Notification frame) to the AP MLD indicating that it wants to enable the EMLMR mode by setting the EMLMR mode subfield (EMLMR Mode subfield) therein to 1. The EMLMR mode may then be enabled after EML Operating Mode Notification frame of the AP MLD reply.

The specific indication manner may refer to the related content of the EML control field described above, which is not described herein.

In the EMLMR mode, the non-AP MLD may, after a first frame exchange (frame exchange) of a link in the EMLMR link set indicated by EMLMR Link Bitmap subfield:

receiving protocol data units (Presentation Protocol Data Unit, PPDUs) over the link with a received spatial stream number (the number of Spatial Stream) indicated by a maximum of EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set;

on this link, the PPDU is transmitted with a transmission spatial stream number (the number of Spatial Stream) indicated by a maximum of EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set;

the above description is performed until the frame exchange is finished, and after the frame exchange is finished, the rest links in the EMLMR link set can not transmit and receive data.

And it will be appreciated that during frame exchange in EMLMR mode, the non-AP MLD essentially acts to switch the radio frequency chains (Radio Frequency Chain, RF Chain) of the other links in the EMLMR link set to the link for which frame exchange is performed so that the link obtains the transceiving capability indicated by EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set.

Similarly, the non-AP MLD may send EML Operating Mode Notification frame to the AP MLD, set the EMLMR mode field to 0, indicate that it wants to disable the EMLMR mode, and disable the EMLMR mode after EML Operating Mode Notification frame of the AP MLD reply is received.

After the above-described EMLSR mode and EMLMR mode are described, it should be further noted that it is specifically whether an EMLSR mode or an EMLMR mode is supported for a non-AP MLD, which is an inherent attribute for a non-AP MLD. Thus for a non-AP MLD, it either enables EMLSR mode through the EMLSR mode field or enables EMLMR mode through the EMLMR mode field.

Based on the above description, the problems of the prior art will be described below. The MLSR non-AP MLD supporting the EMLSR mode is in doze state for most of the time when a certain STA affiliated to it (the link in which the STA is located in the EMLSR link set) is in the power saving mode when not in the EMLSR mode.

When a Beacon (Beacon) frame or a data indication map (Traffic Indication Map, TIM) frame is received and Traffic Indication Map field indicates that data to be received is buffered at the AP, the STA needs to first send a Power Save Poll (PS-Poll) to notify the AP that it is in Active mode, and then can send EML Operating Mode Notification frame an enable EMLSR mode, which results in lower system efficiency.

Alternatively, when the STA and the AP configure U-APSD (Unscheduled Automatic Power Save Delivery ), the STA may also notify the AP that it is in Active mode through a QoS Null frame (Quality of Service Null frame), i.e., a QoS Data frame without frame body (frame body), and then transmit EML Operating Mode Notification frame the EMLSR mode enabled, which also results in lower system efficiency.

And non-AP MLD for EMLMR mode also have the above problems.

That is, no matter the non-AP MLD in EMLSR mode or the non-AP MLD in EMLMR mode, when it needs to perform data reception, notification information is first sent to the AP MLD to inform the AP MLD that it is already in an active state, and then the EML operation mode notification frame can be sent again, enabling the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, and then performing data transmission. This results in a large signaling load and thus in reduced system efficiency.

Aiming at the problems in the prior art, the application provides the following technical conception: the EMLSR or EMLMR mode is directly enabled through the notification information indicating the entering of the activation state, so that the signaling load can be effectively reduced, and the system efficiency is further improved.

Based on the above description, the transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application is described in detail below with reference to a specific embodiment, where the data transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application may be applied to a first device or may be applied to a second device. At least two links are established between the first device and the second device in this embodiment. The first device may be, for example, the non-AP MLD described above, and the second device may be the AP MLD described above; alternatively, the first device may be, for example, the AP MLD described above, and the second device may be the non-AP MLD described above, where the specific implementation manner of the first device and the second device is not limited, and the specific number of links between the first device and the second device is not limited, and may be selected and extended according to actual needs.

Taking the first device as a non-AP MLD and the second device as an AP MLD as an example, the data transmission method of the first device side will be described with reference to fig. 5, and fig. 5 is a flowchart of a transmission method provided by an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 5, the method includes:

s501, sending indication information to a second device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multiple radio frequency EMLMR mode.

In this embodiment, the first device may send indication information to the second device, where the indication information may instruct the first device to enter an active state, where the indication information may be, for example, PS-Poll as described above, or the indication information may also be QoS Null as described above. In the actual implementation process, the specific implementation of the indication information can be selected and set according to actual requirements, and any information that can be used for indicating the first device to enter the active state can be used as the indication information in the embodiment.

And the indication information in this embodiment may further indicate that the first device enables the first mode, where the first mode may be, for example, an EMLSR mode, or the first mode may also be an EMLMR mode.

In one possible implementation, if the first device is a device supporting single radio frequency, the indication information may instruct the first device to enable EMLSR mode. Alternatively, if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the indication information may indicate that the first device enables the EMLMR mode. That is, the indication information specifically indicates whether the first device enables the EMLSR mode or the EMLMR mode, depending on the specific situation of the first device.

Because the indication information in the embodiment can indicate the first device to enter the active state and also can indicate the first device to enable the first mode, the first device does not need to additionally send an EML operation mode notification frame to the second device to enable the EMLSR or EMLMR mode, so that signaling overhead can be effectively saved, and system efficiency is improved.

S502, performing frame exchange with the second device through the link, wherein the first device operates in a first mode.

After the first device transmits the indication information, the first device may operate in the first mode, for example. The first device may then exchange frames with the second device over a link between the first device and the second device in EMLMR mode.

The data transmission method provided by the embodiment of the application comprises the following steps: sending indication information to the second device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multi-link single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multi-link multi-radio frequency EMLMR mode. The first device operates in a first mode by exchanging frames with the second device over the link. The first equipment is instructed to enter the active state by the indication information, and the first equipment is instructed to enable the first mode, so that the signaling overhead of additionally sending the EML operation mode notification frame by the first equipment can be saved, and then the first equipment operates in the first mode to exchange frames through a link between the first equipment and the second equipment, so that the system efficiency can be effectively improved.

On the basis of the above description, when the indication information indicates that the first device enables the first mode, in a possible implementation manner, for example, a first field may be included in the indication information, where the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

The first mode may be a field indicating an arbitrary position in the information, which may be selected and set according to actual requirements, as long as the field is preconfigured to be a field for indicating the first device to enable the first mode. And the byte length occupied by the first field can be selected and expanded according to actual requirements.

As can be determined based on the above description, for example, the indication information in the present embodiment may be PS-Poll, where the frame format of the PS-Poll frame may be defined as in table 2 below.

TABLE 2

Wherein Frame Control occupies 2 bytes; the Duration/ID (Duration/identification) field occupies 2 bytes; BSSID (Basic Service Set, basic service set identification) refers to the MAC address of the AP, accounting for 6 bytes; TA (sender address, transmitter Address) takes up 6 bytes; FCS (frame check sequence ) occupies 6 bytes.

The Frame Control field in the Frame format of the PS-Poll Frame is described in detail below.

For frames carried in one non-S1G PPDU, when the Type (Type) subfield is not 1 or the Subtype (Subtype) subfield is not 6, the remaining subfields in the Frame Control field are To DS, from DS, more Fragments, retry, power management, more data, protected Frame, and +htc.

In this case, the format of the Frame Control field is as shown in fig. 6 (when Type subfield is not equal to 1 or Subtype subfield is not equal to 6, the Frame Control field format in the non-S1G PPDU). For example, it can be understood with reference to fig. 6, and fig. 6 is a schematic diagram of a format of a frame control field according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 6, a plurality of subfields are included inside the frame control field, and each of these subfields is described below.

Wherein, a Protocol Version (Protocol Version) field occupies 2 bits, and is located in bit 0-bit 1. The protocol version field is used to indicate the currently employed protocol version.

Wherein the Type field occupies 2 bits, located in bit 2-bit 3. The type field is used to indicate the type of the current frame. Wherein, the Type value of the management frame is 00. The Type value of the control frame is 01. The Type value of the data frame is 10.

Wherein the Subtype (Subtype) field occupies 4 bits, located at bit 4-bit 7. The subtype field is used to indicate the subtype of the currently transmitted frame.

Wherein the To DS (To DS) field occupies 1 bit and is located at bit 8. The To DS field is used To identify that the current frame is a frame that the STA transmits To the AP. Wherein DS is (distributed system ).

Wherein the From DS (From DS) field occupies 1 bit and is located at bit 9. The From DS field is used to identify that the current frame is a frame that the AP sends to the STA.

Wherein the More Fragments (More Fragments) field occupies 1 bit, located at bit 10. The more fragments field is used to indicate if a long frame is fragmented and if there are more frames. If the packet of the upper layer is processed by the MAC segmentation, the bit is set to 1 except the last segment.

Wherein the Retry (Retry) field occupies 1 bit, which is located at bit 11. As sometimes a retransmission of the frame may be required. Any retransmitted frame will have this bit set to 1 to assist the receiving end in rejecting duplicate frames.

Wherein the Power Management (Power Management) field occupies 1 bit and is located at bit 12. The power management field is used for indicating and finishing the current frame exchange process and then indicating the power management state of the transmitting end. The bit of 1 indicates that the STA is in Power_save mode, and 0 indicates that the STA is in active mode.

Wherein the More Data (More Data) field occupies 1 bit, located at bit 13. For indicating whether there is more data present.

Wherein the Protected Frame field is 1 bit in bit 14. For indicating whether the body portion contains encrypted processed data. The bit of 1 indicates that the frame body portion contains encrypted data, and the bit of 0 indicates that no encryption process has been performed.

Wherein the +htc (High Throughput Control ) field uses 1 bit at bit 15.

The format of the frame control field is described above in connection with fig. 6, and on the basis of the description, the protected frame field needs to be further described as follows:

if the frame body field contains information that has been processed by the encryption encapsulation algorithm, the protected frame subfield is set to 1. The protected frame subfield is a reserved field in the control frame of the subtype control frame extension. When the protected frame subfield is equal to 1, the frame body field is protected using an encryption encapsulation algorithm and extended as defined in clause 12 (security). In the data frames of subtype Null, qoS CF-Poll, and QoS CF-ack+cf-Poll, the protected frame subfield is set to 0 (see, e.g., 12.5.2.2 (TKIP MPDU format) and 12.5.3.1 (in general) indicate that the frame body needs 1 octet or more to apply encapsulation).

It can be determined based on the above description that the Protected Frame (Protected Frame) field is a reserved field, whether PS-Poll or QoS Null, and is not practically used. Thus in one possible implementation, when the indication information is PS-Poll, the first field in the indication information may be, for example, a Protected Frame (Protected Frame) field therein. Alternatively, when the indication information is QoS Null, the first field in the indication information may be, for example, a Protected Frame (Protected Frame) field therein.

The first device is enabled to the first mode by multiplexing a Protected Frame field which is not actually used in the indication information, so that the indication information can be effectively ensured to indicate the first device to enter an active state and also indicate the first device to enable the first mode.

On the basis of the above description, it should be further noted that, when the first device performs frame exchange with the second device through the link between the first device and the second device, the first device is operated in the first mode, and a specific implementation process of enabling the first mode by the first device is described below.

Specifically, after the first period after the end of the transmission of the indication information, the first device may receive acknowledgement information corresponding to the indication information sent by the second device.

And, during a second time period after the end of the transmission of the acknowledgement information, the first device may complete enabling the first mode so as to operate in the first mode.

In one possible implementation, the first duration may be SIFS and the second duration may be a Transition Delay (Transition Delay).

The first time length and the second time length are set to limit the implementation of the first mode according to the related time length, so that the indication information indicates that the first device enables the first mode to be compatible with the implementation of the first mode in the current implementation scheme, and the validity of the indication information indicates that the first device enables the first mode is guaranteed.

And, on the basis of the above description, it is further described. Based on the above description, it can be determined that, in the prior art, when the first device enables the first mode, the first device sends an EML operation mode control frame to the second device, where the EMLSR link set is indicated in the operation mode control frame, and links included in the EMLSR link set are links that can be used for frame switching in the EMLSR mode. As well as for EMLMR.

However, in the technical solution of the present application, the first device enables the first mode through the indication information, that is, the first device does not send the EML operation mode control frame to the second device when the first mode is enabled, but when the frame exchange is performed, the first device needs to determine the link set to perform the frame exchange on the related links of the link set.

Thus in one possible implementation, the EMLSR link set employed by the first device when frame switching is performed after the EMLSR mode is enabled by the indication information may be, for example, a link set indicated by an EMLSR link bitmap (EMLSR Link Bitmap) field in an EML operation mode control frame that inherits the last time the EMLSR mode was successfully enabled.

And, the EMLMR link set adopted by the first device when performing frame exchange after enabling the EMLMR mode through the indication information may be, for example, a link set indicated by an EMLMR link bitmap (EMLMR Link Bitmap) field in an EML operation mode control frame inheriting the last time the EMLMR mode was successfully enabled.

Based on the present description, a further description will be given below of an implementation procedure in which a first device performs frame exchange through a link between the first device and a second device and the second device.

In one possible implementation, a first device may receive a first frame sent by a second device over a first link in a first set of links. The first link set is a link set indicated by a second field, and the second field is a field for indicating the link set in an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame in which the first device successfully enables the first mode last time.

Specifically, if the first device is a device supporting a single radio frequency, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the EML multi-link operation mode notification frame; or if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the second field is an EMLMR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame.

And, the first frame sent by the second device, in the EMLSR mode, the first frame may be an initial control frame, where the initial control frame may be, for example, an MU-RTS (Multi-user request to send frame ), or the initial control frame may also be a BSPR (buffer status report poll frame ). In the EMLSR mode, the initial control frame can only be streamed, because the EMLSR has only one radio frequency chain per link when listening to multiple links.

And, in the EMLMR mode, the first frame may be an initial frame (not limited to a control frame), where the initial frame may be, for example, a QoS Null, or may be other various possible initial frames, which may be selected according to actual requirements, and the embodiment also does not limit the initial frame in the EMLMR mode.

It will be appreciated that the second device may select one of the plurality of links in the first set of links for frame exchange and that the second device may transmit the first frame on the selected one of the links. The link of the second link set transmitting the first frame may be regarded as the first link, and the embodiment does not limit the first link, specifically which link may be selected and set according to actual requirements, and any link that transmits the first frame may be used as the first link in the embodiment.

After the first device receives the first frame, the first device may further send acknowledgement information corresponding to the first frame to the second device over the first link, after which the first device may exchange frames with the second device over the first link.

In another possible implementation, the first device may send the second frame to the second device on a first link in the first set of links.

The first link set and the first link are similar to those described above, and are not repeated here. And the second frame is also similar to the first frame described above, which can be understood as the initial frame. However, it should be noted that, whether in EMLMR mode or EMLSR mode, the transmission of the second frame may be initiated by the first device, and the second frame may be multi-stream transmission at this time.

And the subsequent first device may receive, on the first link, acknowledgement information corresponding to the second frame sent by the second device, and the first device performs frame exchange with the second device on the first link.

It can be understood that, in this embodiment, the link set indicated in the EML operation mode notification frame of the last successful enabling of the first mode is used as the link set used when the first mode is enabled this time, so that after the first mode is enabled by the indication information, the subsequent frame exchange and the preparation work before the frame exchange can be successfully completed, and further, the validity of the indication information for indicating the first device to enable the first mode is effectively ensured.

Based on the above-described contents, the data transmission method provided in the present application will be understood in the following in conjunction with specific examples.

An exemplary implementation of the EMLSR mode is first described, based on which it may be determined that the indication may be PS-Poll or QoS Null, and an implementation of the PS-Poll is described with reference to fig. 7. Fig. 7 is a schematic diagram illustrating an implementation of data transmission in EMLSR mode according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 7, it is assumed that the first device is a non-AP MLD and the second device is an AP-MLD.

The MLSR non-AP MLD has two STAs, STA1 and STA2, respectively, which support 2 Spatial streams (Spatial streams), and the non-AP MLD supports EMLSR mode.

And, the AP-MLD has two APs, AP1, AP2, respectively, which operate at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, respectively, and the AP MLD supports EMLSR mode.

Wherein STA1 and AP1 establish a link, refer to link 1 in fig. 7; STA2 and AP2 establish a link, see link 2 in fig. 7.

It will be appreciated that the first time the EMLSR mode is enabled, there is no previous successful EML operation mode notification frame enabled as a reference for inheritance. Thus, enabling the EMLSR mode for the first time needs to be done by exchanging EML operation mode notification frames, and it is assumed that the EMLSR link bitmap field in the EML operation mode control frame is: 11000000 00000000 (Bit 0 is at the forefront), then the EMLSR link set representing the current indication includes: both links 1, 2, that is to say these 2 links can be used for frame switching in EMLSR mode.

Thereafter, the EMLSR mode may be disabled by alternating the EML operation mode notification frame.

Further, assuming that there is no data transmission for a while thereafter, both STA1 and STA2 enter a doze state, periodically receive Beacon frames on the respective links, and check the TIM element therein.

As shown in fig. 7, assuming that Bit of the TIM element, which corresponds to AID1, is checked by STA1 to be 1 at time T1, it indicates that the current non-AP MLD has downlink data buffered in the AP MLD.

And assuming that STA1 preempts the idle port at time T2, STA1 may send a PS-Poll frame (i.e., indication information) to AP1, wherein the protected frame field (Protected Frame subfield) of the PS-Poll frame control field may be set to 1 to indicate that non-AP MLD enables EMLSR mode.

Referring to fig. 7, after SIFS, the acknowledgement information (ACK frame) corresponding to PS-Poll sent by the second device may be received after the PS-Poll transmission end time, where SIFS is the first duration described above.

And, the non-AP MLD may complete enabling the EMLSR mode within a Transition Delay (Transition Delay) from the end of the acknowledgement information (ACK frame) transmission. Wherein, the EMLSR link set is link 1 and link 2, and STA1 and STA2 can simultaneously monitor link 1 and link 2 respectively. The Transition Delay herein is the second duration introduced above, wherein the non-AP MLD may inform the AP MLD of the Transition Delay introduced above in the EML capability subfield (EML Capabilities subfield) of the connection request frame (Association Request frame).

And referring to fig. 7, at time T3, assuming that STA2 in the first device listens to MU-RTS Trigger Frame (i.e., the first frame described above), assuming that the AID of one User information field (User Info field) is AID1, it indicates that there is currently data to be transmitted to the non-AP MLD.

After SIFS from the end of MU-RTS frame transmission, STA2 sends a Clear To Send (CTS) frame on the allocated Resource Unit (Resource Unit). Wherein, CTS is the response frame corresponding to MU-RTS.

The first frame is illustratively described in fig. 7 as MU-RTS, or the first frame in fig. 7 may also be BSRP, which is implemented in a similar manner and is not described herein.

And referring to fig. 7, after SIFS is started at the end of CTS, STA1 stops listening, and the corresponding radio frequency chain (RF chain) is switched to STA2, so that STA2 can exchange frames with AP MLD, for example, in fig. 7, STA2 receives EHT MU PPDU sent by AP2, decodes one aggregate MAC protocol data unit (Aggregated MAC Protocol Data Unit, a-MPDU) in the 2 space stream belonging to its Resource Units, and replies Block Ack (BA) information.

Next, an implementation of the indication information being QoS Null will be described with reference to fig. 8. Fig. 8 is a second schematic diagram of implementation of data transmission in EMLSR mode according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 8, it is assumed that the first device is a non-AP MLD and the second device is an AP-MLD. Wherein the relevant implementation of non-AP MLD and AP-MLD is similar to that described above, and will not be repeated here.

The difference is that when the indication information is QoS Null, the STA1 and the STA2 configure U-APSD for all Access Categories (ACs) and corresponding APs 1 and 2 (after the non-AP MLD is associated with the AP MLD, the STA belonging to the non-AP MLD and the AP corresponding to the AP MLD configure the same U-APSD)

Similarly, after the EMLSR mode is disabled by the interactive EML operation mode notification frame, further, assuming that there is no data transmission temporarily thereafter, STA1 and STA2 enter a doze state, periodically receive Beacon frames on the respective links, and check the TIM element therein.

As shown in fig. 8, assuming that Bit of the TIM element, which corresponds to AID1, is checked by STA2 to be 1 at time T1, it indicates that the current non-AP MLD has downlink data buffered in the AP MLD.

And assuming that at time T2, STA2 preempts the Null port, STA2 may have sent a QoS Null frame (i.e., indication information) to AP1, wherein the protected frame field (Protected Frame subfield) of the frame control field of the QoS Null frame may be set to 1 to indicate that non-AP MLD enables EMLSR mode.

Referring to fig. 8, after SIFS, acknowledgement information (ACK frame) corresponding to the received QoS Null frame sent by the second device may be received from the end of QoS Null frame transmission, where SIFS is the first duration described above.

And, the non-AP MLD may complete enabling the EMLSR mode within a Transition Delay (Transition Delay) from the end of the acknowledgement information (ACK frame) transmission. Wherein, the EMLSR link set is link 1 and link 2, and STA1 and STA2 can simultaneously monitor link 1 and link 2 respectively. The Transition Delay herein is the second duration introduced above.

And referring to fig. 8, at time T3, assuming that STA2 in the first device monitors BSRP Trigger Frame (i.e., the first frame described above), assuming that the AID of one User information field (User Info field) is AID1, it indicates that there is currently data to be transmitted to the non-AP MLD.

After SIFS from the end of BSRP this frame transmission, STA2 sends Trigger Based PPDU (a trigger-based PPDU) a QoS Null frame on the allocated Resource Unit (Resource Unit), where a-Control subfield may indicate a buffer status report (Buffer Status Report, BSR). Wherein the reply frame for BSRP is trigger-based PPDU (Trigger Based PPDU with BSR) carrying a BSR.

The first frame is exemplarily described in fig. 8 as BSRP, or the first frame in fig. 8 may also be MU-RTS, which is implemented in a similar manner and will not be described herein.

And referring to fig. 8, after SIFS is started at the end of Trigger Based PPDU, STA1 stops listening, and the corresponding radio frequency chain (RF chain) is switched to STA2, so that STA2 can exchange frames with AP MLD, for example, in fig. 7, STA2 receives EHT MU PPDU sent by AP2, and decodes one aggregate MAC protocol data unit (Aggregated MAC Protocol Data Unit, a-MPDU) in the 2 space stream belonging to its Resource Units, and replies BA information.

An exemplary implementation for EMLSR mode is described above in connection with fig. 7 and 8, and an exemplary implementation for EMLMR mode is described below in connection with fig. 9. Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram of data transmission in EMLMR mode according to an embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 9, it is assumed that the first device is a non-AP MLD and the second device is an AP-MLD.

The MLMR non-AP MLD has two STAs, STA1 and STA2, respectively, which support 2 Spatial streams (Spatial streams), and the non-AP MLD supports EMLMR mode.

And, the AP-MLD has two APs, AP1, AP2, respectively, which operate at 2.4GHz and 5GHz, respectively, and the AP MLD supports EMLMR mode.

Similarly, the first enabling of the EMLMR mode may be accomplished by interacting an EML operation mode notification frame, and assuming that the EMLMR link bitmap field in the EML operation mode control frame is: 11000000 00000000 (Bit 0 is the foremost), then the EMLMR link set representing the current indication includes: both link 1 and link 2, that is to say these 2 links can be used for frame exchange in EMLMR mode.

And, assume EMLMR Supported MCS And NSS Set indicates that the highest 4-stream reception capability, 4-stream transmission capability, is supported during EMLMR frame exchange.

Similarly, the EMLMR mode may be disabled by interacting with the EML operation mode notification frame. Further, assuming that there is no data transmission for a while thereafter, both STA1 and STA2 enter a doze state, periodically receive Beacon frames on the respective links, and check the TIM element therein.

As shown in fig. 9, assuming that Bit of the TIM element, which corresponds to AID1, is checked by STA1 to be 1 at time T1, it indicates that the current non-AP MLD has downlink data buffered in the AP MLD.

And assuming that STA1 preempts the idle port at time T2, STA1 may send a PS-Poll frame (i.e., indication information) to AP1, wherein the protected frame field (Protected Frame subfield) of the PS-Poll frame control field may be set to 1 to indicate that non-AP MLD enables EMLMR mode.

Referring to fig. 9, after SIFS, the acknowledgement information (ACK frame) corresponding to PS-Poll sent by the second device may be received after the PS-Poll transmission end time, where SIFS is the first duration described above.

And, the non-AP MLD may complete enabling the EMLMR mode within a Transition Delay (Transition Delay) from an acknowledgement information (ACK frame) transmission end time. Wherein, the EMLMR link sets are link 1 and link 2, and STA1 and STA2 can simultaneously listen to link 1 and link 2 respectively. The Transition Delay herein is the second duration introduced above.

And referring to fig. 9, at time T3, it is assumed that STA2 in the first device receives the QoS Null Frame (i.e., the first Frame introduced above). After SIFS from the end of this frame transmission, STA2 may reply to the acknowledgement information corresponding to the first frame.

For the EMLMR mode, the specific implementation of the first frame may be selected according to the actual requirement, which is not limited in this embodiment.

In the current EMLMR mode, link 2 or obtains the receiving capability of 4 spatial streams and the transmitting capability of 4 spatial streams, so STA2 can exchange frames with AP MLD at this transceiving capability. For example, referring to fig. 9, sta2 may receive the EHT MU PPDU with 4 spatial stream reception capability and reply with BA information.

And, for the EMLMR mode, the implementation manner of using the QoS Null Frame as the indication information is similar, and will not be described herein.

In summary, in the data transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application, the first device is instructed to enter the active state by the indication information, and at the same time, the first device is instructed to enable the first mode, so that signaling overhead of additionally sending the EML operation mode notification frame by the first device can be saved, and then the first device operates in the first mode to exchange frames through the link between the first device and the second device, so that system efficiency can be effectively improved.

The foregoing describes an implementation of a data transmission method on the first device side, and the following describes an implementation on the second device side with reference to fig. 10, where fig. 10 is a flowchart two of the data transmission method provided by the embodiment of the present application.

As shown in fig. 10, the method includes:

s1001, receiving indication information sent by a first device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an active state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multilink single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multiple radio frequency EMLMR mode.

The implementation manner of the indication information is the same as that described in the foregoing embodiment, and details of the implementation manner of the indication information are not described in this embodiment.

S1002, after the first device operates in the first mode, frame exchange is performed with the first device through the link.

The first device may operate in an EMLMR mode after transmitting the indication information, and the second device may exchange frames with the first device over a link between the first device and the second device after the first device operates in the EMLMR mode.

Various possible implementations in this embodiment are similar to those described in the above embodiments, and are not repeated here.

The data transmission method provided by the embodiment of the application comprises the following steps: receiving indication information sent by a first device, wherein the indication information is used for indicating the first device to enter an activated state, and the indication information is also used for indicating the first device to enable a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following modes: an enhanced multi-link single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multi-link multi-radio frequency EMLMR mode. After the first device operates in the first mode, a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the link. The first equipment is instructed to enter the active state by the indication information, and the first equipment is instructed to enable the first mode, so that the signaling overhead of additionally sending the EML operation mode notification frame by the first equipment can be saved, and then the first equipment operates in the first mode to exchange frames through a link between the first equipment and the second equipment, so that the system efficiency can be effectively improved.

Fig. 11 is a schematic structural diagram of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 11, the apparatus 110 includes: a sending module 1101, a transmitting module 1102 and a processing module 1103.

A sending module 1101, configured to send indication information to the second device, where the indication information is used to instruct the first device to enter an active state, and the indication information is further used to instruct the first device to enable a first mode, where the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multi-link single radio frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multi-link multi-radio frequency EMLMR mode;

a transmission module 1102, configured to exchange frames with the second device through the link, where the first device operates in the first mode.

In one possible design, the indication information includes a first field, where the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

In one possible design, if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the indication information indicates that the first device enables the EMLMR mode;

and if the first equipment is equipment supporting single radio frequency, the indication information indicates the first equipment to enable the EMLSR mode.

In one possible design, the apparatus further comprises: a processing module 1103;

the transmission module 1102 is further configured to receive acknowledgement information corresponding to the indication information sent by the second device after a first time period after the transmission of the indication information is completed;

the processing module 1103 is configured to complete enabling the first mode within a second duration after the transmission of the acknowledgement information is completed.

In one possible design, the transmission module 1102 is specifically configured to:

receiving a first frame sent by the second device on a first link in a first link set, wherein the first link set is a link set indicated by a second field, and the second field is a field used for indicating the link set in an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame that the first device successfully enables the first mode last time;

transmitting acknowledgement information corresponding to the first frame to the second device on the first link;

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

transmitting a second frame to the second device on a first link in a first link set, wherein the first link set is a link set indicated by a second field, and the second field is a field for indicating a link set in an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame that the first device successfully enables the first mode last time;

Receiving acknowledgement information corresponding to the second frame sent by the second device on the first link;

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

In one possible design, if the first device is a device supporting a single radio frequency, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame;

and if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the second field is an EMLMR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame.

In one possible design, the indication information is a power save-poll frame; or, the indication information is a service quality null frame.

In one possible design, the first field multiplexes protected frame fields in the power save-poll frame; alternatively, the first field multiplexes a protected frame field in the quality of service null frame.

The device provided in this embodiment may be used to implement the technical solution of the foregoing method embodiment, and its implementation principle and technical effects are similar, and this embodiment will not be described herein again.

Fig. 12 is a schematic diagram of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in fig. 12, the apparatus 120 includes: a receiving module 1201, a transmitting module 1202.

A receiving module 1201, configured to receive indication information sent by the first device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters an active state, and the indication information is further used to indicate that the first device enables a first mode, where the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multilink single-frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multi-frequency EMLMR mode;

a transmission module 1202 for exchanging frames with the first device over the link after the first device is operating in the first mode.

In one possible design, the transmission module 1202 is further configured to:

and after a first time period after the transmission of the indication information is finished, sending confirmation information corresponding to the indication information to the first device, wherein the first device operates in the first mode within a second time period after the transmission of the confirmation information is finished.

In one possible design, the transmission module 1202 is specifically configured to:

determining a first link set, wherein the first link set is a link set indicated by a second field, and the second field is a field used for indicating the link set in an enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame for enabling the first mode successfully last time by the first device;

transmitting a first frame to the first device over a first link in the first set of links;

receiving acknowledgement information corresponding to the first frame sent by the first device on the first link;

a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

receiving, on a first link in the first set of links, a second frame sent by the first device;

transmitting acknowledgement information corresponding to the second frame to the first device on the first link;

A frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

Fig. 13 is a schematic hardware structure of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 13, a data transmission device 130 of this embodiment includes: a processor 1301 and a memory 1302; wherein the method comprises the steps of

A memory 1302 for storing computer-executable instructions;

processor 1301 is configured to execute computer-executable instructions stored in the memory to implement the steps performed by the data transmission method in the above embodiment. Reference may be made in particular to the relevant description of the embodiments of the method described above.

Alternatively, memory 1302 may be separate or integrated with processor 1301.

When the memory 1302 is provided separately, the data transmission device further comprises a bus 1303 for connecting the memory 1302 and the processor 1301.

Fig. 14 is a schematic hardware structure diagram of a data transmission device according to an embodiment of the present application, as shown in fig. 14, a data transmission device 140 of this embodiment includes: a processor 1401 and a memory 1402; wherein the method comprises the steps of

Memory 1402 for storing computer-executable instructions;

a processor 1401 for executing computer-executable instructions stored in a memory to perform the steps performed by the data transmission method in the above-described embodiments. Reference may be made in particular to the relevant description of the embodiments of the method described above.

Alternatively, memory 1402 may be separate or integrated with processor 1401.

When the memory 1402 is provided separately, the data transfer device further comprises a bus 1403 for connecting the memory 1402 and the processor 1401.

The embodiment of the application also provides a chip, which comprises a processor, wherein the processor can be used for executing computer-executed instructions stored in a memory to realize the data transmission method in any of the above method embodiments of the application. Alternatively, the memory storing the computer-executable instructions may be a memory internal to the chip or may be a memory external to the chip.

With respect to each of the apparatuses and each of the modules/units included in the products described in the above embodiments, it may be a software module/unit, a hardware module/unit, or a software module/unit, and a hardware module/unit. For example, for each device or product applied to or integrated on a chip, each module/unit included in the device or product may be implemented in hardware such as a circuit, or at least part of the modules/units may be implemented in software program, where the software program runs on a processor integrated inside the chip, and the rest (if any) of the modules/units may be implemented in hardware such as a circuit; for each device and product applied to or integrated in the chip module, each module/unit contained in the device and product can be realized in a hardware manner such as a circuit, different modules/units can be located in the same component (such as a chip, a circuit module and the like) or different components of the chip module, or at least part of the modules/units can be realized in a software program, the software program runs on a processor integrated in the chip module, and the rest (if any) of the modules/units can be realized in a hardware manner such as a circuit; for each device and product applied to or integrated in the terminal device/network device, each module/unit included in the device/network device may be implemented in hardware such as a circuit, and different modules/units may be located in the same component (e.g. a chip, a circuit module, etc.) or different components in the terminal device/network device, or at least part of the modules/units may be implemented in a software program, where the software program runs on a processor integrated in the terminal device/network device, and the remaining (if any) part of the modules/units may be implemented in hardware such as a circuit.

The embodiment of the application also provides a computer readable storage medium, wherein computer execution instructions are stored in the computer readable storage medium, and when a processor executes the computer execution instructions, the data transmission method executed by the data transmission device is realized.

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

The integrated modules, which are implemented in the form of software functional modules, may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The software functional module is stored in a storage medium, and includes several instructions for causing a computer device (which may be a personal computer, a server, or a network device, etc.) or a processor (english: processor) to perform some of the steps of the methods according to the embodiments of the application.

It should be understood that the above processor may be a central processing unit (english: central Processing Unit, abbreviated as CPU), or may be other general purpose processors, digital signal processors (english: digital Signal Processor, abbreviated as DSP), application specific integrated circuits (english: application Specific Integrated Circuit, abbreviated as ASIC), or the like. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may be any conventional processor or the like. The steps of a method disclosed in connection with the present application may be embodied directly in a hardware processor for execution, or in a combination of hardware and software modules in a processor for execution.

The memory may comprise a high-speed RAM memory, and may further comprise a non-volatile memory NVM, such as at least one magnetic disk memory, and may also be a U-disk, a removable hard disk, a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or optical disk, etc.

The bus may be an industry standard architecture (Industry Standard Architecture, ISA) bus, an external device interconnect (Peripheral Component, PCI) bus, or an extended industry standard architecture (Extended Industry Standard Architecture, EISA) bus, among others. The buses may be divided into address buses, data buses, control buses, etc. For ease of illustration, the buses in the drawings of the present application are not limited to only one bus or to one type of bus.

The storage medium may be implemented by any type or combination of volatile or nonvolatile memory devices such as Static Random Access Memory (SRAM), electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), programmable read-only memory (PROM), read-only memory (ROM), magnetic memory, flash memory, magnetic or optical disk. A storage media may be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer.

Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that: all or part of the steps for implementing the method embodiments described above may be performed by hardware associated with program instructions. The foregoing program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium. The program, when executed, performs steps including the method embodiments described above; and the aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program code, such as ROM, RAM, magnetic or optical disks.

Finally, it should be noted that: the above embodiments are only for illustrating the technical solution of the present application, and not for limiting the same; although the application has been described in detail with reference to the foregoing embodiments, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that: the technical scheme described in the foregoing embodiments can be modified or some or all of the technical features thereof can be replaced by equivalents; such modifications and substitutions do not depart from the spirit of the application.

Claims

1. A data transmission method, applied to a first device, wherein at least two links are established between the first device and a second device, the method comprising:

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the indication information includes a first field, wherein the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the indication information indicates that the first device enables the EMLMR mode;

4. A method according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the method further comprises:

after a first time period after the end of the transmission of the indication information, receiving confirmation information corresponding to the indication information sent by the second equipment;

and finishing enabling the first mode in a second time period after the confirmation information transmission is finished.

5. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein exchanging frames with the second device over the link comprises:

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

6. The method of any of claims 1-4, wherein exchanging frames with the second device over the link comprises:

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

7. The method according to claim 5 or 6, wherein if the first device is a single radio frequency enabled device, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame;

8. The method according to any of claims 1-7, wherein the indication information is a power save-poll frame; or, the indication information is a service quality null frame.

9. The method of claim 8, wherein the first field multiplexes protected frame fields in the power save-poll frame; alternatively, the first field multiplexes a protected frame field in the quality of service null frame.

10. A data transmission method, applied to a second device, wherein at least two links are established between the second device and a first device, the method comprising:

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the indication information includes a first field, wherein the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

12. The method according to claim 10 or 11, wherein if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the indication information indicates that the first device enables the EMLMR mode;

13. The method according to any one of claims 10-12, further comprising:

14. The method according to any of claims 10-13, wherein exchanging frames with the first device over the link comprises:

a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

15. The method according to any of claims 10-13, wherein exchanging frames with the first device over the link comprises:

a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

16. The method according to claim 14 or 15, wherein if the first device is a single radio frequency enabled device, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame;

17. The method according to any of claims 10-16, wherein the indication information is a power save-poll frame; or, the indication information is a service quality null frame.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein the first field multiplexes protected frame fields in the power save-poll frame; alternatively, the first field multiplexes a protected frame field in the quality of service null frame.

19. A data transmission apparatus for use with a first device, wherein at least two links are established between the first device and a second device, the apparatus comprising:

the sending module is configured to send indication information to the second device, where the indication information is used to instruct the first device to enter an active state, and the indication information is further used to instruct the first device to enable a first mode, where the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multilink single-frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multi-frequency EMLMR mode;

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the indication information comprises a first field, wherein the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

21. The apparatus of claim 19 or 20, wherein if the first device is a device supporting multiple radio frequencies, the indication information indicates that the first device enables the EMLMR mode;

22. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-21, wherein the apparatus further comprises: a processing module;

the transmission module is further configured to receive acknowledgement information corresponding to the indication information sent by the second device after a first time period after the transmission of the indication information is finished;

and the processing module is used for completing enabling the first mode in a second time period after the confirmation information transmission is finished.

23. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-22, wherein the transmission module is specifically configured to:

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

24. The apparatus according to any one of claims 19-22, wherein the transmission module is specifically configured to:

a frame exchange is performed with the second device over the first link.

25. The apparatus according to claim 23 or 24, wherein if the first device is a single radio frequency enabled device, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame;

26. The apparatus according to any of claims 19-25, wherein the indication information is a power save-poll frame; or, the indication information is a service quality null frame.

27. The apparatus of claim 26, wherein the first field multiplexes protected frame fields in the power save-poll frame; alternatively, the first field multiplexes a protected frame field in the quality of service null frame.

28. A data transmission apparatus for use with a second device, wherein at least two links are established between the second device and a first device, the apparatus comprising:

the receiving module is configured to receive indication information sent by the first device, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first device enters an active state, and the indication information is further used to indicate that the first device enables a first mode, and the first mode is one of the following: an enhanced multilink single-frequency EMLSR mode, an enhanced multilink multi-frequency EMLMR mode;

29. The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the indication information comprises a first field, wherein the first field is used to indicate that the first device enables the first mode.

30. The apparatus of claim 28 or 29, wherein the indication information indicates that the first device enables the EMLMR mode if the first device is a multi-radio enabled device;

31. The apparatus of any one of claims 28-30, wherein the transmission module is further configured to:

32. The apparatus according to any one of claims 28-31, wherein the transmission module is specifically configured to:

a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

33. The apparatus according to any one of claims 28-31, wherein the transmission module is specifically configured to:

a frame exchange is performed with the first device over the first link.

34. The apparatus according to claim 32 or 33, wherein if the first device is a single radio frequency enabled device, the second field is an EMLSR link bitmap field in the enhanced multi-link operation mode notification frame;

35. The apparatus according to any of claims 28-34, wherein the indication information is a power save-poll frame; or, the indication information is a service quality null frame.

36. The apparatus of claim 35, wherein the first field multiplexes protected frame fields in the power save-poll frame; alternatively, the first field multiplexes a protected frame field in the quality of service null frame.

37. A data transmission apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a program;

a processor for executing the program stored by the memory, the processor being for performing the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 when the program is executed.

38. A data transmission apparatus, comprising:

a memory for storing a program;

a processor for executing the program stored by the memory, the processor being for performing the method of any one of claims 10 to 18 when the program is executed.

39. A chip comprising a processor that executes computer-executable instructions to cause the processor to perform the method of any one of claims 1 to 9 or 10 to 18.

40. A computer readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any of claims 1 to 9 or any of claims 10 to 18.

41. A computer program product comprising a computer program, characterized in that the computer program, when executed by a processor, implements the method of any of claims 1 to 9 or of claims 10 to 18.