CN117651322B

CN117651322B - Power management method, device, terminal and storage medium

Info

Publication number: CN117651322B
Application number: CN202410116866.2A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 请求不公布姓名
Original assignee: Shanghai Yunpan Semiconductor Co ltd; Nanjing Yuncheng Semiconductor Co ltd
Current assignee: Shanghai Yunpan Semiconductor Co ltd; Nanjing Yuncheng Semiconductor Co ltd
Priority date: 2024-01-29
Filing date: 2024-01-29
Publication date: 2024-06-07
Anticipated expiration: 2044-01-29
Also published as: CN117651322A

Abstract

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, and discloses a power management method, a device, a terminal and a storage medium. In the invention, when the working state of a terminal in a multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, the power mode and the working state of access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are acquired; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when the existence of the to-be-received buffer data in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is detected, and the terminal and the access points are both in an awake state, sending a power-saving polling frame to the access point with the to-be-received buffer data to receive the buffer data. The AP can enter the energy-saving mode and the sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided.

Description

Power management method, device, terminal and storage medium

Technical Field

The embodiment of the invention relates to the technical field of wireless communication, in particular to a power management method, a device, a terminal and a storage medium.

Background

In the existing Wi-Fi system, power management of a terminal is based on a radio access Point (WIRELESS ACCESS Point, abbreviated as AP) device or a multicast interception discovery protocol (Multicast Listener Discover, abbreviated as MLD) device. The operation state of the terminal in the power saving mode is in a sleep (doze) state or an awake (wake up) state. While terminals in a non-power saving mode are in an active mode (active mode). The Wi-Fi energy saving basic idea is that if the downlink data of a terminal comes, the data is buffered by an associated AP. The AP periodically broadcasts its cache condition to the corresponding nodes using beacons (beacons). When the terminal wakes up after dormancy, the beacon is detected to check whether own data exists, if so, the terminal keeps a awake state, and the terminal can request the data. Thus, the node knows whether the AP cache has own cache data or not. If there is no data in the AP cache, the terminal continues to sleep.

Wi-Fi7 introduces multi-connection devices MLD whose power management many parameter settings rise to the MLD level, rather than the AP level, or connection (link) level, that is attached to the MLD. In a sense, the MLD corresponds to a super AP, and power management is improved to the MLD, so that power management is simplified.

In future Wi-Fi systems, such as Wi-Fi8 UHR in question, multiple access points cooperate (multiple AP coordination). Specific modes of operation are coordinated orthogonal multi-carrier modulation (Cooperated-Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing, abbreviated as C-OFDMA), C-spatial reuse, C-Beamforming, joint transmission. The C-APs are generally considered to form a cooperative group, having a group head. Wi-Fi8 supports high-reliability services at the same time. The power management of the terminal needs to be designed in this large context or new features are introduced to accommodate the C-AP and high reliability requirements.

One C-AP (coordinated-AP or multiple AP coordination) may be referred to as a multi-AP cooperative group, or a multi-AP cooperative group, multi-AP cooperative, C-AP group. Wherein there is one master access point, or master access point. There are also two slave access points, slave access points. The master access point coordinates the behavior of multiple access points, information transmission, etc. The C-AP group may operate in master-slave mode (master-slave mode, also known as master-slave mode).

In the context of C-APs, at least one AP may serve a terminal with which it interacts. On the one hand, each AP has own parameters, and the C-AP group also has own parameters (to be designed). Meanwhile, since each AP transmits different traffic, the power management of the terminal becomes complicated with support of high reliability and low delay. A terminal may communicate with multiple cooperating APs and may be more concerned with power management.

The inventor finds that at least the following problems exist in the power management of the terminal and the AP in the related art: at present, only the terminal side can enter an energy-saving mode and a sleep state, and a mode of enabling an AP to enter the sleep state still belongs to the technical blank in the field under the multi-connection or multi-AP cooperation background, so that the multi-connection is caused, or when the multi-AP cooperation is carried out, a certain AP is still kept active in idle state, and a large amount of resource waste is generated.

Disclosure of Invention

The embodiment of the invention aims to provide a power management method, a device, a terminal and a storage medium, so that an AP can enter an energy-saving mode and a sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided.

In order to solve the above technical problems, an embodiment of the present invention provides a power management method, including: when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, acquiring the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both in an awake state, sending a power-saving polling frame to the access points with the buffer data to be received so as to receive the buffer data.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a power management device, which comprises: the mode acquisition module is used for acquiring the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; and the data receiving module is used for sending a power-saving polling frame to the access point with the to-be-received cache data to receive the cache data when the cache data to be received exist in the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group are in an awake state.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a terminal, which comprises: at least one processor; and a memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wherein the memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the power management method described above.

The embodiment of the invention also provides a computer readable storage medium storing a computer program which when executed by a processor implements the power management method described above.

In the embodiment of the invention, when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group are obtained; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when the existence of the to-be-received buffer data in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is detected, and the access points are both in an awake state, the power-saving polling frame is sent to the access points with the to-be-received buffer data so as to receive the buffer data. The AP can enter the energy-saving mode and the sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided.

In addition, when the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are all awake states, a first information beacon sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is received; setting a monitoring interval through a second information beacon corresponding to the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon and/or a third information beacon corresponding to the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon; the listening interval is transmitted to the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group through the connection response frame. The listening interval (LISTEN INTERVAL) is included in (Re) Association Request frame (connection response frame) when the terminal accesses the AP. LISTEN INTERVAL (listening interval) field is that the node sends to the AP through a connection response frame (Association Request frame). The AP knows the wake-up time of the terminal, and indicates a Buffer (Buffer) status to the terminal in a Beacon frame when the terminal wakes up. The listening interval refers to how many Beacon intervals the workstation experiences between two wakeups. It tells the AP how often a terminal in power saving mode wakes up to listen to Beacon frames. A longer listening interval may allow the station to turn off the transceiver for a longer period of time. The longer the power is turned off, the more power can be saved. Each terminal can set its own listening interval. The new LISTEN INTERVAL FIELD is designed to be variable in value (Changeable) to accommodate the C-AP group reconfiguration, C-AP group member selection and reselection. For a terminal with capability of accessing to the C-AP group, the listening interval (LISTEN INTERVAL) needs to consider the working conditions of the C-AP group and the member AP at the same time, and the service condition sets a specific value to obtain the corresponding energy-saving effect.

In addition, after the listening interval is set, when the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both awake, and the current power mode of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is the energy-saving mode and has an association relationship with a plurality of access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, the working state of the affiliated non-AP STA in the listening interval is set to be awake according to the listening interval, so that the affiliated non-AP STA can receive beacons sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the listening interval. So that the service information is not lost due to sleep and the working period is not prolonged.

In addition, when the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group have association relation, according to a first maximum idle time between the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group or a second maximum idle time between the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group, a third maximum idle time between the terminal and the multi-access point cooperation group is configured, when the terminal is not interacted with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the third maximum idle time period, the terminal is simultaneously disassociated with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group, or a preset fourth maximum idle time is configured, and when the terminal is not interacted with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the fourth maximum idle time period, the terminal is disassociated with the multi-access point cooperation group. For a terminal with capability to access the C-AP group, or with capability to cooperate with multiple APs, consider the conceptual case of connecting to the multiple access point cooperation group (C-AP group) and to C-AP group Member AP, then consider whether a new maximum idle time (MAX idle period) is required to maintain its association with the C-AP group, whether multiple C-AP group Member AP keep their own independent MAX idle period, if MAX idle period of the C-AP group Member collides with MAX idle period of the C-AP group, and make corresponding adjustments for these cases in this manner.

In addition, when the working state of the access point is the awake state or the active mode, the WNM sleep capability negotiation is carried out with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group so as to enter a WNM sleep mode; and according to the first maximum idle time and the third maximum idle time or the first maximum idle time and the fourth maximum idle time, sequentially configuring WNM sleep intervals corresponding to the access points with association relations in the multi-access point cooperation group, and sending the WNM sleep intervals to the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group. The WNM sleep mode is an extended power saving mode that sends a request to the AP indicating the length of time it may sleep without waking up at every DTIM (collectively referred to as DELIVERY TRAFFIC Indication Message, DTIM is a special TIM that indicates the AP's buffered multicast information in addition to buffered unicast information, TIM is collectively referred to as Traffic Indication Message) to listen to beacon, which may wake up a few DTIMs apart. Thus, power consumption can be reduced and association can be maintained when no traffic is transmitted or received.

In addition, after the power mode and the working state of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are acquired, the sleep period of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is acquired; setting a sleep period for switching the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode from a sleep state to an awake state according to the sleep period of the access point; when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, and the access points are in a sleep state, a wake-up frame is sent to the access points so as to switch the working state of the access points from the sleep state to the awake state. The terminal can flexibly change the energy-saving mode of the multi-AP cooperative group. Meanwhile, continuous service of the terminal is ensured.

In addition, forced wake-up information of access points in the multi-access point cooperative group is verified before a wake-up frame is transmitted to the access points to ensure that the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group can respond to the wake-up frame.

Drawings

One or more embodiments are illustrated by way of example and not limitation in the figures of the accompanying drawings, in which like references indicate similar elements, and in which the figures of the drawings are not to be taken in a limiting sense, unless otherwise indicated.

FIG. 1 is a flow chart of a power management method provided in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a power management device according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural view of a terminal according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Detailed Description

For the purpose of making the objects, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application more apparent, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application will be given with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that in various embodiments of the present application, numerous technical details have been set forth in order to provide a better understanding of the present application. The claimed application may be practiced without these specific details and with various changes and modifications based on the following embodiments. The following embodiments are divided for convenience of description, and should not be construed as limiting the specific implementation of the present application, and the embodiments can be mutually combined and referred to without contradiction.

An embodiment of the present invention relates to a power management method, which can be applied to a terminal in a multi-access point cooperation mode, and can be a terminal device such as a mobile phone, a computer, etc. In this embodiment, when the operation state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode is an awake state, the power mode and the operation state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperative group are acquired; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when the existence of the to-be-received buffer data in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is detected, and the access points are both in an awake state, the power-saving polling frame is sent to the access points with the to-be-received buffer data so as to receive the buffer data. The AP can enter the energy-saving mode and the sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided. The implementation details of the power management method of this embodiment are specifically described below, and the following description is merely provided for convenience of understanding, and is not necessary to implement this embodiment.

As shown in fig. 1, in step 101, when a terminal in a multi-access point cooperation mode is in an awake state, a power mode and an operating state of an access point in a multi-access point cooperation group are obtained; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; a terminal or Access Point (AP) can transmit and receive frames at any time while in active mode, always in awake state. And transmitting and receiving frames when the terminal or the access point enters an awake state in a power saving mode (power saving mode), otherwise, the terminal or the Access Point (AP) is in a sleep state, and does not transmit and receive frames.

In one example, the terminal may notify an Access Point (AP) in a multi-access point cooperative group (C-AP group) upon a power mode transition. When the terminal needs to switch the power mode, the terminal needs to notify the corresponding AP. A power management subfield in the frame control domain is used. The following are examples: in one example, in a multi-AP cooperative mode, a terminal may be connected to multiple access points, where the terminal has an association with the multiple access points. The co-operation may be C-OFDMA, C-Spatial Reuse, C-Beamforming, joint transmission, etc. Because a terminal needs to communicate with multiple APs in a C-AP group at the same time. In some cases, the terminal has only one power mode at the same time for ease of management. In some cases, such as when the terminal communicates with two APs simultaneously, the terminal needs to notify the two APs that the power mode is about to change when the terminal needs to change the power mode. The terminal does not necessarily need to transmit the power mode change information to the two APs, but may be to any one of the communicating APs, or to the associated AP. For example, the terminal is about to change power mode when other associated APs are notified by the AP over the air. And the other APs perform corresponding processing. For example, if the terminal is to transition to power save mode, buffering of Bus (BUs) data is required. If the terminal becomes active mode, the AP needs to transmit all data in the buffer. In one example, the terminal may send power mode change information to all APs in communication, or associated APs, and the terminal informs all APs via an air interface that the terminal is about to change power mode. And all the APs perform corresponding processing. For example, if the terminal is turned into a power saving mode, it is necessary to buffer BUs data. If the terminal becomes active, the AP needs to transmit all the data in the buffer. In one example, the terminal transmits power mode change information to a group leader (C-AP group head) of the multi-access point cooperative group. And the terminal informs the C-AP group head through an air interface, and the terminal changes the power mode immediately. The C-AP group head informs the member AP (member AP) to make corresponding processing. For example, if the terminal changes to power save mode, the module AP needs to buffer BUs data. If the terminal becomes active mode, the member AP (member AP) needs to transmit all data in the buffer. In one example, where a terminal is operating in a C-AP, the power mode may need to be changed after the entire frame exchange procedure is completed. A terminal associated with a C-AP group cannot change power mode without receiving an Ack, a block Ack, or using a block Ack req frame from the C-AP group.

For adjustment of the power mode and operating state of the AP side, in one example, an AP is identified by the dot11CAPPMACTIVATED field, and if dot11CAPPMACTIVATED is false, or not present, the AP is in active mode. Otherwise, the AP may be in a power save mode in a C-AP group, or the AP may be in a power save mode in the multiple AP coordination case. Dot11CAPPMACTIVATED for one AP equals true can be awake or asleep.

In one example, a new Beacon is defined for the C-AP group broadcast related information, which may be named C-AP Beacon. In one example, the restricted access AP set element (RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET ELEMENT) is as follows,

In some cases, the restricted access AP set element (RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET) is a time window describing access to at least one particular AP in the C-AP group for a certain period of time. The restricted access AP set (RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET) contains whether or not to cycle, start time, accessible AP information such as BSSID, MAC address, etc.

In some cases RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET is as follows:

A specific AP group is accessed within a certain period of time, consisting of AP set definition (AP set definition), start time (START TIME), duty cycle (Periodic Operation parameters). Wherein Periodic Operation parameters is a duty cycle, for example, taking a target beacon transmission interval time (target beacon transmission time, abbreviated as TBBT) as a unit, and includes a wake up interval period, which is a period in an awake state and a period in a sleep state.

In some cases RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET is a BSSID. At least one specific AP in the access C-AP group for a certain period of time is described.

In some cases, RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET constitute a sleep-awake period decision for a member AP in the C-AP group. For example, APs with the same awake sleep time period or close APs are divided into a group to form ACCESS AP SET, which is reserved for the terminal to access at a specific time.

In one example, RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET ELEMENT of the current AP is transmitted by other APs that are commonly affiliated with the same MLD, contained in certain frames. In some cases, other APs are at non-power saving mode.

In some cases, the Power save AP parameters in the C-AP group, including the sleep interval (SLEEP INTERVAL) and the start time, are determined by the C-AP group head. The C-AP group head transmits a negotiation frame to negotiate the power saving parameters. The membrane AP transmits a response frame to determine the negotiation energy saving parameter. In some cases, the above parameters are transmitted over an AP or connection that is not power saving mode. In some cases, the AP is a group head AP that cannot be power saving mode, and a link of the group head AP is PRIMARY LINK to transmit the power saving parameters and signaling of the AP in other power saving modes.

In the case of C-AP group, the power saving parameter corresponding to a terminal in power saving mode is C-AP group member level. The AP is at power saving mode. The terminal needs to wake or sleep with the AP at the corresponding moment. Or wake up in advance of the AP waking up in preparation for receiving a Beacon or C-AP Beacon.

In some cases, AP capability dot11CAPPMACTIVATED is contained in at least one of the following frames (frames): probe request response frame, (re) association response frame, beacon. Or probe request response frame (re) association response frame, in the beacon frame, redesigned for the C-AP group.

In one example, if an AP is in active mode, a frame is sent to a terminal before, where the PM bit is 0. The AP should transmit a frame with a PM bit of 1 and switch to power saving mode after receiving the ACK frame for the terminal. In some cases, the AP belongs to a C-AP group. In some cases, the AP is attached to an access point multi-connectivity device.

In one example, if an AP is in active mode, the AP previously sent a frame to a terminal, where the PM bit is 0. The AP should switch to power saving mode after transmitting a frame with a PM bit of 1. In some cases, the AP belongs to a C-AP group. In some cases, a frame with PM bit of 1 is sent to the terminal by the C-AP group head, which then goes to power saving mode. In some cases, a frame with PM bit of 1 is sent to the terminal by the C-AP group head, and after the C-AP group head receives the ACK of the terminal, the C-AP group head notifies the AP, and the AP then proceeds to power saving mode. In some cases, the C-AP group head informs the AP that the C-AP group head received an ACK from the terminal. In some cases, the C-AP group head informs the AP of the AP entry power saving mode. In some cases, a frame with PM bit of 1 is sent by another AP that is also attached to the AP multi-connection device, and after this other AP receives an ACK from the terminal, the AP transitions to power saving mode.

In one example, if an AP is in active mode, the AP previously sent a frame to a terminal, where the PM bit is 0. The AP should switch to power saving mode after transmitting a frame with a PM bit of 1. In some cases, the AP belongs to a C-AP group. The frame with PM bit of 1 is sent to the terminal by other members AP in the C-AP group members instead of AP. The other AP informs the AP that a frame with PM bit of 1 has been sent, after which the AP transitions to power saving mode. In some cases, after receiving an ACK frame from a terminal, other APs notify the AP of the receipt of an ACK from the terminal. The AP then proceeds to power saving mode.

In one example, if an AP is in active mode and belongs to a C-AP group. The AP previously sent a frame to a certain terminal, where the PM bit is 0. The AP should switch to power saving mode after transmitting a frame with a PM bit of 1.

In the above embodiments, in some cases, the frame with PM bit 0 and the frame with PM bit 1 are broadcast frames, which are transmitted to all terminals associated to the AP.

In the above embodiments, in some cases, the frame with PM bit of 1 is one broadcast frame, which is transmitted to all terminals associated with the AP.

In the above embodiments, in some cases, the AP of the frame having the PM bit of 1 transmitted and the AP of the frame having the PM bit of 0 transmitted before are attached to the same MLD.

In one example, the frame with PM bit of 1 is a broadcast frame, containing an indication of AP-to-power saving mode that PM bit is 1, containing the time the AP-to-power saving mode (in some cases, power saving mode delay), such as an integer number of TBTTs later. In some cases an indication of the presence or absence of subfield containing the time of AP transition power saving mode {0 not present, 1 present }. In some cases, the above information is contained in a frame with PM bit of 0. In some cases, the frame is a unicast frame, a multicast frame, or a broadcast frame. In some cases, the frame is transmitted by the AP, and in some cases, the frame is transmitted by a Group head AP of the C-AP Group to which the AP is attached. In some cases, the frame is transmitted by an AP in a non-power save mode in the C-AP group to which the AP is attached.

In one example, after acquiring a power mode and an operating state of an access point in a multi-access point cooperative group, a sleep period of the access point in the multi-access point cooperative group is acquired; setting a sleep period for switching a current working state from a sleep state to an awake state according to the sleep period of the access point; when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the current working state is an awake state, and the access points are in a sleep state, a wake-up frame is sent to the access points to switch the working state of the access points from the sleep state to the awake state.

In one example, the period of the terminal entering the awake state by itself is abbreviated as a sleep period, the period of the terminal entering the active state by itself is abbreviated as an energy-saving period, and the power management sleep period of the terminal can only be greater than the sleep period of one energy-saving AP. Whether the power saving period of the terminal can be greater than the sleep period of the power saving AP is one capability of the terminal. In some cases, whether the power save period of the terminal is greater than the sleep period of the power save AP is a capability of the AP. The capability is contained in a beacon, an inquiry response frame (probe response frame), an association frame (association frame).

In some cases the terminal cannot wake up while the power saving AP is sleeping and cause the AP to wake up. It is a capability that a power saving AP may wake up while sleeping. This capability is contained in beacon, probe response frame, association frame. Forced wake-up information of access points in the multi-access point cooperative group is verified before a wake-up frame is sent to the access points to ensure that the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group can respond to the wake-up frame.

In some cases, multiple APs may be simultaneously in a power save mode, which is broadcast by the AP of PRIMARY LINK to the corresponding terminals. Wake-up information to wake up an AP in a sleep state may be included in a PS-POLL frame, or QoS null fame in some cases. In some cases, the wake-up frame is sent to the group head. In some cases, the wake-up frame is sent to the AP that needs to wake up. In some cases, the APs are LISTENING MODE and can only listen for data that cannot be sent. In some cases, multiple APs are attached to an access point multi-connection device.

In some cases, the multi-AP cooperative group has only one multi-connected device. In some cases, the multi-AP cooperative group has only one multi-connected device. There are no other access point devices.

In some cases, the wake-up frame is sent to an AP MLD access point multi-connection device, which wakes up by default all APs to which the access point is attached. In some cases, the wake-up frame is sent to an access point multi-connection device to wake up only the connected AP currently receiving the wake-up frame. In some cases, the terminal sends the wake-up frame to an access point multi-connection device via other connections, where the wake-up frame includes a link AP, MAC ADDRESS that wakes up the target AP, and wakes up the target AP via the other connections.

In some cases, the wake-up frame, or a frame containing AP wake-up information, includes a bitmap indicating which links of the multiple connection devices correspond to APs that need to be woken up. For example, bit 1 corresponding to Bitmap indicates that wake-up is needed, 0 indicates that wake-up is not needed, for example, bit 3 is 1, indicating that link ID 3 corresponds to accessory AP that needs to wake-up.

In some cases, no additional wake-up information is needed, when the multi-connection non-AP terminal reports a buffer status report (Buffer status report, BSR), either by trigger or not predetermined (unsolicited BSR). Indicating that the service corresponding to the service level Access category suddenly exists. Such as a sudden low latency traffic, the connection for the corresponding traffic is awakened by the negotiated TID-to-LINK MAPPING. The reported BSR implicitly acts as a wake-up frame, waking up some or all of the corresponding APs if they are in a sleep state.

In some cases, APs affiliated with the access point multi-connection device cannot be forced to wake up while sleeping, but can only switch between awake and sleeping according to a agreed period. Whether the AP can be forced to wake up is a capability contained in beacon, probe response frame, association frame, either in the transmit vector (TxVector) or in the receive vector (RxVector). At this point, some terminals with high priority traffic may choose not to connect to the AP or to map traffic to the connection where the AP is located at the time of TID-to-LINK MAPPINP.

In some cases, it is an ability and configurable whether the accessory AP of the access point multi-connection device can be forced to wake up while in sleep mode. The configuration may be contained in a multi-link element (multi-LINK ELEMENT) or as a newly defined field or MIB entry in beacon, probe response frame, association frame, or TxVector, or RxVector. For example, an entry of 0 for an AP to which a multiple access point is attached indicates that the AP may be forced to wake up, otherwise the AP may be forced to wake up.

In some cases, AP power saving is a capability contained in beacon, probe response frame, association frame, or TxVector, or RxVector. AP power saving in some cases refers to the power saving attached to an access point multi-connection device, which as such is a capability contained in beacon, probe response frame, association frame, or TxVector, or RxVector, describing the power saving capabilities of some APs to which the access point multi-connection device is attached. The AP is said to support the setting of the energy saving corresponding field or element entry to 1, otherwise to 0. In some cases, if the AP multi-connection device does not describe the power saving situation of the AP to which it is attached, it defaults that the AP to which it is attached cannot operate in the power saving mode.

In some cases, if the access point multi-connection device contains RESTRICTED ACCESS AP SET corresponding to its affiliated AP, then default to the AP to which it is affiliated can operate in a power-save mode. Otherwise, its accessory AP does not operate in power save mode.

In some cases, the terminal is a non-access point multi-connection device, and some accessory non-AP STAs of the terminal are in a dormant state, and other accessory non-AP STAs are in an active mode, which is responsible for listening to the connected access point multi-connection device. If some non-AP STA attached to the terminal suddenly has uplink traffic, reporting to the access point multi-connection device through the AP in the active state. The requesting access point activates the corresponding accessory AP (which is in a dormant state) and receives low delay traffic. In some cases, the terminal sends a request activation message to the multi-connection access point, where the request activation message includes a link ID that needs to activate the AP. In some cases, the request activation information sent by the terminal to the multiple connection access point includes a bitmap, where the corresponding bit is 1, and corresponds to the link ID of the AP to be activated.

In step 102, when the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode detects that there is cache data to be received in the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group, and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group are both in an awake state, the terminal sends a power-saving polling frame to the access points having the cache data to be received to receive the cache data.

If the terminal wakes up at the moment of transmitting a beacon (beacon), or newly defined beacon for the C-AP. It is found that some AP belonging to the C-AP group has its own data cached. The terminal transmits a power save Poll frame (PS-Poll frame) to the corresponding AP. The AP then transmits the buffered BU.

In one example, if any AP in the C-AP group caches the data of the terminal, the indication corresponding to the field PARTIAL FRAME in the beacon is 1. The terminal transmits a PS-Poll frame to any one of the C-APs (member AP, or group head AP). In one example, the AP that received the PS-Poll frame reports the content to the C-AP group head, which informs all the membrane APs in the group, and if there is data buffered to the terminal, it transmits. And after any one AP of the C-AP group receives the PS-Poll frame, reporting the PS-Poll frame to the C-AP group head. And the C-AP group head informs the AP in the group and transmits the data cached by the terminal to the terminal.

In one example, if the "more data" subfield in the downlink is 1, the STA may send additional MPDUs addressed separately by the power save poll frame, including all or part of the AC of the BU without using the enable transfer. If the More Data subfield in the downlink is 1, the STA may send an additional trigger frame individually addressed MAC protocol Data unit (MAC Protocol Data Unit, abbreviated MPDU) containing all or part of the set of services (bussiness unit, abbreviated BU) using Access Control (AC) with delivery enabled.

In the above manner of AP and terminal power management, the maximum idle period (MAX idle period) in power management (power management) may be further improved for the terminal, and the WNM (wireless network management) sleep mode and the listening interval (LISTEN INTERVAL) may be summarized as follows:

The listening interval (LISTEN INTERVAL) is included in (Re) Association Request frame (connection response frame) when the terminal accesses the AP. LISTEN INTERVAL (listening interval) field is that the node sends to the AP through a connection response frame (Association Request frame). The AP knows the wake-up time of the terminal, and indicates the Buffer status to the terminal in the Beacon frame when the terminal wakes up. The listening interval refers to how many Beacon intervals the workstation experiences between two wakeups. It tells the AP how often a terminal in power saving mode wakes up to listen to Beacon frames. A longer listening interval may allow the station to turn off the transceiver for a longer period of time. The longer the power is turned off, the more power can be saved. Each terminal can set its own listening interval. Under the condition of multi-AP cooperation, for a terminal with the capability of accessing the C-AP group, LISTEN INTERVAL needs to consider the working condition, the service condition of the C-AP group and the member AP at the same time, and set specific values. In one example, when the working states of a terminal in a multi-access point cooperation mode and an access point in a multi-access point cooperation group are both awake states, a first information beacon sent by the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group is received; setting a listening interval (LISTEN INTERVAL) through a second information beacon corresponding to the multi-access point cooperative group in the first information beacon and/or a third information beacon corresponding to an access point in the multi-access point cooperative group in the first information beacon; the listening interval is transmitted to the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group through the connection response frame.

In one example, LISTEN INTERVAL of the terminal is C-AP Group member AP level. And the terminal takes the beacon of the connected C-AP corresponding to the Group member AP as a reference to set LISTEN INTERVAL values. In one example Group member AP beacon contains information for the C-AP. The terminal wakes up only at the corresponding LISTEN INTERVAL.

In one example, LISTEN INTERVAL of the terminals are C-AP Group levels. The member APs of the C-AP Group uniformly use the same TBTT. The terminal sets LISTEN INTERVAL value with the beacon of C-AP Group member AP of the C-AP group as a reference. In one example, the beacon of C-AP Group member AP contains the traffic information of the corresponding terminal of the C-AP. The terminal wakes up only at the corresponding LISTEN INTERVAL.

In one example, LISTEN INTERVAL of the terminals are C-AP Group levels. A new Beacon is defined for the C-AP Group to broadcast the C-AP information exclusively. The terminal uses the TBTT of the new beacon as a reference, and the terminal and the C-AP group head negotiate to set LISTEN INTERVAL values. The terminal wakes up only at the corresponding LISTEN INTERVAL.

In one example, the terminal listens to both the beacon of the connected AP and the new beacon of the C-AP group. In this case, the terminal has two LISTEN INTERVAL listening to the beacon of the connected AP and the new beacon of the C-AP group, respectively. A new proprietary domain (field) or element is defined for the LISTEN INTERVAL of the C-AP group, contained in (re) association frame.

In one example, after the listening interval is set, when the operating states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group are both awake, and the current power mode of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode is the energy-saving mode and there is an association relationship with the plurality of access points in the multi-access point cooperative group, the operating state of the affiliated non-AP STA during the listening interval is set to be awake according to the listening interval, so that the affiliated non-AP STA receives the beacon transmitted by the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group during the listening interval.

If at least one non-AP STA connection on the terminal side should wake up during its LISTEN INTERVAL to receive a corresponding beacon frame because the terminal is connected to multiple APs/MLDs and in power save mode. The LISTEN INTERVAL starts (calculates) from the TBTT of the last awake state that other non-AP STAs attached to the MLD of the same C-AP group, or the same non-AP STA is in.

In some cases, the terminal is a non-access point multi-connection device. Some affiliated non-AP STAs of the terminal are in a dormant state. The attached other non-AP STAs are in active mode, which is responsible for listening to the connected access point multi-connection devices. The access point multi-connection device sends information to the non-AP STA in the active mode to which the terminal is attached. And if some non-AP STA affiliated in the dormant state suddenly has downlink low-delay service to arrive, activating the non-AP STA in the dormant state. Similarly, if some non-AP STAs attached to the terminal suddenly have uplink traffic, the uplink traffic is reported to the access point multi-connection device through the AP in the active state.

The listening interval field (LISTEN INTERVAL FIELD) is variable in some cases. The parameters on the AP side may change due to multi-access point cooperative group reconfiguration (C-AP group Reconfiguration), multi-access point cooperative group member AP reselection (C-AP group member reselection), and the like. LISTEN INTERVAL FIELD should be variable to accommodate this variation.

In one example, an actively (re) associated response frame (unsolicited (re) associated response frame) is sent. Rejecting the frame by LISTEN INTERVAL indicates that the C-AP group is perceived to be too large at current LISTEN INTERVAL. When the C-AP group perceives that the current LISTEN INTERVAL is too large, triggering the corresponding C-AP re-association (C-AP re-association) indicates that LISTEN INTERVAL is too large.

In one example, a new status code (status code) transmission unsolicited (re) associated response frame in an associated response frame (associated response frame) is defined to indicate that LISTEN INTERVAL reject frames indicate that current LISTEN INTERVAL is too small. When the C-AP group perceives that the current LISTEN INTERVAL is too small, the corresponding C-AP re-association is triggered to indicate that LISTEN INTERVAL is too small.

In one example, the impact of the association is a connection break. In order to avoid the influence of a connection interruption. One LISTEN INTERVAL may be proposed to the terminal by the data frames/management frames of other APs. In one example LISTEN INTERVAL of the current AP suggests a value to be configured by another AP associated with the terminal. In one example, the LISTEN INTERVAL proposed value is contained in (re) associated response frame of another AP.

In one example, the terminal maintains two LISTEN INTERVAL, one for the currently connected AP and one for the C-AP group. When a terminal disassociates, or disconnects, from the C-AP group, the corresponding LISTEN INTERVAL automatically fails. The terminal only retains/backs off LISTEN INTERVAL of the currently connected AP.

In one example, the terminal maintains two LISTEN INTERVAL, one for the currently connected AP and one for the C-AP group. When a terminal disassociates from an AP, or disconnects, the corresponding LISTEN INTERVAL automatically fails. The terminal only retains LISTEN INTERVAL of the current C-AP.

The maximum idle time refers to when a terminal is associated with an AP or an MLD, and if no data is transmitted to the AP/MLD associated with the terminal for a certain period of time, or no response is given to a packet/management frame (DATA FRAME, PS-Poll frame, or MANAGEMENT FRAME) transmitted by the AP/MLD, the AP/MLD confirms that the terminal is disconnected. This feature saves power consumed by the terminal.

First we analyze if a C-AP group requires a similar maximum idle time. I.e. whether it is necessary to completely create an element (fourth maximum idle time) to disconnect the terminal from the C-AP group or it is only necessary to set the third maximum idle time now of the terminal by means of the first maximum idle time between the existing terminal and the AP and the second maximum idle time between the terminal and the other C-AP group member APs. Here we illustrate by means of implicit and explicit means. Implicit refers to reusing the existing Max idle period value of the associated AP as the value of the third maximum idle time of the terminal with respect to the C-AP group. Explicit is a design based on defining new elements for the C-AP.

In one example, the terminal of the C-AP group does not need MAX idle period, and when the terminal and the working state of the access point are both active, according to a first maximum idle time between the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point having an association relationship in the multi-access point cooperation group, or a second maximum idle time between the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group, a third maximum idle time between the terminal and the multi-access point cooperation group is configured, and when the terminal and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group have not interacted in the third maximum idle time, the terminal and the access point having an association relationship in the multi-access point cooperation group are disassociated at the same time.

In one example, implicit: the third maximum idle time (corresponding to the element name: MAX idle period) between a C-AP group and a terminal is consistent with the value of BSS maximum idle time (BSS MAX idle period) (corresponding to the first maximum idle time) between the terminal and C-AP group member AP. The member AP of the C-AP group has its corresponding BSS maximum idle time (BSS MAX idle period) as an AP. The plurality of C-AP group member AP has a plurality of corresponding BSS MAX idle period values, and the terminal associates the configured values with the module AP (preset, pre). In one example, the MAX idle period of the C-AP group is implicitly defined to be consistent with the maximum BSS MAX idle period value between the terminal and C-AP group member AP. In the broadcast frame, (Re) Association Response frame, or newly defined (Re) Association Response frame for the C-AP group, the maximum idle duration information of the C-AP group, such as Max Idle Period element, is not included. Or no design resembling maximum idle duration information. The MAX idle period of the C-AP group is directly defaulted/considered to be consistent with the (preset) configured maximum BSS MAX idle period value of the member AP. When the transmission time of the frames (KEEP ALIVE frames) which are not kept active by the terminal exceeds the value or the transmission time of the frames (KEEP ALIVE frames) exceeds the value, the module AP is disassociated with the terminal, namely, the C-AP group is disassociated with the terminal at the same time. The method has the advantage that the association relation of the terminal to the C-AP group can be maintained to the maximum extent. And the signaling overhead caused by re-association is reduced. The MAX idle period can obtain a relatively large value, and the energy expenditure of the terminal is saved.

In one example, the values are consistent with the minimum BSS max idle period of C-AP group member AP. In one example, the MAX idle period of the C-AP group is implicitly defined to be consistent with the value of C-AP group member AP (preset) that the terminal association configures the minimum BSS MAX idle period. The maximum idle duration information of the C-AP group, such as Max Idle Period element, is not included in the broadcast frame, either (Re) Association Response frame, or (Re) Association Response frame newly defined for the C-AP group. Or no design like minimum idle duration information. The MAX idle period of the C-AP group is directly defaulted/considered to be associated with the member AP (preset) the terminal, and the minimum BSS MAX idle period value is configured to be consistent. The advantage of this is that the requirements of highly reliable services such as those transmitted by the C-AP can be kept to a maximum. The delay effect caused by the overlarge MAX idle period is reduced.

In one example, a terminal first associates with an AP, and the AP assists in accessing a C-AP group. And BSS Max Idle Period element values configured when the auxiliary AP is associated with the terminal are used as the maximum idle duration between the terminal and the C-AP group. The auxiliary access C-AP group refers to that the AP refers to the access of the terminal to the C-AP group by handover; or the AP itself and the associated terminal join the C-AP group at the same time. In one example, the assisting AP informs the C-AP of the setting of the group head via a management frame containing BSS Max Idle Period element, where the BSS Max Idle Period value in BSS Max Idle Period element is the value that the AP sets to the associated terminal. In one example, when the terminal establishes an association with another member access point through a management frame ((re) association frame) and joins the C-AP group, the (re) association frame contains legacy BSS MAX idle period element, where BSS MAX idle period is the reference value of the C-AP group and the MAX idle period of the terminal. The C-AP group may accept or reject the reference value through a reply frame. Wherein legacy BSS MAX idle period element is BSS MAX idle period element existing in IEEE Std 802.11 ™ -2020 standard.

MAX idle period of a C-AP group is consistent with the value of minimum BSS max idle period of member AP. When the terminal has no KEEP ALIVE frame transmission time and exceeds the value BSS max idle period of member AP, the terminal is disassociated with the module AP, namely, is disassociated with the C-AP group at the same time.

In one example, disassociating the C-AP group from the terminal does not mean that all APs are disassociated from the terminal. When BSS MAX idle period between at least one access point and the terminal is greater than the MAX idle period value of the C-AP group, the terminal may remain associated with other at least one access point having a larger BSS MAX idle period (greater than C-AP Max idle period) after the C-AP group is disassociated from the terminal.

Next, a case (explicit) that the terminal of the C-AP group needs to newly create a MAX idle period is discussed, where a preset fourth maximum idle time is configured, and when no interaction is performed with an access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the fourth maximum idle time, the terminal is disassociated with the multi-access point cooperation group.

In one example, a new fourth maximum Idle time (element name: max Idle Period element) is defined and the Max Idle Period value is at the C-AP group level.

In one example, max idle period element corresponding to the C-AP group is defined as

At this time Max Idle period element is composed of element ID (Element ID), length, maximum Idle period (Max Idle period), idle Options (Idle Options), group ID (Group ID), which can be seen to be added with the Group ID (Group ID) identifier on the basis of original BSS Max Idle period element, indicating that the element belongs to the C-AP Group. Wherein the Group ID is the identification ID of the C-AP Group. The Group ID does not have to have only 1 actect. Of which 1 actect is only one example. In one example, max IDLE ELEMENT contains at least the C-AP group ID.

In one example, a special value assigned to the legacy BSS maximum free element (legacy BSS max IDLE ELEMENT) indicates that the element belongs to the C-AP group, reuse ELEMENT ID. For example ELEMENT ID is a value of all 0 (actect), or all 1 (actect); in one example, the method of reusing ELEMENT ID is a combination of a special value and a Group ID, such as binary is the first bit 0+group ID, where the Group ID is the 7-bit binary, or the binary higher seven bits of the Group ID, or the lower 7 bits of the Group ID.

In one example, the (Re) association response frame ((Re) Association Response frame) that has been or is newly designed for the C-AP continues to use (include) the legacy BSS maximum idle element, which is set to the maximum value, the minimum value, or the value corresponding to BSS Max idle period configured by all the membrane APs (preset) associated with the terminal in the C-AP group, or the value corresponding to BSS Max idle period associated with the terminal for the C-AP group head.

In one example, (Re) Association Response frame, existing or newly designed for the C-AP, continues to use (including) the existing legacy BSS Max idle period element indication to the terminal of the maximum idle time associated with the C-AP. If the terminal has the capability to access, it needs or is about to access the C-AP group, then the terminal uses the value in legacy BSS Max idle period element as its maximum idle time associated with the C-AP.

In one example, two sets of BSS maximum idle times (BSS Max idle period element) are maintained simultaneously, if legacy (Re) Association Response frame exists both legacy BSS Max idle period element (access AP) and newly defined C-AP Max idle period element.

If the terminal has the capability to access, the terminal accesses the C-AP group if the terminal needs to access the C-AP group or is about to access the C-AP group. At this point, the terminal maintains two sets of access BSS Max idle period and C-AP group Max idle period simultaneously.

In this case, BSS Max idle period is greater than C-AP group Max idle period. When C-AP group member APs is not in C-AP group Max idle time, the received protected/unprotected KEEP ALIVE FRAME, C-AP group can be disassociated from the terminal. If KEEPALIVE FRAME is received in BSS Max idle period, it remains associated with the corresponding AP.

In this case, BSS Max idle period is less than C-AP group Max idle period in one example. When C-AP group member APs is not in C-AP group Max idle time, the received protected/unprotected KEEP ALIVE FRAME, C-AP group can be disassociated from the terminal. If KEEPALIVE FRAME is not received at BSS Max idle period, the corresponding AP disassociates from the terminal. The terminal maintains association with other members APs in the C-AP group having a settable larger BSS Max idle period to maintain association with the C-AP group.

A terminal maintains a plurality of corresponding BSS Max idle period/C-AP group Max idle period in association with a plurality of AP/AP MLD/C-AP groups.

In one example, multiple APs or C-AP groups share a BSS, and the multiple APs use BSS Max idle period or C-AP Max idle period of the first access AP/C-AP group settings to the terminal.

In one example, the terminal maintains a Max id period for each AP, C-AP group with which it is associated. Each AP C-AP group is independent of its associated terminal settings BSS Max idle period.

The C-AP max idle period value is non-AP STA SPECIFIC. The advantage of this is that the AP or C-AP group can flexibly schedule and manage the terminals according to the different terminal capabilities, services and other characteristics, especially the terminals in the energy-saving mode.

In one example, when C-AP group member APs does not receive protected/unprotected KEEP ALIVE FRAME within C-AP group Max idle period, the C-AP group may be disassociated from the terminal and C-AP group member AP also disassociated from the terminal. In one example, C-AP group Max idle is a C-AP group level. That is, all the C-AP group members use the same max-idle period, which is the max-idle period of the C-AP group. This has the advantage of simplifying the design, reducing the burden on the terminal and focusing only on the case of C-AP group.

With respect to WNM sleep mode, in the case of multi-AP cooperation, there may be a new design such as a new beacon, or a highly reliable traffic transmission. WNM sleep mode needs to be enhanced to accommodate these needs. In particular, the WNM sleep mode is established.

In one example, when the working state of the access point is the awake state, the WNM sleep capability negotiation is performed with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group to enter a WNM sleep mode;

In one example, the terminal operating in WNM sleep mode in the C-AP group case is a terminal capability, contained in TxVector. Also, whether C-AP group is capable of being in WNM mode is a capability. After only the C-AP group, or all member APs of the C-AP explicitly support the WNM Sleep Mode, the terminal may transmit WNM Sleep Mode Request frame a request to the C-AP group to turn on the WNM Sleep Mode.

The terminal is connected to a C-AP group. Is the same WNM sleep mode period required for the connection provided by each C-AP group member AP therein? This problem in turn derives several possible scenarios, followed by an example:

In one example, APs belonging to the C-AP group have the same WNM sleep model capability. A terminal associated with a C-AP group, when connected to multiple member APs, the member APs use the same WNM sleep mode period/configuration parameters for the terminal.

In one example, one terminal is connected to two APs. The terminal uses a different WNM SLEEP INTERVAL when communicating with the two APs. The benefit of this scheme is that the unused APs can negotiate with the terminal to determine different WNM SLEEP INTERVAL based on different traffic characteristics. The terminal may wake up at the corresponding WNM SLEEP INTERVAL to communicate with the associated AP.

In one example, if the terminal wakes up at WNM SLEEP INTERVAL of the two APs is the same, the terminal preferentially selects the corresponding AP according to the traffic priority, transmits data, or requests a frame of data. If the service priorities of the two corresponding APs are the same, the terminal randomly selects one AP to send data or a data request frame.

Next, a discussion is given of the case where a Request frame (Request frame) and a response frame (response frame) can be transmitted across a connection:

when a terminal sends WNM mode request frames to a C-AP group, the C-AP group may send response frames through its one member AP, the member AP. The receive request frame and the transmit reply frame of the C-AP group may be different member APs. The method has the advantages of flexible scheduling and adaptation to different cooperation modes.

In one example, new WNM Sleep Mode Request frame and WNM Sleep Mode Response frame are defined that are specific to the C-AP group. The above steps simplify the WNM flow without the need to first send a WNM request frame.

And according to the first maximum idle time and the third maximum idle time or the first maximum idle time and the fourth maximum idle time, sequentially configuring WNM sleep intervals corresponding to the access points with association relations in the multi-access point cooperation group, and sending the WNM sleep intervals to the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group.

Typically, the C-AP WNM sleep interval (SLEEP INTERVAL) needs to be less than the max idle period of the connected AP.

In one example, if C-AP max idle period (corresponding to the third or fourth maximum idle time above) is C-AP WNM SLEEP INTERVAL is BSS max idle period (corresponding to the first maximum idle time above). The terminal needs to re-associate to the corresponding C-AP group when awake. In one example, C-AP max idle period +.C-AP WNM SLEEP INTERVAL +. BSS max idle period, after the terminal wakes up, has been disassociated with the C-AP group, but may still remain associated with the current AP. The re-association step of the C-AP group needs to be performed if the terminal still needs to be linked to the C-AP group.

If BSS max idle period +.C-AP WNM SLEEP INTERVAL +.C-AP max idle period. The terminal wakes up to associate to other APs of the corresponding C-AP group. In one example BSS max idle period +.C-AP WNM SLEEP INTERVAL +.C-AP max idle period, after the terminal wakes up, it has been disassociated with the C-AP current AP, but may still remain associated with the C-AP group. If the terminal still needs to be linked to the AP, a re-association step needs to be performed.

In this embodiment, when the operation state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode is an awake state, the power mode and the operation state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperative group are acquired; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when detecting that the to-be-received buffer data exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are in an awake state, sending an electricity-saving polling frame to the access points with the to-be-received buffer data so as to receive the buffer data. The AP can enter the energy-saving mode and the sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided.

The above method is divided into steps, which are only for clarity of description, and may be combined into one step or split into multiple steps when implemented, so long as they include the same logic relationship, and they are all within the protection scope of the present application; it is within the scope of this application to add insignificant modifications to the algorithm or flow or introduce insignificant designs, but not to alter the core design of its algorithm and flow.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a power management apparatus, as shown in fig. 2, including: a mode obtaining module 201, configured to obtain a power mode and an operating state of an access point in a multi-access point cooperative group when an operating state of a terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode is an awake state; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; the data receiving module 202 is configured to send a power-saving polling frame to an access point having the buffered data to be received to receive the buffered data when it is detected that the buffered data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperative group and both the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperative group are in an awake state.

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: the monitoring interval module is used for receiving a first information beacon sent by the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group when the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group are all awake; setting a monitoring interval through a second information beacon corresponding to the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon and/or a third information beacon corresponding to the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon; and sending the listening interval to the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group through a connection response frame.

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: and the interval receiving module is used for setting the working state of the affiliated non-AP STA in the monitoring interval to be the awake state according to the monitoring interval when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group are both the awake state, the current power mode of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is the energy-saving mode and the association relation exists between the terminal and a plurality of access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, so that the affiliated non-AP STA can receive the beacons sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the monitoring interval.

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: and the idle time module is used for simultaneously disassociating the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group and the association relation in the multi-access point cooperation group according to the first maximum idle time between the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group or the second maximum idle time between the multi-access point cooperation group and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group when the terminal is in an awake state with the working state of the access points, configuring the third maximum idle time between the terminal and the multi-access point cooperation group, and disassociating the terminal and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group when the terminal is not interacted with the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the third maximum idle time, or configuring the preset fourth maximum idle time when the terminal is not interacted with the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the fourth maximum idle time.

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: the WNM sleep module is used for negotiating WNM sleep capability with the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group to enter a WNM sleep mode when the working states of the WNM sleep module and the access points are all the awake states;

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: the forced wake-up module is used for acquiring the sleep period of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group after acquiring the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group; setting a sleep period for switching the current working state from a sleep state to an awake state according to the sleep period of the access point; when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the current working state is an awake state, and the access points are in a sleep state, a wake-up frame is sent to the access points to switch the working state of the access points from the sleep state to the awake state.

In one example, the apparatus further comprises: and the wake-up capability confirmation module is used for verifying the forced wake-up information of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group before sending a wake-up frame to the access points so as to ensure that the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group can respond to the wake-up frame.

In this embodiment, when the operation state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperative mode is an awake state, the power mode and the operation state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperative group are acquired; the power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode; when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both in an awake state, sending a power-saving polling frame to the access points with the buffer data to be received so as to receive the buffer data. The AP can enter the energy-saving mode and the sleep state, and meanwhile, the terminal can provide normal service under the change, so that the technical blank in the field is filled, and unnecessary resource waste is avoided.

It is to be noted that this embodiment is an example of an apparatus corresponding to the above-described method embodiment, and this embodiment may be implemented in cooperation with the above-described method embodiment. The details of the related technology mentioned in the above method embodiment are still valid in this embodiment, and in order to reduce repetition, details are not repeated here. Accordingly, the related technical details mentioned in the present embodiment can also be applied to the above-described method embodiment.

It should be noted that each module in this embodiment is a logic module, and in practical application, one logic unit may be one physical unit, or may be a part of one physical unit, or may be implemented by a combination of multiple physical units. In addition, in order to highlight the innovative part of the present invention, units that are not so close to solving the technical problem presented by the present invention are not introduced in the present embodiment, but this does not indicate that other units are not present in the present embodiment.

Another embodiment of the invention relates to a terminal, as shown in fig. 3, comprising at least one processor 301; and a memory 302 communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; the memory 302 stores instructions executable by the at least one processor 301, the instructions being executable by the at least one processor 301 to enable the at least one processor 301 to perform a power management method as described above.

Where the memory 302 and the processor 301 are connected by a bus, the bus may comprise any number of interconnected buses and bridges, the buses connecting the various circuits of the one or more processors 301 and the memory 302 together. The bus may also connect various other circuits such as peripherals, voltage regulators, and power management circuits, which are well known in the art, and therefore, will not be described any further herein. The bus interface provides an interface between the bus and the transceiver. The transceiver may be one element or may be a plurality of elements, such as a plurality of receivers and transmitters, providing a means for communicating with various other apparatus over a transmission medium. The data processed by the processor 301 is transmitted over a wireless medium via an antenna, which further receives the data and transmits the data to the processor 301.

The processor 301 is responsible for managing the bus and general processing and may also provide various functions including timing, peripheral interfaces, voltage regulation, power management, and other control functions. And memory 302 may be used to store data used by processor 301 in performing operations.

Another embodiment of the present invention relates to a computer-readable storage medium storing a computer program. The computer program implements the above-described method embodiments when executed by a processor.

That is, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that all or part of the steps in implementing the methods of the embodiments described above may be implemented by a program stored in a storage medium, where the program includes several instructions for causing a device (which may be a single-chip microcomputer, a chip or the like) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps in the methods of the embodiments of the application. And the aforementioned storage medium includes: a usb disk, a removable hard disk, a Read-only memory (ROM), a random access memory (RAM, randomAccessMemory), a magnetic disk, or an optical disk, or other various media capable of storing program codes.

It will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the foregoing embodiments are specific examples of carrying out the invention and that various changes in form and details may be made therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A power management method applied to a terminal in a multi-access point cooperative mode, the method comprising:

when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, acquiring the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group;

The power mode comprises an active mode and an energy-saving mode, the working state comprises a sleep state and an awake state, and the working state is necessarily the awake state when the power mode is the active mode;

When detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both in an awake state, sending a power-saving polling frame to the access points with the buffer data to be received so as to receive the buffer data;

Wherein the method further comprises:

When the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are all awake, receiving a first information beacon sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group;

Setting a monitoring interval through a second information beacon corresponding to the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon and/or a third information beacon corresponding to an access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the first information beacon;

transmitting the listening interval to access points in the multi-access point cooperation group through a connection response frame;

Wherein the method further comprises:

After the listening interval is set, when the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both awake, and the current power mode of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an energy-saving mode and an association relationship exists between the terminal and a plurality of access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, the working state of the affiliated non-AP STA in the listening interval is set to be the awake state according to the listening interval, so that the affiliated non-AP STA receives beacons sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the listening interval.

2. The method of power management according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

When the working state of the access point is the awake state, according to the first maximum idle time between the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group with association relation or the second maximum idle time between the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group, configuring the third maximum idle time between the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point, when the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is not interacted with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group in the third maximum idle time period, the terminal is simultaneously disassociated with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group with association relation,

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

And configuring a preset fourth maximum idle time, and disassociating the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group when the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group is not interacted in the fourth maximum idle time.

3. The method of power management according to claim 2, wherein the method further comprises:

when the working state of the access point is the awake state, the WNM sleep capability negotiation is carried out with the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group so as to enter a WNM sleep mode;

4. The method of power management according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises:

after the power mode and the working state of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are acquired, the sleep period of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group is acquired;

Setting a sleep period for switching the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode from a sleep state to an awake state according to the sleep period of the access point;

when detecting that the buffer data to be received exists in the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, and the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state, and the access points are in a sleep state, a wake-up frame is sent to the access points so as to switch the working state of the access points from the sleep state to the awake state.

5. The method of power management according to claim 4, further comprising:

And before the wake-up frame is sent to the access point, verifying forced wake-up information of the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group to ensure that the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group can respond to the wake-up frame.

6. A power management apparatus, comprising:

the mode acquisition module is used for acquiring the power mode and the working state of the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group when the working state of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an awake state;

The data receiving module is used for sending a power-saving polling frame to the access point with the to-be-received cache data to receive the cache data when the cache data to be received exist in the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group and the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access point in the multi-access point cooperation group are both in an awake state;

After the listening interval is set, when the working states of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode and the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group are both awake, and the current power mode of the terminal in the multi-access point cooperation mode is an energy saving mode and there is an association relationship with a plurality of access points in the multi-access point cooperation group, the working state of the affiliated non-AP STA in the listening interval is set to be the awake state according to the listening interval, so that the affiliated non-AP STA receives beacons sent by the access points in the multi-access point cooperation group in the listening interval.

7. A terminal, comprising:

At least one processor; and

A memory communicatively coupled to the at least one processor; wherein,

The memory stores instructions executable by the at least one processor to enable the at least one processor to perform the power management method of any one of claims 1 to 5.

8. A computer readable storage medium storing a computer program, wherein the computer program when executed by a processor implements the power management method of any one of claims 1 to 5.