RU2812180C1 - Bss critical parameter control method applied to multiple communication lines and corresponding device - Google Patents

Abstract

FIELD: wireless communication.

SUBSTANCE: method comprises the following steps: creating, by a first AP in a first MLD AP, a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively corresponding to a plurality of APs in a second MLD AP, wherein the second MLD AP is an MLD AP that owns a non-transmittable AP in a set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) containing the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the critical BSS parameter in the BSS managed by this AP is updated; and sending, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, a first frame over a communication link on which the first AP operates.

EFFECT: providing notification to stations (STAs) managed by access points (APs) in a multi-link device access point (MLD AP) as to whether critical parameters of the access points' basic service set (BSS) have been updated to assist the STAs in receiving the most recent critical BSS parameter.

35 cl, 24 dwg, 1 tbl

Description

[0001] This application claims priority to Chinese Patent Application No. 2020108214 68.2, filed with the National Intellectual Property Office of China on August 14, 2020, entitled "BSS CRITICAL PARAMETER CONTROL METHOD APPLIED TO MULTIPLE COMMUNICATION LINES AND RELATED DEVICE" ("CRITICAL BSS PARAMETER MANAGEMENT METHOD APPLICABLE TO MULTIPLE LINK AND RELATED APPARATUS"), which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

FIELD OF TECHNOLOGY TO WHICH THE INVENTION RELATES

[0002] The present application relates to the field of wireless communication technologies and, in particular, to a method for controlling a critical parameter of a BSS applied to multiple communication links and a corresponding apparatus.

BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0003] To significantly increase the speed of service transmission in a wireless local area network (WLAN) system, the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11ax standard based on existing multiplexing technology Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiplexing (OFDM) additionally uses Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple access (OFDMA) technology. OFDMA technology supports multiple nodes to simultaneously send and receive data. This provides the benefit of diversity across multiple stations.

[0004] The next generation Wi-Fi standard, IEEE 802.11be, is referred to as extremely high throughput (EHT) or Wi-Fi 7, and its most important technical goal is to significantly improve peak throughput. An IEEE 802.11be compliant WLAN device can improve peak throughput and reduce service latency by using multiple streams (maximum 16 spatial streams), multiple frequency bands (such as 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz) and due to the interaction of multiple channels in the same frequency band. A plurality of frequency bands or a plurality of channels may be collectively referred to as a plurality of communication links. A next generation IEEE 802.11 compliant exchange device that simultaneously supports multiple links is referred to herein as a multi-link device (MLD).

[0005] When the BSS of an access point in an access point MLD (MLD AP) device is updated, some multilink devices or stations may not receive the latest information about the BSS managed by those access points (MLD APs). ). Therefore, these devices with multiple station or station links cannot communicate normally with these special access points.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] Embodiments of the present application provide a method for controlling a critical BSS parameter applied to multiple links and a corresponding apparatus to help some access points or all access points in some MLD APs notify the STAs controlled by those access points (controlled by the BSS) to whether the critical BSS parameters of the access points are updated to assist the STA in receiving the most recent critical BSS parameter. Therefore, the STA can also communicate normally with the AP after updating the critical BSS parameter of the AP.

[0007] The following describes the present application from various aspects. It should be understood that mutual references may be made to the following implementations and beneficial effects of various aspects.

[0008] According to a first aspect, the present application provides a multi-link BSS parameter control method applied to a first MLD AP, wherein the first AP is any reporting AP in the first MLD AP. A BSS parameter control method applied to multiple links includes the following: A first AP in a first MLD AP creates a first frame and sends a first frame on a link on which the first AP operates. The first frame indicates basic service set (BSS) critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter updating information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the second AP MLD. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD that owns a non-transmittable AP in the set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by this AP.

[0009] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[0010] Optionally, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter is incremented by 1 when one or more parameters of the BSS Critical Parameters are/are changed.

[0011] In this solution, using the first frame, not only the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to the plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, but also the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second AP MLD are indicated. This implements that one AP helps multiple APs in another MLD AP to indicate the corresponding BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter values so that the STA can compare the currently received BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value with the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received last time. and check if the critical BSS parameter is updated. In this way, the STA can be assisted in receiving the most recent critical parameter of the BSS, and the non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen to the link on which the non-transmitting AP is operating in the second AP MLD and can also operate normally. In other words, for MLD without AP, there may be more listening channels to choose from. In 802.11be, it is possible that all or some of the APs in the MLD APs are non-transmitting APs. Therefore, the solution provided in this embodiment of the present application can solve the problem that some non-transmitting APs cannot send a control frame to notify an update of a critical BSS parameter. In this way, the integrity and diversity of the BSS critical parameter update indication can be improved.

[0012] With reference to the first aspect, in an exemplary embodiment, after the first AP in the first AP MLD sends a first frame, the method further includes the following: The first AP in the first AP MLD creates a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates special critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the first MLD AP and special critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the second MLD of the AP; and sends the second frame along the communication line on which the first AP operates.

[0013] This solution can not only help some access points in another AP MLD to indicate whether the critical BSS parameter is updated, but also help some access points in another AP MLD indicate the most recent specific critical BSS parameter. A particularly critical BSS parameter includes an element related to channel change. This can help the non-AP MLD to know the operating channel switching statuses of all access points in the AP MLD during the time when the non-AP MLD is listening on one or more links (not all links), so that the non-AP MLD can operate normally.

[0014] According to a second aspect, the present application provides a BSS parameter control method applied to multiple links, and the method is applied to a first STA. The first STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. The first STA and the first AP operate on the same communication line. A BSS parameter control method applied to a plurality of communication links includes the following: A first MLD non-AP STA receives a first frame on a communication link on which the first STA operates, and determines based on the first frame whether the critical BSS parameters of the plurality of BSSs controlled a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the first STA. The first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter updating information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmittable AP in the BSSID set set including the first AP belongs. One piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by that AP.

[0015] It can be understood that when the first STA is an STA in a non-AP MLD, the AP MLD associated with the first STA may be an AP MLD associated with a non-AP MLD including the first STA.

[0016] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[0017] Optionally, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter is incremented by 1 when one or more parameters of the BSS Critical Parameters are/are changed.

[0018] With reference to the second aspect, in an exemplary embodiment, after the first non-AP MLD STA receives a first frame, the method further includes the following: The first non-AP MLD STA receives a second frame on a communication link on which the first STA operates , wherein the second frame indicates the special critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the first MLD AP and the special critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the second MLD AP; and parses the second frame to obtain the specific critical BSS parameters of the set of APs in the MLD APs associated with the non-AP MLD.

[0019] According to a third aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first MLD AP or a chip in the first MLD AP, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a first AP in the first MLD AP or a chip in the first AP, and includes:

a processing unit configured to generate a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates basic service set (BSS) critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second The MLD of the AP, the second MLD of the AP is the MLD of the AP to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one piece of critical parameter update information BSS corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the critical parameter is updated BSS in the BSS controlled by this AP; and a transceiver unit configured to send the first frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates.

[0020] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[0021] Optionally, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter is incremented by 1 when one or more parameters of the BSS Critical Parameters are/are changed.

[0022] With reference to the third aspect, in an exemplary embodiment, the processing unit is further configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates the specific AP multi-critical BSS parameters in the first AP MLD and the AP multi-critical critical parameters in the second AP MLD. The transceiver unit is further configured to send the second frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates.

[0023] According to a fourth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first STA or a chip within the first STA, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. The communication device includes:

a transceiver unit configured to receive a first frame on a communication line on which the communication device operates, the first frame indicating BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding the set of APs in the second MLD AP, the second MLD AP is the MLD AP to which the non-transmitted AP belongs in the set of the BSSID set including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the critical parameter is updated BSS in the BSS controlled by this AP; and a processing unit configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether critical BSS parameters of a plurality of BSSs controlled by a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the communication device have been updated.

[0024] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[0025] Optionally, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter is incremented by 1 when one or more parameters of the BSS Critical Parameters are/are changed.

[0026] With reference to the fourth aspect, in an exemplary embodiment, the transceiver unit is further configured to receive a second frame over a communication link on which the communication device operates, wherein the second frame indicates the particular critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the first MLD of the AP and the particular critical BSS parameters of the AP set in the second MLD AP. The processing unit is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the AP MLD associated with the non-AP MLD.

[0027] In an embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the first frame includes a link identifier field and a multilink device (MLD) identifier field. The link identifier field indicates the reported AP. The MLD identifier field indicates the MLD of the AP including the reported AP.

[0028] Optionally, the first frame further includes a BSS critical parameter counter field, and a BSS critical parameter update counter value field indicates the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter.

[0029] In an embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are carried in the reduced neighbor message (RNR) element of the first frame.

[0030] It can be understood that the three fields: the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are independent and may all be carried in the RNR element, or may not all be carried in the RNR element. In other words, the RNR element may carry some of the three fields.

[0031] In an embodiment of any of the above aspects, one beacon target time (TBTT) information field in the RNR element carries one BSS critical parameter update counter value, one link identifier field, and one MLD identifier field. One TBTT information field corresponds to one AP.

[0032] In an embodiment of any of the preceding aspects, the value of the short service set identifier (SSID) field in the RNR element is derived from the SSID of the MLD including the AP.

[0033] In an embodiment of any of the above aspects, one particular critical parameter of the BSS of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switch alert element enabled, extended channel switch alert element enabled, wide channel switch enabled frequency band and enable the channel switching add-on element.

[0034] In an embodiment of any of the above aspects, the above-mentioned BSS specific critical parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element.

[0035] In accordance with a fifth aspect, the present application provides a method for updating a critical BSS parameter applied to a first MLD AP, wherein the second AP is any AP in the first MLD AP. A method for updating a critical BSS parameter includes the following: The second AP in the first MLD AP creates a second frame and sends the second frame over a communication link on which the second AP operates. The second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the multiple AP BSS in the first MLD AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the multiple AP BSS in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the set of BSSIDs including the second AP.

[0036] Optionally, one special critical parameter of the BSS of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switch alert element enabled, extended channel switch alert element enabled, wideband channel switch enabled, and Enable the channel switching add-on item.

[0037] Optionally, a specific critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element.

[0038] In accordance with a sixth aspect, the present application provides a method for updating a critical BSS parameter applied to a second STA, wherein the second STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. The second STA and the second AP operate on the same communication line. A method for updating a critical BSS parameter includes the following: The second STA receives a second frame over a communication link on which the second STA operates, and parses the second frame to obtain the specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the second STA. The second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the multiple AP BSS in the first MLD AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the multiple AP BSS in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the set of BSSIDs including the second AP.

[0039] It can be understood that when the second STA is an STA in a non-AP MLD, the AP MLD associated with the second STA may be an AP MLD associated with a non-AP MLD including the second STA.

[0040] Optionally, one special critical parameter of the BSS of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching alert element inclusion, extended channel switching notification element inclusion, wideband channel switching element inclusion, and Enabling the channel switching add-on item.

[0041] Optionally, a specific critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element.

[0042] According to a seventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a first MLD AP or a chip in the first MLD AP, such as a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a second AP in the first MLD AP or a chip in the second AP, and includes:

a processing unit configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the first MLD AP and/or specific critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the second MLD AP, and the second MLD AP is the MLD AP to which the non-transferable an AP in the set of BSSIDs including the second AP; and a transceiver unit configured to send the second frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates.

[0043] Optionally, one special critical parameter of the BSS of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching alert element inclusion, extended channel switching notification element inclusion, wideband channel switching element inclusion, and Enable the channel switching add-on item.

[0044] Optionally, a specific critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element.

[0045] According to an eighth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device may be a second STA or a chip within the second STA, such as a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. The communication device includes:

a transceiver unit configured to receive a second frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical parameters of a multiple AP BSS in a first AP MLD and/or specific critical parameters of a multiple AP BSS in a second AP MLD, and a second The MLD AP is the MLD AP to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set set including the second AP belongs; and a processing unit configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in an AP MLD associated with a non-AP MLD.

[0046] Optionally, one special critical parameter of the BSS of one AP in the second frame includes one or more of the following: channel switching alert element inclusion, extended channel switching notification element inclusion, wideband channel switching element inclusion, and Enable the channel switching add-on item.

[0047] Optionally, a specific critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element.

[0048] According to a ninth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device is specifically a first MLD AP or a first AP in a first MLD AP and includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the first MLD AP when performing a corresponding function in the method in the first aspect. The transceiver is configured to: support communication between the first MLD AP and a multi-link device without access points (also called a multi-link device), and send information, frame, data packet, instructions or the like in the previous method to the device with many communication lines of stations. The first MLD AP may further include memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data that are needed for the first MLD AP.

[0049] Specifically, the processor is configured to generate a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates basic service set (BSS) critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to the set of APs in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in a set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by this AP. The transceiver is configured to send the first frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates.

[0050] According to a tenth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device is specifically a first STA including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the first STA when performing a corresponding function in the method in the second aspect. The transceiver is configured to: support communication between the first STA and the first MLD AP and receive information, frame, data packet, instructions, etc. in the above method from the first MLD AP. The first STA may further include memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data that are needed for the first STA.

[0051] Specifically, the transceiver is configured to receive a first frame on a communication line on which the communication device operates, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information respectively corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information , respectively, corresponding to the set of APs in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the BSSID set including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS managed by that AP. . The processor is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of a plurality of BSSs controlled by a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the first STA have been updated.

[0052] According to an eleventh aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device is specifically a first MLD AP or a second AP in a first MLD AP and includes a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the first MLD AP when performing a corresponding function in the method in the fifth aspect. The transceiver is configured to: support communication between the first MLD AP and a multi-link device without access points (also called a multi-link device), and send information, frame, data packet, instructions or the like in the previous method to the device with many communication lines of stations. The first MLD AP may further include memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data that are needed for the first MLD AP.

[0053] In particular, the processor is configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the second MLD of the AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. The transceiver is configured to send the second frame over a communication line on which the communication device operates.

[0054] According to a twelfth aspect, the present application provides a communication device. The communication device is specifically a second STA including a processor and a transceiver. The processor is configured to support the second STA when performing a corresponding function in the method in the sixth aspect. The transceiver is configured to: maintain communication between the second STA and the first MLD AP and receive information, frame, data packet, instructions, etc. in the above method from the first MLD AP. The second STA may further include memory. The memory is configured to be coupled to the processor, and the memory stores program instructions and data that are needed for the second STA.

[0055] Specifically, the transceiver is configured to receive a second frame over a communication link on which the communication device operates, wherein the second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the first MLD of the AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the second MLD AR. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. The processor is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the MLD APs associated with the second STA.

[0056] In accordance with a thirteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip or chip system including an input/output interface and a processing circuit. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to generate a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates basic service set (BSS) critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second MLD AR. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in a set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by this AP. The input/output interface is configured to send the first frame along the communication line on which the chip or chip system operates.

[0057] In an exemplary embodiment, the input/output interface is configured to receive a first frame over a communication line on which the chip or chip system operates, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the BSSID set including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS managed by that AP. . The processing circuit is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of a plurality of BSSs controlled by a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the first STA have been updated.

[0058] According to a fourteenth aspect, the present application provides a chip or chip system including an input/output interface and a processing circuit. The processing circuit is configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the first MLD of the AP and/or specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple AP in the second MLD of the AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the set of BSSIDs including the second AP. The input/output interface is configured to send a second frame over the communication line on which the chip or chip system operates.

[0059] In an exemplary embodiment, the input/output interface is configured to receive a second frame over a communication line on which the chip or chip system operates, wherein the second frame indicates specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the first MLD of the AP and/or specific critical parameters BSS of the AP set in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. The processing circuitry is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the MLD APs associated with the second STA.

[0060] According to the fifteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute a BSS critical parameter control method applied to a plurality of communication lines in accordance with the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0061] According to a sixteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium. The computer-readable storage medium stores instructions. When the instructions are executed on a computer, the computer is caused to execute a method for updating a critical BSS parameter in accordance with the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0062] According to a seventeenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer executes a BSS critical parameter control method applied to a plurality of communication links in accordance with the first aspect or the second aspect.

[0063] According to an eighteenth aspect, the present application provides a computer program product including instructions. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer executes a method for updating a critical BSS parameter in accordance with the fifth aspect or the sixth aspect.

[0064] Implementation of embodiments of the present application may help some APs or all APs in some AP MLDs to notify AP-controlled STAs whether the critical BSS parameters of those APs (controlled by BSS sets) have been updated to assist the STAs in receiving the latest critical BSS parameters. Therefore, after the critical BSS parameters of the access points (APs) are updated, the STA can also communicate with the access point.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0065] To more clearly describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application, the accompanying drawings used to describe the embodiments will be briefly described below.

[0066] FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD structure and a non-AP MLD structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0067] FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a BSSID set element frame format according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0068] FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0069] FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 200 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0070] FIG. 3c is a schematic

a presentation of the structure of the communication system 300 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0071] FIG. 4 is a schematic architectural diagram of a set of multiple BSSIDs according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0072] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TIM frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0073] FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a control frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0074] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a BSS critical parameter control method applied to multiple communication links in accordance with an embodiment of the present application;

[0075] FIG. 8a is a schematic diagram of an RNR element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0076] FIG. 8b is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TBTT information field in an RNR element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0077] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for updating a critical parameter of a BSS according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0078] FIG. 10a is a schematic diagram of an ML element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0079] FIG. 10b is a schematic diagram of a first part of an ML element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0080] FIG. 11a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a channel switch notification element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0081] FIG. 11b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an extended channel switch notification element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0082] FIG. 11c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wideband channel switching element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0083] FIG. 11d is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Quiet element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0084] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a non-legacy element according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0085] FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0086] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0087] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 3 according to an embodiment of the present application;

[0088] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 4 according to an embodiment of the present application; And

[0089] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application.

DESCRIPTION OF IMPLEMENTATION OPTIONS

[0090] The following clearly describes the technical solutions according to the embodiments of the present application with reference to the accompanying drawings according to the embodiments of the present application.

[0091] To better understand the BSS critical parameter control method applied to multiple communication links and the associated apparatus that are disclosed in the embodiments of the present application, related concepts in the embodiments of the present application are first described.

[0092] 1. Device with multiple communication lines

[0093] The wireless communication system applicable to embodiments of the present application may be a wireless local area network (WLAN) or a cellular network. The method for indicating a unicast service may be implemented by a communication device in a wireless communication system or by a chip or processor in a communication device. The communication device may be a wireless communication device that supports parallel transmission over multiple communication lines. For example, a communications device is referred to as a Multi-link device or a multi-band device. Compared with a device that supports transmission with only one communication line, a device with multiple communication lines has higher transmission efficiency and higher throughput.

[0094] The multi-link device includes one or more affiliated STAs. Affiliated stations are a logical station and can operate on the same communication line. An affiliate station can be an access point (AP) or a non-access point station (non-AP STA). For ease of description, in this application, a multi-link device whose affiliate station is an access point may be referred to as a multi-link AP, a multi-link AP device, or a multi-link AP device (AP MLD). ), and a multi-link device whose affiliate station is an AP without an STA may be referred to as a non-AP multi-link device, a non-AP multi-link device, or a Non-AP multi-link device device (non-AP MLD) (MLD without AP)). For ease of description, “multi-link device includes an affiliate station” is also briefly described as “multi-link device includes a station” in embodiments of the present application.

[0095] The multi-link device includes one or more affiliated STAs. In other words, one device with multiple communication lines may include multiple logical stations. Each logical station operates on one communication line, but multiple logical stations can operate on the same communication line.

[0096] A multi-link device can perform wireless communications in accordance with the 802.11 family of standards. For example, an extremely high throughput (HTF) station, or an 802.11be compliant or 802.11be compatible station, communicates with another device. Of course, the other device may or may not be a multi-link device.

[0097] For example, a multi-link device in embodiments of the present application may be a single-antenna device or may be a multi-antenna device. For example, a multi-link device may be a device with more than two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in this embodiment of this application. In embodiments of the present application, a multi-link device may allow the same type of access service to be transmitted over different communications links, or even allow the same data packets to be transmitted over different communications links. Alternatively, a multi-link device may not allow services of the same access type to be carried over different links, but may allow services of different access types to be carried over different links.

[0098] For example, a device with multiple communication lines is a device having a wireless communication function. The device may be a system-wide device, or may be a chip, a processing system, or the like installed in a system-wide device. A device on which the chip or processing system is installed may be controlled by the chip or processing system to implement the method and functions of the embodiments of the present application. For example, the non-AP MLD in embodiments of the present application has a wireless transceiver function, can support 802.11 series protocols, and can communicate with an AP MLD, another non-AP MLD, or a single-link device. For example, a non-AP MLD is any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with an access point and then communicate with a WLAN. For example, a non-AP MLD may be a user equipment that can be connected to a network, such as a tablet computer, a desktop computer, a laptop computer, a notebook computer, an Ultra-mobile Personal Computer (UMPC), a PDA, a netbook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) or mobile phone, may be an Internet of Things node in the Internet of Things, or may be a communication device installed on a vehicle in the Internet of Vehicles. The AP-less MLD may alternatively be a chip and processing system in the aforementioned terminals.

[0099] The AP MLD in embodiments of the present application is a device that supports non-AP MLD and can support 802.11 series protocols. For example, an AP MLD may be a communications node such as a communications server, router, switch, or bridge, or an AP MLD may include various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, and relay stations. Of course, the MLD AP may alternatively be a chip and processing system in various forms of devices for implementing the method and function in embodiments of the present application. In addition, a device with multiple communication lines can support high-speed, low-latency transmission. With the continuous development of wireless LAN application scenarios, the multi-link device can be used in more scenarios. For example, a device with multiple communication lines serves as a sensor node (for example, a smart water meter, a smart electricity meter, or a smart air sensing node) in a smart city, a smart device (for example, a smart camera, a projector, a display screen, a TV, a stereo system, refrigerator or washing machine) in a smart home, a node in the Internet of Things, an entertainment terminal (such as AR, VR or other wearable device), a smart device (such as a printer or projector) in a smart office, an Internet of Vehicles device in the Internet of Vehicles facilities or infrastructure (e.g., vending machine, self-service navigation console, self-checkout device, or self-service grocery machine) in everyday scenarios. The specific forms of non-AP MLD and AP MLD are not particularly limited in the embodiments of this application and are merely examples to be described herein. The 802.11 protocol may be a protocol that supports 802.11be or is compatible with 802.11be.

[00100] Frequency bands in which a multi-link device operates may include, but are not limited to, frequencies below 1 GHz, 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, 6 GHz, and high frequency 60 GHz.

[00101] For example, a multi-link device in embodiments of the present application may be a single-antenna device or may be a multi-antenna device. For example, the multi-link device in this embodiment of the present application may be a device with at least two antennas. The number of antennas included in the multi-link device is not limited in this embodiment of this application. Fig. 1 is a schematic diagram of an AP MLD structure and a non-AP MLD structure according to an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 1 is a schematic representation of a structure in which an AP MLD has multiple antennas and a structure in which a non-AP MLD has a single antenna. The 802.11 standard focuses on the Physical layer (PHY) and Medium Access Control (MAC) parts of AP MLD and non-AP MLD.

[00102] 2. Link ID

[00103] A link identifier represents one station operating on one link. In other words, if there is more than one station on the same link, more than one link identifier represents more than one station. The link mentioned below is sometimes also a station operating on that link.

[00104] During data transmission, AP MLDs and non-AP MLDs may use a link identifier to identify a communications link or a station on a communications link. Before exchanging data, the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD may first negotiate or exchange with each other a mapping between the link identifier and the link or station on the link. Therefore, during data transmission, a link identifier is carried to indicate a link or a station on a link, so that a large amount of signaling information to indicate a link or a station on a link is not required to be transmitted. This reduces signaling overhead and improves transmission efficiency.

[00105] In one example, the control frame sent by the MLD AP when establishing a basic service set (BSS), eg, a beacon frame, carries one element, and this element includes a plurality of link identification information fields. The link identifier information field may indicate a correspondence between the link identifier and a station that operates on the link corresponding to the link identifier. The link identification information field includes not only a link identifier, but also includes one or more pieces of the following information: a Medium Access Control (MAC) address, an operation class, and a channel number. One or more MAC addresses, operating class, and channel number may indicate a single communication link. For an AP, the AP's MAC address is also the AP's BSSID (basic service set identifier). In another example, in the process of attaching multi-link devices, MLD APs and non-AP MLDs negotiate multiple link identification information fields. Multi-link device interconnection refers to one AP in an AP MLD once associated with one STA in a non-AP MLD. Connectivity may help multiple STAs in a non-AP MLD to separately bind to multiple APs in an AP MLD, with one STA associated with one AP.

[00106] In subsequent communication, the AP MLD or non-AP MLD represents a station in the non-AP MLD by a link identifier, and the link identifier may further represent one or more MAC address, operational class, or channel number attributes of the station. The MAC address may be replaced by the AP's MLD affinity identifier after joining. Optionally, if multiple stations operate on the same link, the values identified by the link identifier (which is a numeric identifier) include not only the operational class, including link and channel number, but also the identifier of the station operating on that link. for example, the MAC address or association ID (AID) of the station.

[00107] 3. Multiple BSSID set

[00108] A Basic Service Set Identifier Set (Multiple BSSID set, which may be referred to as a Multiple BSSID Set) can be understood as a set of some communicating APs. All communicating access points (APs) use the same operating class, channel number, and antenna interface. In the set of multiple BSSIDs, there is only one access point that transmits the (Transmitted) BSSID, and all other access points are nontransmitted BSSID access points. BSSID set set information (ie, an element of BSSID sets f) is carried in a beacon frame, probe response frame, or neighbor report sent by the access point with the transmitted BSSID. The BSSID information of an access point with a non-transmitted BSSID is retrieved by the station using a beacon frame, a probe response frame, a BSSID set member in a neighbor message, and the like. The BSSID of an access point with a non-transmitting BSSID is calculated based on the BSSID of the access point that broadcasts the BSSID and the BSSID index field in the BSSID set index element in the non-transmitting BSSID profile. For details, see one embodiment of 802.11REVmd_D3.0.

[00109] A set of multiple BSSIDs may also be understood to include a plurality of APs. Each AP manages one BSS, and different APs may have different SSIDs and permissions, such as security mechanism or transmission capability.

[00110] In the BSSID set, only an access point whose BSSID is a broadcast BSSID can send a beacon frame and a Probe Response frame, and an access point whose BSSID is a non-transmit BSSID does not send a beacon frame. Therefore, if a Probe Request frame sent by an STA is sent to an AP whose BSSID is a non-transmitting BSSID in the BSSID set, in this case the AP whose BSSID is a transmitting BSSID in the BSSID set helps respond to send a response frame. for probing.

[00111] In multiple access points in a set of multiple BSSIDs, the BSSID of one AP is configured as a transmitted BSSID, an access point with a transmitted BSSID may be referred to as a transmitted access point, the BSSIDs of other access points are configured as nontransmitted BSSIDs, and an access point with a non-transmitted BSSID may be called a nontransmitted access point (AP).

[00112] The beacon frame sent by the transmitting access point may include a BSSID set element. The BSSID set element frame format is shown in FIG. 2. Fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of a BSSID set element frame format according to an embodiment of the present application. The BSSID set element includes an element ID field, a length field, a maximum BSSID field, and an optional sub-element field. The maximum BSSID indication field indicates the maximum number N of BSSIDs included in the BSSID plurality set, and the optional sub-element field includes information about the BSSID of the AP with the non-transmittable BSSID.

[00113] The maximum number of APs allowed in a BSSID set set is 2n, n being the value indicated by the MaxBSSID indicator field in the BSSID set element shown in FIG. 2, and N=2n. Therefore, bits 1 to 2n-1 of the virtual service indication bitmap field may be appropriately allocated to access points in the non-transmitted BSSIDs in the BSSID set to respectively indicate whether access points in the non-transmitted BSSIDs whose NonTxBSS IDs are equal to 1 to 2n- 1, multicast service. The NonTxBSS ID value is equal to the value of the BSSID Index field in the Multiple BSSID Index element in the Non-Transmitting BSSID profile in the BSSID Set element. The non-transmitted BSSID profile is in the optional subelement field.

[00114] 4. BSS critical parameter

[00115] For example, a critical BSS parameter may include one or more of the following: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element ), EDCA parameters modification element (Modification of the EDCA parameters element, Inclusion of a Quiet element, Modification of the DSSS Parameter Set), element modification Modification of the CF Parameter Set element, Modification of the HT Operation element, Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element, Inclusion of an Operating Mode Notification element, Inclusion of a Quiet Channel element, VHT (Very High Bandwidth) operation element modification Modification of the VHT Operation element, Modification of the HE Operation element, Insertion of a Broadcast TWT element, Inclusion of the BSS Color Change Announcement element, Modification of the MU EDCA Parameter Set element, and Modification of the Spatial Reuse Parameter Set element. One or more of the above BSS critical parameters may also be listed as a link critical parameter.

[00116] 5. BSS Special Critical Parameter

[00117] A specific BSS critical parameter may refer to a parameter associated with a channel change in the BSS critical parameters. Specifically, the BSS specific critical parameter includes one or more of the following: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element, enabling the Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element and enabling the Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element.

[00118] Although embodiments of the present application are generally described using a network on which IEEE 802.11 is deployed as an example, one skilled in the art will readily appreciate that various aspects of the present application may be extended to other networks that use different standards or protocols. for example, BLUETOOTH (Bluetooth), high performance radio LAN (HIPERLAN) (a wireless communication standard similar to IEEE 802.11, and mainly used in Europe), wide area network (WAN), wireless local area network ( wireless local area network (WLAN), personal area network (PAN), or other known or later developed network. Therefore, various aspects presented in this application are applicable to any suitable wireless network, regardless of coverage and wireless access protocol.

[00119] FIG. 3a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present application. In FIG. 3a, a wireless local area network is used as an example to describe the communication system 100 to which the embodiment of the present application is applied. Communications system 100 includes a station 101 and a station 102. Station 101 may communicate with station 102 over multiple communications links to increase capacity. Station 101 may be a multi-link device, and station 102 may be a single-link device, a multi-link device, or the like. In the scenario, station 101 is an AP MLD and station 102 is a non-AP MLD or station (eg, a single link station). In another scenario, station 101 is a non-AP MLD and station 102 is an AP (eg, single-link AP) or MLD AP. In yet another scenario, station 101 is an MLD AP and station 102 is an MLD AP or AP. In yet another scenario, station 101 is a non-AP MLD and station 102 is a non-AP MLD or STA (eg, a single link station). Of course, the wireless local area network may further include another device. The number and type of devices shown in FIG. 3a are just examples.

[00120] FIG. 3b is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 200 in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication system 300 in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. Fig. 3b and Fig. 3c shows diagrams of the structures of the communication system 200 and the communication system 300, respectively. In communication system 200 and communication system 300, for example, a device with multiple communication lines in a wireless local area network communicates with another device through multiple communication lines.

[00121] Specifically, in FIG. 3b shows a scenario in which an AP MLD and a non-AP MLD communicate with each other. The AP MLD includes affiliate AP 1 and affiliate AP 2, and the non-AP MLD includes STA 1 and STA 2, which own the non-AP MLD. In addition, MLD AP and MLD without AP communicate in parallel through communication line 1 and communication line 2.

[00122] In FIG. 3c shows a scenario in which AP MLD 601 communicates with non-AP MLD 602, non-AP MLD 603, and STA 604. AP MLD 601 includes AP-1 affiliate 601 through AP-3 affiliate 601. MLD 602 without AP includes three affiliated STAs: STA 602-1, STA 602-2, and STA 602-3. MLD 603 without AP includes two affiliated STAs: STA 603-1 and STA 603-2. STA 604-1 and STA 604 are single line devices. The AP MLD 601 can separately communicate with the non-AP MLD 602 via link 1, link 2 and link 3, communicate with the non-AP MLD 603 via link 2 and link 3, and communicate with the STA 604 via link 1. For example, STA 604 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency range. In MLD 603 without AP, STA 603-1 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band and STA 603-2 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. In MLD 602 without AP, STA 602-1 operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, STA 602-2 operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, and STA 602-3 operates in the 6 GHz frequency band. AP 601-1, which resides in AP MLD 601 and operates in the 2.4 GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 604 and STA 602-1 in MLD 602 without an AP over link 1. AP 601- 2, located in the MLD 601 AP and operating in the 5 GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 603-1, which is located in the MLD 603 without an AP and operating in the 5 GHz frequency band through link 2 and can additionally transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 602-2, which resides in the non-AP MLD 602 and operates in the 5 GHz frequency band, on link 2. AP 601-3, located in MLD 601 AP and operating in the 6 GHz frequency band, can transmit uplink or downlink data to STA 602-3, which is located in MLD 602 without AP and operating in the 6 GHz frequency band, on link 3 and may optionally transmit uplink or downlink data from the STA 603-2 to the AP-less MLD over link 3.

[00123] It can be understood that in FIG. 3b only shows that the MLD AP supports two frequency bands, while FIG. 3c only shows that the MLD 601 AP supports three frequency bands (2.4 GHz, 5 GHz and 6 GHz). Each frequency band corresponds to one communication line. For example, MLD 601 AP can operate on one or more lines 1, 2 or 3. On the AP side or on the STA side, a communication link here can also be understood as a station operating on that communication link. In actual applications, AP MLD and non-AP MLD may additionally support more or fewer frequency bands. In other words, AP MLD and non-AP MLD can operate with more or fewer communication lines. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[00124] FIG. 4 is a schematic architectural diagram of a set of multiple BSSIDs according to an embodiment of the present application. More specifically, the MLD of each access point shown in FIG. 4 is a collocated AP MLD set.

[00125] BSSID-1x, BSSID-1y, BSSID-2x, BSSID-2y, BSSID-2z, BSSID-4x, BSSID-4y, BSSID-4z, BSSID-3 and BSSID-5 are MAC address identifiers respectively and are used to identify the corresponding APs. An access point whose MAC address identifier ends with x is assumed to be a broadcast BSSID access point, an access point whose MAC address identifier ends with y or z is assumed to be a non-transmitting BSSID access point, an access point whose MAC address identifier ends with numeric only, is a common access point, and a common access point refers to an access point that does not belong to the BSSID set. For example, the AP of the transmitted BSSID in set 1 of the BSSID set is the AP 1x whose MAC address ID is equal to the BSSID 1x. The AP of the non-transmittable BSSID in set 1 of the BSSID set is AP 1y whose MAC address ID is equal to BSSID 1y. The AP of the transmitted BSSID in set 2 of the BSSID set is the AP 2x whose MAC address ID is equal to the BSSID 2x. The non-transmittable BSSID AP in set 2 of the BSSID set includes AP 2y whose address ID is BSSID 2y and AP 2z whose MAC address ID is BSSID 2z.

[00126] The set of MLD APs sharing a location with the reporting AP includes the following APs, where the reporting AP refers to the AP that sends the control frame. The control frame carries information about the next set of APs, and the control frame is a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and the like. The reporting AP includes the transmitting AP and the common AP in the BSSID set. The set of MLD access points that are in the same location as the reporting access point includes the following access points:

[00127] (1) All access points belonging to the same AP MLD as the reporting access point, or all access points in the AP MLD including the reporting access point.

[00128] (2) All APs in the AP MLD to which a non-transmitting AP is affiliated in the same set of BSSIDs as the reporting AP (or transmitting AP); or all APs in the MLD of the AP to which the non-reporting AP in the BSSID set set to which the reporting AP (or reporting AP) belongs.

[00129] (3) All APs in the AP MLD that satisfy the following two conditions: (1) At least one access point in the AP MLD is in the same set of BSSIDs as one AP in the AP MLD to which the reporting AP is affiliated ; and (2) no access point in the MLD AP operates on the same link as the reporting AP.

[00130] Optionally, in an embodiment, one AP MLD includes only one access point.

[00131] Optionally, the reporting AP may be a common AP (for example, in FIG. 4, AP 3 whose MAC address ID is BSSID 3 and AP 5 whose MAC address ID is BSSID 5) in the MLD of the AP or the reporting AP The AP is in the set of multiple BSSIDs and can send unicast service indication information described in this application.

[00132] For example, AP 1x in FIG. 4 is used as the reporting access point, the set of MLD APs sharing location with AP 1x includes the following access points:

[00133] (1) All APs are in the same MLD 1 AP as AP 1x, that is, AP 1x, AP 2y and AP 3.

[00134] (2) All APs in MLD 3 AP, including the non-transmitting AP (ie AP 1y) in the same set 1 of the BSSID set as AP 1x are respectively AP 1y, AP 2z and AP 4y.

[00135] (3) In FIG. 4, MLD AP satisfying the above conditions (1) and (2) is MLD 2 AP, that is, it includes AP 2x and AP 4x, AP 2x in MLD 2 AP and AP 2y in MLD 1 AP are in the same set 2 sets BSSID, and no AP in the MLD 2 AP is on the same link as the 1x AP.

[00136] In the 802.11 protocol, an STA typically has two modes of operation: a non-power saving mode and a power saving mode. When an STA operates in non-power-saving mode, the STA is in an active state (an active state, which may also be called a wake-up state) regardless of whether there is data to transmit to the STA. When the STA is operating in power saving mode, the STA may be in the active state when transmitting data from the AP. When there is no data transfer between the STA and the AP, the STA may be in a doze state to reduce power consumption. The STA may send a frame to the AP to notify whether the STA is in power saving mode. If the power save bit in the frame control field (frame control field) in the frame MAC header is set to 1, the AP is notified that the STA is in power save mode. If the power save bit in the frame control field (frame control field) in the MAC header of the frame is set to O, the AP is notified that the STA is in a non-power save mode.

[00137] It can be understood that “data transmission” and “data transmission” referred to in this application generally refer to communications. "Data" generally refers to communication information and is not limited to data information, but may also be signaling information and the like.

[00138] In a power saving mechanism based on wireless network management (WNM) or a power saving mechanism based on target wake up time (TWT), the STA may communicate with the AP about the wake up period. The AP sends a traffic indication map (TIM) frame to a plurality of corresponding STAs at the beginning of each wake-up period. A TIM frame is much shorter than a beacon frame. The TIM element included in the TIM frame is used to notify multiple STAs of the presence of corresponding downlink service indicators. Since the TIM frame is much shorter than the beacon frame, the STA can gain power saving effect. In the WNM power saving mechanism, the TIM broadcast interval field in the TIM request frame sent by the STA or the TIM response returned by the AP indicates the wake-up period. Alternatively, in the TWT power saving mechanism, the wake-up period corresponds to the TWT wake-up interval in the TWT power saving mechanism, wherein the TWT wake-up interval is calculated based on the decimal field of the TWT wake-up duration and the exponent field of the TWT wake-up interval in the TWT element. Specifically, TWT wake-up interval = TWT decimal wake-up duration * 2 (TWT wake-up interval exponent).

[00139] FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TIM frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 5, the frame media in a TIM frame may include at least one of the following: a type field, a WNM unprotected behavior field, a timestamp field, a Beacon frame check field, a TIM element field, and a link identification information field. The WNM unprotected action field specifies different action values. The timestamp field indicates clock information. The TIM element field indicates whether the STA or non-AP MLD identified by the AID has downlink service. The link identification information field indicates the specific link. The Beacon Frame Check (Beacon) field indicates the BSS in which the link indicated by the link identification information field is located or used to indicate whether a critical parameter of the BSS of the access point indicated by the link identification information field has been updated. Alternatively, the beacon frame check field indicates whether the critical link parameter indicated by the link identification information field has been updated.

[00140] For example, if a critical BSS parameter for a BSS in which the link indicated by the link identification information field is located, or a critical parameter of the link indicated by the link identification information field is updated, the value of the beacon check field is increased by 1. BSS Parameter can also be understood as a communication link parameter. Accordingly, the BSS critical parameter can be understood as a communication link critical parameter.

[00141] For example, each time the non-AP MLD stores the value of the beacon check field that corresponds to each link and that was received last time. If the recently received beacon check field corresponding to the link is different from the value of the beacon check field corresponding to the link received last time, the non-AP MLD receives on the link the beacon frame sent by the AP MLD. Alternatively, the non-AP MLD may send a probe request frame on any link, wherein the probe request frame is used to request the most recent critical BSS parameter of one or more access points. The probe request frame includes a link identifier corresponding to one or more access points. Optionally, the probe request frame further includes an MLD identifier for the MLD including the AP, eg, the MLD's MAC address or the MLD sequence number of the AP's MLD. After receiving the MLD probe request frame, the AP returns an acknowledgment frame and then sends a probe response frame to the non-AP MLD. The probe response frame includes the most recent critical BSS parameter of one or more access points requested by the non-AP MLD. After receiving the frame, the MLD without AP responds with an acknowledgment frame. The probe response frame changes the value of the beacon test field corresponding to one or more access points. It can be understood that the beacon frame carries the latest critical BSS parameter of the link.

[00142] It can be understood that since the TIM frame includes a link identification information field, when using the TIM frame in one BSS, even if the non-AP MLD includes a plurality of STAs, only one AID is required. In combination with the link identification information and AID, a station that operates on the link indicated by the link identification information field and that has a downlink service can be determined.

[00143] In addition, it can be understood that the beacon check field and the link identifier information field that are included in the TIM frame may alternatively be placed in another control frame. A plurality of fields (see here the beacon check field and the link ID information field) may be used individually to notify whether a critical BSS parameter is changed/updated in the BSS in which the link indicated by the link identification information field is located. The above method can also be used to determine whether a critical BSS parameter has been changed/updated in a plurality of BSSs in which a plurality of communication links are located. For example, the control frame includes a number of links, n beacon check fields, and n link identification information fields, wherein n is indicated by the number of links field. In another example, the control frame includes a link identifier bitmap and n beacon check fields, and optionally includes a link identifier bitmap length field, where n is the number of first values (eg, 1) of the bitmap communication line identifier cards. The values of one or more beacon check fields are initialized to 0. In the embodiment of FIG. 6 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a control frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 6, the frame medium of the control frame includes a type field, a WNM unprotected behavior field, a link number field, a beacon check field, a TIM element field, and a link identification information field. When multiple links are indicated in the number of links field, for each link there is one beacon check field, one TIM element field and one link identification information field. Optionally, the frame medium of the control frame may further include one or more timestamp fields. The control frame shown in FIG. 6 may indicate whether a plurality of stations that operate on the link indicated by each link identification information field have a downlink service.

[00144] Finally, as shown in FIG. 4, some APs (eg, non-transmitting APs in the same BSSID set) cannot send a control frame. Therefore, these APs cannot notify, by sending a management frame, such as a beacon frame or a probe response frame, the associated non-AP STA/MLD whether the critical BSS parameters for the BSSs managed by these APs have been updated. Consequently, non-AP STAs/MLDs associated with these APs and listening to the operating links of these APs do not know that the critical BSS parameters of these APs have been updated. As a result, after the critical parameters of the BSS are updated by updating these APs, the non-AP STA/MLD associated with these APs will not be able to operate normally or will not be able to communicate with these APs.

[00145] Therefore, this embodiment of the present application provides a method for managing critical parameters of a BSS applied to multiple communication links. An MLD AP can help another MLD AP notify another MLD AP about whether critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in another MLD AP have been updated, to solve the problem that some APs cannot notify that critical BSS parameters have been updated. The STA can be assisted in receiving the most recent critical BSS parameter, so that after multiple APs in another AP MLD update the BSS critical parameter, the non-AP MLD associated with the other AP MLD can still operate normally. Below is a detailed description of the technical solutions presented in this application, with reference to additional accompanying drawings.

Embodiment 1

[00146] Embodiment 1 of the present application describes a method for controlling a critical BSS parameter applied to a plurality of communication links, and specifically relates to indicating an update of a critical parameter of a BSS applied to a plurality of communication links. Not only the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter of the set of APs in the first MLD of the AP (this value is located in the reduced neighbor report (RNR) element), but also the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters of the set of APs in the second MLD can be specified AP. Therefore, the non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen to the communication line on which the non-transmitting AP in the second AP MLD operates, and can also operate normally. In other words, there may be more channel listening options for the non-AP MLD.

[00147] Each reporting AP in the first MLD AP must send to the non-AP MLD associated with the first MLD AP, or a surrounding station (the surrounding station includes a station controlled by the reporting AP and a station that is not associated with the first MLD AP), the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to the plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and send the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second AP MLD. For ease of description, Embodiment 1 of the present application uses a reporting AP in the first MLD AP.

[00148] FIG. 7 is a flowchart of a BSS critical parameter control method applied to multiple communication links in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. An MLD AP includes one or more APs, and the first AP is any reporting AP in the MLD AP. Optionally, the reporting AP is not a non-reporting AP in the BSSID set. The first STA may be a single link STA or may be any STA in the MLD without an AP. For ease of description, the first STA in the MLD without AP is used as an example below. The first AP and the first STA operate on the same communication line. As shown in FIG. 7, the connection method applied to the multi-line device includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[00149] S101: The first AP in the first AP MLD creates a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the second MLD AP, and the second MLD AP is the MLD AP to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the set of BSSIDs including the first AP. One piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to one access point is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by that access point.

[00150] The first AP may be any reporting AP in the first AP MLD, and the reporting AP may be an AP that sends a control frame (eg, a beacon frame or a probe response frame). The BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[00151] The first frame may be a control frame, such as a beacon frame, a probe response frame, or other control frame. The first frame may indicate the values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs (here, the plurality of access points is all the access points in the first MLD AP or all the access points or some access points in the first MLD AP excluding the first access point) in the first MLD AP and the values of update counters of critical parameters of the BSS, respectively, corresponding to the set of APs (the set of APs in this case represents all APs or some APs in the second MLD AP) in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD that owns the non-transmittable AP in the set of BSSID sets in which the first AP is located. Optionally, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter is incremented by 1 when one or more parameters of the BSS Critical Parameters change/changes.

[00152] One BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to one AP may be used to determine whether a BSS critical parameter has been updated in a BSS managed by that AP. The BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value may be a natural number, and the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value is initialized to 0. When the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value for a BSS managed by an access point is changed, the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter corresponding to that access point is incremented by 1 Since there are BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter values for multiple APs, each BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value is in a one-to-one correspondence with the AP ID. The AP identifier may be the AP's MAC address, the AP's link identifier, or a combination of the AP's operational class, channel number, and BSSID. The value of the BSS critical parameter update counter may be carried in the reduced neighbor report element (RNR element) of the first frame. The following describes the abbreviated neighbor message element.

[00153] Optionally, in addition to the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the RNR element in this embodiment of the present application may further include a link identifier field and an AP MLD identifier field (eg, an MLD ID field). The Link ID field identifies the access point or station on which a particular link operates. It can be understood that the link identifier field may be called a link identifier information field or a link identifier bitmap field (used to indicate one bitmap in link identifiers corresponding to multiple APs). This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The BSS critical parameter update counter value field indicates the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter. It can be understood that the BSS critical parameter update counter value field may be referred to as the BSS critical parameter update field. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The AP MLD Identifier field can be used to identify a specific AP MLD. It can be understood that the MLD identifier field of the AP may be an MLD identifier field, an MLD index field, an MLD sequence number field, etc., and the name of the identifier field is not limited.

[00154] Since the RNR element includes a link identifier field and an AP MLD identifier field (such as an MLD ID field), when using the RNR element, even if each AP MLD includes a plurality of APs, each AP MLD has an identifier. In combination with the link ID information and the AP MLD ID information, it is possible to determine the AP that is operating on the link indicated by the link ID field and whose critical BSS parameter is updated.

[00155] It can be understood that in order to join an AP, a station must first perform a scan to notify the existence of the AP. There are two types of scanning: active scanning and passive scanning.

[00156] Passive scanning means that the station receives a control frame sent by the access point over the communication link, such as a beacon frame, an attach response frame, a reattach response frame, an authentication frame, or a probe response frame. For example, a station switches between different channels to search for a beacon frame sent by an access point. Once a station receives AP grant control information via a beacon frame, the station may further obtain other additional information from the AP by exchanging a Probe Request frame and a Probe Response frame.

[00157] Active scanning means that a station actively sends a broadcast Probe Request frame when the station does not detect a beacon frame, and if a certain condition is met, the AP, upon receiving the Probe Request frame, can initiate random channel access to respond with a probe response frame.

[00158] During the scanning process, to assist the station in scanning quickly, the AP includes an abbreviated neighbor message element, such as a beacon frame or a Probe response frame, in the control frame to prevent the station from continuously scanning the channel. This reduces station scanning time.

[00159] The AP carries a shortened neighbor message element in a control frame, such as a beacon frame or a probe response frame. During scanning, a station receives a control frame sent by an access point, obtains information about surrounding access points based on the abbreviated neighbor message element in the control frame, and then chooses to join the corresponding access point.

[00160] In particular, the abbreviated neighbor message element typically carries one or more Neighbor AP information fields that are used to describe one or more neighbor APs and information about the BSS to which the neighbor APs belong. Fig. 8a is a schematic diagram of an RNR element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8a, the abbreviated neighbor message element may include some or all of the following fields: target beacon transmission time (TBTT) information Header field, operating class field , a channel number field, and one or more TBTT information set fields. The TBTT information set field includes one or more TBTT information fields, and one TBTT information field corresponds to one neighboring AP.

[00161] The TBTT information header field contains at least one of the following information:

a TBTT information field type field indicating the TBTT information type, which field is used together with a TBTT information length field to indicate the format of the TBTT information field;

a filtered neighbor AP field indicating whether the SSIDs of all BSSs carried in the neighbor AP information field match the SSID in the probe request frame;

reserved 1-bit (Reserved field);

a TVTT information count field indicating the number of TVTT information fields included in the TVTT information set; And

a TBTT information length field indicating the length of each TBTT information field. The following Table 1 shows the formats of different lengths of special information carried.

[00162] The following is a special format of the TBTT information field present when the length of the TBTT information is 12 bytes.

[00163] TBTT offset of the neighbor AP field: indicates the Beacon sending time offset between the neighbor AP and the reporting AP:

a BSSID (BSS identifier) field indicating the BSS identifier corresponding to the neighboring AP;

short service set identifier (SSID) field indicating the identifier of the service set to which the neighboring AP belongs; And

BSS parameter field indicating the associated parameter of the neighboring AP.

[00164] Additionally, in addition to the neighbor access point TBTT offset field, the BSSID field, the short SSID field and the BSS parameter field, one TBTT information field in the RNR element in this embodiment of the present application includes: at least one of a value field a BSS critical parameter update counter, a link identifier field (Link ID), and a multilink device identifier (MLD ID) field.

[00165] FIG. 8b is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a TBTT information field in an RNR element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 8b, one RNR element TBTT information field includes at least one of the following fields: a neighbor AP TBTT offset field, a BSSID field, a short SSID field, a BSS parameter field, a BSS critical parameter update counter value field, a link ID field. ID) and the Multi-Link Device Identifier (ID MLD) field. It can be understood that FIG. 8b is just an example, and the sequence of the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the link ID field and the MLD ID field which are included in the TBTT information field, and the presence of another field between the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the link ID field and the field MLD IDs are not limited.

[00166] It can be understood that the three fields: the BSS critical parameter update counter value field, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are independent and may all be carried in the RNR element, or may not all be carried in the RNR element. In other words, the RNR element may carry some of the three fields.

[00167] The BSS critical parameter update counter value field indicates the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter. The link identifier field indicates the specific link. The MLD ID field specifies the AP's specific MLD. It can be understood that one TBTT information field corresponds to one AP, one AP controls one BSS, and each TBTT information field contains an MLD ID field and a link ID field. Therefore, when the first frame is used, even if the MLD AP includes multiple APs in one BSS, different APs in the MLD AP may be distinguished based on the link indicated by the link ID field and the MLD indicated by the MLD ID field. In other words, the link identifier field in combination with the MLD ID field can uniquely identify the AP.

[00168] The BSS parameter field indicates the associated parameter of the neighboring AP. Specifically, the associated AP neighbor parameter includes the following information:

a recommended OCT (recommended channel tunneling mechanism) field indicating that the neighboring AP expects to exchange a control type MPDU with the reporting AP using the OCT mechanism;

a same SSID (same service set identifier) field indicating whether the neighbor AP and the reporting AP have the same SSID;

a BSSID set field indicating whether the neighboring AP is part of the BSSID set;

a transmitted BSSID (transmitted Basic Service Set Identifier) field indicating whether the neighbor AP is a transmitted BSSID or a non-transmitted BSSID if the neighboring AP is part of a set of multiple BSSIDs;

2.4/5 GHz co-hot ESS member field (2.4/5 GHz co-hot ESS extended set member) indicating whether the neighboring access point is a 2.4/5 co-hot ESS extended set member GHz (that is, whether the neighboring access point is a 6 GHz access point only);

an unsolicited probe response active field indicating whether the neighboring access point allows an active probe response; And

a co-located AP field indicating whether the neighboring AP and the reporting AP are co-located.

[00169] It should be noted that in this embodiment of the present application, the AP described in the Neighbor Report element or abbreviated neighbor report element is a reported access point (AP): the AP that is described in such element, as a neighbor message element or an abbreviated neighbor message element), and the neighbor AP mentioned subsequently can be understood as the reported AP. An access point that sends a neighbor reporting element or an abbreviated neighbor message element is a reporting access point (AP): an AP that transmits an element, such as a neighbor reporting element or an abbreviated neighbor message element, describing the reported AP ).

[00170] The RNR element is described above. The second MLD AP is described next.

[00171] Optionally, the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmittable AP in the BSSID set set including the first AP belongs.

[00172] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that AP 1x is the first AP. The first AP sends a control frame, such as a beacon frame or a probe response frame, and carries an RNR element. The RNR element carries the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters for a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD and the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters for a plurality of APs in the second AP MLD. MLD 1 AP is the first MLD AP, and MLD 3 AP is the second MLD AP. Therefore, the first frame includes BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 1 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2y and a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 3. The first frame further includes BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 3 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1y, a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2z, and a counter value updating the critical BSS parameter corresponding to AR 4u. Optionally, the control frame sent by the first AP further includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1x. The value of the 1x access point BSS critical parameter update counter is located in the general information MLD of the multi-link (ML) element or in the UNT operation element. The general information field MLD or the UNT operation element in the ML element additionally contains the communication link identifier of the first AP, that is, AP 1x.

[00173] In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that AP 2x is the first AP, MLD 2 AP is the first MLD AP, and both MLD 1 AP and MLD 3 AP are the second MLD AP. Therefore, the first frame includes BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to a plurality of APs in the MLD 2 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 4x. The first frame further includes values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 1 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1x, a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2y, and a counter value BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 3. The first frame additionally includes values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to multiple APs in MLD 3 AP, for example, includes the value of BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 1y, critical update counter value the BSS parameter corresponding to AR 2z, and the value of the update counter of the critical BSS parameter corresponding to AR 4y. Optionally, the control frame sent by the first AP further includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2x. The value of the access point 2x BSS critical parameter update counter is located in the general information MLD of the ML element or in the UNT operation element. The general information field MLD or the UNT operation element in the ML element additionally contains the communication link identifier of the first AP, that is, AP 2x.

[00174] In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that AP 4x is the first AP, MLD 2 AP is the first MLD AP, and both MLD 3 AP and MLD AP 4 are the second MLD AP. Therefore, the first frame includes BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to a plurality of APs in the MLD 2 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2x. The first frame further includes values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 3 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1y, a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2z, and a value BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AR 4u. The first frame further includes values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 4. The AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 4z and a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 5. B Optionally, the control frame sent by the first access point further includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to the 4x access point. The value of the 4x access point BSS critical parameter update counter is located in the general information MLD of the ML element or in the UNT operation element. The general information field MLD or the UNT operation element in the ML element additionally contains the communication link identifier of the first AP, that is, the 4x AP.

[00175] In another example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that AP 3 is the first AP, MLD 1 AP is the first MLD AP, and the second MLD AP does not exist. Therefore, the first frame includes BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to a plurality of APs in MLD 1 AP, for example, includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1x and a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2y . Optionally, the control frame sent by the first access point further includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 3. The BSS parameter update counter value of access point 3 is located in the general information MLD of the ML element or in the UNT operation element. The general information field MLD or the UNT operation element in the ML element further contains the link identifier of the first access point, that is, access point 3.

[00176] S102: The first AP in the first MLD The AP sends the first frame on the communication line on which the first AP operates.

[00177] In particular, the first AP in the first AP MLD must send, on the link on which the first AP MLD operates, the first frame in the non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD, or to a station near the first access point. The station near the first access point includes a station controlled by the first access point and a non-attached station. The following uses an AP controlled station as an example to describe a BSS critical parameter control method applied to multiple links in this embodiment of the present application. It will be understood that the first frame may be sent in a broadcast or multicast manner.

[00178] In addition, it can be understood that the non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD in this embodiment of the present application has two meanings: (1) All non-AP MLDs that establish a multi-link connection with the first AP MLD. A non-AP MLD may establish attachments with some access points in the first AP MLD or may establish attachments with all access points. (2) There is an AP-less MLD associated with the first AP in the first AP MLD. A non-AP MLD may establish interconnections with some APs in the first MLD AP or may establish interconnections with all APs, but some APs or all APs must include the first AP. The first AP is the reporting access point.

[00179] S103: The first MLD non-AP STA receives the first frame on the communication link on which the first STA operates.

[00180] The first STA may be a station controlled by the first AP, or a station near the first AP, and may learn whether a critical BSS parameter is being updated at the BSS to which the first STA belongs. The first STA and the first AP operate on the same communication line/same frequency band/same channel.

[00181] S104: The first STA in the non-AP MLD determines, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of a plurality of BSSs controlled by a plurality of APs in the AP MLD associated with the non-AP MLD have been updated.

[00182] Specifically, after receiving the first frame, the first non-AP MLD STA may parse the first frame to obtain BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to the plurality of APs in the first AP MLD and BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to the plurality of APs in second MLD AR. The non-AP MLD analyzes from the first frame the M values of update counters of critical BSS parameters corresponding to the M access points (the M AP access points have an attachment relationship with the non-AP MLD) into the AP MLDs associated with the non-AP MLD. For each AP in M AP, MLD without AP compares the value relationship between the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received this time and the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received last time; or compares whether the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received this time is the same as the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received last time. If the BSS critical parameter update counter value received this time is different from the BSS critical parameter update counter value received last time, the non-AP MLD determines that the BSS critical parameter in the access point-controlled BSS is updated. Optionally, when the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter received this time is different from the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter received last time, the non-AP MLD may listen to a beacon frame on the link on which the access point operates. The beacon frame contains the last critical BSS parameter of the access point. Alternatively, a non-AP MLD STA may obtain the latest critical access point BSS parameter by sending a probe request frame with reference to the previous description.

[00183] If the BSS critical parameter update counter value received this time is the same as the BSS critical parameter update counter value received last time, it means that the BSS controlled by the access point does not update the BSS critical parameter, and MLD without AP may not process.

[00184] Optionally, each time the non-AP MLD records the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to each link received last time.

[00185] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that the first AP is a 1x AP, the MLD 1 AP is the first MLD AP, and the MLD 3 AP is the second MLD AP. It is assumed that MLD 1 without AP is associated with AP 1y, AP 2z and AP 4y in MLD 3 AP, M is 3, and the APs associated with MLD 1 without AP are AP 1y, AP 2z and AP 4y. The first frame includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 1x in AP MLD 1, a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 2y, and a BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to AP 3. The first frame further includes a value the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AR 1y, the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AR 2z, and the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AR 4y in MLD 3 AR. In other words, N equals b. MLD 1 without AP analyzes from the first frame three BSS critical parameter update counter values corresponding to access point 1y, access point 2z and access point 4y in MLD 3 AP associated with MLD 1 without AP. For AP 1y, MLD 2 without AP compares whether the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 1y received this time is the same as the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 1y received last time. If the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 1y received this time and the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 1y received last time are different, this indicates that the BSS critical parameters of the BSS controlled by access point 1u, updated. MLD 1 without AP can listen on communication line 1, on which AP 1y is located, for a beacon frame carrying the latest critical BSS parameter. For AP 2z, MLD 1 without AP compares whether the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter corresponding to AP 2z received this time is the same as the value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter corresponding to AP 2z received last time. If the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 2z received this time and the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 2z received last time are different, this indicates that the critical BSS parameters for the BSS managed by the point access 2z, updated. MLD 1 without an AP can listen on the link 2 on which AP 2z is located for a beacon frame carrying the latest critical BSS parameter. For AP 4y, MLD 1 without AP compares whether the value of the BSS critical parameter counter corresponding to AP 4y received this time is the same with the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 4y received last time. If the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 4y received this time and the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 4y received last time are different, this indicates that the BSS critical parameters of the BSS controlled by 4u access point, updated. MLD 1 without AP can listen on communication line 4, on which access point 4y is located, for a beacon frame carrying the latest critical BSS parameter.

[00186] For another example, it is assumed that MLD 2 without AP is associated with AP 1y and AP 4y in MLD 3 AP. In this case, M is equal to 2, and the APs that have accession relationships with MLD 2 without AP are AP 1y and AP 4y. Therefore, for AP ly MLD 2 without AP compares whether the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 1y received this time is the same as the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter corresponding to AP 1y received last time . If the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 1y received this time and the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 1y received last time are different, this indicates that the BSS critical parameters of the BSS controlled by access point 1u, updated. MLD 2 without an AP can listen on communication line 1, on which AP 1y is located, for a beacon frame carrying the latest critical BSS parameter. For AP 4y, MLD 2 without AP compares whether the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value corresponding to AP 4y received this time is the same as the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value corresponding to AP 4y received last time. If the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 4y received this time and the BSS critical parameter update counter value corresponding to access point 4y received last time are different, this indicates that the BSS critical parameters of the BSS AP-controlled 4u updated. MLD 2 without AP can listen on communication line 4, on which access point 4y is located, for a beacon frame carrying the latest critical BSS parameter.

[00187] It can be understood that when the first STA is a single link STA, when the first STA switches from one link to another for operation, the first STA can obtain the BSS critical parameter update counter value using the method in this embodiment of the present application.

[00188] It can be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, using the first frame sent by the first AP, not only the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, but also the values of the BSS critical parameter update counters are indicated. corresponding to the set of APs in the second MLD AP. This implements that one AP helps multiple APs in another MLD AP to indicate the corresponding BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter values so that the STA can compare the currently received BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value with the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received last time. and check if the critical BSS parameter is updated. In this way, the STA can be assisted in receiving the most recent critical parameter of the BSS, and the non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen to the link on which the non-transmitting AP is operating in the second AP MLD and can also operate normally. In other words, for MLD without AP, there may be more listening channels to choose from. In 802.11be, it is possible that all or some of the APs in the MLD APs are non-transmitting APs. Therefore, the solution provided in this embodiment of the present application can solve the problem that some non-transmitting APs cannot send a control frame to notify an update of a critical BSS parameter. In this way, the integrity and diversity of the BSS critical parameter update indication can be improved.

[00189] In an optional embodiment, a method for each non-AP MLD to obtain initial values for the update counter values of critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in the AP MLDs associated with the non-AP MLD is as follows.

[00190] 1. In the attach phase, the attach response frame sent by one access point to the AP MLD carries the current values of the multi-AP BSS critical parameter update counters to the AP MLD.

[00191] 2. When an STA in a non-AP MLD requests a switch to another link for operation, the channel switch signaling implicitly indicates to request from the AP's MLD the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter for the AP operating on that link. The response frame by which the associated MLD AP responds to the link corresponding to the STA shall carry the most recent value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter for the AP operating on the other link at the time.

[00192] The channel switch signaling includes a link identifier corresponding to the AP to which the STA is to switch. For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that STA 1 in MLD 1 without AP requests a switch from link 1 to link 2, and the channel switch signaling includes link 2 ID. Assuming that the non-AP MLD 1 is associated with the AP MLD, the channel switch signaling implicitly indicates a request from the AP MLD 1 for the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter for AP 2y operating on that link 2. The response frame returned by access point MLD 1 on link 1 corresponding to STA 1 shall contain the most recent value of the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter for access point 2y operating on link 2 at that time.

[00193] When the received value of the BSS critical parameter update counter sent by the access point is different from the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter received last time, in addition to receiving the most recent critical BSS parameter by receiving a beacon frame and sending a probe request, the locally stored the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter shall be updated to the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter received at this time.

[00194] In another optional embodiment, one MLD AP has a common SSID, and, optionally, each AP has a separate SSID. In the MLD discovery step of neighboring APs or APs, the non-AP MLD can discover the optimal AP MLD to join as soon as possible, including discovering the preferred SSID. For a reported AP (i.e., neighboring AP) in an AP MLD, the short SSID field of each reported AP (i.e., neighboring AP) in the RNR element in this embodiment of the present application contains: a short SSID calculated based on the SSID of the AP MLD, in which there is a reported access point (i.e., a neighboring access point). For details on how to calculate the short SSID, see the 802.11-2016 protocol.

[00195] It is understood that this embodiment of the present application may be implemented separately or may be implemented with reference to the method shown in FIG. 7. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application.

[00196] It can be understood that, compared with the case where the short SSID of the reported access point is transmitted directly in the RNR element, in the non-AP MLD in this embodiment of the present application, the optimal AP MLD for joining can be quickly selected in the discovery step through the short SSID of the AP MLD , which owns the reported access point, thereby increasing the efficiency of interconnection.

[00197] In yet another optional embodiment, the first frame may further be used to indicate specific critical multi-AP BSS parameters in the first AP MLD and specific critical multi-AP BSS parameters in the second AP MLD. A particularly critical BSS parameter is the channel change related BSS parameter. Particular critical BSS parameters may include one or more of the following elements: channel switching alert element inclusion, extended channel switching notification element enabling, wideband channel switching element enabling, and link switching add-on element enabling.

Option 2

[00198] Embodiment 2 of the present application provides a BSS critical parameter update method applied to a multi-link device to describe how to update the BSS critical parameter. It can be understood that in actual application, Embodiment 2 of the present application may be implemented separately or may be implemented with reference to Embodiment 1. This is definitely not limited in this application.

[00199] FIG. 9 is a flowchart of a method for updating a critical parameter of a BSS in accordance with an embodiment of the present application. The MLD AP includes one or more APs, the second AP is any AP in the MLD AP, and the second AP may or may not be a reporting AP. The second STA may be a single link STA or may be any STA in the MLD without an AP. For ease of description, the second STA in the MLD without AP is used as an example below. The second AP and the second STA operate on the same communication line. As shown in FIG. 9, a method for updating a critical BSS parameter includes, but is not limited to, the following steps.

[00200] S201: The second AP in the first MLD AP creates a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the AP set BSS in the first MLD AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the AP set BSS in the second MLD AP, and the second MLD AP is the MLD The AP that owns the non-transmitting AP in the set of BSSIDs that includes the second AP.

[00201] The second frame may be a control frame, such as a beacon frame, or may be another frame. The second frame and the first frame in Embodiment 1 may be one frame or may be different frames. This is not limited in this embodiment of the present application. The second frame may indicate specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP (here, the plurality of access points is all the access points in the first MLD AP or all the access points or some access points in the first MLD AP except the first access point), and/or specific critical parameters of the BSS of the AP set in the second AP MLD (in this case, the AP set represents all or some of the access points in the second AP MLD).

[00202] The BSS specific critical parameter may include one or more of the following: Inclusion of a Channel Switch Announcement element, Inclusion of an Extended Channel Switch Announcement element. , Inclusion of a Wide Bandwidth Channel Switch element, and Inclusion of a Channel Switch Wrapper element. If all or some of the previous four elements are changed/updated, but the station does not know about the change/update in time (possibly because the station did not accept the updated elements), the station cannot find the corresponding AP in the MLD AP. As a result, the terminal cannot communicate with the corresponding access point in the MLD AP. Therefore, it is necessary to pass a special critical parameter to the BSS.

[00203] Optionally, the BSS specific critical parameter may further include one or more of an Inclusion of a Quiet element and an Inclusion of a Quiet Channel element. Optionally, the BSS specific critical parameter may further include one or more of an EDCA parameter element modification, a DSSS parameter set modification, a CF parameter set element modification, an HT performance element modification, an operating mode notification element inclusion, a VHT performance element modification, a modification NOT operation element, insertion of a broadcast TWT element, inclusion of a BSS color change notification element, modification of a MU EDCA parameter set element, and modification of a reuse spatial parameter set element. One or more of the above-mentioned specific BSS critical parameters may also be listed as a link critical parameter.

[00204] Optionally, a specific critical BSS parameter may be carried in the multi-link (ML) element AP information of the second frame. The specific critical BSS parameter of each access point is carried in the corresponding access point information of the ML element.

[00205] An element with multiple communication lines is described next.

[00206] FIG. 10a is a schematic diagram of an ML element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10a, the ML element includes a general control field, general MLD information, and one or more optional subelements. Optionally, the general MLD information includes an MLD MAC address field and optionally includes an authentication algorithm field and a link ID field. The MLD MAC address field specifies the address of the MLD, and this address is used to identify the MLD. Additionally, the MLD address is the MAC address (address) of the MLD. In other words, the MAC address is used to identify the MLD AP (management entity). The MAC address of an AP MLD may be the same as one MAC address of the APs included in the AP MLD, or may be different from all the MAC addresses of the APs. For example, the MLD AP's MAC address is a public MAC address and can identify the AP's MLD.

[00207] Optionally, the general control field may include an MLD MAC address existence field (or referred to as an MLD MAC address presence field or an MLD MAC address presence identifier) used to indicate whether the MLD MAC address field exists in general information MLD. Optionally, the common control field further includes an authentication algorithm presence field to indicate whether the authentication algorithm field is present in the general MLD information. Optionally, the "presence field" may include one bit. The first value indicates that the corresponding field is present, and the second value indicates that the corresponding field is absent. For example, the first value is 1 and the second value is 0. Optionally, the common control field further includes a link identifier presence field used to indicate whether a link identifier field is present in the common MLD information.

[00208] Optionally, one ML element further includes one or more sub-elements, and one sub-element describes information about one AP in one MLD AP. The content of each sub-element includes an AP link identifier. Optionally, each sub-element further includes fields related to the AP, such as an SSID field, a timestamp field, a beacon interval field, and an AP element. An AP element is, for example, a BSS load element, a UHT capability element, or a UHT operation element.

[00209] FIG. 10b is a schematic diagram of a first part of an ML element frame structure according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 10b, in FIG. 10b shows the first part of the ML element, which does not include the AP information sub-element in the AP MLD. The first part of the ML element includes a general control field and general MLD information. The general control field includes one or more or all of an MLD MAC address presence field, a link identifier presence field, an MLD sequence number presence field, and a sub-element presence field. Additionally, the field for the presence of an authentication algorithm can be included. The MLD MAC address presence field indicates whether the general MLD information includes the MLD MAC address field. The link identifier presence field is used to indicate whether the publicly available MLD information includes a link identifier field. The MLD Sequence Number Availability field indicates whether the general MLD information includes an MLD Sequence Number field. The above fields can be specified separately using a single bit. For example, 1 indicates that the field is present, and 0 indicates that the field is absent. Alternatively, two values of the same field are separately used for indication, with the first value indicating that the field is present and the second value indicating that the field is absent.

[00210] Optionally, the first part (herein referring to the common control field and common information MLD shown in FIG. 10a) of the ML element shown in FIG. 10a may alternatively be the first part (herein referring to the common control field and general information MLD shown in FIG. 10b) of the ML element shown in FIG. 10b. The AP MLD can be used to provide additional detailed information for a non-AP station's MLD, for example, placed in a probe response frame or an attach response frame. Optionally, the common control field includes a common MLD information presence field used to indicate whether the common MLD information is present or whether a field other than an MLD MAC address or MLD sequence number is present in the common MLD information to aid further reduction duplicate information (assuming that the non-AP MLD has learned the authentication algorithm and link ID). In a beacon frame, to avoid excessive content in the beacon frame and to avoid repetition of information about each AP in the RNR element, the beacon frame should carry only the general MLD information in the ML element or some fields in the general MLD information. In this case, the general control field includes a sub-element presence field, meaning that the sub-element used to indicate specific information about the set of APs in the ML element is not present, as shown in FIG. 106.

[00211] If the reporting AP belongs to a set of multiple BSSIDs, the reporting AP must additionally send a plurality of BSSID elements including a non-transmitting profile (non-transmitting profile) to indicate information about one or more non-transmitting APs. If one non-transmitting AP comes from one MLD AP, the first part of the ML element shown in FIG. 10b or the entire portion of the ML element shown in FIG. 10a can additionally contain information about the non-transmittable AP.

[00212] The following describes several elements included in a specific critical BSS parameter.

[00213] FIG. 11a is a schematic diagram of the structure of a channel switch notification element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11a, the inclusion of a channel switch notification element includes a Channel Switch Mode field, a New Channel Number field, and a Channel Switch Count field. The channel conversion mode field indicates any transmission restrictions prior to channel switching (the channel switching mode field indicates any transmission restrictions prior to channel switching). The New Channel Number field specifies the channel number to which the station should be switched (the New Channel Number field sets the channel number to which the STA is moved). The Channel Switch Counter field indicates how many TBTT (Target Beacon Frame Transmission Time, Target Beacon Transmission Time) it takes for a station to send an element to switch to a channel. If the Channel Switch Counter field is set to 0, this indicates that the switch occurs before the next TVTT. If the Channel Switch Counter field is set to 1, this indicates that a switch can occur at any time after the element is sent (the Channel Switch Counter field indicates the number of times target beacons are transmitted (TBTT) until the STA sends a channel switch. Counter field switches to a new channel. The Channel Switch Count field set to 1 indicates that the switch occurs immediately before the next TVTT. The Channel Switch Count field set to 0 indicates that the switch occurs any time after transmission of the frame containing the (Channel Switch) field. Count).

[00214] FIG. 11b is a schematic diagram of the structure of an extended channel switch notification element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11b, the inclusion of the extended channel switch notification element includes a Channel Switch Mode field, a New Operating Class field, a New Channel Number field, and a Channel Switch Count. . The channel switch mode field indicates the transmission restriction before switching communication lines. The “New Operational Class” field indicates the operational set to which the station switches (the “New Operational Class” field sets the number of the operational class after the channel switches). The new channel number field indicates the channel number to which the station should be switched. The Link Switch Counter field indicates the number of TBTTs required from the station sending an element to switching to the channel. If the Link Switch Counter field is set to 0, this indicates that the switch occurs before the next TTTT. If the Channel Switch Counter field is set to 1, this means that a switch can occur at any time after the item is sent.

[00215] FIG. 11c is a schematic diagram of the structure of a wideband channel switching element enable frame according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11c, turning on the wide band channel switching element includes a new channel frequency field (new channel width), a New Channel Center Frequency Segment 0 field, and a New Channel Center Frequency Segment 1 field. Frequency Segment 1). The new channel bandwidth field determines the BSS bandwidth (New Channel Width determines the BSS bandwidth). New channel center frequency segment 0 defines the center frequency of the 20, 40, 80, 160, or 80+80 MHz BSS bandwidth (new channel center frequency segment 0 defines the channel center frequency for 20, 40, 80, 160 MHz bands) or 80+80 MHz BSS). New channel center frequency segment 1 defines the center frequency of the BSS bandwidth as 160 or 80+80 MHz (new channel center frequency segment 1 defines the channel center frequency for BSS 160 or 80+80 MHz).

[00216] FIG. 11d is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a Quiet element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 11d, the silence element includes a Quiet count field, a Quiet Period field, a Quiet Duration field, and a Quiet Offset field. The Silence Counter field sets the number of TBTTs before the beacon interval, during which the next silent interval begins (the Silence Count field sets the number of TBTTs before the beacon interval, during which the next silent interval begins). The silent period field is specified by the number of beacon frame intervals between the start of regularly scheduled silent intervals, defined by the silent element. A Quiet Period field set to 0 indicates that the periodic silent interval is not defined (the Quiet Period field is set to the number of beacon intervals between the start of regularly scheduled silent intervals defined by that silent period. The Quiet Period field is set to 0. indicates that the periodic silence interval is not defined). In the “Silence Duration” field, the duration of the silence interval is indicated in TU units (in the “Silence Duration” field, the duration of the silence interval is indicated, expressed in TU). The silence offset field is set equal to the offset of the start of the silence interval from the TVTT specified by the silence counter field, in TU units. The value of the Quiet Offset field is less than one beacon frame interval (the Quiet Offset field is set to the offset of the start of the quiet interval from the TBTT specified by the Quiet Counter field, expressed in TU. The value of the Quiet Offset field is less than one beacon interval).

[00217] It can be understood that after the silent element takes effect, the AP no longer communicates with the STA, and the STA maintains a silent state so that the STA can perform ANOTHER operation.

[00218] Optionally, the second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmittable AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. In particular, see the corresponding description in the previous Embodiment 1 for the meaning of the second MLD AP.

[00219] S202: The second AP in the first MLD AP sends a second frame over the communication line on which the second AP operates.

[00220] The second AP in the first AP MLD must send, over the link on which the second MLD AP operates, a second frame on the non-AP MLD associated with the first AP MLD, or to a station near the second access point. The station near the second access point includes a station controlled by the second access point and an unattached station. It will be understood that the second frame may be sent in a broadcast, multicast, or unicast manner.

[00221] S203: The second MLD non-AP STA receives the second frame on the communication link on which the second STA operates.

[00222] The second STA may be a station controlled by the second AP, or a station near the second AP, and may learn about specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs in the MLDs of the APs associated with the MLD including the first STA. The second STA and the second AP operate on the same link/same frequency band/same channel.

[00223] S204: The second STA of the non-AP MLD analyzes the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters for the plurality of APs in the AP MLDs associated with the non-AP MLD.

[00224] Specifically, after receiving the second frame, the second STA of the non-AP MLD may parse the second frame to obtain from the ML element of the second frame the specific critical BSS parameters for K APs (K APs have an attachment relationship with the non-AP MLD, and K is a positive integer number) in the AP MLD associated with the non-AP MLD. For the specific critical BSS parameter of each AP in the K AP, the non-AP MLD can adjust based on the indication of the specific critical BSS parameter of each AP, the channel information of the STA corresponding to each AP.

[00225] For example, as shown in FIG. 4, it is assumed that AP 2x is the second AP, MLD 2 AP is the first MLD AP, and both MLD 1 AP and MLD 3 AP are the second MLD AP. It is assumed that MLD 1 without AP is connected to AP 1x and AP 2y MLD 1 AP, K is 2, and the APs that have attachment relationships with MLD 1 without AP are AP 1x and AP 2y. The second frame separately carries the specific critical BSS parameters of multiple APs (which may be all APs or some APs) in MLD 1 AP, MLD 2 AP, and MLD 3 AP. For example, the second frame contains the specific critical BSS parameters for all access points in MLD 1 AP, and also contains the specific critical parameters for all access points in MLD 2 AP and MLD 3 AP. Therefore, for AP 1x in MLD 1 AP, it is assumed that AP 1x's critical BSS specifies that the channel number to which the station should switch is 9, and MLD 1 without AP switches based on the specific critical BSS of AP lx, STA corresponding to AP 1x, to the channel on which channel number 9 is located for communication. For access point 2y in MLD 1 AP, it is assumed that the special critical BSS parameter of access point 2y indicates that the operating class to which the station should switch is equal to A, and the MLD 1 without AP changes, based on the indication of the special critical BSS parameter for AP 2y , STA corresponding to AP 2y, from the current operating class to the operating class defined by operating class A.

[00226] It can be understood that in Embodiment 2 of the present application, the AP in the MLD is used as an example for description. In an actual application, each access point in the MLD AP may perform steps S201 to steps S202 shown in FIG. 9.

[00227] It can be understood that the second STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. When the second STA is a single link STA, when the second STA switches from one link to another for operation, the second STA can obtain a particular critical BSS parameter using the method in this embodiment of the present application.

[00228] It can be understood that in this embodiment of the present application, the second frame sent by the access point to the AP MLD not only explicitly contains the specific critical BSS parameters of the multiple APs in the AP MLD, but also explicitly contains the specific critical BSS parameters. set of APs in another MLD AP. A particularly critical BSS parameter includes an element related to channel change. This can help the non-AP MLD to know the operating channel switching statuses of all access points in the AP MLD during the time when the non-AP MLD is listening on one or more links (not all links), so that the non-AP MLD can operate normally.

[00229] In an optional embodiment, when an STA in a non-AP MLD requests a switch to another link for operation, the channel switch signaling implicitly indicates a request from the AP MLD for a specific critical BSS parameter for the AP operating on that link. Alternatively, the specific signaling is explicitly carried to indicate the specifically required critical BSS parameter. For example, one or more element identifiers are used. Optionally, one or more element identifier extensions are additionally transmitted. Alternatively, the non-inherited element in the 802.11-2016 protocol is directly reused to obtain the parameter of the corresponding element in the non-inherited element. The response frame with which the associated access point's MLD responds on the link corresponding to the STA must contain the last special BSS special parameter for the access point currently operating on the other link.

[00230] Optionally, the channel switch signaling further includes an AP identifier, such as a link identifier; and an MLD identifier including the AP, such as an MLD sequence number or an MLD MAC address.

[00231] FIG. 12 is a schematic diagram of a frame structure of a non-legacy element according to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG. 12, a non-inheritable element includes an element identifier, a length, an element identifier extension, one or more element identifiers, and one or more element identifier extensions. The element identifier and element identifier extension are used to indicate that the element is not an inherited element. Length specifies the length after the element's length field. Optionally, one or more element identifiers and one or more element identifier extensions are used to indicate the contents of the requested one or more special elements. The extended element ID number also exists only if the value of the element ID is 255. Otherwise, the element ID can independently indicate the element.

[00232] The foregoing content describes in detail the methods provided in this application. To better implement the above solutions in embodiments of the present application, embodiments of the present application further provide corresponding devices or devices.

[00233] In embodiments of the present application, functional modules in a device with multiple communication lines can be determined based on the above example methods. For example, each function module may be defined according to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module may be implemented as hardware or may be implemented as a software function module. It should be noted that in the embodiments of the present application, the moduleization is exemplary and simply represents a logical division of functions. In a real implementation, a different separation method may be used. The following describes in detail the communication devices in the embodiments of the present application with reference to FIGS. 13 in Fig. 17. A communication device is an access point in a device with multiple communication lines of access points or a station in a device with multiple communication lines without access points. In addition, the communication device may be a device in an AP MLD or a device in a non-AP MLD.

[00234] When an integrated unit is used, FIG. 13 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the communication device 1 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1 may be the first MLD AP or a chip in the first MLD AP, for example, a Wi-Fi chip, or may be the first AP in the first MLD AP or a chip in the first AP. The first AP is the reporting AP and belongs to the first MLD AP. As shown in FIG. 13, the communication device 1 includes a processing unit 11 and a transceiver unit 12.

[00235] The processing unit 11 is configured to generate a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter update information, respectively, corresponding to a plurality of APs in the second MLD AP . The second AP MLD is an AP MLD that owns a non-transmittable AP in the set of BSSIDs including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether a BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS controlled by that AP. . The transceiver unit 12 is configured to send the first frame over the communication line on which the communication device 1 operates.

[00236] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[00237] It can be understood that in the communication device 1, the first frame generated by the processing unit 11 can not only indicate the values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, but also indicate the values of BSS critical parameter update counters corresponding to a plurality of AR in the second MLD AR. This implements that one AP helps multiple APs in another MLD AP to indicate the corresponding BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter values so that the STA can compare the currently received BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value with the BSS Critical Parameter Update Counter value received last time. and check if the critical BSS parameter is updated. In this way, the STA can be assisted in receiving the most recent critical parameter of the BSS, and the non-AP MLD associated with the second AP MLD can listen to the link on which the non-transmitting AP is operating in the second AP MLD and can also operate normally.

[00238] Optionally, the processing unit 11 is further configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates the AP multi-BSS specific critical parameters in the first AP MLD and the AP specific multi-critical BSS parameters in the AP MLD. The transceiver unit 12 is further configured to send a second frame over the communication line on which the communication device 1 operates.

[00239] It should be understood that the communication device 1 may accordingly execute Embodiment 1, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of blocks in the communication device 1 are separately used to implement corresponding operations of the first AP in the first MLD AP in Embodiment 1. For brevity, the details are not repeated here.

[00240] FIG. 14 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 2 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 2 may be a first STA or a chip in the first STA, for example a Wi-Fi chip. The first STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. As shown in FIG. 14, the communication device 2 includes a transceiver unit 21 and a processing unit 22.

[00241] The transceiver unit 21 is configured to receive a first frame on a communication line on which the communication device 2 operates, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD, and BSS critical parameter update information , respectively, corresponding to the set of APs in the second MLD AP. The second AP MLD is an AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP belongs in the BSSID set including the first AP, and one piece of BSS critical parameter update information corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter is updated in the BSS managed by that AP. . The processing unit 22 is configured to determine, based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of a plurality of BSSs controlled by a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the communication device 2 have been updated.

[00242] Optionally, the BSS critical parameter update information includes a BSS critical parameter update counter value.

[00243] It can be understood that in the communication device 2, the processing unit 22 can know, based on the value of the update counter of the critical BSS parameter indicated by the first frame, whether the BSS to which the processing unit 22 belongs is updated with the critical BSS parameter, so as to ensure that the unit 22 processing may accept the most recent critical BSS parameter.

[00244] Optionally, the transceiver unit 21 is further configured to receive a second frame on a communication line on which the communication device 2 operates, the second frame indicating the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the first MLD of the AP and the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the second MLD AR. The processing unit 22 is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the MLD APs associated with the communication device 2.

[00245] It should be understood that the communication device 2 can accordingly execute Embodiment 1, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of blocks in the communication device 2 are separately used to implement corresponding operations of the first STA in the non-AP MLD in Embodiment 1. For brevity, the details are not repeated here.

[00246] FIG. 15 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 3 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 3 may be a first MLD AP or a chip in the first MLD AP, for example a Wi-Fi chip, or may be a second AP in the first MLD AP or a chip in the second AP. The second AP is any AP in the first MLD AP. As shown in FIG. 15, the communication device 3 includes a processing unit 31 and a transceiver unit 32.

[00247] The processing unit 31 is configured to create a second frame, wherein the second frame indicates the specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP and/or the specific critical parameters of the BSS of a plurality of APs in the second MLD of the AP. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. The transceiver unit 32 is configured to send the second frame over the communication line on which the communication device 3 operates.

[00248] It can be understood that in the communication device 3, the second frame generated by the processing unit 31 not only explicitly contains the specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in an AP MLD, but also explicitly contains the specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in another MLD AP. A particularly critical BSS parameter includes an element related to channel change. This can help the non-AP MLD to know the operating channel switching statuses of all access points in the AP MLD during the time when the non-AP MLD is listening on one or more links (not all links), so that the non-AP MLD can operate normally.

[00249] It should be understood that the communication device 3 described in this embodiment of the present application can accordingly perform embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or functions of blocks in the communication device 3 are separately used to implement the corresponding operations of the second AP in the first. MLD AP in embodiment 2. For brevity, the details are not repeated here.

[00250] FIG. 16 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 4 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 4 may be a second STA or a chip within the second STA, for example a Wi-Fi chip. The second STA may be a single link STA or may be a non-AP MLD STA. As shown in FIG. 16, the communication device 4 includes a transceiver unit 41 and a processing unit 42.

[00251] The transceiver unit 41 is configured to receive a second frame over a communication line on which the communication device 4 operates, the second frame indicating the specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in the first AP MLD and/or the specific critical BSS parameters of a plurality of APs in the second MLD AR. The second AP MLD is the AP MLD to which the non-transmitting AP in the BSSID set including the second AP belongs. The processing unit 42 is configured to parse the second frame to obtain specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the MLD APs associated with the second STA.

[00252] It can be understood that in the communication device 4, the processing unit 42 parses the second frame to know the most recent critical BSS parameter of a plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the MLD on which the processing unit 42 is located, and can perform corresponding processing on based on the latest critical BSS parameter adopted to ensure normal communication.

[00253] It should be understood that the communication device 4 described in this embodiment of the present application can accordingly perform embodiment 2, and the above-mentioned operations or block functions in the communication device 4 are separately used to implement the corresponding operations of the second STA in the non-AP MLD in the embodiment 2 implementations. For brevity, the details are not repeated here.

[00254] The foregoing describes the MLD AP and STA in embodiments of the present application. Possible product forms of MLD AP and STA are described below. It should be understood that any product form that has the MLD AP function in FIG. 13 or Fig. 15 and any product form that has the STA function in FIG. 14 or Fig. 16 fall within the scope of protection of the embodiments of the present application. Moreover, it should be understood that the following description is merely an example, and the MLD product forms AP and STA in the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto.

[00255] As a possible form of MLD product, the APs and STAs described in the embodiments of the present application may be implemented using a common bus architecture.

[00256] FIG. 17 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a communication device 1000 according to an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 1000 may be an MLD AP, an STA, or a device in an MLD AP or STA. As shown in FIG. 17, communication device 1000 includes a processor 1001 and a transceiver 1002 that is internally coupled to and communicates with the processor. Processor 1001 is a general purpose processor, a specialty processor, or the like. For example, the processor may be a baseband processor or a central processing unit. The baseband processor may be configured to process the communication protocol and communication data, and the central processing unit may be configured to control the communication device (eg, a base station, baseband chip, terminal, terminal chip, DU, or CU) to execute the program. for a computer, for processing computer program data. The transceiver 1002 may be called a transceiver unit, a transceiver, a transceiver circuit, or the like, and is configured to perform a function of a transceiver. The transceiver 1002 may include a receiver and a transmitter. The receiver may be referred to as a receiving machine, a receiver circuit, or the like, and is configured to implement a receiving function. The transmitter may be called a transmission machine, a transmitter circuit, or the like, and is configured to implement a sending function. Additionally, the communication device 1000 may further include an antenna 1003 and/or a radio frequency unit (not shown in the figure). The antenna 1003 and/or the radio frequency unit may be located within the communication device 1000 or may be separate from the communication device 1000. In other words, the antenna 1003 and/or the RF unit may be deployed in a remote or distributed manner.

[00257] Optionally, communication device 1000 may include one or more memories 1004. Memory 1004 may store instructions. The instructions may be a computer program. The computer program may be executed on the communication device 1000, such that the communication device 1000 performs the method described in the previous method embodiments. Optionally, memory 1004 can further store data. The communication device 1000 and memory 1004 may be located separately or may be integrated.

[00258] The processor 1001, transceiver 1002, and memory 1004 may be connected via a communications bus.

[00259] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the function of the first AP in the first MLD AP in the above Embodiment 1. The processor 1001 may be configured to execute step S101 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S102 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00260] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the function of the first MLD non-AP STA in Embodiment 1. The processor 1001 may be configured to execute step S104 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S103 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00261] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 may be configured to function as a second access point in the first AP MLD in Embodiment 2. The processor 1001 may be configured to execute step S201 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S202 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00262] In one embodiment, the communication device 1000 may be configured to perform the STA MLD function without an AP in Embodiment 2. The processor 1001 may be configured to execute step S204 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description. The transceiver 1002 may be configured to perform step S203 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00263] In any of the foregoing designs, processor 1001 may include a transceiver configured to implement receive and send functions. For example, the transceiver may be a transceiver circuit, an interface circuit, or an interface circuit. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit configured to implement the receiving and sending functions may be separated or may be integrated. The transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to read and write code/data. Alternatively, the transceiver circuit, interface, or interface circuit may be configured to transmit or transmit a signal.

[00264] In any of the above embodiments, processor 1001 may store instructions. The instruction may be a computer program. The computer program is executed on the processor 1001 so that the communication device 1000 can perform the method described in the previous method embodiments. The computer program may be embedded in the processor 1001, in which case the processor 1001 may be implemented in hardware.

[00265] In an embodiment, the communication device 1000 may include circuitry, and the circuitry may implement a sending, receiving, or communication function in any of the embodiments of the above method. The processor and transceiver described in this application may be implemented as an integrated circuit (1C), analog IC, radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC), mixed signal IC, application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) ) or printed circuit board (PCB), electronic device and the like. The processor and transceiver can be fabricated using various IC technologies, such as complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS), nMetal-oxide-semiconductor (NMOS), P positive channel metal oxide semiconductor (PMOS), bipolar junction transistor (BJT), bipolar CMOS (BiCMOS), silicon germanium (SiGe), and gallium arsenide (GaAs).

[00266] The scope of the communication device described in this application is not limited to this, and the structure of the communication device may not be limited to FIG. 17. The communication device may be an independent device or may be part of a larger device. For example, a communication device could be:

(1) independent integrated circuit (1C), microcircuit or microcircuit system or subsystem;

(2) a set including one or more ICs, wherein the set of ICs may optionally further include a storage component configured to store data and a computer program;

(3) ASIC, for example modem (Modem);

(4) A module that can be built into another device;

(5) a receiver, terminal, smart terminal, cell phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile device, automotive device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device or the like; or

(6) other device or similar.

[00267] In an exemplary MLD product form, the AP and STA in embodiments of the present application may be implemented by a general purpose processor.

[00268] A general purpose processor for implementing an MLD AP includes processing circuitry and an input/output interface internally coupled to and in communication with the processing circuitry.

[00269] In one embodiment, the general purpose processor may be configured to perform the function of the first AP in the first MLD AP in the above Embodiment 1. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to execute step S101 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description. The input/output interface is configured to execute step S102 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00270] In another embodiment, the general purpose processor may be configured to perform the function of a second AP in the first MLD AP in the previous embodiment 2. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to execute step S201 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description. The input/output interface is configured to execute step S202 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00271] A general purpose processor for implementing AP-less MLD includes processing circuitry and an input/output interface internally coupled to and in communication with the processing circuitry.

[00272] In one embodiment, a general purpose processor may be configured to perform the function of the first non-AP MLD STA in Embodiment 1 above. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to execute step S104 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description. The input/output interface is configured to execute step S103 in FIG. 7 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00273] In another embodiment, the general purpose processor may be configured to perform the function of the second STA MLD without the AP in the previous embodiment 2. Specifically, the processing circuit is configured to execute step S204 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description. The input/output interface is configured to execute step S203 in FIG. 9 and/or other technological process described in this description.

[00274] As a possible form of MLD product, the AP or STA described in this embodiment of the present application may further be implemented using the following components: one or more FPGA (Field Programmable Gate Arrays), PLD (Programmable Logic Device), controller, a state machine, gate logic, discrete hardware component, any other suitable circuit, or any combination of circuits that can perform the various functions described herein.

[00275] It should be understood that the communication devices in the above various product forms have any MLD AP or STA function in the method embodiments. The details are not repeated here.

[00276] An embodiment of this application further provides a computer-readable storage medium. A computer-readable storage medium stores computer program code. When the processor executes computer program code, the electronic device executes the method in any of the previous embodiments.

[00277] An embodiment of this application further provides a computer program product. When the computer program product is executed on a computer, the computer is allowed to execute the method in any of the previous embodiments.

[00278] An embodiment of the present application further provides a communication device. The device can exist in the form of a microcircuit. The device includes a processor and an interface circuit. The processor is configured to communicate with another device through the interface circuitry to allow the device to perform the method in any of the previous embodiments.

[00279] An embodiment of the present application further provides a wireless communication system including a first MLD AP and an STA. The first MLD AP and STA may perform the method in any of the previous embodiments.

[00280] The steps of a method or algorithm described in conjunction with the content disclosed herein may be implemented in hardware or may be implemented by a processor by executing software instructions. The program instructions may include a corresponding program module. The software module can be stored in random access memory (RAM), flash memory, erasable programmable read only memory (EPROM), electrically erasable programmable read only memory (EEPROM), register, hard disk, a removable hard drive, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), or any OTHER form of storage medium well known in the art. For example, a storage medium is coupled to a processor such that the processor can read information from or write information to the storage medium. Of course, the storage medium may be a component of the processor. The processor and storage media can be housed in an ASIC. Additionally, the ASIC may be located in a core network interface device. Of course, the processor and the storage medium may exist as separate components in the core network interface device.

[00281] One skilled in the art will recognize that in one or more of the examples above, the functions described herein may be implemented by hardware, software, firmware, or any combination thereof. 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. A computer-readable medium includes a computer-readable storage medium and a communication medium, the communication medium including any medium that facilitates transfer of a computer program from one location to another. The storage medium can be any available medium accessible to a general purpose or special purpose computer.

[00282] The above specific implementations further describe in detail the objectives, technical solutions and benefits of the present application. It should be understood that the foregoing descriptions are merely specific implementations of the present application and are not intended to limit the scope of the present application. Any modification, equivalent replacement, improvement, etc. made based on the technical solutions of this application shall fall within the scope of protection of this application.

Claims (45)

1. A method of controlling a critical basic service set (BSS) parameter applied to multiple links, comprising the steps of: creating, by a first access point (AP) in a first multi-link access point device (MLD AP), a first frame, wherein the first frame indicates basic service set (BSS) critical parameter update information respectively corresponding to the plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter update information respectively corresponding to a plurality of APs in a second MLD AP, wherein the second MLD AP is an MLD AP that owns a non-transmittable AP in a set of multiple Basic Service Set Identifiers (BSSIDs) containing the first AP, and one piece of information update the critical parameter of the BSS corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the critical parameter of the BSS is updated in the BSS controlled by this AP; And sending, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, the first frame on the communication link on which the first AP operates. 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first frame comprises a link identifier field and a multi-link device (MLD) identifier field, wherein the link identifier field indicates the reported AP and the MLD identifier field indicates the MLD of the AP containing the reported AP. . 3. The method of claim 2, wherein the field carrying the BSS critical parameter update counter value, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are carried in the reduced neighbor message (RNR) element of the first frame. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein the one TBTT information field in the RNR element carries one BSS critical parameter update counter value, one link identifier field, and one MLD identifier field. 5. The method of claim 4, wherein the value of the AP's short service set identifier (SSID) field in the RNR element is derived from the SSID of the MLD containing the AP. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the first frame is any of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an attach response frame. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the join response frame sent by the access point (AP) in the first MLD AP carries the current values of the BSS critical parameter update counters of the plurality of APs in the first MLD AP. 8. The method according to claim 1, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: creating, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, a second frame, the second frame indicating the specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the first MLD AP and the specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the second MLD AP; And sending, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, a second frame over the link on which the first AP operates. 9. The method of claim 8, wherein the one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP in the second frame comprises one or more of the following: a channel switch alert element, an extended channel switch alert element, a wideband channel switch element, and a superstructure element. switch channel. 10. The method of claim 8, wherein the one specific critical BSS parameter of the AP in the second frame further comprises one or more of the following: a silent element and a silent channel element. 11. The method of claim 8, wherein the particular critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element. 12. A method for controlling a critical BSS parameter applied to multiple communication links, comprising the steps of: receiving, by a first station (STA) in a first multi-link device without access points (MLD without AP), a first frame on a link on which the first STA operates, wherein the first frame indicates BSS critical parameter update information respectively corresponding to a plurality of APs in the first MLD AP, and BSS critical parameter update information respectively corresponding to the plurality of APs in the second MLD AP, wherein the second MLD AP is an MLD AP that owns a non-transmittable AP in the set of BSSID multiples containing the first AP, and one piece of update information the BSS critical parameter corresponding to the AP is used to determine whether the BSS critical parameter in the BSS managed by this AP is updated; And determining, by the first STA in the first non-AP MLD based on the first frame, whether the critical BSS parameters of the plurality of BSSs controlled by the plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the first STA are updated. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the BSS critical parameter update information contains a BSS critical parameter update counter value, and the first non-AP MLD records the BSS critical parameter update counter value received last time corresponding to each link. 14. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the BSS critical parameter update information contains the value of a BSS critical parameter update counter; and the method further comprises the step of: if the value of the critical parameter update counter of the BSS, which corresponds to the second AP in the MLD of the AP associated with the first non-AP MLD, and which is received by the first STA in the first non-AP MLD, is different from the value of the critical parameter update counter The BSS of the second AP that was received by the first MLD without an AP last time is received, by a station associated with the second AP in the first MLD without an AP, a beacon frame of the second AP, wherein the beacon frame carries the most recent critical parameter of the BSS of the second AP. 15. The method according to claim 12 or 13, wherein the BSS critical parameter update information contains the value of a BSS critical parameter update counter; and the method further comprises the step of: if the value of the critical parameter update counter of the BSS, which corresponds to the second AP in the MLD of the AP associated with the first non-AP MLD, and which is received by the first STA in the first non-AP MLD, is different from the value of the critical parameter update counter The BSS of the second AP, which was received by the first MLD without an AP last time, is obtained, by an STA in the first MLD without an AP, the most recent critical parameter of the BSS of the second AP by sending a probing request frame. 16. The method according to claim 13, wherein the method further comprises the step of: if the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter that corresponds to the AP in the first MLD AP and which is indicated by the first frame is different from the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter that corresponds to AP and which was received by the first non-AP MLD last time, update, by the first non-AP MLD, the locally stored BSS critical parameter update counter value that corresponds to the AP to the BSS critical parameter update counter value that corresponds to the AP and which is indicated by the first frame. 17. The method of claim 13, wherein the value of the BSS critical parameter update counter is increased by 1 when one of the BSS critical parameters changes. 18. The method of claim 12, wherein the first frame comprises a link identifier field and a multi-link device (MLD) identifier field, wherein the link identifier field indicates the reported AP and the MLD identifier field indicates the MLD of the AP containing the reported AP. . 19. The method of claim 18, wherein the field carrying the BSS critical parameter update counter value, the link identifier field, and the MLD identifier field are carried in the reduced neighbor message (RNR) element of the first frame. 20. The method of claim 19, wherein the one TBTT information field in the RNR element carries one BSS critical parameter update counter value, one link identifier field, and one MLD identifier field. 21. The method of claim 20, wherein the value of the AP's short service set identifier (SSID) field in the RNR element is derived from the SSID of the MLD containing the AP. 22. The method of claim 12, wherein the first frame is any of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, and an attach response frame. 23. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: creating, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, a second frame, the second frame indicating the specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the first MLD AP and the specific critical parameters of the BSS of the multiple APs in the second MLD AP; And sending, by the first AP in the first MLD AP, a second frame over the link on which the first AP operates. 24. The method according to claim 12, wherein the method further comprises the steps of: receiving, by the first STA, a second frame over a communication link on which the first STA operates, the second frame indicating the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the first MLD AP and the specific critical parameters of the multi-AP BSS in the second MLD AP; And and, by means of the first STA, parsing the second frame to obtain specific critical BSS parameters of the plurality of APs in the MLD APs associated with the non-AP MLDs. 25. The method of claim 23, wherein the one specific critical BSS parameter of one AP in the second frame comprises one or more of the following: a channel switch alert element, an extended channel switch alert element, a wideband channel switch element, and a superstructure element. switch channel. 26. The method of claim 23, wherein the one specific critical BSS parameter of the AP in the second frame further comprises one or more of the following: a silent element and a silent channel element. 27. The method of claim 23, wherein the particular critical BSS parameter is carried in a multiple link (ML) element. 28. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and processor are configured to implement the method of claim 1. 29. A communication device comprising a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and processor are configured to implement the method of claim 12. 30. A first multiple link access point device (MLD AP), including a first AP and a second AP, wherein the first AP includes a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and processor are configured to implement the method of claim 1. 31. A first multi-link device without access points (MLD without AP), including a first station (STA) and a second STA, wherein the first STA includes a processor and a transceiver, wherein the transceiver and processor are configured to implement the method of claim. 12. 32. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed in a computer, causes the first access point (AP) in the first MLD AP device to cause the computer to execute the method of claim 1. 33. A computer-readable storage medium, wherein the computer-readable storage medium stores instructions, and when the instructions are executed in a computer, causes the computer to execute the method of claim 12 by a first station (STA) in the first multiple link device (MLD without AP) . 34. A communication chip comprising an input/output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input/output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit code instructions to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit is configured to execute code instructions to enable the first access point to implement ( AP) in the first multi-link access point device (MLD AP) of the method according to claim 1. 35. A communication chip comprising an input/output interface and a processing circuit, wherein the input/output interface is configured to receive code instructions and transmit code instructions to the processing circuit, and the processing circuit is configured to execute code instructions to enable the first station (STA) to implement ) in the first multi-link device without access points (MLD without AP) of the method according to any one of claims 12, 24-27.