CN117546539A

CN117546539A - Communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN117546539A
Application number: CN202180099085.1A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 徐彦超; 王泷
Original assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Current assignee: Guangdong Oppo Mobile Telecommunications Corp Ltd
Priority date: 2021-08-20
Filing date: 2021-08-20
Publication date: 2024-02-09
Also published as: WO2023019591A1

Abstract

The application discloses a communication method, a device, equipment and a storage medium, and relates to the field of mobile communication. The method comprises the following steps: in the case where the first condition is satisfied, the first communication device sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on other links than the at least one link as a second parameter; wherein the first condition indicates that the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted; the second communication device can determine the state of each link according to the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link, so that the flexibility of setting the MD field is improved, each link is not required to be in an awake state, and the flexibility of setting each link is improved.

Description

Communication method, device, equipment and storage medium

Technical Field

The present invention relates to the field of mobile communications, and in particular, to a communication method, apparatus, device, and storage medium.

Background

With the rapid development of wireless communication technology, multiple links may be established between a first communication device and a second communication device, and communication may be performed through the multiple links.

In the related art, when the first communication device transmits data packets on multiple links, if the first communication device has other data packets, each link needs to be maintained in an awake state, which may result in poor flexibility of setting each link.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the application provides a communication method, a device, equipment and a storage medium, which not only improve the flexibility of setting MD fields, but also improve the flexibility of setting each link without the need of each link in an awake state. The technical scheme is as follows:

according to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication method performed by a first communication device having a plurality of links between the first communication device and a second communication device, the method comprising:

in the case that the first condition is satisfied, the first communication device sets a more data MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on other links than the at least one link as a second parameter;

wherein the first condition indicates that the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted; the first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets transmitted on the at least one link, and the second parameter is used for indicating that the other links have no other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets to be transmitted on the other links.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication method performed by a second communication device having a plurality of links between the second communication device and a first communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a data packet sent by the first communication device on each link;

the state of each link is set based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link.

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication apparatus provided in a first communication device having a plurality of links between the first communication device and a second communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a setting module, configured to set, when a first condition is met, an MD field of more data of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and set an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on a link other than the at least one link as a second parameter;

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a communication apparatus provided in a second communication device having a plurality of links between the second communication device and a first communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a data packet sent by the first communication device on each link;

and the setting module is used for setting the state of each link based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a first communication device, the access point multilink device comprising: a processor; a transceiver coupled to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method as described in the above aspect.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a second communication device, the station multilink device comprising: a processor; a transceiver coupled to the processor; a memory for storing executable instructions of the processor; wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable instructions to implement the communication method as described in the above aspect.

According to one aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer readable storage medium having stored therein executable program code loaded and executed by a processor to implement a communication method as described in the above aspects.

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a chip comprising programmable logic circuitry and/or program instructions for implementing a communication method as described in the above aspects when the chip is run on a first communication device or a second communication device.

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program product for implementing the communication method of the above aspect when the computer program product is executed by a processor of a first communication device or a second communication device.

According to an aspect of the present application, there is provided a computer program to be executed by a processor of a first communication device or a second communication device to implement the communication method described in the above aspect.

The technical scheme provided by the embodiment of the application at least comprises the following beneficial effects:

in the communication method provided by the embodiment of the application, the first communication device can set the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link according to the first condition, so that the second communication device determines the state of each link according to the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link, which not only improves the flexibility of setting the MD field, but also does not need to set each link in the awake state, and improves the flexibility of setting each link.

Drawings

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

Fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 2 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 3 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 5 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 6 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 9 shows a block diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the present application more apparent, the embodiments of the present application will be described in further detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

First, a communication system of the present application will be described:

fig. 1 shows a block diagram of a communication system provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, which may include: a first communication device 11 and a second communication device 12.

Wherein there are a plurality of links between the first communication device 11 and the second communication device 12, each of which can transmit data packets. The first communication device 11 is a wireless access point, and the first communication device 11 is a creator of the wireless network and is a central node of the wireless network. The second communication device 12 is a device connected to the wireless network created by the first communication device 11.

In some embodiments, the first communication device 11 may refer to a wireless router device, a wireless modem, or other devices, and embodiments of the present application are not limited.

In some embodiments, the second communication device 12 may refer to a UE (User Equipment), an access terminal, a subscriber unit, a subscriber station, a mobile station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a wireless communication device, a User agent, or a User Equipment. Alternatively, the terminal device 13 may also be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a SIP (Session Initiation Protocol ) phone, a WLL (Wireless Local Loop, wireless local loop) station, a PDA (Personal digital Assistant), a handheld device with a wireless communication function, a computing device, or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, a wearable device, a terminal device in 5GS (5 th Generation System, fifth generation mobile communication system), or a terminal device in a future evolved PLMN (Pub 1ic Land Mobi1e Network), or the like, to which the embodiment of the present application is not limited. For convenience of description, the above-mentioned devices are collectively referred to as STA MLD.

In some embodiments, the first communication device is an AP MLD (Access Point Multiple Links Device, access point multilink device) and the second communication device is a STA MLD (StationMultiple Links Device, station multilink device).

The network architecture and the service scenario described in the embodiments of the present application are for more clearly describing the technical solution of the embodiments of the present application, and do not constitute a limitation on the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application, and those skilled in the art can know that, with the evolution of the network architecture and the appearance of the new service scenario, the technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application is also applicable to similar technical problems.

Next, a description is given of a related art relating to an embodiment of the present application:

a plurality of links are established between the STA MLD and the AP MLD, and each link is Power management state (power management state) in which the link itself is independently maintained. The STA MLD informs the AP of whether the STA is in an awake State or a sleep State after the data packet by carrying a PM (Power Save State) field in a MAC (Media Access Control) header in the data packet.

When pm=0, it indicates that the STA MLD is in the awake state, and when pm=1, it indicates that the STA MLD is in the sleep state, and at this time, the AP MLD cannot transmit a data packet to the STA MLD.

If the STA MLD transmits a data packet with pm=0 to the AP MLD, or the STA MLD transmits a Ps-Poll packet to the AP MLD, it indicates that the STA MLD is in the awake state, and the AP MLD may transmit the data packet to the STA MLD.

For example, a link between AP MLD and STAMLD is illustrated. As shown in fig. 2, a link 1 is established between the AP MLD and the STA MLD, if the STA MLD transmits a data packet with pm=0, the AP MLD may actively transmit any data packet to the STA MLD, and when the STA MLD transmits a data packet with pm=1 to the AP MLD, the AP MLD may transmit a data packet to the STA MLD after the STA MLD transmits a Ps-Poll (Power Save Poll) packet thereto.

As shown in fig. 2, after STAMLD transmits Ps-Poll packet, STAMLD is in awake state, in which STAMLD decides whether to re-enter sleep state by judging whether APMLD has buffered data packet to STAMLD; STAMLD judges whether APMLD has cached data packet or not through MD field carried in data packet sent by APMLD. When md=1 in the packet, it indicates that APMLD has buffered packets, so STAMLD continues to send the second Ps-Poll packet to APMLD; when md=0 in QoS (Quality of Service ) null packets, APMLD has no buffered data packets, at which point STAMLD may stop transmitting Ps-Poll packets and switch to idle state.

Wherein, after the SAT MLD receives any data packet sent by the AP MLD, an ACK (Acknowledge character, acknowledgement character) packet needs to be returned to the AP MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the AP MLD is received. After the AP MLD receives any data packet sent by the SAT MLD, an ACK packet needs to be returned to the SAT MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the SAT MLD is received.

For another example, as shown in fig. 3, the MD field carried by the data packet sent by the AP MLD on any link may choose to send Ps-Poll packets to the AP MLD on any one or more links after the STAMLD receives the data packet with md=1 on a certain link, according to whether the entire AP MLD has buffered data packets.

As shown in fig. 3, STA MLD sends the first Ps-Poll packet on link 1, AP MLD replies a md=1 packet on link 1, this md=1 packet indicates that AP MLD has other packets to transmit, and these packets can be sent on link 1 and/or link 2. For example, when the STA MLD receives the data packet of md=1 of the AP MLD on the link 1, the STA MLD may transmit the Ps-Poll packet on the link 2 or may transmit the Ps-Poll packet to the AP MLD on the link 1. After the APMLD receives the Ps-Poll packet of the STA MLD on a certain link, if the AP MLD does not have other data packets to be transmitted, the AP MLD may send a QoS null packet including md=0 to the STA MLD. Wherein the QoS null packet is a data packet without a payload. STA MLD can determine whether to continue transmitting Ps-Poll packets by identifying MD fields in QoS null packets.

After the SAT MLD receives any data packet sent by the AP MLD, an ACK packet needs to be returned to the AP MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the AP MLD is received. After the AP MLD receives any data packet sent by the SAT MLD, an ACK packet needs to be returned to the SAT MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the SAT MLD is received.

However, since each link needs to be maintained in an awake state if the first communication device has other data packets, this results in poor flexibility in setting up each link.

According to the communication method, the first communication device can set the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link according to the first condition, so that the second communication device can determine the state of each link according to the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link, flexibility of setting the MD field is improved, each link is not required to be in a wake-up state, and flexibility of setting each link is improved.

Fig. 4 shows a flowchart of a communication method provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the method being performed by a first communication device and a second communication device as shown in fig. 1, the first communication device and the second communication device having a plurality of links therebetween, the method including at least some of the following:

Step 401: in the case where the first condition is satisfied, the first communication device sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the other link than the at least one link as a second parameter.

Wherein the first condition indicates that the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted; the first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets transmitted on at least one link, and the second parameter is used for indicating that the other links have no other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets to be transmitted on the other links.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted, and the first communication device determines that the first condition is satisfied, the multiple links are divided, an MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the multiple links is set to a first parameter to indicate that the first communication device has another data packet to be transmitted except for the data packet to be transmitted on the at least one link, and an MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on another link of the multiple links except for the at least one link is set to a second parameter to indicate that the other links do not have another data packet to be transmitted except for the data packet to be transmitted on the other link.

Wherein, the first communication device may determine that at least one link from the plurality of links between the first communication device and the second communication device includes one link, or a plurality of links, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application. And, the links other than at least one link among the plurality of links include one link, or a plurality of links, which is not limited in the embodiment of the present application.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is 1 and the second parameter is 0; alternatively, the first parameter is 0, the second parameter is 1, and the present application is not limited thereto.

For example, if the first parameter is 1 and the second parameter is 0, the first communication device sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on at least one link to 1 and sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the other links except for those links to 0.

In some embodiments, the first condition comprises:

(1) The first number is less than a preset threshold;

wherein the first number is the remaining number of data packets to be transmitted. The preset threshold is set by the first communication device, or set by an operator, or agreed by a protocol, or set in other manners, which embodiments of the present application are not limited.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the remaining number of data packets to be transmitted in the first communication device is smaller than the preset threshold, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to use all links to transmit the data packets, so the first communication device determines that the first condition is satisfied, sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on a part of links between the first communication device and the second communication device as the first parameter, and sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on other links except for the links as the second parameter.

(2) The first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device.

Wherein the first number is the remaining number of data packets to be transmitted.

In this embodiment of the present application, each link between the first communication device and the second communication device may perform data transmission, which indicates that all links are not required to transmit a data packet if the remaining number of data packets to be transmitted is smaller than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, where the first communication device determines that the first condition is satisfied, sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on a part of links between the first communication device and the second communication device as a first parameter, and sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on other links except for the links as a second parameter.

Optionally, when the first communication device determines that the first number is smaller than the preset threshold or smaller than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and determines that the first condition is met, the first communication device selects the first number of links from a plurality of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on the first number of links as a first parameter, and sets MD fields of data packets to be transmitted on other links except the first number of links as a second parameter.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the invention, the first communication device determines the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on each link according to the remaining number of data packets to be transmitted, and under the condition that all links are not required to transmit the remaining data packets to be transmitted, the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on part of the links can be set as the second parameter, so that the second communication device sets the part of the links to be in a sleep state, resources are saved, and resource utilization is improved.

In other embodiments, the first condition comprises: the link quality of at least one link is better than the target quality.

The target quality is set by the first communication device, or is set by operation, or is agreed by a protocol, or is set by other means, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

If the link quality of at least one link is better than the target quality, the at least one link can transmit the data packet, and the stable transmission of the data packet is ensured.

Optionally, the link quality of the at least one link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

(1) The wireless signal quality of at least one link is not lower than the target signal quality.

In this embodiment of the present application, a wireless signal is transmitted between a first communication device and a second communication device through an established link to transmit a data packet, where the wireless signal quality of the link may represent the link quality of the link, and if the wireless signal quality of the link is not lower than the target signal quality, it is indicated that the air interface environment of the link meets the transmission requirement, and the success rate of transmitting the data packet may be improved. And the wireless signal quality of the link is proportional to the link quality of the link, and if the wireless signal quality of the link is not lower than the target signal quality, the link quality of the link is better than the target quality.

In some embodiments, the wireless signal quality of the link is represented by the power of the wireless signal received over the link, or the wireless signal quality of the link is represented by other means.

(2) The interference strength of at least one link is not greater than the target interference strength.

Wherein the target interference strength indicates a maximum interference strength to which the link may transmit the data packet.

In this embodiment of the present application, there are multiple links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and any one of the multiple links may be interfered, which results in a decrease in link quality of the link, that is, the interference strength of the link is inversely proportional to the link quality of the link, and if the interference strength of the link is not greater than the target interference strength, it is indicated that the link quality of the link is better than the target quality.

In some embodiments, the interference strength of a link is represented by the signal-to-noise ratio of the link, or the interference strength of the link is represented by the adjacent channel leakage ratio, or the interference strength of the link is represented by other means.

(3) The load of at least one link is no greater than the target load.

In this embodiment of the present application, there are multiple links between the first communication device and the second communication device, where each of the multiple links may have a load, and the load of the link is inversely proportional to the link quality of the link, that is, the greater the load of the link, the worse the link quality of the link, and if the load of the link is not greater than the target load, it is indicated that the link quality of the link is better than the target quality.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the invention, the first communication device sets the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the link according to the link quality of the link, so that the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the link with the link quality meeting the requirement can be set as the first parameter, the MD fields of the data packets to be transmitted on the links except the links are set as the second parameter, the links with good link quality can be ensured to be in a wake-up state, and the links with poor link quality are ensured to be in a sleep state, thereby ensuring the stability of transmitting the data packet, saving resources and improving the resource utilization rate.

It should be noted that, if the first condition includes at least two parameters, if multiple links between the first communication device and the second communication device cannot meet the first condition, according to the priorities of the at least two parameters, if it is determined that any link meets a parameter with a higher priority, an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on the link is set as the first parameter.

For example, if the first condition includes that the wireless signal quality of the link is not lower than the target signal quality and the interference strength of the link is not greater than the target interference strength, and the priority of the wireless signal quality of the link is lower than the priority of the interference strength of the link, the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the link is set to the first parameter if it is determined that the wireless signal quality of the link is not lower than the target signal quality.

In other embodiments, the first condition comprises:

(1) The first number is less than a preset threshold and the link quality of the at least one link is better than the target quality.

The first number being smaller than the preset threshold is similar to the above embodiment, and will not be described herein. And the link quality of at least one link is better than the target quality, which is also similar to the above embodiment, and will not be described again here.

(2) The first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the link quality of at least one link is better than the target quality.

The number of links, in which the first number is smaller than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, is similar to the above-described embodiments, and will not be described herein. And the link quality of at least one link is better than the target quality, which is also similar to the above embodiment, and will not be described again here.

Optionally, if the number of link quality of the link quality better than the target quality is greater than the first number, the links are ordered according to the link quality, the first number of links are obtained according to the order of the links, and the obtained link quality of the links is greater than the link quality of other links.

For example, if the first number is 1, the MD field of the data packet to be transmitted on the link with the highest link quality is set as the first parameter.

Optionally, if the number of link quality of the link quality better than the target quality is not greater than the first number, the remaining links are ranked according to the link quality, and the target number of links is obtained according to the ranking order of the links. The link quality of the target number of links is greater than the link quality of the other links than the target number of links among the remaining links. The target number is the difference between the first number and the number of link qualities whose link quality is better than the target quality.

Step 402: the first communication device transmits a data packet to the second communication device over each of the plurality of links.

In this embodiment of the present application, a plurality of links are provided between a first communication device and a second communication device, and after the first communication device completes setting an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on each link in the plurality of links, the first communication device may send a corresponding data packet to the second communication device through each link.

For example, the first communication device and the second communication device include a link 1, a link 2 and a link 3, where an MD field of a data packet 1 to be transmitted on the link 1 is 1, an MD field of a data packet 2 to be transmitted on the link 2 is 0, and an MD field of a data packet 3 to be transmitted on the link 3 is 0, and then the first communication device sends a data packet 1 with an MD field of 1 to the second communication device through the link 1, sends a data packet 2 with an MD field of 0 to the second communication device through the link 2, and sends a data packet 3 with an MD field of 0 to the second communication device through the link 3.

Step 403: the second communication device receives the data packets sent by the first communication device on each link.

Step 404: the second communication device sets the state of each link based on the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link.

Wherein the state of the link includes an active state or a sleep state. If the state of the link is active, the first communication device may continue to send data packets to the second communication device over the link, whereas if the state of the link is dormant, the first communication device may not be able to send data packets to the second communication device over the link.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the second communication device receives the data packet sent by the first communication device on each link, the MD field on each link may be identified, and the state of each link is set.

In some embodiments, the first link is set to the awake state if the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter.

The first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted besides the data packet.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packet, and the data packets need to be transmitted through the first link, so that the second communication device sets the first link to an awake state, and it can be ensured that the other data packets to be transmitted of the first communication device are transmitted through the first link.

In other embodiments, in the case where the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter, a data request packet is sent to the first communication device through the first link, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packet, and the data packet needs to be transmitted through the first link, so that the second communication device sends a data request packet to the first communication device through the first link to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

Alternatively, the data request packet is a Ps-poll packet, or other packet, which is not limited in the embodiments of the present application.

It should be noted that the setting of the link to the active state by the second communication device and the transmission of the data request packet to the first communication device may be performed simultaneously.

In some embodiments, the second link is set to a sleep state if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter.

The second parameter is used for indicating that the second link does not have other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that no other data packet except the data packet exists on the second link, which also indicates that the data packet is not required to be transmitted through the second link, so that the second communication device sets the second link to a sleep state, and the second communication device sets the second link that is not required to transmit the data packet to a sleep state, which can save resources of the second link and improve the resource utilization rate.

In some embodiments, the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter, and the second link is set to the awake state if the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to send the data packet on the second link, but because the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, it is indicated that the link quality of the second link is suitable for transmitting the data packet, so that the second link is also set to the awake state, and further the first communication device may transmit the data packet through the second link, so as to improve the transmission efficiency of the data packet.

In other embodiments, in the case where the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, a data request packet is sent to the first communication device through the second link, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to send the data packet on the second link, but because the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, it is indicated that the link quality of the second link is suitable for transmitting the data packet, so that the second communication device sends a data request packet to the first communication device through the first link to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

Optionally, the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the second link is set to the awake state if the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to send the data packet on the second link, but because the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, it is indicated that the link quality of the second link is suitable for transmitting the data packet, and because the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted, so that the second link is set to an awake state, the first communication device may transmit other data packets to be transmitted through the second link, thereby improving the transmission efficiency of the data packet.

In other embodiments, the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and in the case that the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is a first parameter, a data request packet is sent to the first communication device through the second link, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to send the data packet on the second link, but because the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, it is indicated that the link quality of the second link is suitable for transmitting the data packet, and because the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted, so the second communication device sends a data request packet to the first communication device through the first link to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

Optionally, the link quality of the second link being better than the target quality includes at least one of:

(1) The wireless signal quality of the second link is not lower than the target signal quality.

(2) The interference strength of the second link is not greater than the target interference strength.

(3) The load of the second link is not greater than the target load.

The second link in the embodiment of the present application is better than the target quality, which is similar to at least one link in the above embodiment, and is not described herein.

In other embodiments, the second link is set to the sleep state if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter and the link quality of the second link is worse than the target quality.

In this embodiment of the present application, if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, it is indicated that the first communication device does not need to send the data packet on the second link, and because the link quality of the second link is worse than the target quality, it is indicated that the second link is also unsuitable for transmitting the data packet, so that the second link is set to a sleep state, resources of the second link are saved, and resource utilization is improved.

Optionally, the link quality of the second link being worse than the target quality comprises at least one of:

(1) The wireless signal quality of the second link is lower than the target signal quality.

In this embodiment of the present application, a wireless signal is transmitted between the first communication device and the second communication device through an established link to transmit a data packet, where the wireless signal quality of the first link may represent the link quality of the first link, the wireless signal quality of the first link is proportional to the link quality of the first link, and if the wireless signal quality of the first link is lower than the target signal quality, it is indicated that the link quality of the first link is worse than the target quality.

(2) The interference strength of the second link is greater than the target interference strength.

In this embodiment of the present application, there are multiple links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and any one of the multiple links may be interfered, which results in a decrease in link quality of the link, that is, the interference strength of the link is inversely proportional to the link quality of the link, and if the interference strength of the first link is greater than the target interference strength, it is indicated that the link quality of the first link is worse than the target quality.

(3) The load of the second link is greater than the target load.

In this embodiment of the present application, there are multiple links between the first communication device and the second communication device, where each of the multiple links may have a load, and the load of the link is inversely proportional to the link quality of the link, that is, the greater the load of the link, the worse the link quality of the link, and if the load of the first link is greater than the target load, it is indicated that the link quality of the first link is worse than the target quality.

In this embodiment of the present application, after the second communication device sets any link to an active state, a data packet including a pm=0 field may be sent to the first communication device through the link, and the first communication device may determine that the link is in an active state according to the PM field of the data packet, and send other data packets to be transmitted to the second communication device through the link.

If the second communication device sets any link to be in a sleep state, and simultaneously sends a data packet including a pm=1 field to the first communication device through the link, the first communication device may determine that the link is in the sleep state according to the PM field of the data packet, and cannot transmit the data packet through the link.

In some embodiments, the first communication device is an AP MLD and the second communication device is a STA MLD.

For example, as shown in fig. 5, the description will be given taking the first communication device as an AP MLD and the second communication device as an STA MLD as an example. The AP MLD has a link 1 and a link 2 between the AP MLD and the STA MLD, and the AP MLD has a data packet 3 to be transmitted, and then the AP MLD only selects the MD field of the data packet 1 transmitted on the link 1 to set as a first parameter, and the MD field of the data packet 2 transmitted on the link 2 to set as a second parameter, and then the STA MLD sets the link 2 to a sleep state after receiving the data packet 1 and the data packet 2 on the two links respectively.

For another example, as shown in fig. 6, there is a link 1 and a link 2 between the AP MLD and the STA MLD, and the AP MLD has a data packet 3 to be transmitted, if the STA MLD receives the MD field of the data packet 2 on the link 2 as the second parameter and the link quality of the link 2 is better than the target link quality, the STA MLD may still set the link 2 to the awake state, send Ps-Poll packets to the AP MLD on the link 2, and the AP MLD transmits other data packets to be transmitted through the link 2.

As shown in fig. 5 or 6, after the SAT MLD receives any data packet sent by the AP MLD, an ACK packet needs to be returned to the AP MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the AP MLD is received. After the AP MLD receives any data packet sent by the SAT MLD, an ACK packet needs to be returned to the SAT MLD to indicate that the data packet sent by the SAT MLD is received.

In the communication method provided by the embodiment of the invention, when the first communication device determines that other data packets to be transmitted exist, the MD field of the data packet transmitted on at least one link indicates that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted, and the MD field of the data packet transmitted on other links except for the at least one link indicates that other links do not have other data packets to be transmitted, so that the second communication device determines whether the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted according to the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link, and the flexibility of setting the MD field is improved by setting the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link respectively, and the flexibility of setting each link is improved without each link being in a wake-up state.

And the second communication device sets the state of the link according to the MD field of the data packet transmitted on each link, and because the MD field of the data packet transmitted on the plurality of links indicates whether the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted, the link without transmitting the data packet is set to be in a sleep state according to the MD field, and the link with the data packet to be transmitted is set to be in an awake state, thereby saving resources and improving the utilization rate of the resources.

Fig. 7 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the apparatus being provided in a first communication device, the first communication device and a second communication device having a plurality of links therebetween, the apparatus comprising:

a setting module 701, configured to set, when a first condition is met, an MD field of more data of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on a link other than the at least one link as a second parameter;

In some embodiments, the first condition comprises:

the first number is less than a preset threshold;

or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device;

In some embodiments, the first condition comprises:

the link quality of the first link is better than the target quality.

In some embodiments, the first condition comprises:

the first number is smaller than a preset threshold, and the link quality of the first link is better than the target quality;

or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the link quality of the first link is better than the target quality;

In some embodiments, the link quality of the first link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the first link is not lower than the target signal quality;

the interference strength of the first link is not greater than the target interference strength;

the load of the first link is not greater than the target load.

In some embodiments, the first parameter is 1 and the second parameter is 0, or the first parameter is 0 and the second parameter is 1.

It should be noted that, in the apparatus provided in the foregoing embodiment, when implementing the functions thereof, only the division of the foregoing functional modules is used as an example, in practical application, the foregoing functional allocation may be implemented by different functional modules, that is, the internal structure of the device is divided into different functional modules, so as to implement all or part of the functions described above. In addition, the apparatus and the method embodiments provided in the foregoing embodiments belong to the same concept, and specific implementation processes of the apparatus and the method embodiments are detailed in the method embodiments and are not repeated herein.

Fig. 8 shows a block diagram of a communication apparatus provided in an exemplary embodiment of the present application, the apparatus being provided in a second communication device, the second communication device having a plurality of links with a first communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving module 801, configured to receive a data packet sent by a first communication device on each link;

a setting module 802 is configured to set a state of each link based on an MD field of a data packet sent on each link.

In some embodiments, a setting module 802 is configured to set the first link to an awake state if an MD field of a data packet sent on the first link is a first parameter;

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 9, the apparatus further comprises:

a sending module 803, configured to send a data request packet to the first communication device through the first link, where the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is a first parameter, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In some embodiments, a setting module 802 is configured to set the second link to a sleep state if an MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter;

In some embodiments, a module 802 is provided for:

setting the second link to an awake state under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality;

or alternatively, the first and second heat exchangers may be,

setting the second link to a sleep state under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter and the link quality of the second link is lower than the target quality;

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 9, the apparatus further comprises:

a sending module 803, configured to send, when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, a data request packet to the first communication device through the second link, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In some embodiments, the setting module 802 is configured to set the second link to the awake state when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter.

In some embodiments, referring to fig. 9, the apparatus further comprises:

a sending module 803, configured to send, when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter, a data request packet to the first communication device through the second link, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.

In some embodiments, the link quality of the second link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is not lower than the target signal quality;

the interference strength of the second link is not greater than the target interference strength;

the load of the second link is not greater than the target load.

In some embodiments, the link quality of the second link being worse than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is lower than the target signal quality;

the interference strength of the second link is greater than the target interference strength;

the load of the second link is greater than the target load.

Fig. 10 shows a schematic structural diagram of a communication device according to an exemplary embodiment of the present application, where the communication device includes: a processor 1001, a receiver 1002, a transmitter 1003, a memory 1004, and a bus 1005.

The processor 1001 includes one or more processing cores, and the processor 1001 executes various functional applications and information processing by running software programs and modules.

In some embodiments, the processor 1001 includes an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit ) for performing information processing.

The receiver 1002 and the transmitter 1003 may be implemented as one communication component, which may be a communication chip.

The memory 1004 is connected to the processor 1001 through a bus 1005.

The memory 1004 may be used for storing at least one program code for execution by the processor 1001 to implement the various steps in the method embodiments described above.

Furthermore, the communication device may be a terminal device or a network device. The memory 1004 may be implemented by any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory device, including but not limited to: magnetic or optical disk, EEPROM (Electrically Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, electrically erasable programmable Read-Only Memory), EPROM (Erasable Programmable Read Only Memory, erasable programmable Read-Only Memory), SRAM (Static Random Access Memory ), ROM (Read Only Memory), magnetic Memory, flash Memory, programmable Read-Only Memory (Programmable Read Only Memory, PROM).

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored therein executable program code loaded and executed by a processor to implement the communication method performed by the first communication device or the second communication device provided by the above respective method embodiments.

In an exemplary embodiment, a chip is provided that includes programmable logic circuitry and/or program instructions for implementing a communication method as provided by the various method embodiments when the chip is run on a first communication device or a second communication device.

In an exemplary embodiment, a computer program product is provided for implementing the communication method provided by the respective method embodiments described above, when said computer program product is executed by a processor of the first communication device or the second communication device.

It will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or part of the steps for implementing the above embodiments may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by a program for instructing relevant hardware, where the program may be stored in a computer readable storage medium, and the storage medium may be a read-only memory, a magnetic disk or an optical disk, etc.

The foregoing description of the preferred embodiments is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the invention, since it is intended that all modifications, equivalents, improvements, etc. that fall within the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

A method of communication, the method performed by a first communication device having a plurality of links between the first communication device and a second communication device, the method comprising:

in the case that the first condition is satisfied, the first communication device sets a more data MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and sets an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on other links than the at least one link as a second parameter;

wherein the first condition indicates that the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted; the first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets transmitted on the at least one link, and the second parameter is used for indicating that the other links have no other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets to be transmitted on the other links.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises:

the first number is less than a preset threshold; or, the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device;

wherein the first number is a remaining number of data packets to be transmitted.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises:

the link quality of the at least one link is better than the target quality.
The method of claim 1, wherein the first condition comprises:

the first number is smaller than a preset threshold value, and the link quality of the at least one link is better than the target quality; or, the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the link quality of the at least one link is better than a target quality;

wherein the first number is a remaining number of data packets to be transmitted.
The method of claim 3 or 4, wherein the link quality of the at least one link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the at least one link is not lower than the target signal quality;

The interference strength of the at least one link is not greater than the target interference strength;

the load of the at least one link is not greater than the target load.
The method of any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the first parameter is 1, the second parameter is 0, or wherein the first parameter is 0 and the second parameter is 1.
A method of communication, the method performed by a second communication device having a plurality of links between the second communication device and a first communication device, the method comprising:

receiving a data packet sent by the first communication device on each link;

the state of each link is set based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link.
The method of claim 7, wherein setting the status of each link based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link comprises:

setting a first link to be in an awake state under the condition that an MD field of a data packet sent on the first link is a first parameter;

the first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets.
The method of claim 7, wherein the method further comprises:

and sending a data request packet to the first communication device through the first link under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter, wherein the data request packet is used for requesting the first communication device to send the data packet.
The method of claim 7, wherein setting the status of each link based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link comprises:

setting the second link to be in a sleep state under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter;

the second parameter is used for indicating that the second link does not have any other data packet to be transmitted except the data packet.
The method of claim 7, wherein setting the status of each link based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link comprises:

setting the second link to an awake state when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality; or, when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is worse than the target quality, setting the second link to a sleep state;

The second parameter is used for indicating that the second link does not have any other data packet to be transmitted except the data packet.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

and under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, sending a data request packet to the first communication equipment through the second link, wherein the data request packet is used for requesting the first communication equipment to send the data packet.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

and setting the second link to be in an awake state under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on other links is the first parameter.
The method of claim 11, wherein the method further comprises:

and sending a data request packet to the first communication device through the second link under the condition that the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on other links is the first parameter, wherein the data request packet is used for requesting the first communication device to send the data packet.
The method according to any of claims 11 to 14, wherein the link quality of the second link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is not lower than the target signal quality;

the interference intensity of the second link is not greater than the target interference intensity;

the load of the second link is not greater than the target load.
The method of claim 11, wherein the link quality of the second link being worse than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is lower than the target signal quality;

the interference intensity of the second link is larger than the target interference intensity;

the load of the second link is greater than the target load.
The method according to any one of claims 7 to 16, wherein the first parameter is 1, the second parameter is 0, or the first parameter is 0 and the second parameter is 1.
A communication apparatus, the apparatus being disposed in a first communication device having a plurality of links between the first communication device and a second communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a setting module, configured to set, when a first condition is met, an MD field of more data of a data packet to be transmitted on at least one link of the plurality of links as a first parameter, and set an MD field of a data packet to be transmitted on a link other than the at least one link as a second parameter;

Wherein the first condition indicates that the first communication device has a data packet to be transmitted; the first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets transmitted on the at least one link, and the second parameter is used for indicating that the other links have no other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets to be transmitted on the other links.
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first condition comprises:

the first number is less than a preset threshold; or, the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device;

wherein the first number is a remaining number of data packets to be transmitted.
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first condition comprises:

the link quality of the first link is better than the target quality.
The apparatus of claim 18, wherein the first condition comprises:

the first number is smaller than a preset threshold, and the link quality of the first link is better than the target quality; or, the first number is less than the number of links between the first communication device and the second communication device, and the link quality of the first link is better than a target quality;

Wherein the first number is a remaining number of data packets to be transmitted.
The apparatus of claim 20 or 21, wherein the link quality of the first link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the first link is not lower than the target signal quality;

the interference intensity of the first link is not greater than the target interference intensity;

the load of the first link is not greater than a target load.
The apparatus of any one of claims 18 to 22, wherein the first parameter is 1, the second parameter is 0, or the first parameter is 0 and the second parameter is 1.
A communication apparatus, the apparatus being disposed in a second communication device having a plurality of links between the second communication device and a first communication device, the apparatus comprising:

a receiving module, configured to receive a data packet sent by the first communication device on each link;

and the setting module is used for setting the state of each link based on the MD field of the data packet sent on each link.
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the setting module is configured to set the first link to an awake state if an MD field of a data packet sent on the first link is a first parameter;

The first parameter is used for indicating that the first communication device has other data packets to be transmitted except the data packets.
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

and the sending module is used for sending a data request packet to the first communication equipment through the first link when the MD field of the data packet sent on the first link is the first parameter, wherein the data request packet is used for requesting the first communication equipment to send the data packet.
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the setting module is configured to set the second link to a sleep state if an MD field of a data packet sent on the second link is a second parameter;

the second parameter is used for indicating that the second link does not have any other data packet to be transmitted except the data packet.
The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the means for setting is configured to:

setting the second link to an awake state when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality; or, when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is worse than the target quality, setting the second link to a sleep state;

The second parameter is used for indicating that the second link does not have any other data packet to be transmitted except the data packet.
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

the sending module is configured to send a data request packet to the first communication device through the second link when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter and the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the means for setting is configured to set the second link to the awake state if the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on the other link is the first parameter.
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the apparatus further comprises:

the sending module is configured to send a data request packet to the first communication device through the second link when the MD field of the data packet sent on the second link is the second parameter, the link quality of the second link is better than the target quality, and the MD field of the data packet received on the other links is the first parameter, where the data request packet is used to request the first communication device to send the data packet.
The apparatus of any one of claims 28 or 31, wherein the link quality of the second link being better than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is not lower than the target signal quality;

the interference intensity of the second link is not greater than the target interference intensity;

the load of the second link is not greater than the target load.
The apparatus of claim 28, wherein the link quality of the second link being worse than the target quality comprises at least one of:

the wireless signal quality of the second link is lower than the target signal quality;

the interference intensity of the second link is larger than the target interference intensity;

the load of the second link is greater than the target load.
The apparatus of any one of claims 24 to 33, wherein the first parameter is 1, the second parameter is 0, or the first parameter is 0 and the second parameter is 1.
A first communication device, the first communication device comprising:

a processor;

a transceiver coupled to the processor;

a memory for storing executable program code for the processor;

Wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable program code to implement the communication method according to any of claims 1-6.
A second communication device, the second communication device comprising:

a processor;

a transceiver coupled to the processor;

a memory for storing executable program code for the processor;

wherein the processor is configured to load and execute the executable program code to implement the communication method of any of claims 7-17.
A computer readable storage medium having stored therein executable program code that is loaded and executed by a processor to implement the communication method of any of claims 1 to 17.
A computer program product, the computer program product comprising computer instructions stored in a computer readable storage medium; a processor of the first communication device or the second communication device reads the computer instructions from the computer readable storage medium and executes the computer instructions such that the communication device performs the communication method according to any one of claims 1 to 17.
A computer program, characterized in that it is executed by a processor of a first communication device or a second communication device to implement the communication method according to any of claims 1 to 17.
A chip comprising programmable logic and/or program instructions for implementing the communication method of any of claims 1 to 17 when the chip is run on a first communication device or a second communication device.