RU2809236C1 - Method for assigning association identifier for multi-channel device and related equipment - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: radio communications.

SUBSTANCE: invention is aimed at a more precise AID can be assigned to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity during TIM indication of the channels. To do this, the multi-channel access point device generates and transmits the first frame. The first frame carries the value of the AID assigned to the non-access point multi-link device; the value of this AID is not the value of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the first type of access point in the multi-link access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

EFFECT: more precise AID can be assigned to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity during TIM indication of the channels.

26 cl, 10 dwg

Description

This application claims priority to China Patent Application No. 202010622036.9, which was filed with the National Intellectual Property Administration of China on July 1, 2020, entitled “AID ALLOCATION METHOD FOR MULTI-LINK DEVICE AND RELATED APPARAT” US"), and which is included here by reference in its entirety.

Field of technology to which the invention relates

The present application relates to the field of radio communication technology and in particular to a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device and related equipment.

state of the art

An association identifier (AID) is an identifier (ID) assigned by an access point (AP) to an associated station (STA) after establishing an association and can be considered the ID of the associated STA. The AID can be used to identify and distinguish STAs associated with an AP, and can also be used as an index in multiple frame structures to point to a specific associated STA. If the AP can support multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID), or a beacon frame or probe response frame to carry a multiple BSSID element, the maximum number of BSSIDs , which point AP can support is equal to 2 ⁿ . This means that the range of BSSIDs is [1, 2 ⁿ -1]. Therefore, the range of AIDs that can be assigned by an AP to STAs is [ ²ⁿ , 2007]. Here, n may represent the value of the maximum BSSID indicator field in the BSSID element. If the AP cannot support multiple BSSIDs, or the beacon frame or sounding response frame cannot carry multiple BSSID elements, the range of AIDs that can be assigned by the AP to the STA is [1, 2007].

In a multi-link device (MLD), multiple STAs belonging to a non-access point (non-AP) MLD share the same AID. in other words, such a non-AP MLD device has only one AID. Therefore, the MLD AP device can display a traffic indication map (TIM) between channels. In other words, AP 1 and AP 2 are assumed to belong to the same MLD AP. The channel-to-channel TIM map indication transmitted by AP 1 may not only carry TIM map information for AP 1, but also carry TIM map information for AP 2. The TIM map information may indicate whether the AP has service for a non-AP device MLD associated with AP 2. However, in some cases, AID ambiguity may occur when the MLD AP uses TIM card indication between channels. For example, assume that AP 1 and AP 2 belong to the same MLD AP. If the beacon frame or probe response frame from AP 1 contains an element with multiple BSSIDs, this means that AP 1 can support multiple BSSIDs. If the beacon frame or probe response frame from AP 2 does not contain a multi-BSSID element, this means that AP 2 cannot support multiple BSSIDs and has only one BSSID. In such a case, the range of AIDs assigned by AP 1 to the non-AP MLD device associated with AP 1 is [ ²ⁿ , 2007], and the range of AIDs assigned by AP 2 to the non-AP MLD device associated with point AP 2 has the form [1, 2007]. In such a case, when the MLD AP uses the inter-channel TIM map indication, since the inter-channel TIM map indication carries not only the TIM map information from AP 1, but also carries the TIM map information from AP 2, the BSSID supported by AP 1 , may conflict with the AID assigned by AP 2 to the non-AP MLD device associated with AP 2. In other words, the range of multiple BSSIDs of AP 1 is [1, 2 ⁿ -1], and the range of AIDs for the device the non-AP MLD associated with AP 2 is also [1, 2 ⁿ -1]. Therefore, when receiving an inter-channel TIM map indication transmitted by an AP MLD device, the non-AP MLD device cannot determine whether the non-AP MLD device whose AID range is [1, 2 ⁿ -1] has service (because this part of the AID is the same as the BSSID of AP 1), in other words, the AID is ambiguous. Therefore, if one or more APs in an AP MLD device can support multiple BSSIDs, then a method for the AP MLD device to assign an AID to a non-AP MLD point in a manner that avoids AID ambiguity during inter-channel TIM map indication becomes essential. a problem that urgently needs to be resolved.

essence of the invention

Embodiments of the present application provide a method for assigning an AID to a multi-channel device and associated apparatus for assigning a more precise AID to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in the TIM card indication between channels.

In the following, the present application will be described from various aspects. It should be understood that mutual reference may be made to the following embodiments and the beneficial effects of various aspects.

According to a first aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device, wherein the method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device comprises: The multi-channel access point device generates and transmits a first frame, where the first frame may carry an AID assigned to the device stations. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor is it an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-channel association response frame.

Optionally, before the multichannel access point device transmits the first frame, the station device transmits an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame to the multichannel access point device to request establishment of an association relationship with the multichannel access point device. After a multichannel access point device receives an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame, the multichannel access point device may return an association response frame or a multichannel association response frame to the station device.

According to this technical solution, when an AID is assigned to a station device, the BSSID that was assigned to the AP and/or the BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP is not allowed to be assigned to the non-AP MLD device. Therefore, a non-AP MLD device can be assigned a more precise AID, and this avoids AID ambiguity in the TIM card indication between channels.

According to a second aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device, wherein the method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device comprises: The station device receives a parsing result of the first frame to obtain the AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame . The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-channel association response frame.

Optionally, before the multichannel access point device transmits the first frame, the station device may generate and transmit an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame to request establishment of an association relationship with the multichannel access point device. After a multichannel access point device receives an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame, the multichannel access point device may return an association response frame or a multichannel association response frame to the station device.

According to a third aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides communications equipment. The communications equipment may be a multi-channel access point device or an integrated circuit (chip) in a multi-channel access point device, such as a Wi-Fi integrated circuit, and contains:

a processor module configured to generate a first frame; And

a transceiver module configured to transmit a first frame, where the first frame may carry an AID assigned to the station device. The AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a first type access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-channel association response frame.

Optionally, the station device may transmit an association request frame or a multi-channel association request frame to the multi-channel access point device to request an association relationship with the multi-channel access point device. After a multichannel access point device receives an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame, the multichannel access point device may return an association response frame or a multichannel association response frame to the station device.

According to a fourth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides communications equipment. This communication equipment may represent a station device or an integrated circuit (chip) in the station device, for example, a Wi-Fi integrated circuit, and contains:

a transceiver module configured to receive the first frame; And

a processing module configured to parse the first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that may be supported by the first access point in the multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in the multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-channel association response frame.

Optionally, the station device may transmit an association request frame or a multi-channel association request frame to a multi-channel access point device to request an association relationship with the multi-channel access point device. After a multichannel access point device receives an association request frame or a multichannel association request frame, the multichannel access point device may return an association response frame or a multichannel association response frame to the station device.

In one embodiment of any one of the above aspects, the BSSID that may be supported by a first type of access point in the above multi-channel access point device is:

.

The number N may represent the number of access points of the first type, and may represent the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. The number N can be a positive integer greater than 1.

Optionally, the access point identifier in a multi-channel access point device may contain M discrete integer values, or contain M sequential integer values. Here, M may represent the number of access points included in the multi-channel access point device, and M may represent a positive integer greater than 1. The number N may be at most M.

In the present solution, BSSIDs that may be supported by some APs in a multi-channel access point device are not allowed to be assigned to a station device, so that the range in which assignment is not allowed is narrowed if it is ensured that there is no cross-channel inter-channel TIM map indication. AID ambiguity. With this approach, the range of AIDs that can be assigned to a station device is expanded and the use of identification resources can be improved.

In one embodiment of any one of the above aspects, the AID transmitted in the first frame cannot be any value in the following range:

.

Here N may represent the number of access points of the first type, may represent the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type of access point, and M represents the number of access points in the multi-channel access point device.

In the present technical solution, a segment of sequential values following the BSSID, which can be supported by a first type access point in a multi-channel access point device, is directly used as an access point identifier in a multi-channel access point device. In other words, the access point ID in the multi-channel access point device and the BSSIDs that may be supported by the first type of access point may form a sequential range, and the AID transmitted in the first frame cannot have any value from this sequential range. Therefore, the multi-channel access point device can assign sequential AIDs to the station device, thereby reducing the difficulty in selecting an AID by the multi-channel access point device.

According to a fifth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides communications equipment, which in particular is a multi-channel access point device and includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support a multi-channel access point device when performing a corresponding function while implementing the method according to the first aspect. The transceiver is configured to: support communication between the multi-channel access point device and the station device and transmit information, frame, data packet, commands or other similar data in accordance with the above method to the station device. The multi-channel access point device may further comprise a storage device. This storage device is configured to connect to the processor, and this storage device stores software instructions and data required for the multi-channel access point device.

In particular, the processor is configured to generate the first frame. The transceiver is configured to transmit this first frame, where the first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor is it an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

According to a sixth aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides communication equipment, particularly a station device, comprising a processor and a transceiver. The transceiver is configured to receive the first frame, and the processor is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device. Optionally, the communication equipment may further comprise a processor. This processor may be configured to generate an association request frame or a multi-channel association request frame. The multi-channel access point device may further comprise a storage device. This storage device is configured to connect to the processor, and this storage device stores software instructions and data necessary for the multi-channel access point device.

According to a seventh aspect, one embodiment of the present application provides an integrated circuit (chip) or integrated circuit system-on-chip comprising an input/output interface and a processor circuit. The processor circuit is configured to generate the first frame. The I/O interface is configured to transmit this first frame, where the first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor is it an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

In one possible implementation, the I/O interface is configured to receive the first frame from the MLD AP device. The processing circuitry is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

According to an eighth aspect, the present application includes a computer-readable medium for storing information. This computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When these instructions are executed by a computer, the computer may implement a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device according to any one of the above aspects.

According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed by a computer, the computer can implement a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device according to any one of the above aspects.

In one embodiment of the present application, a station device can be assigned a more precise AID, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in the TIM card indication between channels.

Brief description of drawings

To more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of this application, the following briefly describes the accompanying drawings used to describe the embodiments.

Fig. 1 is a simplified diagram of the architecture of a radio communication system according to one embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 2a is a simplified diagram of the structure of a multi-channel device according to one embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 2b is a simplified diagram of another structure of a multi-channel device according to one embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3a represents a simplified diagram of multi-channel communication according to one embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 3b represents another simplified multi-channel communication diagram according to one embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 4 is a simplified logic diagram of a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 5 is a simplified diagram of a frame structure with an AID element according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 6 is a simplified diagram of communication between a non-AP MLD device and an AP MLD device according to an embodiment of the present application;

Fig. 7 represents a simplified diagram of the structure of communication equipment according to one embodiment of the present application; And

Fig. 8 is a simplified diagram of another communication equipment structure according to one embodiment of the present application.

Description of options

The following clearly and completely describes the technical solutions in the variants of this application with references to the attached drawings of these variants of this application.

To facilitate understanding of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application, the system architecture for implementing the method of assigning an AID for a multi-channel device proposed in the embodiments of the present application will now be briefly discussed. It may be understood that the system architecture discussed in the embodiments of this application is intended to describe the technical solutions proposed in the embodiments of this application more clearly and does not constitute limitations on those technical solutions that are the subject of the embodiments of this application.

Embodiments of the present application provide a method for assigning an AID to a multi-channel device used in a radio communication system to assign a more precise AID to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity in a TIM card indication between channels. The radio communication system may be a radio local area network or a cellular network. The proposed method for assigning an AID may be implemented by a communication device in a radio communication system, or by an integrated circuit (chip) or processor in a communication device. The communication device may be a radio communication device that supports simultaneous transmissions over multiple communication channels. For example, such a communication device may be called a multi-band device or multi-band device. Compared with a communication device that only supports single-channel transmission, a multi-channel device has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

A multichannel device contains one or more affiliated STAs. Such an affiliate station is a logical station and can operate on the same communication channel. An affiliate station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of understanding, in this application, a multi-link device for which the affiliate station is an AP may be referred to as a multi-link AP or an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), and a multi-link device for which the affiliate station is not a station. -AP STA, may be called a non-AP multi-link device (non-AP MLD). For ease of understanding, the statement "multi-channel device contains an affiliated station" is also briefly written in the embodiments of this application as "multi-channel device contains a station."

A multichannel device contains one or more affiliated STAs. In other words, one multi-channel device can contain several logical stations. Each logical station operates on one communication channel, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same communication channel. During data transmission, an AP MLD device and a non-AP MLD device may use a link identifier to identify a link or a station on a link. Before communication occurs, the AP MLD device and the non-AP MLD device may first negotiate or communicate to each other a correspondence between a communication channel identifier and a communication channel or a station on the communication channel. Therefore, during data transmission, a communication channel identifier is transmitted without transmitting a large amount of signaling information to indicate a communication channel or a station on that communication channel. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

In one example, when the MLD AP establishes a basic service set (BSS), the transmitted control frame, such as a beacon frame, carries elements containing several bearer identifier information fields. Each channel identifier information field contains a channel identifier and further contains one or more BSS set identifiers, an operation set, and a channel number. The specified one or more BSS set identifiers, operation set and channel number correspond to the communication channel identifier. In another example, in the process of establishing a multi-link association, the AP MLD device and the non-AP MLD device negotiate multiple bearer identifier information fields. During subsequent communication, the AP MLD device or non-AP MLD device uses link identifiers to represent stations at both ends of the corresponding link. The link identifier may further represent one or more of the attributes MAC address, work set, and station link number. The specified MAC address may also be replaced by an association identifier (AID) for the associated MLD AP.

If multiple stations operate on the same communication channel, the identifier of that communication channel (which is a digital identifier ID) not only represents the set of operations and the number of the channel on which the specified communication channel is located, but also represents the identifier of the station operating on the communication channel in question, e.g. MAC address or association AID for this station.

The multichannel device can communicate in accordance with the IEEE 802.11 family of protocols. For example, a multi-channel device may be an extremely high-bandwidth station that uses or is compatible with the IEEE 802.11be standard to communicate with other devices. Of course, these other devices may or may not be multichannel devices.

The method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device proposed in embodiments of the present application can be applied in a scenario in which one node communicates with one or more nodes, can be applied in a single-user uplink/downlink communication scenario, or in a communication scenario in an uplink/downlink with multiple users, or can be applied in a device to device (D2D) communication scenario.

Any of the above nodes may be an AP MLD device or may be a non-AP MLD device. For example, the subject AID assignment method is applicable in a scenario in which an AP MLD device communicates with a non-AP MLD device, applicable in a scenario in which a non-AP MLD device communicates with a non-AP MLD device, or applicable in a scenario where in which the AP MLD device communicates with the AP MLD device. The embodiments of this application are not limited to this. Optionally, one of the following nodes may be a multi-channel device, and the other nodes may be multi-channel devices or may not be multi-channel devices. For example, this method of assigning an AID is applicable in a scenario in which an MLD AP communicates with a single-link device. This single channel device may be an STA.

For ease of description, a scenario in which an MLD AP communicates with an STA is used below as an example to describe the system architecture of the present application. It may be understood that an STA is used here in a broad sense to denote the side of an STA, and may be a single channel STA or a non-AP MLD device.

In FIG. 1 shows a simplified diagram of the architecture of a radio communication system according to one of the variants of this application. In FIG. 1 shows a scenario for the application of one of the variants of this application using a local radio communication network as an example. The radio communication system shown in FIG. 1 includes a multi-channel AP device 100 and a multi-channel non-AP device 200. The multi-channel AP device is a multi-channel device providing a service to a multi-channel non-AP device, and the multi-channel non-AP device can communicate with the multi-channel AP device using multiple communication channels. to increase throughput. Of course, the radio communication system may also include other devices, such as a multi-channel non-AP device 300 and a single-channel station STA 400. The number of multi-channel AP devices and the number of multi-channel non-AP devices shown in FIG. 1 are just examples.

As an option, in FIG. 2a shows a simplified diagram of the structure of a multi-channel device according to one of the variants of the present application. The IEEE 802.11 standard focuses on the physical layer (PHY) portion of the 802.11 protocols and the media access control (MAC) portion of the multichannel device. As shown in FIG. 2a, multiple STAs included in a multichannel device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and at the physical PHY layer, and are also independent of each other at the high MAC layer. In FIG. 2b shows a simplified diagram of another structure of a multi-channel device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 2b, multiple STAs included in a multi-channel device are independent of each other at the low MAC layer and the physical PHY layer and share the high MAC layer. Of course, in the process of multi-channel communication, a multi-channel non-AP device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other, and a multi-channel AP device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, a multi-channel non-AP device may use a structure where the upper MAC layers are shared, and a multi-channel AP device may use a structure where the upper MAC layers are independent of each other. Alternatively, both the multi-channel non-AP device and the multi-channel AP device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are shared. Alternatively, both the multi-channel non-AP device and the multi-channel AP device may use a structure in which the upper MAC layers are independent of each other. The simplified diagram of the internal structure of a multi-channel device in this embodiment of the present application is not limited. In FIG. 2a and Fig. 2b are just examples for description. For example, the upper MAC layer or the lower MAC layer may be implemented by a single processor on a system-on-chip integrated circuit (chip) in a multi-channel device, or may be implemented by different processor modules on such a system-on-chip.

For example, the multi-channel device in the subject embodiment of the present application may be a single-antenna device or may be a multi-antenna device. For example, a multi-channel device may be a device with one or more antennas. The number of antennas included in a multi-channel device is not limited in the considered version of this application. In this embodiment of the present application, a multi-channel device may allow services with the same access type to be transmitted over different communication channels, or may even allow the same data packets to be transmitted over different communication channels. Alternatively, a multi-channel device may not allow services with the same access type to be transmitted over different communication channels, but may allow services with different access types to be transmitted over different communication channels.

The frequency range in which a multi-channel device operates can cover one or more frequency ranges from the list - below 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz and high frequencies 60 GHz.

As an option, in FIG. 3a shows a simplified diagram of multi-channel communication according to one of the variants of this application. In FIG. 3a shows a simplified communication diagram between an AP MLD 100 and a non-AP MLD 200. As shown in FIG. 3a, the AP MLD 100 contains n affiliate stations: AP 100-1, AP 100-2, ..., and AP 100-n. The non-AP MLD 200 device contains n affiliate stations: station STA 200-1, station STA 200-2, ..., and station STA 200-n. The AP MLD 100 and the non-AP MLD 200 communicate simultaneously on communication channel 1, communication channel 2, ..., and communication channel n. An AP in an AP MLD device may establish a communication link with an STA in a non-AP MLD device for communication. For example, AP 100-1 in the MLD 100 AP establishes link 1 with STA 200-1 in the non-AP MLD 200 to communicate, AP 100-2 in the MLD 100 AP establishes link 2 with the STA 200-2 in a non-AP MLD 200 device for communication, etc.

In FIG. 3b shows another simplified multi-channel communication diagram according to one embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 3b shows a simplified diagram in which AP MLD 100 communicates with non-AP MLD 200, non-AP MLD 300, and STA 400. As shown in FIG. 3b, it is assumed that the AP MLD 100 contains three affiliate stations: AP 100-1 to AP 100-3. The non-AP MLD 200 device contains two affiliate stations: station STA 200-1 and station STA 200-2. The non-AP MLD 300 device contains two affiliate stations: station STA 300-1 and station STA 300-2. The STA 400 station is a single-channel device. The AP MLD 100 can individually communicate with the non-AP MLD 200 via Link 1 and Link 3, communicate with the non-AP MLD 300 via Link 2 and Link 3, and communicate with the STA 400 via channel 1 communication.

In one example, the STA 400 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. The STA 300-1, part of the non-AP MLD 300, operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and the STA 300-2, part of the non-AP MLD 300, operates in the 6 GHz frequency range. The STA 200-1, part of the non-AP MLD 200, operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range, and the STA 200-2, part of the non-AP MLD 200, operates in the 6 GHz frequency range. An AP 100-1 operating in the 2.4 GHz frequency band and a member of an MLD 100 AP can transmit uplink or downlink data to an STA 400 and a non-AP MLD 200 STA 200-2 by channel 1 communication. A 5 GHz AP 100-2 in a MLD 100 AP can send uplink or downlink data to a 5 GHz STA 300-1 in a non-AP MLD 300, via communication channel 2. A 6 GHz AP 100-3 in a MLD 100 AP can send uplink or downlink data to a 6 GHz STA 200-2 in a non-AP MLD 200 on link 3, or may transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 300-2 of the non-AP MLD 300 on link 3.

For example, a multi-channel device (such as any one of the multi-channel devices AP MLD 100, non-AP MLD 200, and non-AP MLD 300 shown in FIG. 1) is an apparatus having a radio communication function. The hardware may be a complete device or may be an integrated circuit (chip), processor circuit, or other similar component installed in a complete device. A device in which such an integrated circuit (chip) or processor system is installed can implement the method and operate according to embodiments of this application under the control of the specified integrated circuit or processor system. For example, a multi-channel non-AP device in embodiments of the present application has radio transceiver functionality, can support 802.11 family protocols, and can communicate with a multi-channel AP device or another multi-channel non-AP device. For example, a multi-link non-AP device is any user communication device that allows a user to communicate with an AP and then communicate with a WLAN. For example, a multi-channel non-AP device may be a user equipment that may be connected to a communication network, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an Ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer , netbook computer, personal digital assistant (PDA), or mobile phone, the device may be an Internet of Things node running the Internet of Things, or it may be a vehicle-mounted communications equipment running the Internet of Cars (Vehicle). The non-AP multichannel device may alternatively be an integrated circuit (chip) and processor system in the above terminals. A multi-channel AP device in embodiments of the present application is a hardware serving a multi-channel non-AP device and may support 802.11 family of protocols. For example, a multi-link AP device may be a communications entity such as a communications server, router, switch or bridge, or the multi-link AP device may be any of various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, and other similar entities. Of course, the multi-channel AP device may alternatively be implemented as integrated circuits (chips) and processor systems in various types of devices to implement the method and functions of the embodiments of the present application.

It can be understood that the proposed multi-channel device can support high speed and low latency transmissions. Due to the continuous evolution of radio network application scenarios, the multi-channel device can be further applied to more and more scenarios, for example, sensor node (such as smart resource meter, smart electricity meter and smart air monitoring sensor node) in smart city, smart device (e.g., smart video camera, projector, display, TV, stereo, refrigerator, and washing machine) in a smart home, Internet of Things node, entertainment terminal (e.g., wearable device such as augmented (AR) and VR (VR) reality), a smart device (such as a printer and projector) in a smart office, an IoV device in the Internet of cars (vehicles) and some infrastructure elements (for example, a vending machine, a self-service navigation station in a supermarket, a cash register self-service, or self-service ordering machine) in everyday life scenarios. The specific forms of the non-AP multi-channel device and the AP multi-channel device in the embodiments of the present application are not limited and are described herein merely as examples. Said 802.11 protocol may be a protocol that supports or is compatible with the 802.11be standard.

The above content briefly describes the system architecture according to the method of assigning an AID for a multi-channel device proposed in the embodiments of the present application. For a better understanding of the technical solutions of the present application, these technical solutions of the present application will be discussed in detail with reference to possible scenarios for the application of variants of the present application.

In a radio communication system, the default MLD AP device ID is 0, and multiple APs in that MLD AP device share this ID (in other words, ID 0). Therefore, it is not possible to identify which AP from this AP MLD device is transmitting the message/information/radio frame. Therefore, the present application proposes a method for assigning an identifier to an MLD AP device such as to assign different identifiers to APs in order to identify these APs so that messages/information/radio frames and other such data transmitted by different APs can be distinguished from using the identifiers of these APs. One implementation option is as follows: The AP MLD device assigns different IDs to different APs, eg, directly specifies the ID of each AP. AP point IDs within the same AP MLD device may be sequential integers or may be non-consecutive integers. For example, an MLD AP device contains a total of five APs: AP 1, AP 2, AP 3, AP 4, and AP 5. The ID assigned to AP 1 may be 1, the ID assigned to AP 2 may be be 5, the identifier assigned to AP 3 may be 4, the identifier assigned to AP 4 may be 7, and the identifier assigned to AP 5 may be 3. In another implementation, the AP MLD device directly specifies the starting identifier and bed identifier for M access points. For example, the identifiers assigned by the MLD AP to M access points range from before . In other words, the range of IDs in an AP MLD device is [ , ]. Here's the parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first AP in the MLD AP device. Parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the second AP in the MLD AP device. Parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the Mth AP in the MLD AP.

The ID of each AP in the AP MLD device, the BSSID that may be supported by each AP, and the AID assigned by the AP MLD device to the non-AP MLD device use the same identification system. For example, the ID of each AP, the BSSID that may be supported by each AP, and the AID of the non-AP MLD device are all integers derived from the range [1, 2007].

Therefore, the present application proposes a method for assigning an AID for a multi-channel device to assign a more precise AID to a station device, thereby avoiding AID ambiguity when indicating a TIM card between channels.

It can be understood that the station device in the present application may be a multi-channel non-AP device, or may be a single-channel STA device. To facilitate the description, an example is used below in which the station device is a non-AP MLD device.

It can be understood that in the exemplary embodiment of the present application, an AP MLD device assigns one AID to one non-AP MLD device, and all stations in that non-AP MLD device share that AID.

Optionally, the term "BSSID that may be supported by an access point" referred to herein may represent the BSSID of a BSS to which the access point belongs. It can be understood that one BSS may have multiple BSSIDs. A small area may contain multiple types of users or users supporting multiple services. If different APs are used in a small area, interference between different APs on communication channels cannot be avoided as each AP tries to find a free channel. Therefore, the IEEE802.11ax standard proposes to virtualize a single AP to turn it into multiple APs for different types of services or types of clients. Therefore, one virtual AP can have one BSSID, while one real AP has multiple BSSIDs.

In FIG. 4 is a simplified logic diagram of a method for assigning an AID to a multi-channel device according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 4, a method for assigning an AID to a multi-channel device comprises, but is not limited to, the following steps.

S401: The MLD AP device generates the first frame.

S402: The MLD AP transmits the first frame, where this first frame carries an AID assigned to the non-AP MLD, this AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP in the MLD AP nor an AP in In an MLD AP device, the first type of AP is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a non-AP MLD device and an MLD AP device.

S403: The non-AP MLD device receives the first frame.

S404: This non-AP ML device parses the first frame to obtain the AID that is assigned to this non-AP MLD device and transmitted in the first frame.

Optionally, the first frame may be an association response frame or a multi-link association response frame.

Specifically, the non-AP MLD device transmits a multi-link association request frame to the MLD AP device to request establishment of an association relationship with the MLD AP device. The MLD AP transmits a multi-link association response frame to the non-AP MLD device in response to the multi-link association request frame. Accordingly, the non-AP MLD device receives a multi-link association response frame and parses the multi-link association response frame to obtain an AID that is assigned to the non-AP MLD device and transmitted in the multi-link association response frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that may be supported by a first type AP in the MLD AP nor an AP ID in the MLD AP. This AID may be sent in an AID element in a multi-channel association response frame/association response frame. In FIG. 5 shows a simplified diagram of a frame structure with an AID element according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the AID identifier element contains a 1-byte element identifier, a 1-byte length, and a 2-byte AID identifier.

Optionally, the first type of AP may be an access point for establishing setup links between the non-AP MLD device and the AP MLD device. The BSSIDs that can be supported by a type 1 AP in an MLD AP are [1, ]. Parameter may represent the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point in the first type of access point. The number of APs of the first type may be N. The number N may be a positive integer greater than 1.

The communication between the AP MLD 100 and the non-AP MLD 300 shown in FIG. 3b is used as an example. The communication channels established between the non-AP MLD 300 device and the AP MLD 100 device are communication channel 2 and communication channel 3. In such a case, the “first type access point” in the AP MLD 100 includes an AP 100-2 corresponding to link 2 and an AP 100-3 corresponding to link 3. In other words, the BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type AP in the MLD AP are: the BSSID that can be supported by the first AP 100-2 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, -1], and a BSSID that may be supported by the second AP 100-3 in the first type of AP, in other words, [1, -1]. Therefore, the BSSIDs that can be supported by a first type AP in an MLD AP are in the range [1, ]. It can be understood that the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by the AP 100-2, and the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by the AP 100-3.

Likewise, the communication between the AP MLD 100 and the non-AP MLD 200 shown in FIG. 3b is used as an example. The communication channels established between the non-AP MLD 200 device and the AP MLD 100 device are communication channel 1 and communication channel 3. In such a case, the “first type access point” in the AP MLD 100 includes an AP 100-1 corresponding to link 1 and an AP 100-3 corresponding to link 3. In other words, the BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type AP in the MLD AP are: the BSSID that can be supported by the first AP 100-1 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, 1], and a BSSID that may be supported by the second AP 100-3 in the first type of AP, in other words, [1, -1]. Therefore, the BSSIDs that can be supported by a first type AP in an MLD AP are in the range [1, ]. It can be understood that the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by the AP 100-1, and the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by the AP 100-3.

As another example, in FIG. 6 shows a simplified diagram of communication between a non-AP MLD device and an AP MLD device according to one embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, AP MLD 1 is assumed to contain five APs: AP 1 to AP 5. Non-AP MLD 2 contains two affiliate stations: STA 2 and STA 3. Non-AP MLD 3 contains two affiliated stations: station STA 4 and station STA 5. Station STA 1 is a single-channel device. AP MLD 1 can individually communicate with non-AP MLD 3 on link 4 and link 5, communicate with non-AP MLD 2 on link 2 and link 3, and communicate with STA 1 on channel 1 communication. Here, an example is used in which AP MLD 1 communicates with non-AP MLD 2. Communication channels established between non-AP MLD2 and AP MLD 1 are link 2 and link 3. In such a case, the first type of access point in the AP MLD 1 includes an AP 2 corresponding to the communication channel 2 and an AP 3 corresponding to the communication channel 3. In other words, in such a case, the BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type AP in the MLD AP 1 are: the BSSID that can be supported by the first AP 2 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, -1], and a BSSID that can be supported by the second AP 3 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, -1]. Therefore, the BSSIDs that can be supported by a first type AP in an MLD AP are in the range [1, ]. It can be understood that the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by AP 2 and the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by AP 3.

Similarly, an example is used in which AP MLD 1 communicates with non-AP MLD3. The communication channels established between the non-AP MLD device 3 and the AP MLD device 1 are communication channel 4 and communication channel 5. In such a case, the first type of access point in the AP MLD 1 includes an AP 4 corresponding to the communication channel 4 and an AP 5 corresponding to the communication channel 5. In other words, in such a case, the BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type AP in the MLD AP 1 are: the BSSID that can be supported by the first AP 4 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, -1], and the BSSID is the BSSID that can be supported by the second AP 5 in the first type AP, in other words, [1, -1]. Therefore, the BSSIDs that can be supported by a first type AP in an MLD AP are in the range [1, ]. It can be understood that the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by AP 4, and the parameter here represents the BSSID that can be supported by AP 5.

It can be understood that in the present embodiment, BSSIDs that may be supported by some APs in an MLD AP device are not allowed to be assigned to a non-AP MLD device, so that the range in which assignment is not allowed is narrowed if it is ensured that TIM card indication does not cause AID ambiguity between channels. With this approach, the range of AIDs that can be assigned to a non-AP MLD device is expanded and the use of identity resources can be improved.

Optionally, the identifier of an AP in an AP MLD device may be the identifier of all APs in that AP MLD device, or be the identifier of a first type AP in that AP MLD device. To facilitate the description below, it is assumed that the number of all APs in an AP MLD device is M. Therefore, the ID of all APs in an AP MLD device may contain M discrete integer values or may contain M continuous integer values. Likewise, a first type AP point identifier in an AP MLD device may contain N discrete integer values or may contain N continuous integer values. In particular, the IDs of all APs/a first type AP in an MLD AP device may be a segment of consecutive integer values following the maximum BSSID value that can be supported by a first type AP. For example, if the maximum BSSID that can be supported by the first type AP is -1, the ID range of all APs in an AP MLD device is [ , ], and the first type AP point ID range in the MLD AP device is [ , ]. Here, M may be a positive integer greater than 1. The number N may be less than M. In other words, N may be a subset of M. If all access points in an MLD AP are associated with a single non-AP MLD, N may also be equal to M.

Finally, the AID transmitted in the first frame is not equal to any value in the range [1, ], nor the AP ID in the AP MLD. Alternatively, the AID transmitted in the first frame is not equal to any value in the range [1, ] or in the range [1, ].

It can be understood that, in other words, when an MLD AP assigns an AID to a non-AP MLD, it is not permitted to assign any element from the first set to the non-AP MLD. This first set may contain the range [1, ] and the AP ID in the AP MLD device. It can be further understood that the range of AIDs assigned by an AP MLD device to a non-AP MLD device is: a value in the range [1, 2007] excluding the range [1, ] and M identifiers of APs in an AP MLD device, or the set of differences between range [1, 2007] and range [1, ] or range [1, ], in other words, the range [ , 2007] or range [ , 2007]. In other words, when an AP MLD device assigns an AID to a non-AP MLD device, the AID transmitted in the first frame cannot be greater than , and cannot be the AP ID assigned to the MLD AP device. Here represents the maximum value of the MaxBSSID indicator in a set of multiple BSSIDs (where denotes the maximum value of the MaxBSSID indicator in a set of multiple BSSIDs, and this value is reserved).

It can be understood that when an MLD AP assigns an AID to a non-AP MLD, the BSSID that was assigned to the AP and/or the BSSID that may be supported by the first type AP is not permitted to be assigned to the non-AP MLD. Therefore, a non-AP MLD device can be assigned a more precise AID, and this avoids AID ambiguity in the TIM card indication between channels.

Optionally, when indicating a TIM card, an AP that transmits a TIM card indication between channels in an AP MLD device may not need to further assign an identifier to that AP itself, so that it can directly designate that AP (itself). ) using one bit in the bitmap control field. Therefore, the MLD AP is assigned one less ID, in other words, the M APs in the MLD AP only have M-1 IDs. Therefore, the AID transmitted in the first frame may not be equal to any value in the range [1, ]. Likewise, if the AP that transmits the TIM map indication between channels in the MLD AP is a first type AP, the set of identifiers of the N first type APs in the MLD AP contains only N-1 identifiers. Therefore, the AID transmitted in the first frame may not be equal to any value in the range [1, ].

It can be understood that in the exemplary embodiment of the present application, 1 bit in the control field of the bitmap is used to identify an AP that transmits a TIM card indication, so that one identifier can be saved and thereby save resources.

In some possible implementations, the AID transmitted in the first frame may not be a BSSID that may be supported by the access point in the MLD AP, or an access point ID in the MLD AP. Specifically, the BSSIDs that may be supported by an access point in an MLD AP are [1, ]. Parameter may represent the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point in the MLD AP. The number of access points in the MLD AP device may be M, and M may be a positive integer greater than 1.

The identifier of an AP in an AP MLD device may be the identifier of all APs in that AP MLD device, or be the identifier of the first type of AP in that AP device. Therefore, the identifier of all APs in the AP MLD device may contain M discrete integer values or may contain M continuous integer values. Likewise, a first type AP point identifier in an AP MLD device may contain N discrete integer values or may contain N continuous integer values. In particular, the IDs of all APs/first type APs in the MLD AP device may be a segment of consecutive integer values following the maximum BSSID value that can be supported by all access points in the MLD AP device. For example, if the maximum BSSID that can be supported by all access points in an MLD AP is -1, the ID range of all APs in an AP MLD device is [ , ], and the range of the first type AP in the MLD AP is [ , ].

Finally, the AID transmitted in the first frame may not be equal to any value in the range [1, ], nor the AP ID in the AP MLD. Alternatively, the AID transmitted in the first frame is not equal to any value in the range [1, ], range [1, ], range [1, ], or range [1, ].

In the present embodiment, the AP MLD device generates and transmits a first frame, where the first frame carries the AID assigned to the non-AP MLD device. This AID is neither a BSSID that may be supported by a type 1 access point in the MLD AP nor an AP ID in the MLD AP. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a non-AP MLD device and an AP MLD device. In the exemplary embodiment of the present application, when an AID is assigned to a non-AP MLD device, the BSSID that was assigned to the AP and/or the BSSID that may be supported by the first type AP is not allowed to be assigned to the non-AP MLD device. Therefore, a non-AP MLD device can be assigned a more precise AID, and this avoids AID ambiguity when indicating a TIM card between channels.

In one option, if the station device is a single-channel STA, the single-channel STA transmits an association request frame to the MLD AP to request establishment of an association with the MLD AP. This MLD AP transmits an association response frame to the non-AP MLD device in response to the association request frame. This association response frame carries the AID assigned to the non-AP MLD device. This AID may be sent in the AID identifier element in the association response frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that may be supported by an AP in the MLD AP nor a BSSID that may be supported by an AP establishing an association with a single-channel STA in the MLD AP.

Optionally, the AID is not equal to any value in the range [1, ], nor the IDs of all APs in the AP MLD device. Alternatively, this AID is not equal to any value in the range [1, ]. Parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by an AP associated with a single-channel STA in an MLD AP. In other words, when an AP MLD assigns an AID for a single-link STA, that AID cannot be less than .

In another optional embodiment, when the MLD AP uses a single identifier, for example, the default MLD AP device identifier is 0, in other words, multiple APs in the MLD AP share an identifier (in other words, an identifier equal to 0), the AID, transmitted in the first frame that is transmitted to the non-AP MLD device by the AP MLD device is not a BSSID that may be supported by the first type access point in the AP MLD device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a non-AP MLD device and an AP MLD device. In other words, the AID transmitted in the first frame is not equal to any value in the range [1, ]. Here N represents the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type.

The above content describes in detail the methods proposed in this application. For better implementation of the above technical solutions, the variants of this application additionally propose corresponding equipment or devices.

In embodiments of the present application, functional modules in a multi-channel device can be determined based on the above method examples. For example, each function module may be defined according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated in one processor module. An integrated module may be implemented in the form of hardware or may be implemented in the form of a functional software module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the specific modularization is only one example and is simply a division of logical functions. The actual implementation may use a different partitioning method.

When an integrated module is used, FIG. 7 shows a simplified diagram of the structure of communication equipment according to one of the variants of this application. The communication equipment 1 may be an MLD AP device or an integrated circuit (chip) in the MLD AP device, such as a Wi-Fi integrated circuit. As shown in FIG. 7, the communication equipment 1 includes a processor module 11 and a transceiver module 12.

Processing module 11 is configured to generate the first frame. Transceiver module 12 is configured to transmit this first frame. The first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-link access point device, nor an AP in a multi-link access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

The communication equipment 1 in the present embodiment has any function of an AP MLD device according to the above method. The details will not be repeated here.

In FIG. 8 shows a simplified diagram of another communication equipment structure according to one embodiment of the present application. The communication equipment 2 may be a non-AP MLD device or an integrated circuit (chip) in the non-AP MLD device, for example, a Wi-Fi integrated circuit. As shown in FIG. 8, the communication equipment 2 includes a transceiver module 21 and a processor module 22.

The transceiver module 21 is configured to receive the first frame. Processing module 22 is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor is it an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device.

The communication equipment 2 in the exemplary embodiment of the present application has any of the functions of a non-AP MLD device according to the above method. The details will again not be described here.

The above describes an AP MLD device according to embodiments of the present application. In the following, possible product forms for the AP MLD device and the non-AP MLD device are described. It should be understood that any article in any form having the functions of the AP MLD device shown in FIG. 7, and any article in any form having the functions of the non-AP MLD device shown in FIG. 8 fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of this application. It should be further understood that the following description is merely an example, and that the product forms for the AP MLD device and the non-AP MLD device according to embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

As an exemplary product form, the AP MLD device described in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented using a conventional bus architecture.

The AP MLD device contains a processor and a transceiver coupled within the device to and communicating with the processor. The processor is configured to generate the first frame. The transceiver is configured to transmit this first frame, where the first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device. Optionally, the MLD AP may further include a storage device, and this storage device is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

A non-AP MLD device contains a processor and a transceiver coupled within the device to and communicating with the processor. The transceiver is configured to receive the first frame. The processor is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device. Optionally, the MLD AP may further comprise a storage device, and this storage device is configured to store instructions executed by the processor.

In one possible product form, the AP MLD device described in embodiments of this application may be implemented by a general purpose processor.

A general purpose processor for implementing an AP MLD device includes a processor circuit and an input/output interface coupled within the device to and in communication with the processor circuit. The processor circuit is configured to generate the first frame. The I/O interface is configured to transmit this first frame, where the first frame carries the AID assigned to the station device. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device. Optionally, the general purpose processor may further include storage media. This storage medium is configured to store instructions executed by the processor circuit.

A general purpose processor for implementing a non-AP MLD device includes processor circuitry and an input/output interface coupled within the device to and in communication with the processor circuitry. This I/O interface is configured to receive the first frame. The processor circuitry is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain an AID assigned to the station device and transmitted in the first frame. This AID is neither a BSSID that can be supported by a type 1 access point in a multi-channel access point device, nor an access point ID in a multi-channel access point device. The first type of access point is an access point for establishing a communication channel between a station device and a multi-channel access point device. Optionally, the general purpose processor may further include storage media. This storage medium is configured to store instructions executed by the processor circuit.

As one possible product form, an AP MLD device or a non-AP MLD device described in the subject embodiment of this application may further be implemented using the following components: one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGA), programmable a programmable logic device (PLD), a controller, a state machine, a gate logic circuit, a discrete hardware component, some other suitable circuit, or any combination of circuits capable of performing the various functions described herein.

It should be understood that the communications equipment in the above product forms has any of the functions of an AP MLD device according to the method embodiments. The details will again not be described here.

One embodiment of the present application further provides a computer-readable medium for storing information. This computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code. When the processor executes this computer program code, the electronic device implements the method according to the above embodiments.

One embodiment of the present application further provides a computer program product. When this computer program product is operated in a computer, the computer may implement the method according to the above embodiments.

One embodiment of the present application further proposes communications equipment. This communication equipment may exist in the form of an integrated circuit (chip). The communication equipment structure contains a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to communicate with other hardware through an interface circuit to allow that hardware to implement the method of the above embodiments.

One embodiment of the present application further proposes a radio communication system comprising an AP MLD device and a station device (eg, a non-AP MLD device). The AP MLD device and the station device may implement the method according to the above embodiments.

The steps of a method or algorithm described in connection with the content of this application may be implemented by hardware or may be implemented by a processor executing software instructions. The software commands may contain a corresponding software module. This software module may be stored in a random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM). device (Electrically EPROM, EEPROM), register, hard disk, removable hard disk, compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM), or some other type of storage medium well known in the art. technology. For example, an information storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from or write information to the medium. Of course, such storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage media may be located in an ASIC. In addition, such an ASIC may be located in a backbone interface device. Of course, such a processor and storage medium may exist in the backbone interface device as discrete components.

One skilled in the art will be aware that in one or more of the examples above, the functions described herein may be implemented by hardware, downloadable software, firmware, or combinations of these components. When the functions are implemented by software, the above functions may be stored on a computer-readable medium or transmitted as one or more instructions or code on a computer-readable medium. The computer-readable medium may be a computer-readable medium for storing information or a communication medium, where the communication medium may be any medium facilitating the transfer of a computer program from one location to another. The storage medium may be any medium accessible to a general purpose or special purpose computer.

The above specific embodiments describe in detail the objectives, technical solutions and beneficial effects of the present application. It should be understood that the foregoing description contains merely specific embodiments of the present application and is not intended to limit the scope of the application. Any modifications, equivalent replacements, improvements or other similar changes made based on the technical solutions of this application will fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims (62)

1. A method for assigning an AID association identifier for a multi-channel access point device, containing: generation of the first frame; And transmitting that first frame to a multi-link non-access point device, wherein that first frame carries the value of an AID assigned to the multi-link non-access point device, the value of that AID is not the value of a basic service set identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the point access point of a first type in a multi-channel access point device, and said access point of the first type supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-channel non-access point device and a multi-channel access point device in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported access point of the first type in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 2. A method for assigning an association identifier (AID) for a multi-channel device that is not an access point, comprising: receiving the first frame from the multi-channel access point device, and parsing the first frame to obtain the AID value assigned to the non-access point multilink device and transmitted in the first frame in which the AID value is not the value of a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the first type of access point in a multi-link access point device, and said access point of the first type supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between the multi-link non-access point device and the multi-link access point device, in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported by the access point of the first type in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 3. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the AID is not an identifier corresponding to an access point in a multi-channel access point device designated by a traffic indication map (TIM). 4. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-3, wherein the access point identifier in the multi-channel access point device is any of M-1 consecutive values. 5. Method according to any one of paragraphs. 1-4, in which the AID is not equal to any of the values in the following range: [1, ], Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type of access point, and M is a number equal to or greater than N. 6. The method of claim 5, wherein M denotes the number of access points in the multi-channel access point device. 7. The method according to claim 1 or 2, in which the AID value field is two bytes. 8. The method of claim 1 or 2, wherein the AID value is not the access point ID value in the multi-channel access point device. 9. Communication equipment used in a multi-channel access point device and containing: a processor module configured to generate a first frame; And a transceiver module configured to transmit this first frame to a multi-link non-access point device, wherein the first frame carries an AID value assigned to the multi-link non-access point device, wherein the AID value is not a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) value ) that may be supported by a first type access point in a multi-link access point device, and said first type access point supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-link non-access point device and a multi-link access point device in which the value The BSSID that can be supported by the first type of access point in a multi-channel access point device contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 10. Communication equipment used in a multi-channel device that is not an access point, and containing: a transceiver module configured to receive a first frame from the multi-channel access point device; And a processing module configured to parse a first frame to obtain an AID value assigned to a non-access point multilink device and transmitted in a first frame in which the AID value is not a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) value that may be supported by a first type access point in a multi-channel access point device, and said first type access point supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-channel non-access point device and a multi-channel access point device in which the value of the BSSID, which can be supported by the first type of access point in a multi-channel access point device contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 11. The communications equipment of claim 9 or 10, wherein the AID is not an identifier corresponding to an access point in a multi-channel access point device designated by a traffic indication map (TIM). 12. Communication equipment according to any one of paragraphs. 9-11, wherein the access point identifier in the multi-channel access point device is any of M-1 consecutive values. 13. Communication equipment according to any one of paragraphs. 9-12, in which the AID is not equal to any of the values in the following range: [1, ], Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the first type of access point, and M is a number equal to or greater than N. 14. The communication equipment of claim 11, wherein M denotes the number of access points in the multi-channel access point device. 15. Communication equipment according to claim 9 or 10, in which the AID identifier value field is two bytes. 16. The communication equipment of claim 9 or 10, wherein the AID value is not the access point identifier value in the multi-channel access point device. 17. Communication equipment, wherein the communication equipment is a multi-channel access point device and includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to generate a first frame; And the transceiver is configured to transmit this first frame, wherein this first frame carries an AID value assigned to the non-access point multilink device, this AID value is not the value of a basic service set identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the first type of access point in multi-channel access point device, and said access point of the first type supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between the multi-channel non-access point device and the multi-channel access point device, in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported by the first type of access point in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 18. Communication equipment, wherein the communication equipment is a multi-channel non-access point device and includes a processor and a transceiver, and the transceiver receives a first frame from the multi-channel access point device; And the processor is configured to parse the first frame to obtain an AID value assigned to the non-access point multilink device and transmitted in the first frame in which the AID value is not a Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) value that may be supported a first type access point in a multi-channel access point device, and said first type access point supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-channel non-access point device and a multi-channel access point device, in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported access point of the first type in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 19. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the computer executes the instructions, the computer may implement the method of any one of claims. 1-8. 20. An AID association identifier assignment integrated circuit (chip) used in a multi-channel access point device and comprising an input/output interface and a processor circuit, wherein the processor circuit is configured to generate a first frame, the input/output interface is configured to transmit this first frame to the multi-channel device non-access point device, the first frame carries the value of the AID assigned to the multi-link non-access point device, this AID value is not the value of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the first type of access point in the multi-link access point device, and said first type access point supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between the multi-link non-access point device and the multi-link access point device, wherein the value of the BSSID that can be supported by the first type access point in the multi-link access point device , contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 21. An AID association identifier assignment integrated circuit system-on-chip used in a multi-channel access point device, comprising an input/output interface and a processor circuit, wherein the processor circuit is configured to generate a first frame, the input/output interface is configured to transmit that first frame to the multi-channel device. non-access point device, the first frame carries the value of the AID assigned to the multi-link non-access point device, this AID value is not the value of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the first type of access point in the multi-link access point device, and said first type access point supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between the multi-link non-access point device and the multi-link access point device, wherein the value of the BSSID that can be supported by the first type access point in the multi-link access point device , contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 22. An AID association identifier assignment integrated circuit (chip) used in a multi-channel non-access point device, and comprising an input/output interface and a processor circuit, wherein the input/output interface is configured to receive a first frame from the multi-channel access point device, the processor circuitry is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain the value of the AID assigned to the non-access point multilink device transmitted in the first frame, this AID value is not the value of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the point access point of a first type in a multi-channel access point device, and said access point of the first type supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-channel non-access point device and a multi-channel access point device in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported access point of the first type in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 23. An AID association assignment integrated circuit system-on-chip used in a multi-channel non-access point device, comprising an input/output interface and a processor circuit, wherein the input/output interface is configured to receive a first frame from the multi-channel access point device, the processor circuitry is configured to parse the received first frame to obtain the value of the AID assigned to the non-access point multilink device transmitted in the first frame, this AID value is not the value of the Basic Service Set Identifier (BSSID) that may be supported by the point access point of a first type in a multi-channel access point device, and said access point of the first type supports multiple BSSIDs and is an access point on a communication channel between a multi-channel non-access point device and a multi-channel access point device in which the value of the BSSID that can be supported access point of the first type in a multi-channel access point device, contains: , Where the number N denotes the number of access points of the first type, and the parameter represents the maximum number of BSSIDs that can be supported by the i-th access point from the set of access points of the first type. 24. The AID association identifier assignment integrated circuit (chip) of claim 20 or 22, wherein the processor circuit is configured to further implement the method of any one of claims. 3-8. 25. The system-on-chip integrated circuit for assigning an AID association identifier or as claimed in claim 21 or 23, wherein the processor circuitry is configured to further implement the method of any one of claims. 3-8. 26. Communication system containing: communication equipment according to any one of paragraphs. 9, 11-17; and/or communication equipment according to any one of paragraphs. 10-16, 18.