WO2021196053A1 - 波束确定方法及相关装置 - Google Patents

波束确定方法及相关装置 Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2021196053A1
WO2021196053A1 PCT/CN2020/082638 CN2020082638W WO2021196053A1 WO 2021196053 A1 WO2021196053 A1 WO 2021196053A1 CN 2020082638 W CN2020082638 W CN 2020082638W WO 2021196053 A1 WO2021196053 A1 WO 2021196053A1
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WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
trigger
frame
sta
frames
trigger frame
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PCT/CN2020/082638
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English (en)
French (fr)
Inventor
李帅
李振宇
吴毅凌
李铮
Original Assignee
华为技术有限公司
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
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Publication date
Application filed by 华为技术有限公司 filed Critical 华为技术有限公司
Priority to PCT/CN2020/082638 priority Critical patent/WO2021196053A1/zh
Priority to CN202080097344.2A priority patent/CN115152297A/zh
Priority to PCT/CN2020/085476 priority patent/WO2021196299A1/zh
Publication of WO2021196053A1 publication Critical patent/WO2021196053A1/zh

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    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/06—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the transmitting station
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B7/00—Radio transmission systems, i.e. using radiation field
    • H04B7/02—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas
    • H04B7/04—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas
    • H04B7/08—Diversity systems; Multi-antenna system, i.e. transmission or reception using multiple antennas using two or more spaced independent antennas at the receiving station
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W16/00—Network planning, e.g. coverage or traffic planning tools; Network deployment, e.g. resource partitioning or cells structures
    • H04W16/24—Cell structures
    • H04W16/28—Cell structures using beam steering
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W72/00—Local resource management
    • H04W72/04—Wireless resource allocation
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W74/00—Wireless channel access

Definitions

  • This application relates to the field of communication technologies, and in particular to a beam determination method and related devices.
  • Video return refers to the real-time return of the content monitored by the camera.
  • the current video surveillance technology is rapidly rising with the development of computers, networks, chips, artificial intelligence and other technologies. From the early analog video surveillance and mid-term digital video surveillance to the current intelligent network video surveillance, the products are continuously upgraded and the structure is constantly changing. , The function is continuously improved, and the application field is also continuously expanded.
  • the current typical scenarios of video backhaul include point-to-multipoint (PMP) networking. PMP networking refers to that one access point (access point, AP) simultaneously accesses multiple stations (station, STA), the AP may be a central point, and multiple STAs may be remote points.
  • PMP networking refers to that one access point (access point, AP) simultaneously accesses multiple stations (station, STA), the AP may be a central point, and multiple STAs may be remote points.
  • the long-distance coverage requirement means that during the broadcast access process, the AP needs to send a downlink beacon (Beacon) message to the STA, and the STA that receives the Beacon message initiates an authentication request to the AP, but for the long-distance STA, the STA receives the AP using
  • Beacon downlink beacon
  • the broadcast message sent by the wide beam may not be covered by the long-distance STA due to insufficient gain of the wide beam.
  • the uplink reception interference suppression requirement means that the first uplink authentication frame message of the STA needs to be received by the AP.
  • the AP uses a wide beam to receive the authentication frame, and the wide beam will also receive interference signals.
  • the received beam gain corresponding to the authentication frame is close to the received beam gain corresponding to the interference signal, which causes the authentication frame to be more severely affected by the interference signal, and may cause the authentication frame to fail to be received. Therefore, in the PMP scenario of video backhaul, how to meet the long-distance coverage requirements and the uplink reception interference suppression requirements has become an urgent problem to be solved.
  • the embodiments of the present application provide a beam determination method and related devices, which can realize long-distance coverage in a video backhaul scenario and suppress uplink reception interference.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a beam determination method.
  • the method is applicable to an STA.
  • the method includes: the STA receives a plurality of Beacon frames from an AP, and each Beacon frame of the plurality of Beacon frames includes each of the Beacon frames.
  • the information may be used to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA.
  • the initial access information may be an authentication frame, and the authentication frame may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.
  • the optimal transmission beam can be guaranteed to be adopted.
  • the transmit beam (ie the first transmit beam) communicates with the received signal quality of the STA, and the narrow beam provides 3 ⁇ 5dB of receive beam gain and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression, which improves the access performance of long-distance STAs and enhances uplink coverage. , To achieve long-distance coverage and suppress uplink reception interference.
  • each of the above-mentioned Beacon frames further includes at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled in the beam polling time period, or the The number of remaining beams in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period and/or the remaining beam number are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames sent by the AP in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period, the total number of beams, or the number of remaining beams carried in the Beacon frame is used to determine whether the AP polling is completed. If the polling is completed, the optimal transmission beam is determined from multiple transmission beams (first Sending beam), the beam with better signal quality can be determined more accurately as the optimal sending beam.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and time information of the Trigger frame.
  • the method further includes: the STA receives multiple Trigger frames from the AP, the multiple Trigger frames are sent by at least 2 different transmit beams of the AP, and each Trigger frame in the multiple Trigger frames The frame includes size information of the access time window, the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the plurality of Trigger frames, and the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame Used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame;
  • the STA sending initial access information to the AP includes: the STA sends the initial access information to the AP within the target access time window, the initial access information is used to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window Communicate with the STA.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides another beam determination method, which is applicable to an AP, and the method includes: the AP uses beam polling to send multiple Beacon frames, and each Beacon frame of the multiple Beacon frames includes The beam identifier of the transmitting beam of each Beacon frame, the multiple Beacon frames are used to determine the first transmitting beam from the multiple transmitting beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple Beacon frames; the AP receives from the STA Initial access information; the AP uses the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA according to the received initial access information.
  • the initial access information may be an authentication frame, and the authentication frame may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.
  • the optimal transmission beam can be guaranteed to be adopted.
  • the transmit beam (ie the first transmit beam) communicates with the received signal quality of the STA, and the narrow beam provides 3 ⁇ 5dB of receive beam gain and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression, which improves the access performance of long-distance STAs and enhances uplink coverage. , To achieve long-distance coverage and suppress uplink reception interference.
  • each of the above-mentioned Beacon frames further includes at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled in the beam polling time period, or the The number of remaining beams in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period and/or the remaining beam number are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames sent by the AP in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period, the total number of beams, or the number of remaining beams carried in the Beacon frame is used to determine whether the AP polling is completed. If the polling is completed, the optimal transmission beam is determined from multiple transmission beams (first Sending beam), the beam with better signal quality can be determined more accurately as the optimal sending beam.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and time information of the Trigger frame.
  • the method further includes: the AP sends multiple Trigger frames using at least 2 different transmission beams, and each Trigger frame in the multiple Trigger frames includes information about the size of the access time window; wherein, The beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple Trigger frames, and the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target corresponding to the target Trigger frame Access time window; the AP receives initial access information from the STA, including: the AP receives the initial access information sent by the STA within the target access time window; the AP uses the first transmission beam according to the received initial access information
  • the communication with the STA includes: the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of
  • the embodiments of the present application provide yet another beam determination method, which is applicable to an STA.
  • the method includes: the STA receives a Beacon frame from an AP, the Beacon frame includes the time information of the Trigger frame; and the STA receives M from the AP Trigger frame, each Trigger frame of the M Trigger frames includes information about the size of the access time window; STA determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, and the time information of the target Trigger frame and the Trigger frame is used to determine The target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; if the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window.
  • the incoming information is used to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the initial access information may be an authentication frame, and the authentication frame may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame (here, the sending start time) and the sending time of each Beacon frame (here, the sending start time), and two adjacent Triggers
  • the transmission time interval of the frame here refers to the interval of the transmission start time).
  • the embodiments of this application can not only determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA, to meet the long-distance coverage requirements and uplink reception interference suppression requirements; it can also adapt STAs with different beam directions or different distances to different accesses. In terms of resources, the number of access failures and access delays of long-distance STAs are reduced, and the overall access efficiency of STAs in the cell is improved.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the M Trigger frames are sent by the wide sending beam of the AP.
  • the STA determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, including: if the received signal quality corresponding to at least one Trigger frame in the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold, the STA uses the M Trigger frames Any Trigger frame in the frame is determined as the target Trigger frame.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames
  • the MN first Trigger frames One Trigger frame is transmitted by the wide transmission beam of the AP
  • the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by at least 2 different transmission beams of the AP.
  • the STA determines the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, including: if the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame in the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold, then the STA obtains the value from the N A target Trigger frame is determined in the second Trigger frames, and the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes information about the number of Trigger frames, and the information about the number of Trigger frames is used to determine MN first Trigger frames from the M Trigger frames And N second Trigger frames.
  • the foregoing information about the number of Trigger frames includes the number of Trigger frames sent using a wide transmission beam and the number of Trigger frames sent using a narrow transmission beam.
  • MN is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the wide transmission
  • N is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent by the narrow beam.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the method further includes: if the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA receives a third Trigger frame sent by the AP through the first transmission beam, the third Trigger frame and the third Trigger frame The time information is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame; the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the first access time window, and the initial access information is used to instruct the AP to use the first access time window.
  • the first transmission beam corresponding to the access time window communicates with the STA.
  • the embodiments of the present application provide yet another beam determination method, which is applicable to an AP, and the method includes: the AP sends at least one Beacon frame, and each Beacon frame in the at least one Beacon frame includes a Trigger frame Time information; the AP sends at least M Trigger frames, each Trigger frame of the at least M Trigger frames includes information about the size of the access time window, and the at least M Trigger frames are used to determine the target Trigger frame and the time of the Trigger frame The information and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; when the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP receives the STA within the target access time window Initial access information sent; the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information, and uses the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the initial access information may be an authentication frame, and the authentication frame may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame may include the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame (here, the sending start time) and the sending time of each Beacon frame (here, the sending start time), and two adjacent Triggers
  • the transmission time interval of the frame here refers to the interval of the transmission start time).
  • the embodiments of this application can not only determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA, to meet the long-distance coverage requirements and uplink reception interference suppression requirements; it can also adapt STAs with different beam directions or different distances to different accesses. In terms of resources, the number of access failures and access delays of long-distance STAs are reduced, and the overall access efficiency of STAs in the cell is improved.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the at least M Trigger frames include M Trigger frames sent by the AP's wide transmit beam;
  • the target Trigger frame is any Trigger frame among the M Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the at least M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames.
  • the first Trigger frame is sent by the AP's wide transmit beam
  • the N second Trigger frames are sent by at least 2 different transmit beams of the AP; when each of the MN first Trigger frames is received corresponding to each first Trigger frame
  • the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the largest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes information about the number of Trigger frames, and the information about the number of Trigger frames is used to determine MN first Trigger frames from the at least M Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned information about the number of Trigger frames includes the number of Trigger frames sent using a wide transmission beam and the number of Trigger frames sent using a narrow transmission beam.
  • the MN is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the wide transmission beam.
  • the number of Trigger frames sent, N is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the narrow beam.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the method further includes: when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the AP sends a third Trigger frame on the first transmission beam, and the time between the third Trigger frame and the third Trigger frame The information is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame; the AP receives the initial access information sent by the STA within the first access time window; the AP determines the time corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information The first access time window uses the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a device, which may be an STA or a chip or circuit that can be installed in the STA, and the device includes any one of the first aspect and/or the first aspect described above.
  • the unit and/or module of the beam determination method provided by the possible implementation manners can therefore also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided in the first aspect.
  • the embodiments of the present application provide another device.
  • the device may be an AP or a chip or circuit that can be installed in the AP.
  • the device includes any one of the second aspect and/or the second aspect described above.
  • the unit and/or module of the beam determination method provided by this possible implementation manner can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided in the second aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides yet another device.
  • the device may be an STA or a chip or circuit that can be installed in the STA.
  • the device includes any one of the third aspect and/or the third aspect.
  • the unit and/or module of the beam determination method provided by this possible implementation manner can also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the third aspect.
  • the embodiments of the present application provide yet another device.
  • the device may be an AP or a chip or a circuit that can be installed in the AP.
  • the device includes any of the foregoing fourth aspect and/or fourth aspect.
  • the unit and/or module of the beam determination method provided by a possible implementation manner can therefore also achieve the beneficial effects (or advantages) of the beam determination method provided by the fourth aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides an STA.
  • the STA may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the transceiver is used to send and receive various information and data frames (such as trigger frames). ) Or a control frame (such as a beacon frame), the computer program includes program instructions, and when the processor runs the program instructions, the terminal device executes the beam of the first aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the first aspect Determine the method.
  • the transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the STA, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input/output interface of a chip or circuit.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides an AP.
  • the AP may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the transceiver is used to send and receive various information and data frames (such as trigger frames). ) Or a control frame (such as a beacon frame), the computer program includes program instructions, and when the processor runs the program instructions, the terminal device executes the beam of the second aspect or any one of the possible implementations of the second aspect Determine the method.
  • the transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the AP, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input/output interface of a chip or circuit.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides another STA.
  • the STA may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the transceiver is used to send and receive various information and data frames (such as trigger frame) or control frame (such as a beacon frame), the computer program includes program instructions, when the processor runs the program instructions, the terminal device executes the third aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the third aspect Beam determination method.
  • the transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the STA, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input/output interface of a chip or circuit.
  • the AP may include a processor, a transceiver, and a memory, where the memory is used to store a computer program, and the transceiver is used to send and receive various information and data frames (such as trigger frame) or control frame (such as beacon frame), the computer program includes program instructions, when the processor runs the program instructions, the terminal device is made to execute the fourth aspect or any one of the possible implementation manners of the fourth aspect Beam determination method.
  • the transceiver may be a radio frequency module in the AP, or a combination of a radio frequency module and an antenna, or an input/output interface of a chip or circuit.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system including an STA and an AP, where: the STA is the device described in the fifth aspect or the STA described in the ninth aspect, and the AP is the device described in the sixth aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides another communication system, including an STA and an AP, where: the STA is the device described in the seventh aspect or the STA described in the eleventh aspect, and the AP is the eighth aspect.
  • the STA is the device described in the seventh aspect or the STA described in the eleventh aspect
  • the AP is the eighth aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer program instructions in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program instructions are executed on the computer, the computer executes the first aspect described above.
  • the beam determination method in.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer program instructions in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program instructions run on the computer, the computer executes the second aspect described above.
  • the beam determination method in.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer program instructions in the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program instructions run on the computer, the computer executes the third aspect described above.
  • the beam determination method in.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer-readable storage medium that stores computer program instructions, and when the computer program instructions are run on the computer, the computer executes the fourth aspect described above.
  • the beam determination method in.
  • inventions of the present application provide a computer program product.
  • the computer program product includes computer program code.
  • the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the beam determination method of the first aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product including computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the beam determination method of the second aspect.
  • embodiments of the present application provide a computer program product, the computer program product including computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the beam determination method of the third aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product, the computer program product including computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the beam determination method of the fourth aspect.
  • an embodiment of the present application provides a chip including a processor.
  • the processor is configured to read and execute a computer program stored in the memory to execute the communication method in any possible implementation manner of the above-mentioned first aspect or the above-mentioned second aspect.
  • the chip further includes a memory, and the memory and the processor are connected through a circuit or a wire.
  • the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface.
  • the communication interface is used to receive data and/or information that needs to be processed, and the processor obtains the data and/or information from the communication interface, processes the data and/or information, and outputs the processing result through the communication interface.
  • the communication interface can be an input and output interface.
  • processors and memory may be physically independent units, or the memory may also be integrated with the processor.
  • the implementation of the embodiments of this application can achieve long-distance coverage in video backhaul scenarios and suppress uplink reception interference on the one hand, and on the other hand, it can improve the access efficiency of users (ie STAs) in the cell during the initial access process and avoid User (ie STA) access collision during the initial access process.
  • users ie STAs
  • User ie STA
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of the architecture of a WIFI wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application
  • Fig. 2a is a schematic diagram of data exchange in the access process in passive mode provided by an embodiment of the present application
  • FIG. 2b is a schematic diagram of data exchange in an access process in active mode provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of fields carried in a Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 4b is another schematic diagram of fields carried in a Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of fields carried in an authentication frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 6 is another schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 7 is another schematic diagram of fields carried in a Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 8 is another schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 9 is still another schematic diagram of fields carried in a Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 10 is a schematic diagram of a structure of a device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 11 is another schematic structural diagram of a device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 12 is another schematic structural diagram of the device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 13 is still another schematic diagram of the structure of the device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • FIG. 1 is a schematic structural diagram of a WIFI wireless communication system provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the WIFI wireless communication system may include at least one AP and at least one STA (STA1 and STA2 in FIG. 1).
  • the AP in the WIFI wireless communication system has beamforming capability;
  • the STA is equipped with a directional antenna, which can send and receive signals in a specific beam direction, and the STA can also be equipped with an omnidirectional antenna, which can send and receive signals in multiple specific beam directions.
  • STA does not have beamforming capability.
  • the AP may use different beams to communicate with the STA.
  • APs and STAs can be connected wirelessly, one AP can be connected to one or more STAs, and one STA can be connected to one AP.
  • the STA can be a fixed location, or it can be mobile.
  • the AP in the embodiment of the present application may include wireless routers, base stations, etc.; the STA may include terminals with shooting functions such as mobile phones, computers, IPADs, and cameras. This embodiment of the application does not limit the number of APs and STAs included in the WIFI wireless communication system.
  • the WIFI wireless communication system provided in the embodiments of the present application may support two access technologies.
  • One is an access technology based on beacon frames or probe request frames; the other is an access technology based on trigger frames.
  • the access technology based on the Beacon frame or the probe request frame mainly includes three steps: (1) Scan stage, STA searches for nearby APs through scanning; (2) Authentication stage, STA After selecting a certain AP, initiate identity authentication to this AP; (3) Association (association), after passing identity authentication, the STA initiates an association process to this AP.
  • the STA can establish a communication link with the AP through the above three steps, that is, the STA accesses the AP through the above three steps. After the communication link between the STA and the AP is established, the STA and the AP can send and receive data messages to each other.
  • the scanning phase there are two scanning modes in the scanning phase, namely, an active mode and a passive mode.
  • the STA sends a probe request frame on each channel in turn, and the probe request frame carries service set identifier (SSID) information related to the STA to find APs with the same SSID.
  • SSID service set identifier
  • the STA finds an AP with the same SSID, it will enter the authentication phase, and only the STA that has passed the identity authentication can perform wireless access.
  • the passive mode the STA discovers the network by listening to the Beacon frames periodically sent by the AP.
  • the Beacon identifies the basic service set (BSS) information related to the AP.
  • the STA selects one based on the BSS information identified by the Beacon frame.
  • the AP enters the authentication phase.
  • BSS basic service set
  • Fig. 2a is a schematic diagram of data interaction in the access process in the passive mode provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the access process in passive mode includes step a-step e.
  • Step a AP periodically sends Beacon frames;
  • Step b STA sends an authentication request (authentication request) to AP;
  • Step c AP returns an authentication response (authentication response) to STA;
  • Step d STA sends an association request (association request) to AP );
  • Step e AP returns an association response (association response) to the STA.
  • Figure 2b is a schematic diagram of data interaction in the access process in the active mode provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the access process in the active mode includes step f-step k.
  • Step f STA sends a probe request;
  • Step g AP returns a probe response to STA;
  • Step h STA sends an authentication request (authentication request) to AP;
  • Step i AP returns an authentication response to STA (authentication response);
  • step j the STA sends an association request (association request) to the AP;
  • step k the AP returns an association response (association response) to the STA.
  • the access technology based on Trigger frames can also be referred to as uplink (UL) based on orthogonal frequency division multiple access (orthogonal frequency division multiple access, OFDMA) random access (UL OFDMA-based random access, UORA).
  • uplink scheduling random access resources can be allocated, and STAs can compete to send uplink data under the bandwidth where the random access resources are located.
  • the AP can perform uplink scheduling by sending a Trigger frame, and the Trigger frame can carry random access resources allocated by the AP.
  • the STA After the STA receives the Trigger frame, it performs contention access according to its internal OFDMA backoff (OFDMAbackoff, OBO) counter.
  • OBO OFDMA backoff
  • the STA cannot obtain the beam information corresponding to the Beacon frames received at different times, and thus cannot determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and the STA. Even if the STA determines the optimal beam for communication between the AP and the STA, the message reported by the STA during the access process does not carry the corresponding beam information, so the AP cannot determine the optimal beam corresponding to the STA.
  • the WIFI wireless communication system is accessed based on a competitive approach, the signal of a long-distance STA has a large signal attenuation when it reaches the AP, so it is difficult for a long-distance STA to preempt access resources for access.
  • short-distance STAs may preempt the access opportunities of long-distance STAs, causing long-distance STAs to fail to access for a long time. Entry is extended.
  • the embodiment of the present application provides a beam determination method, which can determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA, so as to meet the long-distance coverage requirements and the uplink reception interference suppression requirements.
  • the beam width of a signal refers to the angle between the two maximum radiation directions when the radiation power drops by 3 decibels (dB) on both sides of the maximum radiation direction.
  • the beam width can be divided into horizontal beam width and vertical beam width.
  • the horizontal beam width refers to the angle between the two maximum radiation directions at which the radiation power drops by 3dB on both sides of the maximum radiation direction in the horizontal direction.
  • the vertical beam width refers to the angle between the two maximum radiation directions at which the radiation power drops by 3dB on both sides of the maximum radiation direction in the vertical direction.
  • the wide beam mentioned in the embodiment of the present application refers to a beam with a wider horizontal beam width, for example, the horizontal beam width is 45 to 120 degrees.
  • the wide beam has a wider coverage area and is usually used for wide coverage of broadcast signals.
  • the narrow beam mentioned in the embodiment of the present application refers to a beam with a narrow horizontal beam width, for example, the horizontal beam width is 10-20 degrees.
  • the narrow beam has higher beam gain and better side-lobe interference suppression capability, but the coverage area is narrower.
  • Narrow beams are usually used for point-to-point communications.
  • the AP in the embodiments of this application can be equipped with a large-scale multi-input and multi-output (MIMO) antenna for beamforming;
  • the STA can be equipped with a directional antenna or an omnidirectional antenna, Does not have beamforming capability.
  • MIMO multi-input and multi-output
  • one AP can access multiple STAs at the same time.
  • the transmit beam and receive beam of the AP can be the same beam or different beams.
  • the transmitting beam and receiving beam used by the AP to communicate with the STA can be multiplexed, that is, for a certain STA, the transmitting beam used by the AP to send information/data to this STA is the same as the one used to receive information/data from this STA.
  • the receiving beam used is the same beam. It is understandable that the transmitting beam refers to the beam used to transmit information/data, and the receiving beam refers to the beam used to receive information/data. It is also understandable that the wide transmission beam mentioned in the embodiments of the present application refers to the wide beam used when sending information/data, and the narrow transmission beam refers to the narrow beam used when sending information/data.
  • the received signal quality involved in the embodiments of this application can be reflected by the signal to interference plus noise ratio (SINR), or it can be reflected by reference signal receiving power, RSRP) reflect.
  • SINR may refer to the ratio of the strength of the received useful signal to the strength of the received interference signal (including noise and interference).
  • RSRP may refer to the average value of signal power received on all resource elements (resource elements, RE) that carry a reference signal in a certain symbol. It is understandable that the larger the SINR or RSRP, the higher the received signal quality. Conversely, the smaller the SINR or RSRP, the lower the received signal quality.
  • the broadcast frame in the WIFI wireless communication system does not require a receiver acknowledgement (ACK), while a unicast frame usually requires a receiver acknowledgement (ACK). Therefore, since the Beacon frame in the embodiment of this application is a broadcast frame, the receiving end does not need to feed back the ACK frame after receiving the Beacon frame; since the authentication frame in the embodiment of this application is a unicast frame, the receiving end receives the Beacon frame After that, the corresponding ACK frame needs to be fed back.
  • ACK receiver acknowledgement
  • ACK receiver acknowledgement
  • FIG. 3 is a schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:
  • the AP uses beam polling to send a beacon frame. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Beacon frame from the AP.
  • the Beacon frame sent by the AP may carry beam-related indications.
  • each Beacon frame sent by the AP may include a beam identification (identity, ID) of the sending beam used by the AP to send the Beacon frame. For example, if the AP sends a Beacon frame on beam1, the beam identifier included in this Beacon frame is beam1; when the AP sends another Beacon frame on beam2, the beam identifier included in this other Beacon frame is beam2.
  • each Beacon frame may also include at least one of the following information: beam polling time period, the number of beams polled in the current beam polling time period, or the beam polling information in the current beam polling time period The total number of beams. Among them, all beams polled by AP beams are narrow beams, and the total number of polled beams is greater than or equal to 2.
  • the beam polling time period in the embodiment of the present application is also referred to as the Beacon beam polling period T_BM (Beacon beam pattern cycle), which refers to the time required for the AP to complete one beam polling to send the Beacon frame.
  • T_BM Beacon beam pattern cycle
  • the Beacon frame in the embodiment of the present application may be sent periodically, that is, one Beacon frame is sent at regular intervals (a period of time here refers to a Beacon interval).
  • the AP has a total of 8 narrow beams beam1-beam8, and the AP polls and sends Beacon frames in sequence on the 8 narrow beams beam1-beam8.
  • the AP sends the first Beacon frame on beam1, and then sends the second Beacon frame on beam2 after an interval of 1 Beacon cycle, and sends the third Beacon frame on beam3 after an interval of 1 Beacon cycle, and so on, After the AP sends the 7th Beacon frame on beam7, it sends the 8th Beacon frame on beam8 after an interval of 1 Beacon period.
  • the beam polling time period ie, the Beacon beam polling period T_BM
  • T_BM the Beacon beam polling period starts from the AP sending the first Beacon frame on beam1 until the AP sends the eighth Beacon frame on beam8, an interval of 1 Beacon period The time required.
  • the embodiments of the present application may indicate various beam-related information through fields carried in the Beacon frame.
  • a field carried by the Beacon frame may indicate a type of beam-related information.
  • the beam identifier of the transmitting beam used by the AP to send the Beacon frame can be indicated by a field in the Beacon frame; the total number of beams polled by the beam in the current beam polling time period or the remaining beam number can be determined by another field in the Beacon frame.
  • Field indication; the beam polling time period can be indicated by another field in the Beacon frame.
  • a field carried by the Beacon frame may also indicate various beam-related information (such as beam identification, total number of beams, remaining number of beams, or beam polling time period, etc.). It is also understandable that the fields of beam-related information included in the Beacon frame may be newly added fields. It is also understandable that the field lengths (units of bits) of multiple fields of various beam-related information included in the Beacon frame may be the same or different. It is also understandable that the multiple fields of various beam-related information included in the Beacon frame may be adjacent fields or non-adjacent fields.
  • FIG. 4a is a schematic diagram of fields carried in a Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the CurrentBeamID (current beam ID) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the beam ID of the transmission beam used by the AP to send this Beacon frame
  • the Total Beam Num field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the current beam polling.
  • the total number of beams polled by the beam in the time period; or the Remaining Beam Num field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the number of beams polled in the current beam polling time period.
  • FIG. 4b is another schematic diagram of the fields carried in the Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the CurrentBeamID field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the beam identification of the transmission beam used by the AP to send this Beacon frame
  • the Beacon Beam Pattern Cycle (Beacon beam polling period) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the beam polling time period.
  • the length of the CurrentBeamID field is 3 bits
  • the length of the Beam Pattern Cycle field is 14 bits.
  • FIGS. 4a and 4b are only schematic diagrams. In practical applications, other fields may be added to the Beacon frame to indicate various information related to the beam. It is also understandable that the length of the newly added field in the Beacon frame can also be set according to actual application scenarios. The embodiment of the application does not limit this.
  • the AP uses beam polling to send multiple Beacon frames, and within one beam polling time period, the AP sends one Beacon frame on a narrow transmission beam. Assuming that the AP has K different narrow transmission beams, the AP transmits a total of K Beacon frames in one beam polling time period, and each Beacon frame of the K Beacon frames is transmitted by a different narrow transmission beam of the AP. Accordingly, the STA receives multiple Beacon frames from the AP.
  • each Beacon frame includes the beam identifier of the transmitting beam used by the AP to transmit the Beacon frame.
  • each Beacon frame may further include at least one of the beam polling time period, the total number of beams polled by the beam in the current beam polling time period, or the number of remaining beams.
  • beam polling is used to send Beacon frames to ensure that STAs in different geographic locations or at different distances can receive one or more Beacon frames.
  • K is equal to 8
  • the AP has 8 different narrow transmit beams, such as beam1-beam8.
  • the AP sends Beacon frames on the 8 narrow transmit beams of beam1-beam8 in turn, and the AP sends a total of 8 Beacon frames in the beam polling time period.
  • the three STAs (such as STA1, STA2, and STA3) are located in different geographic locations or have different distances from the AP.
  • STA1 receives the Beacon frames sent on beam1, beam2, and beam3 from AP, STA1 receives a total of 3 Beacon frames; STA2 receives the Beacon frames sent on beam3 and beam4 from AP, and STA2 receives a total of 2 Beacon frames; AP receives the Beacon frames sent on beam1-beam8, and STA3 receives a total of 8 Beacon frames. It is understandable that, for ease of description, an STA is taken as an example below for description.
  • the STA determines the received signal quality corresponding to each transmit beam of the AP according to each received Beacon frame.
  • the STA determines a first transmission beam from each transmission beam of the AP according to the received signal quality corresponding to each transmission beam of the AP.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames includes the beam identifier of the transmission beam used by the AP to transmit the Beacon frame
  • the STA can measure the beam included in each Beacon frame according to each received Beacon frame. Identifies the received signal quality (such as SINR or RSRP) corresponding to the identified transmit beam. Because the STA measures the received signal quality corresponding to one transmit beam according to one received Beacon frame, the STA can measure the received signal quality corresponding to multiple transmit beams according to the multiple received Beacon frames.
  • the STA determines the first transmission beam (that is, the optimal transmission beam) from the multiple transmission beams according to the received signal quality corresponding to the multiple transmission beams identified by the multiple beam identifiers included in the multiple received Beacon frames.
  • the STA may determine the transmission beam with the highest received signal quality among the received signal quality corresponding to the multiple transmission beams as the first transmission beam.
  • the embodiment of the application includes the transmission beam used to transmit the Beacon frame in the Beacon frame, so that when the STA receives the Beacon frame at different times, it can know the beam information corresponding to the Beacon frame at different times, so as to respond to the reception of different transmission beams.
  • the signal quality determines the optimal transmission beam (that is, the first transmission beam) for communication between the AP and the STA.
  • the beam identifier included in the first Beacon frame is beam1
  • the beam identifier included in the second Beacon frame is beam2
  • the beam identifier included in the third Beacon frame is beam3.
  • the STA measures the SINR corresponding to beam1 according to the first beacon frame received, measures the SINR corresponding to beam2 according to the second beacon frame received, and measures the SINR corresponding to beam3 according to the third beacon frame received.
  • the STA compares the magnitude relationship between the SINRs corresponding to beam1, beam2, and beam3. If the SINR corresponding to beam2 is the largest, the STA uses beam2 as the optimal transmission beam for the AP to communicate with the STA (that is, the first transmission beam).
  • the STA may measure the received signal quality corresponding to the transmission beam identified by the beam identifier included in the Beacon frame based on the Beacon frame. For example, when the STA receives the first Beacon frame, it measures the received signal quality corresponding to the transmission beam beam1 included in the first Beacon frame according to the first Beacon frame; The second Beacon frame measures the received signal quality corresponding to the transmitting beam beam2 included in the second Beacon frame. Therefore, the STA does not need to wait to receive all the Beacon frames that the STA can receive, and then measure the received signal quality corresponding to the transmit beam according to each Beacon frame received.
  • each of the above-mentioned Beacon frames not only includes the beam identification of the transmission beam used by the AP to transmit the each Beacon frame, but also includes the total number of beams polled by the beam in the current beam polling time period or the remaining beams quantity.
  • the STA can detect whether the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is equal to the total number of beams indicated by any Beacon frame. If the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is equal to the total number of beams indicated by any Beacon frame, the STA determines that all transmission beams of the AP complete beam polling.
  • the STA determines the transmission beam with the highest received signal quality among the received signal qualities corresponding to the respective transmission beams of the AP as the first transmission beam. If the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams currently received is less than the total number of beams indicated by any Beacon frame, the STA determines that all transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling. In the case where it is determined that all the transmitted beams of the AP have not completed the beam polling, the STA continues to receive the Beacon frames sent by the AP using the beam polling until the number of Beacon frames corresponding to different beams received by the STA is equal to the total number of beams.
  • the STA detects whether the number of remaining beams indicated by the currently received Beacon frame is 0. If the number of remaining beams indicated by the currently received Beacon frame is 0, the STA determines that all transmission beams of the AP have completed beam polling. In the case of determining that all the transmission beams of the AP complete the beam polling, the STA determines the transmission beam with the highest received signal quality among the received signal quality corresponding to each transmission beam of the AP as the first transmission beam. If the number of remaining beams indicated by the currently received Beacon frame is greater than 0, the STA determines that all transmission beams of the AP have not completed beam polling.
  • the STA continues to receive the Beacon frame sent by the AP using the beam polling until the number of remaining beams indicated by the Beacon frame received by the STA is 0.
  • each of the above-mentioned Beacon frames not only indicates the beam identifier of the transmission beam used by the AP to transmit the respective Beacon frame, but also indicates the beam polling time period. Because the Beacon frame is sent periodically, and the Beacon interval is included in the Beacon frame, the STA can follow the beam polling time period indicated by the Beacon frame and the Beacon period included in the Beacon frame (here refers to two adjacent Beacon periods). Frame sending time interval), calculate the total number of beams polled by the beam in the current beam polling time period. The STA can determine whether all transmission beams of the AP have completed beam polling according to the number of currently received Beacon frames and the total number of beams.
  • the STA can start timing after receiving the first Beacon frame.
  • the STA can determine that all beams sent by the AP have completed beam polling.
  • the STA may determine that all the transmit beams of the AP have not completed beam polling. If it is determined that all the transmission beams of the AP complete the beam polling, the STA determines the transmission beam with the highest received signal quality among the received signal quality corresponding to each transmission beam of the AP as the first transmission beam. If it is determined that all the transmission beams of the AP have not completed the beam polling, the STA continues to receive the Beacon frame sent by the AP using the beam polling until all the transmission beams of the AP have completed the beam polling.
  • each time the STA receives a Beacon frame it measures the received signal quality (such as SINR or RSRP) corresponding to the transmitted beam indicated by the Beacon frame according to the received Beacon frame, and compares the Beacon frame The magnitude relationship between the received signal quality corresponding to the indicated sending beam and the quality threshold. If the received signal quality corresponding to the sending beam indicated by this Beacon frame is greater than or equal to the quality threshold, the STA determines the sending beam indicated by this Beacon frame as the first sending beam. Optionally, after determining the first transmission beam, the STA may no longer receive Beacon frames from the AP, or discard subsequent received Beacon frames. Among them, the quality threshold can be set according to actual business requirements.
  • the quality threshold can also be carried in a Beacon frame, and notified to the STA by the AP.
  • the quality threshold can be used to reflect whether the measured received signal quality meets the service requirements, that is, if the measured received signal quality is greater than or equal to the quality threshold, the measured received signal quality is considered to meet the service requirements; if If the measured received signal quality is less than the quality threshold, it is considered that the measured received signal quality does not meet the service requirements.
  • the STA After receiving the first Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmission beam beam1 indicated by the first Beacon frame according to the first Beacon frame. Assuming that the SINR corresponding to beam1 is less than the preset quality threshold, the STA waits to receive the second Beacon frame. After the STA receives the second Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmission beam beam2 indicated by the second Beacon frame according to the second Beacon frame. Assuming that the SINR corresponding to beam2 is still less than the preset quality threshold, the STA waits to receive the third Beacon frame.
  • the STA After the STA receives the third Beacon frame, the STA measures the SINR corresponding to the transmission beam beam3 indicated by the third Beacon frame according to the third Beacon frame. Assuming that the SINR corresponding to beam3 is greater than or equal to the preset quality threshold, the STA uses the transmit beam beam3 indicated by the third Beacon frame as the optimal transmit beam (ie, the first transmit beam) for the AP to communicate with the STA, and No longer waiting to receive the Beacon frame, or discard the subsequently received Beacon frame (such as the 4th and 5th Beacon frame), or do not process the subsequently received Beacon frame.
  • the optimal transmit beam ie, the first transmit beam
  • the STA sends initial access information to the AP. Accordingly, the AP receives initial access information from the STA.
  • the foregoing initial access information may be an authentication frame, and the physical layer structure of the authentication frame may be a single user physical protocol data unit (SU PPDU).
  • the initial access information may include the beam identifier of the first transmission beam, that is, the authentication frame includes the beam identifier of the first transmission beam.
  • the embodiment of the present application may indicate the beam identifier of the above-mentioned first transmission beam through a field carried in the authentication frame.
  • FIG. 5 is a schematic diagram of the fields carried in the authentication frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the BestBeamID (best beam ID) field carried in the authentication frame indicates the beam ID of the first transmission beam.
  • the length of the BestBeamID field in Figure 5 is 3 bits. It is understandable that FIG. 5 is only a schematic diagram. In practical applications, other fields may be added to the authentication frame to indicate the beam identifier of the first transmission beam. It is also understandable that the length of the newly added field in the authentication frame can also be set according to actual application scenarios. The embodiment of the application does not limit this.
  • the STA may send an authentication frame (that is, initial access information) to the STA after the first transmission beam is determined.
  • the AP receives the authentication frame from the STA.
  • the embodiment of the application informs the AP of the determined optimal transmission beam (ie, the first transmission beam) through an authentication frame, so that the AP can determine the optimal transmission beam (ie, the first transmission beam) corresponding to the STA, thereby ensuring
  • the optimal transmit beam (that is, the first transmit beam) is used to communicate with the received signal quality of the STA, thereby achieving long-distance coverage and suppressing uplink reception interference.
  • the authentication frame since the authentication frame is a unicast frame, after the AP receives the authentication frame, it may return an ACK frame to the STA.
  • the ACK frame is used to confirm that the AP has received the authentication frame.
  • the AP may use a default cell-level beam (such as a wide transmit beam) to send the ACK frame corresponding to the authentication frame.
  • S305 The AP parses the initial access information to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried in the initial access information.
  • the AP uses the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA.
  • the authentication frame may be parsed to obtain the beam identifier of the first transmission beam carried by the authentication frame.
  • the authentication frame sent by the STA may also be referred to as an authentication request, so the AP can use the first transmission beam to return an authentication response to the STA.
  • the STA may send an association request to the STA.
  • the AP may use the first transmission beam to return an association response.
  • the establishment of the communication link between the AP and the STA is complete. After the establishment of the communication link between the STA and the AP is completed, the AP can use the first transmission beam to send a data message to the STA.
  • the STA re-executes the above steps S302-S304, that is, the STA re-executes the above steps S302-S304, that is, the STA re-executes the received Beacon
  • the frame determines the optimal transmit beam, and re-reports the optimal transmit beam to the AP.
  • the AP uses the latest optimal transmit beam reported by the STA as the transmit beam for subsequent scheduling of the STA, that is, the AP uses the optimal transmit beam most recently reported by the STA to communicate with the STA.
  • the AP uses beam polling to send a Beacon frame, and the Beacon frame carries the beam used to send the Beacon frame; the STA receives one or more Beacon frames from the AP, and according to the received Beacon frames The frame measures the received signal quality corresponding to each transmit beam of the AP, and determines the optimal transmit beam (that is, the first transmit beam) from the transmit beams of the AP according to the received signal quality corresponding to each transmit beam of the AP; the STA determines the optimal transmit beam The beam identifier of the transmitting beam (that is, the first transmitting beam) is carried in the authentication frame and sent to the AP; the AP parses the authentication frame received from the STA, and determines the optimal transmission beam for subsequent scheduling of the STA (that is, the first transmitting beam).
  • the optimal transmission beam can be guaranteed to be adopted.
  • the transmit beam (ie the first transmit beam) communicates with the received signal quality of the STA, and the narrow beam provides 3 ⁇ 5dB of receive beam gain and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression, which improves the access performance of long-distance STAs and enhances uplink coverage. , To achieve long-distance coverage and suppress uplink reception interference.
  • FIG. 6 is another schematic flowchart of a beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:
  • the AP uses beam polling to send a beacon frame. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Beacon frame from the AP.
  • step S401 in the embodiment of the present application may refer to the implementation manner of step S301 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and details are not described herein again.
  • the AP uses at least two different transmitting beams to transmit at least one trigger Trigger frame. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Trigger frame from the AP.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame may not only indicate the beam identifier of the transmission beam used by the AP to transmit the Beacon frame, but also indicate the time information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by each Beacon frame may include the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame (here, the sending start time) and the sending time of each Beacon frame (here, the sending start time) , And the sending time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames (here refers to the sending start time interval).
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the first Beacon frame sent by the AP includes: the time offset between the sending start time of the first Trigger frame and the sending start time of the first Beacon frame, and two adjacent ones.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the second Beacon frame sent by the AP includes: the sending start time of the first Trigger frame and the sending start time of the second Beacon frame
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame indicated by each Beacon frame may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.
  • the beam ID corresponding to the Trigger frame is beam3 and the end beam ID is beam8
  • the beam ID corresponding to the first Trigger frame is beam3
  • the beam ID corresponding to the second Trigger frame is beam4
  • the beam ID corresponding to the third Trigger frame is beam4.
  • the corresponding beam identifier is beam5, and so on, the beam identifier corresponding to the sixth Trigger frame is beam8.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the above Beacon frame may directly include the transmission time of each Trigger frame (here, the transmission start time). It is understandable that because the Beacon frame carries a complete broadcast message, the frame length in the time domain is about 400us (microseconds), so the time offset and time interval of the Trigger frame are indicated in the Beacon frame, as opposed to directly indicating each Trigger The transmission time of the frame can reduce the frame length of the Beacon frame.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame can indicate the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame by indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (that is, the UORA time window). Since the information of an access time window (referring to UORA time window) is carried in a Trigger frame, that is, the access time window and the Trigger frame have a one-to-one correspondence, the Beacon frame indicates the access time window (ie UORA time window) corresponds to The beam identifier of is equivalent to the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame.
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (ie UORA time window) indicated by the Beacon frame may include the start beam identifier and the end beam identifier corresponding to the access time window (ie UORA time window). For example, suppose that the start beam identifier corresponding to the access time window is beam3, and the end beam identifier is beam8.
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the first access time window is beam3, which means that the beam identifier corresponding to the first Trigger frame is also beam3;
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the second access time window is beam4, which means that the second Trigger frame corresponds to The beam identifier of is also beam4;
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the third access time window is beam5, indicating that the beam identifier corresponding to the third Trigger frame is also beam5, and so on, the beam identifier corresponding to the sixth access time window It is beam8, which means that the beam identifier corresponding to the sixth Trigger frame is also beam8.
  • the embodiment of the present application may indicate the time information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) through the field carried by the Beacon frame.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame can be indicated by one or more fields carried by the Beacon frame
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) can also be indicated by one or more other fields carried by the Beacon frame. Field to indicate.
  • the field lengths of multiple fields used to indicate the time information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) in the Beacon frame may be the same or different. It can also be understood that one or more fields in the Beacon frame indicating the time information of the Trigger frame and indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) may be newly added fields.
  • the field indicating the time information of the Trigger frame in the Beacon frame and the field indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) may be adjacent fields or non-adjacent. Field. It can also be understood that, in the Beacon frame, one or more fields indicating the time information of the Trigger frame and one or more fields indicating the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame are not limited in the sequence of the Beacon frame.
  • FIG. 7 is another schematic diagram of the fields carried in the Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the TriggerUoraOffset (trigger UORA offset) field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame and the sending time of the Beacon frame; the TriggerUora Interval carried by the Beacon frame The) field indicates the transmission time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames.
  • the UORA Start Beam Index (UORA start beam number) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the start beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window
  • the UORA End Beam Index (UORA end beam index) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the end beam corresponding to the UORA time window Logo.
  • the length of the TriggerUora Offset field and the TriggerUora Interval field are both 14 bits; the length of the UORA Start Beam Index field and the UORA End Beam Index field are both 6 bits.
  • FIG. 7 is only a schematic diagram. In practical applications, other fields can be added to the Beacon frame to indicate the time information of the Trigger frame and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window). It is also understandable that the length of the newly added field in the Beacon frame can also be set according to actual application scenarios. The embodiment of the application does not limit this.
  • the AP may use the transmit beam corresponding to the Trigger frame (or UORA time window) configured in the Beacon frame to transmit the Trigger frame.
  • the sending beam corresponding to the Trigger frame (or UORA time window) configured by the AP in the Beacon frame includes at least two different sending beams, and at least one Trigger frame is sent on each sending beam.
  • the AP uses beam3 to send the first Trigger frame, beam4 to send the second Trigger frame, beam5 to send the third Trigger frame, and beam6 to send
  • beam7 is used to send the 5th Trigger frame
  • beam8 is used to send the 6th Trigger frame.
  • the AP sends a total of 6 Trigger frames. It is understandable that when the AP sends Trigger frames, it can also be sent periodically, that is, after the AP sends a Trigger frame, another Trigger frame is sent at a certain interval, that is, the transmission completion time of the previous Trigger frame and the time of the next Trigger frame. There can be a time interval between the sending start time. Wherein, the time interval may be the size of the access time window corresponding to the previous Trigger frame.
  • the STA can receive at least one Trigger frame from the AP, and can record the reception time of each Trigger frame received. Since an AP has only one wide transmit beam, and the AP uses at least two different transmit beams to transmit Trigger frames, the AP uses a narrow beam to transmit Trigger frames. And because the horizontal beam width of the narrow transmission beam is narrow (for example, the horizontal beam width is 10-20 degrees), the coverage area is limited (that is, the coverage area is narrow), so different locations (locations here refer to geographic locations) or different distances (here The distance refers to the distance between the STA and the AP) The number of Trigger frames received by the STA may be different. Among them, each Trigger frame can carry the frame length of the Trigger frame and the duration of the access time window (or UORA time window).
  • the STA determines the received signal quality corresponding to each transmit beam of the AP according to each received Beacon frame.
  • the STA determines a first transmission beam from each transmission beam of the AP according to the received signal quality corresponding to each transmission beam of the AP.
  • step S403 to step S404 in the embodiment of the present application can refer to the implementation manner of step S302 to step S303 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, and details are not described herein again.
  • step S402 can be executed before step S403-step S404, step S402 can also be executed after step S403-step S404, and step S402 can also be executed at the same time as step S403-step S404. and many more.
  • the embodiment of the present application does not limit the execution sequence between step S402 and step S403-step S404.
  • the STA determines the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from at least one Trigger frame received according to the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame.
  • the STA determines the expected receiving time of each Trigger frame sent by the AP according to the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by any received Beacon frame. According to the expected reception time of each Trigger frame sent by the AP and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame indicated by any Beacon frame received, the STA determines the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first sending beam from at least one received Trigger frame .
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is beam3-beam8
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the first Trigger frame is beam3
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the second Trigger frame is beam4
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the third Trigger frame is beam5.
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the sixth Trigger frame is beam8.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by Beacon frame i includes the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame and the sending time of Beacon frame i is 10ms
  • the sending time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames is 2ms
  • STA The time when the Beacon frame i is received is the 15th ms.
  • the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmit beam is the third Trigger frame sent by the AP, that is, the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmit beam is the target Trigger frame received by the STA between 29ms and 31ms Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the sending start time of the target Trigger frame according to the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame and the receiving time of the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame according to the target Trigger frame and the sending start time of the target Trigger frame.
  • each time the STA receives a Trigger frame the reception time of the Trigger frame can be recorded (the reception time here is the time when the STA actually receives the Trigger frame).
  • the STA may determine the sending start time of the target Trigger frame according to the receiving time of the target Trigger frame and the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by any received Beacon frame.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame i includes the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame and the sending time of the Beacon frame i of 10ms, and the sending time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames is 2ms.
  • the STA matches the expected receiving time of each Trigger frame according to the actual receiving time of the target Trigger frame, and finds the sending start time of the target Trigger frame. Since the 30th ms of the actual receiving time of the target Trigger frame is between the 29th ms of the expected receiving time and the 31st ms of the expected receiving time, the sending start time of the target Trigger frame is the 29th ms.
  • the sending start time of the target Trigger frame is the expected receiving time. For example, if the actual receiving time of the target Trigger frame is the 25th ms, then the sending start time of the target Trigger frame is the 25th ms.
  • the STA After the STA determines the sending start time of the target Trigger frame, it can send the start time of the target Trigger frame and the frame length included in the target Trigger frame (here refers to the frame length in the time domain, and the unit is a time unit, such as us, The sum of ms, etc.) is determined as the transmission completion time of the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA can obtain the preset short interframe space (SIFS), and can use the sum of the transmission completion time of the target Trigger frame and the preset SIFS as the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame ( Or the starting point of the target UORA time window) (the starting point here refers to the time starting point of the access time window).
  • SIFS preset short interframe space
  • the STA may determine the target access time window according to the start position of the target access time window and the size of the target access time window included in the target Trigger frame.
  • the end position of the target access time window (the end position here refers to the time end of the access time window) may be the sum of the start position of the target access time window and the size of the target access time window. For example, if the starting position of the target access time window is the 4th ms, and the size of the target access time window is 200 us, the target access time window is 4 ms-4.2 ms.
  • the length of the physical layer signal carried by the Trigger frame in this embodiment of the application (the length of the physical layer signal carried by the Trigger frame is equal to the frame length of the Trigger frame) is indicated by the L-SIG.
  • the size of the access time window included in the Trigger frame may be indicated by the UL Length subfield of the common field.
  • the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window.
  • the AP receives the initial access information sent by the STA within the target access time window.
  • the foregoing initial access information may be an authentication frame
  • the physical layer structure of the authentication frame may be a Trigger-based physical protocol data unit (TB PPDU).
  • TB PPDU Trigger-based physical protocol data unit
  • the STA may send an authentication frame (that is, initial access information) to the AP within the target access time window.
  • the AP receives the authentication frame sent by the STA within the target access time window.
  • the embodiment of the application implicitly informs the AP and STA of the optimal transmission beam (that is, the first transmission beam) determined by the AP and STA by returning an authentication frame to the AP within the target access time window, and there is no need to add a new field in the authentication frame to indicate
  • the optimal transmission beam determined by the STA can adapt different STAs to different random access resources (here, access time windows), thereby increasing the success probability of receiving uplink access messages (such as authentication frames) and reducing The collision probability of STA access.
  • the authentication frame since the authentication frame is a unicast frame, after the AP receives the authentication frame, it may return an ACK frame to the STA.
  • the ACK frame is used to confirm that the AP has received the authentication frame.
  • the AP may use a default cell-level beam (such as a wide transmit beam) to send the ACK frame corresponding to the authentication frame.
  • S409 The AP determines a target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information.
  • the AP uses the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the AP may record the time when the authentication frame (that is, the initial access information) is received. Since the AP knows the time information of the Trigger frame configured by itself and the size of the access time window configured for each Trigger frame, the AP can determine the access time window corresponding to each Trigger frame sent by the AP. Therefore, the AP may use the access time window that includes the reception time of the authentication frame in the access time window corresponding to each Trigger frame as the target access time window. Because the AP knows the transmission beam used to transmit each Trigger frame, it also knows the transmission beam corresponding to each access time window (or UORA time window), so the AP can determine the transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window (I.e. the first transmit beam).
  • the AP can communicate with the STA by using the first transmission beam.
  • the embodiment of this application directly determines the optimal transmission beam for communication between the AP and the STA by the time when the AP receives the authentication frame, which can ensure the quality of the received signal for communicating with the STA using the optimal transmission beam, thereby achieving long-distance coverage and inhibiting uplink Receive interference.
  • each beam sends 1 Trigger frame, and a total of 3 Trigger frames are sent.
  • the access time window corresponding to the first Trigger frame sent by the AP is 25ms-26ms
  • the access time window corresponding to the second Trigger frame sent by the AP is 27ms-28ms
  • the access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame sent by the AP The entry time window is 29ms-30ms.
  • the AP determines that the access time window including the 25.1ms is 25ms-26ms, that is, the target access time window is 25ms-26ms.
  • the AP used to send the first Trigger frame is beam3, it means that the access time window (that is, the access time window corresponding to the first Trigger frame) 25ms-26ms corresponds to beam3, so the target connection
  • the transmit beam (ie, the first transmit beam) corresponding to the incoming time window of 25ms-26ms is beam3.
  • the AP uses beam3 as the transmit beam for subsequent scheduling of the STA, that is, the AP uses beam3 to communicate with the STA.
  • the AP uses beam polling to send Beacon frames, and uses at least 2 different sending beams to continuously send multiple Trigger frames.
  • the Beacon frame carries the sending beam used to send the Beacon frame;
  • the Beacon frame measures the received signal quality on each transmit beam of the AP, and determines the optimal transmit beam (that is, the first transmit beam) from each transmit beam of the AP according to the received signal quality on each transmit beam of the AP;
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the received at least one Trigger frame, and according to the receiving time of the target Trigger frame and the Trigger frame indicated by any Beacon frame Time information, determine the start time of the target Trigger frame;
  • STA calculates the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame according to the target Trigger frame, SIFS and the start time of the target Trigger frame;
  • STA sends to the AP within the target access time window
  • the STA by indicating in the Beacon frame the transmission beam used to transmit the Beacon frame and the transmission beam corresponding to the Trigger frame (or UORA time window, or random access resource), the STA selects the corresponding random access based on the beam selection result.
  • the resource here refers to the access time window
  • the success probability of receiving uplink access messages (such as authentication frames) can be improved, and the collision probability of STA access can be reduced; it can also ensure that the best beam selection results are used.
  • Optimize the received signal quality of transmitting beam and STA communication and provide 3 ⁇ 5dB of receiving beam gain through narrow beam, and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression, improve the access performance of long-distance STA, enhance uplink coverage, and realize long-distance coverage And suppress the uplink reception interference.
  • the beam determination method provided in the embodiments of the present application can not only determine the optimal beam for communication between the AP and each STA, so as to meet the requirements of long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression; STAs in beam directions or different distances are adapted to different access resources, thereby reducing the number of access failures and access delays of long-distance STAs, and improving the overall access efficiency of STAs in the cell.
  • FIG. 8 is another schematic flowchart of the beam determination method provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application includes but is not limited to the following steps:
  • the AP uses beam polling to send a beacon frame. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Beacon frame from the AP.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame may carry an indication related to the Trigger frame.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame may indicate the time information of the Trigger frame and the quantity information of the Trigger frame.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame may include the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame (here, the sending start time) and the sending time of each Beacon frame (here, the sending start time), And the sending time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames (here refers to the sending start time interval).
  • the information on the number of Trigger frames indicated by the Beacon frame includes the number of Trigger frames transmitted by using a wide transmission beam and the number of Trigger frames transmitted by using a narrow transmission beam.
  • the above Beacon frame may also indicate a signal quality threshold (ie RSRPthres).
  • the signal quality threshold can be used to distinguish between long-distance STAs and short-distance STAs. It is understandable that the distance here refers to the distance between AP and STA. Long-distance STA and short-distance STA are relative concepts. For example, STAs with received signal quality greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold are considered as short-distance STAs; Otherwise, it is considered a long-distance STA.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the above Beacon frame may directly include the transmission time of each Trigger frame (here, the transmission start time).
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame may indicate the quantity information of the Trigger frame by indicating the quantity information of the access time window (that is, the UORA time window). Since the information of one access time window (referring to UORA time window) is carried in one Trigger frame, the information indicating the number of access time windows (ie UORA time window) of the Beacon frame is equivalent to the information indicating the number of Trigger frames.
  • the information on the number of access time windows (ie UORA time windows) indicated by the Beacon frame may include the number of access time windows (ie UORA time windows) sent using a wide transmission beam, and the number of access time windows sent using a narrow transmission beam. The number of time windows (ie UORA time windows).
  • the number of access time windows for transmission using a wide transmission beam is 4, and the number of access time windows for transmission using a narrow transmission beam is 5, it means that the number of Trigger frames transmitted using a wide transmission beam is 4, and the number of Trigger frames transmitted using a narrow transmission beam is 4. The number of Trigger frames is 5.
  • the embodiment of the present application may indicate the information related to the Trigger frame and the signal quality threshold through the field carried by the Beacon frame.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame can be indicated by one or more fields carried by the Beacon frame, and the number information of the Trigger frame (or the number information of the UORA time window) can also be indicated by another one or more fields carried by the Beacon frame.
  • the signal quality threshold can be indicated by another field carried by the Beacon frame. It is understandable that the field lengths of multiple fields used to indicate information related to the Trigger frame and the signal quality threshold in the Beacon frame may be the same or different.
  • multiple fields in the Beacon frame indicating the information related to the Trigger frame and the signal quality threshold may be newly added fields.
  • the field indicating the time information of the Trigger frame, the field indicating the quantity information of the Trigger frame, and the field indicating the signal quality threshold in the Beacon frame may be adjacent fields or non-adjacent fields. It can also be understood that, in the Beacon frame, the field indicating the time information of the Trigger frame, the field indicating the quantity information of the Trigger frame, and the field indicating the signal quality threshold are not limited in the sequence of the Beacon frame.
  • FIG. 9 is another schematic diagram of the fields carried in the Beacon frame provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the TriggerUora Offset field carried by the Beacon frame indicates the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame and the sending time of the Beacon frame;
  • the TriggerUora Interval carried by the Beacon frame The interval) field indicates the transmission time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames.
  • the WbeamRecvWindowNum (wide beam receiving window number) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the number of UORA time windows sent using the wide transmission beam;
  • the NbeamRecvWindowNum (narrow beam receiving window number) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the number of UORA time windows sent using the narrow sending beam.
  • the RSRPthres (RSRP threshold) field carried in the Beacon frame indicates the signal quality threshold.
  • the length of the TriggerUora Offset field and the TriggerUora Interval field are both 14 bits;
  • the length of the WbeamRecvWindowNum field and the NbeamRecvWindowNum field are both 3 bits;
  • the length of the RSRPthres field is 7 bits.
  • FIG. 9 is only a schematic diagram. In practical applications, other fields can be added to the Beacon frame to indicate information related to the Trigger frame and the signal quality threshold. It is also understandable that the length of the newly added field in the Beacon frame can also be set according to actual application scenarios. The embodiment of the application does not limit this.
  • the AP uses beam polling to send a Beacon frame, and within a beam polling time period (ie, a Beacon beam polling period T_BM), the AP sends a Beacon frame on a narrow transmission beam. Assuming that the AP has K different narrow transmission beams, the AP transmits a total of K Beacon frames in one beam polling time period, and each Beacon frame of the K Beacon frames is transmitted by a different narrow transmission beam of the AP. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Beacon frame from the AP.
  • a Beacon beam polling period T_BM Beacon beam polling period
  • the AP Since an AP has only one wide transmit beam, and the AP uses beam polling to transmit Beacon frames, the AP uses multiple different narrow transmit beams to poll transmit Beacon frames. And because the horizontal beam width of the narrow transmission beam is narrow (for example, the horizontal beam width is 10-20 degrees), the coverage area is limited (that is, the coverage area is narrow), so different locations (locations here refer to geographic locations) or different distances (here The distance refers to the distance between the STA and the AP) The number of Beacon frames received by the STA may be different. In this embodiment of the application, beam polling is used to send Beacon frames to ensure that STAs in different geographic locations or at different distances can receive at least one Beacon frame.
  • beam polling is used to send Beacon frames to ensure that STAs in different geographic locations or at different distances can receive at least one Beacon frame.
  • the AP uses a wide transmission beam to send one or more trigger Trigger frames, and uses beam polling to send one or more Trigger frames. Accordingly, the STA receives at least one Trigger frame from the AP.
  • the AP can use the wide beam to send the number of Trigger frames configured in the Beacon frame using the wide beam to send Trigger frames, and can use beam polling to send The number of Trigger frames sent by narrow beams configured in the Beacon frame.
  • the total number of beams polled by the AP beam is greater than or equal to 2, and one Trigger frame is sent on each transmit beam. For example, suppose that the AP configures in the Beacon frame the number of Trigger frames sent by the wide beam is 4, and the number of Trigger frames sent by the narrow beam is 5. Assume that the AP has 5 different narrow transmit beams, beam1-beam5.
  • the AP repeatedly uses the same wide transmit beam to transmit 4 Trigger frames, and the AP uses the wide transmit beam to transmit 1 Trigger frame each time, using the same wide transmit beam 4 times in total. After the AP uses the wide transmit beam to send 4 Trigger frames, the AP then sends 1 Trigger frame on beam1, 1 Trigger frame on beam2, 1 Trigger frame on beam3, and 1 Trigger frame on beam4. , Send 1 Trigger frame on beam5, and use beam polling to send a total of 5 Trigger frames.
  • the STA can receive at least one Trigger frame from the AP, and can record the reception time of each Trigger frame received. Since an AP has only one wide transmit beam, the AP repeatedly uses this wide transmit beam to transmit Trigger frames, and the AP uses the wide transmit beam to transmit one Trigger frame at a time.
  • each Trigger frame can carry the frame length of the Trigger frame and the duration of the access time window (or UORA time window).
  • the total number of beams polled by the AP beam may be equal to the number of Trigger frames to be transmitted using the narrow transmission beam indicated in the Beacon frame.
  • the STA determines the received signal quality corresponding to each Trigger frame according to each Trigger frame in the received at least one Trigger frame, and determines the target Trigger frame from each Trigger frame according to the received signal quality corresponding to each Trigger frame.
  • the STA may determine the expected reception time of each Trigger frame sent by the AP according to the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by any received Beacon frame. According to the expected receiving time of each Trigger frame sent by the AP and the number of Trigger frames indicated by any Beacon frame received, the STA determines whether there is a Trigger frame sent by a wide beam in at least one Trigger frame received. If it is determined that there is a Trigger frame transmitted by a wide transmission beam in the received at least one Trigger frame, the STA may use the Trigger frame transmitted by the wide transmission beam in the at least one Trigger frame as the first Trigger frame, and may use the at least one Trigger frame.
  • the Trigger frame sent by the narrow beam in the frame is used as the second Trigger frame.
  • the following takes an example in which at least one Trigger frame received by the STA includes M first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames. If it is determined that there is no Trigger frame transmitted by a wide transmission beam in the received at least one Trigger frame, it means that the at least one Trigger frame received by the STA is all transmitted by a narrow transmission beam.
  • M may be less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the wide transmission beam indicated by the Beacon frame
  • N may be less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the narrow transmission beam indicated by the Beacon frame.
  • the number of Trigger frames sent using the wide transmission beam indicated by the Beacon frame is 2, and the number of Trigger frames sent using the narrow transmission beam is 3.
  • the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by Beacon frame i includes the time offset between the sending time of the first Trigger frame and the sending time of Beacon frame i is 10ms, and the sending time interval of two adjacent Trigger frames is 2ms
  • the expected receiving time is 31ms
  • the expected receiving time of the 5th Trigger frame sent by the AP is 33ms. From the information about the number of Trigger frames indicated by the Beacon frame, it can be known that the first and second Trigger frames sent by the AP are sent by a wide beam, and the 3-5 Trigger frames are sent by a narrow beam.
  • the STA detects whether there is a reception time (here refers to the actual reception time when the STA receives the Trigger frame) in the received at least one Trigger frame.
  • the expected reception time of the first Trigger frame sent by the AP and the expectation of the first Trigger frame The receiving time is the Trigger frame between 25ms-29ms. If at least one Trigger frame received by the STA contains a Trigger frame whose receiving time is between 25ms-29ms and the expected receiving time is 25ms-29ms, it means that there is a Trigger frame sent by a wide beam in the at least one Trigger frame received by the STA.
  • the Trigger frame whose receiving time is between 25ms-29ms of expected receiving time is regarded as the first Trigger frame. Since the Trigger frame received by the STA has only two Trigger frames sent using a wide beam and Trigger frames sent using a narrow beam, the STA will receive at least one Trigger frame other than the first Triger frame. As the second Trigger frame. If there is no Trigger frame with a receiving time between 25ms-29ms in the expected receiving time in the at least one Trigger frame received by the STA, it means that there is no Trigger frame sent by the wide beam in the at least one Trigger frame received by the STA, then the STA determines At least one Trigger frame received is transmitted by a narrow transmission beam.
  • the STA may measure the received signal quality (such as RSRP) corresponding to each Trigger frame according to each Trigger frame received. .
  • the STA may use the Trigger frame with the largest received signal quality (for example, the largest RSRP) among the received at least one Trigger frame as the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA may use any Trigger frame whose received signal quality (such as RSRP) is greater than or equal to a preset threshold in the received at least one Trigger frame as the target Trigger frame.
  • the preset threshold can be set according to actual business requirements.
  • the preset threshold may also be carried in the Beacon frame, and notified to the STA by the AP.
  • the preset threshold can be used to reflect whether the measured received signal quality meets service requirements, that is, if the measured received signal quality is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the measured received signal quality is considered to meet the service requirements; If the received signal quality is less than the preset threshold, it is considered that the measured received signal quality does not meet the service requirements.
  • the above-mentioned at least one Trigger frame includes M (M is a natural number greater than or equal to 1).
  • M is a natural number greater than or equal to 1).
  • One Trigger frame, and the M first Trigger frames are sent by the wide sending beam of the AP.
  • the STA may measure the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame according to each first Trigger frame.
  • the STA may compare the magnitude relationship between the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame and the signal quality threshold indicated by any received Beacon frame.
  • the STA can choose one of the first Trigger frames from the M first Trigger frames.
  • the Trigger frame is used as the target Trigger frame.
  • the at least one Trigger frame received by the STA further includes N (N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1) second Trigger frames, and the N second Trigger frames are transmitted by the narrow transmission beam of the AP.
  • N is a natural number greater than or equal to 1
  • the STA measures the received signal corresponding to each second Trigger frame according to each second Trigger frame Quality (such as RSRP).
  • the STA may use the second Trigger frame with the largest received signal quality (for example, the largest RSRP) among the N second Trigger frames as the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA may use any second Trigger frame in the N second Trigger frames whose received signal quality (such as RSRP) is greater than or equal to a preset threshold value as the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the sending start time of the target Trigger frame according to the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by the Beacon frame and the receiving time of the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines an access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame according to the target Trigger frame and the sending start time of the target Trigger frame.
  • step S504 to step S505 in the embodiment of the present application can refer to the implementation manner of step S406 to step S407 in the embodiment shown in FIG. 6, and details are not described herein again.
  • S506 If the current time does not exceed the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA determines the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame as the target access time window.
  • the STA can detect whether the current time exceeds the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame. If the current time does not exceed the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the STA may use the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame as the target access time window. For example, the access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame is 25ms-28ms. Assuming that the current time is the 24th ms, the 24 ms of the current time does not exceed the access time window 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the current time is the 27th ms
  • the 27th ms of the current time does not exceed the access time window 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the current time is the 30th ms
  • the 30th ms of the current time has exceeded the access time window of 25ms-28ms corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the STA may re-determine the target Trigger frame from at least one Trigger frame received, and then detect whether the current time exceeds the renewed time window.
  • the access time window corresponding to the determined target Trigger frame If the current time does not exceed the access time window corresponding to the newly determined target Trigger frame, the STA uses the access time window corresponding to the newly determined target Trigger frame as the target access time window.
  • the STA re-determines the target Trigger frame from the received at least one Trigger frame, including: STA from M-1 first Trigger frames (here, M-1 first Trigger frames refer to M first Trigger frames).
  • the STA may again determine the target Trigger frame from at least one Trigger frame received.
  • the STA sends initial access information to the AP within the target access time window. Accordingly, the AP receives initial access information from the STA.
  • S508 The AP determines a target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information.
  • the AP uses the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • step S507-step S509 in the embodiment of this application can refer to the implementation manner of step S408-step S410 in the embodiment shown in FIG. Go into details again.
  • the AP configures the random access resources of the wide beam and the narrow beam (herein refers to the access time window or UORA time window), and indicates the number of random access resources and the signal in the broadcast message (such as Beacon frame).
  • Quality threshold The STA judges the location of the STA relative to the AP according to the signal quality threshold, and selects a corresponding random access resource for access.
  • short-distance STAs are adapted to a wide beam for access
  • long-distance STAs are adapted to a narrow beam for access, which can reduce the collision probability of STA access and improve the efficiency of STA access.
  • the embodiment of the application also provides 3 ⁇ 5dB of receiving beam gain and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression through narrow beams, which improves the access performance of long-distance STAs and enhances uplink coverage, thereby meeting the requirements of long-distance coverage and uplink reception interference suppression. need.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame may also indicate the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window). If the current time has exceeded the access time window corresponding to the above-mentioned target Trigger frame, the STA can determine the above-mentioned target Trigger according to the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame (or the beam identifier corresponding to the UORA time window) indicated by any of the received Beacon frames.
  • the AP re-uses the wide transmission beam to send one or more Trigger frames, and re-uses the beam polling to send one or more Trigger frames.
  • the STA re-receives at least one Trigger frame from the AP. According to the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame indicated by any of the re-received Beacon frames, the STA re-receives the Trigger frame sent by the first transmission beam in the at least one Trigger frame as the third Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the transmission start time of the third Trigger frame according to the time information of the Trigger frame indicated by any Beacon frame received again and the receiving time of the third Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame according to the frame length included in the third Trigger frame, the duration of the access time window, the SIFS, and the transmission start time of the third Trigger frame.
  • the STA determines the access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame as the target access time window.
  • the STA sends an authentication frame to the AP within the target access time window (the physical layer structure of the authentication frame is TB PPDU).
  • the AP determines the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the authentication frame, and uses the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the foregoing content describes in detail the beam determination method of the embodiment of the present application.
  • the embodiment of the present application also provides a corresponding device.
  • the device may be an STA or a chip or circuit set in the STA. As shown in Fig. 10, the device 1 may include:
  • the transceiving unit 11 is configured to receive multiple beacon frames from the access point AP, and each Beacon frame of the multiple Beacon frames includes the beam identifier of the transmission beam of each Beacon frame; the determining unit 12 receives the multiple beacon frames from the multiple Beacon frames A first transmission beam is determined from multiple transmission beams identified by multiple beam identifiers included in a Beacon frame; the transceiver unit 11 is configured to send initial access information to the AP, and the initial access information is used to indicate the AP Use the first transmit beam to communicate with the STA.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, or the number of beams polled in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period and/or the remaining beam number are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames sent by the AP in the beam polling time period.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the trigger Trigger frame and time information of the Trigger frame.
  • the above-mentioned transceiver unit 11 is further configured to receive multiple Trigger frames from the AP, the multiple Trigger frames are sent by at least 2 different transmit beams of the AP, and each Trigger frame of the multiple Trigger frames includes an access time window.
  • the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the multiple Trigger frames, and the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target Trigger frame Corresponding target access time window;
  • the foregoing transceiver unit 11 is specifically configured to send initial access information to the AP within the target access time window, and the initial access information is used to instruct the AP to use the target access time window corresponding To communicate with the STA in the first transmit beam.
  • the aforementioned determining unit 12 may be a processing unit.
  • each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding description of the STA in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 to execute the methods and functions performed by the STA in the foregoing embodiment.
  • the device 1 (STA) of the embodiment of the present application indicates in the Beacon frame the transmission beam used for transmitting the current Beacon frame, and notifies the AP of the determined optimal transmission beam (ie, the first transmission beam) through the authentication frame, It can ensure the quality of the received signal for communicating with the STA using the optimal transmit beam (that is, the first transmit beam), and provide 3 ⁇ 5dB of receive beam gain through narrow beams, and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression, which improves the access of long-distance STAs. Incoming performance, enhance uplink coverage, achieve long-distance coverage and suppress uplink reception interference.
  • FIG. 11 is another schematic structural diagram of the apparatus provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the device can be an AP or a chip or circuit that can be installed in the AP.
  • the device 2 may include:
  • the transceiver unit 21 is configured to send multiple Beacon frames using beam polling, each Beacon frame of the multiple Beacon frames includes the beam identifier of the transmission beam of each Beacon frame, and the multiple Beacon frames are used to send the multiple Beacon frames from the multiple Beacon frames.
  • the first transmission beam is determined from the multiple transmission beams identified by multiple beam identities included in a Beacon frame; the transceiver unit 21 is also used for the AP to receive initial access information from the STA; the communication unit 22 is used for receiving The initial access information of using the first transmission beam to communicate with the STA.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes at least one of the following information: a beam polling time period, or the number of beams polled in the beam polling time period.
  • the beam polling time period and/or the remaining beam number are used to determine whether the number of Beacon frames received by the STA is equal to the number of Beacon frames sent by the AP in the beam polling time period.
  • each of the foregoing Beacon frames further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame and time information of the Trigger frame.
  • the above-mentioned transceiver unit 21 is further configured to use at least 2 different transmitting beams to transmit multiple Trigger frames, and each Trigger frame in the multiple Trigger frames includes information about the size of the access time window; wherein, the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used for After determining the target Trigger frame corresponding to the first transmission beam from the plurality of Trigger frames, the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; the above-mentioned transceiver unit 21.
  • the aforementioned communication unit 22 is specifically used for determining the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information Communicate with the STA using the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window.
  • the aforementioned communication unit 22 may be a processing unit.
  • each module or unit may also refer to the corresponding description of the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3 or FIG. 6 to execute the methods and functions performed by the AP in the foregoing embodiment.
  • FIG. 12 is another schematic structural diagram of the device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the device may be an STA or a chip or circuit set in the STA.
  • the device 3 may include:
  • the transceiver unit 31 is configured to receive a Beacon frame from the AP, and the Beacon frame includes the time information of the Trigger frame; the transceiver unit 31 is also configured to receive M Trigger frames from the AP, and each Trigger frame of the M Trigger frames includes Information about the size of the access time window; the determining unit 32 is configured to determine the target Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames, and the time information of the target Trigger frame and the Trigger frame is used to determine the target access corresponding to the target Trigger frame Time window; the transceiver unit 31 is also used to send initial access information to the AP within the target access time window when the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the initial access information It is used to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam corresponding to the target access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the M Trigger frames are sent by the wide sending beam of the AP.
  • the above determining unit 32 is specifically configured to determine whether the received signal quality corresponding to at least one Trigger frame in the M Trigger frames is greater than or equal to the signal quality threshold value, and any Trigger frame from the M Trigger frames is determined to be The target Trigger frame.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold.
  • the M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames.
  • the MN first Trigger frames are used by the AP.
  • the N second Trigger frames are sent by at least 2 different sending beams of the AP.
  • the above determining unit 32 is further specifically configured to determine from the N second Trigger frames when the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame in the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal quality threshold A target Trigger frame, where the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes quantity information of Trigger frames, and the quantity information of Trigger frames is used to determine M-N first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the M Trigger frames.
  • the foregoing information about the number of Trigger frames includes the number of Trigger frames sent using a wide beam and the number of Trigger frames sent using a narrow beam.
  • MN is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using a wide beam
  • N It is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent with a narrow beam.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the foregoing transceiver unit 31 is further configured to receive a third Trigger frame sent by the AP through the first transmission beam when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the time information of the third Trigger frame is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame; the foregoing transceiver unit 31 is also used to send initial access information to the AP within the first access time window, and the initial The access information is used to instruct the AP to use the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the aforementioned determining unit 32 may be a processing unit.
  • each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding description of the STA in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 to execute the methods and functions performed by the STA in the foregoing embodiment.
  • the device 3 (STA) of the embodiment of the present application adapts short-distance STAs to wide beams for access, and long-distance STAs adapts to narrow beams for access, which can reduce the collision probability of STA access and improve the efficiency of STA access. .
  • the device 3 (STA) of the embodiment of the present application also provides 3 to 5dB of receiving beam gain and 13dB of interference sidelobe suppression through a narrow beam, which improves the access performance of long-distance STAs and enhances uplink coverage, thereby satisfying long-distance coverage. Demand and uplink reception interference suppression demand.
  • FIG. 13 is still another schematic structural diagram of the device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the device can be an AP or a chip or circuit that can be installed in the AP.
  • the device 4 may include:
  • the transceiver unit 41 is configured to send at least one Beacon frame, and each Beacon frame in the at least one Beacon frame includes the time information of the Trigger frame; the transceiver unit 41 is also configured to send at least M Trigger frames, and the at least M Each Trigger frame in the three Trigger frames includes size information of the access time window, the at least M Trigger frames are used to determine the target Trigger frame, and the time information of the Trigger frame and the target Trigger frame are used to determine the The target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame; the transceiving unit 41 is further configured to receive the STA in the target access time window when the current time does not exceed the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame
  • the initial access information sent within; the determining unit 42 is configured to determine the target access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information; the communication unit 43 is configured to adopt the target access time window corresponding to The first transmission beam of, communicates with the STA.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the at least M Trigger frames include M Trigger frames sent by the AP's wide transmit beam; when there is at least one of the M Trigger frames
  • the target Trigger frame is any Trigger frame among the M Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a signal quality threshold
  • the at least M Trigger frames include MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames
  • the MN first Trigger frames are controlled by the MN first Trigger frames.
  • the AP's wide transmit beam is sent, and the N second Trigger frames are sent by at least 2 different transmit beams of the AP; when the received signal quality corresponding to each first Trigger frame in the MN first Trigger frames is less than the signal
  • the target Trigger frame is the second Trigger frame with the highest received signal quality among the N second Trigger frames.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes information about the number of Trigger frames, and the information about the number of Trigger frames is used to determine MN first Trigger frames and N second Trigger frames from the at least M Trigger frames .
  • the foregoing information about the quantity of Trigger frames includes the number of Trigger frames sent using a wide transmission beam and the number of Trigger frames sent using a narrow transmission beam.
  • MN is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames sent using the wide transmission beam.
  • N is less than or equal to the number of Trigger frames to be transmitted using the narrow transmission beam.
  • the above-mentioned Beacon frame further includes a beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame, and the beam identifier corresponding to the Trigger frame is used to determine the first transmission beam corresponding to the target Trigger frame.
  • the foregoing transceiver unit 41 is further configured to send a third Trigger frame on the first transmission beam when the current time has exceeded the target access time window corresponding to the target Trigger frame, the third Trigger frame and the third Trigger frame Is used to determine the first access time window corresponding to the third Trigger frame;
  • the determining unit 42 is specifically configured to determine the first access time window corresponding to the receiving time of the initial access information;
  • the unit 43 is specifically configured to use the first transmission beam corresponding to the first access time window to communicate with the STA.
  • the determination unit 42 and the communication unit 43 may be one unit, such as a processing unit.
  • each module or unit can also refer to the corresponding description of the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG. 8 to execute the methods and functions performed by the AP in the foregoing embodiment.
  • FIG. 14 is a schematic structural diagram of a communication device provided by an embodiment of the present application.
  • the communication device 1000 provided by the embodiment of the present application includes a processor 1001, a memory 1002, a transceiver 1003, and a bus system 1004.
  • the communication device provided in the embodiment of the present application may be a STA or an AP.
  • processor 1001, memory 1002, and transceiver 1003 are connected through a bus system 1004.
  • the aforementioned memory 1002 is used to store programs. Specifically, the program may include program code, and the program code includes computer operation instructions.
  • the memory 1002 includes, but is not limited to, random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), or Portable read-only memory (compact disc read-only memory, CD-ROM). Only one memory is shown in FIG. 14. Of course, the memory can also be set to multiple as required.
  • the memory 1002 may also be a memory in the processor 1001, which is not limited here.
  • the memory 1002 stores the following elements, executable units or data structures, or their subsets, or their extended sets:
  • Operating instructions including various operating instructions, used to implement various operations.
  • Operating system Including various system programs, used to implement various basic services and process hardware-based tasks.
  • the aforementioned processor 1001 controls the operation of the communication device 1000.
  • the processor 1001 may be one or more central processing units (CPU).
  • CPU central processing units
  • the CPU may be a single-core CPU. It can also be a multi-core CPU.
  • bus system 1004 may include a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus.
  • bus system 1004 may include a power bus, a control bus, and a status signal bus in addition to a data bus.
  • various buses are marked as the bus system 1004 in FIG. 14.
  • FIG. 14 is only schematically drawn.
  • any one of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8 provided by the foregoing embodiment of the present application, or the STA method disclosed in each of the foregoing embodiments; or any one of FIG. 3, FIG. 6, or FIG. 8 provided by the foregoing embodiment of the present application, Or the AP method in each of the foregoing embodiments may be applied to the processor 1001 or implemented by the processor 1001.
  • the processor 1001 may be an integrated circuit chip with signal processing capabilities.
  • the steps of the foregoing method can be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor 1001 or instructions in the form of software.
  • the foregoing processor 1001 may be a general-purpose processor, a digital signal processing (digital signal processing, DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field-programmable gate array (FPGA), or Other programmable logic devices, discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.
  • DSP digital signal processing
  • ASIC application specific integrated circuit
  • FPGA field-programmable gate array
  • Other programmable logic devices discrete gates or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components.
  • the methods, steps, and logical block diagrams disclosed in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented or executed.
  • the general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or the processor may also be any conventional processor or the like.
  • the steps of the method disclosed in the embodiments of the present application may be directly embodied as being executed and completed by a hardware decoding processor, or executed and completed by a combination of hardware and software modules in the decoding processor.
  • the software module can be located in a mature storage medium in the field, such as random access memory, flash memory, read-only memory, programmable read-only memory, or electrically erasable programmable memory, registers.
  • the storage medium is located in the memory 1002, and the processor 1001 reads the information in the memory 1002, and executes the method steps of the STA described in any one of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8 in combination with its hardware; or executes FIG. 3 and FIG. 6 or any of the method steps of the AP described in FIG. 8.
  • the embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, the computer program product includes computer program code, when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the STA method described in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8 Steps; or when the computer program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the steps of the AP method described in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8.
  • the embodiment of the present application also provides a device, which may be a chip.
  • the chip includes a processor.
  • the processor is used to read and execute a computer program stored in the memory to execute the beam determination method in any possible implementation manner of FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8.
  • the chip further includes a memory, and the memory and the processor are connected through a circuit or a wire.
  • the chip further includes a communication interface, and the processor is connected to the communication interface.
  • the communication interface is used to receive data and/or information that needs to be processed, and the processor obtains the data and/or information from the communication interface, processes the data and/or information, and outputs the processing result through the communication interface.
  • the communication interface can be an input and output interface.
  • processors and memory may be physically independent units, or the memory may also be integrated with the processor.
  • a communication system in another embodiment of the present application, includes an STA and an AP.
  • the STA may be the STA in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8
  • the AP may be the AP in the embodiment shown in FIG. 3, FIG. 6 or FIG. 8.
  • the process can be completed by a computer program instructing relevant hardware.
  • the program can be stored in a computer readable storage medium. , May include the processes of the above-mentioned method embodiments.
  • the aforementioned storage media include: ROM or random storage RAM, magnetic disks or optical disks and other media that can store program codes.

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Abstract

本申请实施例公开了一种波束确定方法及相关装置，该方法包括：AP采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，并在Beacon帧中携带发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束；STA从AP接收到一个或多个Beacon帧，并根据接收到的各个Beacon帧测量AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量，根据AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量从AP的各个发送波束中确定出最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)；STA将该最优发送波束的波束标识携带于鉴权帧中发送给AP；AP对从STA接收到的鉴权帧进行解析，确定后续调度该STA的最优发送波束。采用本申请实施例，可以实现视频回传场景中的远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。

Description

波束确定方法及相关装置 技术领域
本申请涉及通信技术领域，尤其涉及一种波束确定方法及相关装置。
背景技术
视频回传是指将摄像头监控的内容进行实时回传。当前的视频监控技术伴随着计算机、网络、芯片、人工智能等技术的发展快速崛起，从早期的模拟视频监控、中期的数字视频监控发展到目前的智能网络视频监控，产品不断升级、结构不断变化、功能不断完善，应用领域也不断扩展。目前视频回传的典型场景包括点对多点(point to multipoint，PMP)组网。PMP组网是指一个接入点(access point，AP)同时接入多个站点(station，STA)，该AP可以是中心点，多个STA可以是远端点。
对于视频回传的PMP场景存在远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求。远距离覆盖需求是指：在广播接入过程中，AP需要给STA发送下行信标(Beacon)消息，收到Beacon消息的STA向AP发起鉴权请求，但对于远距离STA，STA接收AP采用宽波束发送的广播消息，可能因为宽波束增益不足导致远距离STA无法被覆盖。上行接收干扰抑制需求是指：STA的第一条上行鉴权帧消息需要AP进行接收，在存在上行干扰时，AP采用宽波束接收鉴权帧的同时，该宽波束也会接收到干扰信号，从而使得鉴权帧对应的接收波束增益和干扰信号对应的接收波束增益接近，导致鉴权帧受到干扰信号较为严重的影响，可能会导致鉴权帧接收失败。因此，在视频回传的PMP场景下，如何满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求成为了亟待解决的问题。
发明内容
本申请实施例提供一种波束确定方法及相关装置，可以实现视频回传场景中的远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
下面从不同的方面介绍本申请，应理解的是，下面的不同方面的实施方式和有益效果可以互相参考。
第一方面，本申请实施例提供一种波束确定方法，该方法适用于STA中，该方法包括：STA从AP接收多个Beacon帧，该多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括该每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识；STA从该多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；STA向AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息可以用于指示AP采用该第一发送波束与STA进行通信。其中，该初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧中可以包括该第一发送波束的波束标识。
本申请实施例通过在Beacon帧中指示发送当前这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束，并将确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)通过鉴权帧通知AP，可以保证采用该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)与STA通信的接收信号质量，并通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，实 现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
结合第一方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量、或该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量。其中，该波束轮询时间周期和/或该剩余波束数量用于确定该STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于该AP在该波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
本申请实施例通过Beacon帧携带的波束轮询时间周期、波束总数量或剩余波束数量来判断AP是否轮询完成，如果轮询完成，则从多个发送波束中确定最优发送波束(第一发送波束)，可以更准确地确定出信号质量更好的波束作为最优发送波束。
结合第一方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息。STA向AP发送初始接入信息之前，该方法还包括：STA从AP接收多个Trigger帧，该多个Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送，该多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从该多个Trigger帧中确定出该第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，该Trigger帧的时间信息与该目标Trigger帧用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；
STA向AP发送初始接入信息，包括：STA在该目标接入时间窗内向AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示AP采用该目标接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
第二方面，本申请实施例提供另一种波束确定方法，该方法适用于AP中，该方法包括：AP采用波束轮询发送多个Beacon帧，该多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括该每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识，该多个Beacon帧用于从该多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；AP从STA接收初始接入信息；AP根据接收到的该初始接入信息采用该第一发送波束与STA通信。其中，该初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧中可以包括该第一发送波束的波束标识。
本申请实施例通过在Beacon帧中指示发送当前这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束，并将确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)通过鉴权帧通知AP，可以保证采用该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)与STA通信的接收信号质量，并通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
结合第二方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量、或该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量。其中，该波束轮询时间周期和/或该剩余波束数量用于确定该STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于该AP在该波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
本申请实施例通过Beacon帧携带的波束轮询时间周期、波束总数量或剩余波束数量来判断AP是否轮询完成，如果轮询完成，则从多个发送波束中确定最优发送波束(第一发送波束)，可以更准确地确定出信号质量更好的波束作为最优发送波束。
结合第二方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应 的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息。AP从STA接收初始接入信息之前，该方法还包括：AP采用至少2个不同发送波束发送多个Trigger帧，该多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；其中，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从该多个Trigger帧中确定出该第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，该Trigger帧的时间信息与该目标Trigger帧用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；AP从STA接收初始接入信息，包括：AP接收STA在该目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；AP根据接收到的该初始接入信息采用该第一发送波束与该STA通信，包括：AP确定该初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的该目标接入时间窗，采用该目标接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
第三方面，本申请实施例提供又一种波束确定方法，该方法适用于STA中，该方法包括：STA从AP接收Beacon帧，该Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；STA从AP接收M个Trigger帧，该M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；STA从该M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，该目标Trigger帧与该Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；若当前时间未超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗，则STA在该目标接入时间窗内向该AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示AP采用该目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与STA进行通信。其中，该初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧中可以包括该第一发送波束的波束标识。Trigger帧的时间信息可以包括第一个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)与该各个Beacon帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔(这里指发送开始时间的间隔)。
本申请实施例不仅可以确定出AP与每个STA通信的最优波束，以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求；还可以将不同波束方向或不同距离的STA适配到不同的接入资源上，从而减少远距离STA的接入失败次数和接入时延，提高小区内STA的整体接入效率。
结合第三方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该M个Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送。STA从该M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，包括：若该M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值，则STA从该M个Trigger帧中任选一个Trigger帧确定为目标Trigger帧。
结合第三方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，该M-N个第一Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送，该N个第二Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送。STA从该M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，包括：若该M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于该信号质量门限值，则STA从该N个第二Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，该目标Trigger帧为该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
结合第三方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信息，所述Trigger帧的数量信息用于从所述M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
结合第三方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于所述采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于所述采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
结合第三方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束。该方法还包括：若当前时间已超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗，则STA接收AP通过该第一发送波束发送的第三Trigger帧，该第三Trigger帧与该第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；STA在该第一接入时间窗内向AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示AP采用该第一接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
第四方面，本申请实施例提供再又一种波束确定方法，该方法适用于AP中，该方法包括：AP发送至少一个Beacon帧，该至少一个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；AP发送至少M个Trigger帧，该至少M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，该至少M个Trigger帧用于确定出目标Trigger帧，该Trigger帧的时间信息与该目标Trigger帧用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；当当前时间未超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，AP接收STA在该目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；AP确定该初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的该目标接入时间窗，采用该目标接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与STA进行通信。其中，该初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧中可以包括该第一发送波束的波束标识。Trigger帧的时间信息可以包括第一个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)与该各个Beacon帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔(这里指发送开始时间的间隔)。
本申请实施例不仅可以确定出AP与每个STA通信的最优波束，以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求；还可以将不同波束方向或不同距离的STA适配到不同的接入资源上，从而减少远距离STA的接入失败次数和接入时延，提高小区内STA的整体接入效率。
结合第四方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该至少M个Trigger帧中包括该AP的宽发送波束发送的M个Trigger帧；当该M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值时，该目标Trigger帧为该M个Trigger帧中的任一Trigger帧。
结合第四方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该至少M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，该M-N个第一Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送，该N个第二Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送；当该M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于该信号质量门限值时，该目标Trigger帧为该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
结合第四方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信 息，该Trigger帧的数量信息用于从该至少M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
结合第四方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于该采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于该采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
结合第四方面，在一种可能的实现方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束。
该方法还包括：当当前时间已超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，AP在该第一发送波束上发送第三Trigger帧，该第三Trigger帧与该第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；AP接收STA在该第一接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；AP确定该初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的该第一接入时间窗，采用该第一接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
第五方面，本申请实施例提供一种装置，该装置可以为STA或可用于设置于STA中的芯片或电路，该装置包括用于执行上述第一方面和/或第一方面的任意一种可能的实现方式所提供的波束确定方法的单元和/或模块，因此也能实现第一方面提供的波束确定方法所具备的有益效果(或优点)。
第六方面，本申请实施例提供另一种装置，该装置可以为AP或可用于设置于AP中的芯片或电路，该装置包括用于执行上述第二方面和/或第二方面的任意一种可能的实现方式所提供的波束确定方法的单元和/或模块，因此也能实现第二方面提供的波束确定方法所具备的有益效果(或优点)。
第七方面，本申请实施例提供又一种装置，该装置可以为STA或可用于设置于STA中的芯片或电路，该装置包括用于执行上述第三方面和/或第三方面的任意一种可能的实现方式所提供的波束确定方法的单元和/或模块，因此也能实现第三方面提供的波束确定方法所具备的有益效果(或优点)。
第八方面，本申请实施例提供再又一种装置，该装置可以为AP或可用于设置于AP中的芯片或电路，该装置包括用于执行上述第四方面和/或第四方面的任意一种可能的实现方式所提供的波束确定方法的单元和/或模块，因此也能实现第四方面提供的波束确定方法所具备的有益效果(或优点)。
第九方面，本申请实施例提供一种STA，该STA可以包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，该存储器用于存储计算机程序，该收发器用于收发各种信息、数据帧(如trigger帧)或控制帧(如beacon帧)，该计算机程序包括程序指令，当该处理器运行该程序指令时，使得该终端设备执行上述第一方面或第一方面的任意一种可能的实现方式的波束确定方法。其中，收发器可以为STA中的射频模块，或，射频模块和天线的组合，或，芯片或电路的输入输出接口。
第十方面，本申请实施例提供一种AP，该AP可以包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，该存储器用于存储计算机程序，该收发器用于收发各种信息、数据帧(如trigger帧)或控制帧(如beacon帧)，该计算机程序包括程序指令，当该处理器运行该程序指令时， 使得该终端设备执行上述第二方面或第二方面的任意一种可能的实现方式的波束确定方法。其中，收发器可以为AP中的射频模块，或，射频模块和天线的组合，或，芯片或电路的输入输出接口。
第十一方面，本申请实施例提供另一种STA，该STA可以包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，该存储器用于存储计算机程序，该收发器用于收发各种信息、数据帧(如trigger帧)或控制帧(如beacon帧)，该计算机程序包括程序指令，当该处理器运行该程序指令时，使得该终端设备执行上述第三方面或第三方面的任意一种可能的实现方式的波束确定方法。其中，收发器可以为STA中的射频模块，或，射频模块和天线的组合，或，芯片或电路的输入输出接口。
第十二方面，本申请实施例提供另一种AP，该AP可以包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，该存储器用于存储计算机程序，该收发器用于收发各种信息、数据帧(如trigger帧)或控制帧(如beacon帧)，该计算机程序包括程序指令，当该处理器运行该程序指令时，使得该终端设备执行上述第四方面或第四方面的任意一种可能的实现方式的波束确定方法。其中，收发器可以为AP中的射频模块，或，射频模块和天线的组合，或，芯片或电路的输入输出接口。
第十三方面，本申请实施例提供一种通信系统，包括STA和AP，其中：该STA为上述第五方面描述的装置或上述第九方面描述的STA，该AP为上述第六方面描述的装置或上述第十方面描述的AP。
第十四方面，本申请实施例提供另一种通信系统，包括STA和AP，其中：该STA为上述第七方面描述的装置或上述第十一方面描述的STA，该AP为上述第八方面描述的装置或上述第十二方面描述的AP。
第十五方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读存储介质中存储计算机程序指令，当该计算机程序指令在该计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第一方面中的波束确定方法。
第十六方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读存储介质中存储计算机程序指令，当该计算机程序指令在该计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第二方面中的波束确定方法。
第十七方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读存储介质中存储计算机程序指令，当该计算机程序指令在该计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第三方面中的波束确定方法。
第十八方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机可读存储介质，该计算机可读存储介质中存储计算机程序指令，当该计算机程序指令在该计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第四方面中的波束确定方法。
第十九方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机程序产品包括计算机程序代码，当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第一方面的波束确定方法。
第二十方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机程序产品包括计算机程序代码，当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第二方面的波 束确定方法。
第二十一方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机程序产品包括计算机程序代码，当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第三方面的波束确定方法。
第二十二方面，本申请实施例提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机程序产品包括计算机程序代码，当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行上述第四方面的波束确定方法。
第二十三方面，本申请实施例提供一种芯片，包括处理器。该处理器用于读取并执行存储器中存储的计算机程序，以执行上述第一方面或上述第二方面的任意可能的实现方式中的通信方法。可选的，该芯片还包括存储器，该存储器与该处理器通过电路或电线连接。进一步可选的，该芯片还包括通信接口，该处理器与该通信接口连接。该通信接口用于接收需要处理的数据和/或信息，该处理器从该通信接口获取该数据和/或信息，并对该数据和/或信息进行处理，并通过该通信接口输出处理结果。该通信接口可以是输入输出接口。
可选的，上述的处理器与存储器可以是物理上相互独立的单元，或者，存储器也可以和处理器集成在一起。
实施本申请实施例，一方面可以实现视频回传场景中的远距离覆盖、并抑制上行接收干扰，另一方面可以提高小区内用户(即STA)在初始接入过程中的接入效率，避免用户(即STA)在初始接入过程中的接入碰撞。
附图说明
图1是本申请实施例提供的WIFI无线通信系统的一架构示意图；
图2a是本申请实施例提供的passive模式下接入过程的数据交互示意图；
图2b是本申请实施例提供的active模式下接入过程的数据交互示意图；
图3是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的一示意流程图；
图4a是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的一示意图；
图4b是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的另一示意图；
图5是本申请实施例提供的鉴权帧携带的字段的一示意图；
图6是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的另一示意流程图；
图7是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的又一示意图；
图8是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的又一示意流程图；
图9是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的再又一示意图；
图10是本申请实施例提供的装置的一结构示意图
图11是本申请实施例提供的装置的另一结构示意图；
图12是本申请实施例提供的装置的又一结构示意图；
图13是本申请实施例提供的装置的再又一结构示意图；
图14是本申请实施例提供的通信装置的结构示意图。
具体实施方式
下面将结合本申请实施例中的附图，对本申请实施例中的技术方案进行清楚、完整地描述。
为便于更好地理解本申请实施例所提供的波束确定方法，下面将对本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的系统架构进行说明。
本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法可以应用于WIFI(wireless-fidelity)无线通信系统。参见图1，图1是本申请实施例提供的WIFI无线通信系统的一架构示意图。如图1所示，该WIFI无线通信系统可以包括至少一个AP和至少一个STA(如图1中的STA1和STA2)。其中，该WIFI无线通信系统中的AP具备波束赋形能力；STA配备定向天线，可以收发一个特定波束方向上的信号，STA也可以配备全向天线，可以收发多个特定波束方向上的信号，但STA不具备波束赋形能力。可选的，AP可以采用不同波束与STA进行通信。AP与STA之间可以通过无线的方式连接，一个AP可以与一个或多个STA连接，一个STA与一个AP连接。STA可以是固定位置的，也可以是可移动的。本申请实施例中的AP可以包括无线路由、基站等；STA可以包括手机、电脑、IPAD、摄像头等具有拍摄功能的终端。本申请实施例对该WIFI无线通信系统中包括的AP和STA的数量不做限定。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例提供的WIFI无线通信系统可以支持两种接入技术。一种是基于信标(Beacon)帧或探测请求(probe request)帧的接入技术；另一种是基于触发(Trigger)帧的接入技术。
其中，基于Beacon帧或probe request帧的接入技术主要包括3个步骤：(1)扫描(scan)阶段，STA通过扫描(scanning)搜索附近存在的AP；(2)认证(authentication)阶段，STA选择某个AP后，向这个AP发起身份认证；(3)关联(association)，通过身份认证后的STA向这个AP发起关联过程。STA可通过上述三个步骤与AP建立通信链路，即STA通过上述三个步骤接入AP。在STA与AP之间的通信链路建立后，STA与AP可以互相收发数据报文。
可选的，扫描阶段存在2种扫描模式，分别为主动(active)模式和被动(passive)模式。在active模式下，STA依次在每个信道上发送probe request帧，该probe request帧携带与该STA相关的服务集标识(service set identifier，SSID)信息，以此寻找相同SSID的AP。当STA找到相同SSID的AP后，会进入认证阶段，只有身份认证通过的STA才能够进行无线接入访问。在passive模式下，STA通过监听AP定期发送的Beacon帧来发现网络，该Beacon标识了与这个AP相关的基本服务单元(basic service set，BSS)信息，STA根据Beacon帧标识的BSS信息来选择一个AP进入认证阶段。
参见图2a，图2a是本申请实施例提供的passive模式下接入过程的数据交互示意图。如图2a所示，passive模式下的接入过程包括步骤a-步骤e。步骤a，AP定期发送Beacon帧；步骤b，STA向AP发送鉴权请求(authenticationrequest)；步骤c，AP向STA返回鉴权响应(authentication response)；步骤d，STA向AP发送关联请求(association request)；步骤e，AP向STA返回关联响应(association response)。参见图2b，图2b是本申请实施例提供的active模式下接入过程的数据交互示意图。如图2b所示，active模式下的接入过程包括步骤f-步骤k。步骤f，STA发送探测请求(probe request)；步骤g，AP向STA返 回探测响应(probe response)；步骤h，STA向AP发送鉴权请求(authenticationrequest)；步骤i，AP向STA返回鉴权响应(authentication response)；步骤j，STA向AP发送关联请求(association request)；步骤k，AP向STA返回关联响应(association response)。
基于Trigger帧的接入技术，也可以称为上行(uplink，UL)基于正交频分多址(orthogonal frequency division multiple access，OFDMA)的随机接入(UL OFDMA-based random access，UORA)。AP在进行上行调度时，可分配随机接入资源，STA可以在随机接入资源所在的带宽下竞争发送上行数据。AP可以通过发送Trigger帧来进行上行调度，Trigger帧中可以携带AP分配的随机接入资源。STA接收到Trigger帧之后，根据其内部的OFDMA退避(OFDMAbackoff，OBO)计数器进行竞争接入。当某个STA内部的OBO计数器减到0且通过物理和虚拟载波检测到信道空闲时，这个STA在Trigger帧携带的随机接入资源上发送鉴权帧。
在上述WIFI无线通信系统支持的两种接入技术中，一方面，STA无法获取不同时刻接收到的Beacon帧对应的波束信息，进而无法确定AP与STA通信的最优波束。即使STA确定了AP与STA通信的最优波束，但STA在接入过程上报的消息未携带对应的波束信息，因此AP也无法确定对应该STA的最优波束。另一方面，由于WIFI无线通信系统是基于竞抢的方式进行接入，远距离STA的信号到达AP时信号衰减大，所以远距离STA难以抢占到接入资源进行接入。此外，由于不同波束方向或不同距离的STA在同一时刻竞抢同一波束方向上的接入资源，所以近距离STA可能抢占远距离STA的接入机会，导致远距离STA长时间接入失败，接入时延长。
因此，本申请实施例提供一种波束确定方法，可以确定出AP与每个STA通信的最优波束，以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求。
可理解的，信号的波束宽度是指在最大辐射方向两侧，辐射功率下降3分贝(dB)时两个最大辐射方向的夹角。波束宽度可以分为水平波束宽度和垂直波束宽度。水平波束宽度是指在水平方向上，最大辐射方向两侧，辐射功率下降3dB的两个最大辐射方向的夹角。垂直波束宽度是指在垂直方向上，最大辐射方向两侧，辐射功率下降3dB的两个最大辐射方向的夹角。
本申请实施例提及的宽波束是指水平波束宽度较宽的波束，如水平波束宽度为45～120度。宽波束的覆盖范围较宽，通常用于进行广播信号的宽覆盖。相比而言，本申请实施例提及的窄波束是指水平波束宽度较窄的波束，如水平波束宽度为10～20度。窄波束相比宽波束具有更高的波束增益，更好的旁瓣干扰抑制能力，但覆盖范围较窄。窄波束通常用于点对点的通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中的AP可以配备大规模多入多出(multi input multi output，MIMO)天线，用于实现波束赋形；STA可以配备定向天线或全向天线，不具备波束赋形能力。本申请实施例中一个AP可以同时接入多个STA。对于同一个STA，AP的发送波束和接收波束可以为同一个波束，也可以为不同波束。本申请实施例中AP与STA通信时所使用的发送波束和接收波束可以复用，即对于某个STA，AP向这个STA发送信息/数据所采用的发送波束与从这个STA接收信息/数据所采用的接收波束是同一个波 束。可理解的，发送波束是指发送信息/数据所使用的波束，接收波束是指接收信息/数据所使用的波束。还可理解的，本申请实施例提及的宽发送波束是指发送信息/数据时所使用的宽波束，窄发送波束是指发送信息/数据时所使用的窄波束。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例涉及的接收信号质量可以通过信号与干扰加噪声比(signal to interference plus noise ratio，SINR)反映，也可以通过参考信号接收功率(reference signal receiving power，RSRP)反映。其中，SINR可以指接收到的有用信号的强度与接收到的干扰信号(包括噪声和干扰)的强度的比值。RSRP可以指在某个符号内承载参考信号的所有资源粒子(resource element，RE)上接收到的信号功率的平均值。可理解的，SINR或RSRP越大，接收信号质量越高，反之，SINR或RSRP越小，接收信号质量越低。
可理解的，WIFI无线通信系统中的广播帧是不需要接收端确认(acknowledgement，ACK)的，而单播帧通常需要接收端确认(ACK)。因此，由于本申请实施例的Beacon帧是广播帧，所以接收端接收到Beacon帧之后，不需要反馈ACK帧；由于本申请实施例的鉴权帧是单播帧，所以接收端接收到Beacon帧之后，需要反馈对应的ACK帧。
下面将结合附图3至附图9，对本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法进行详细说明。
参见图3，图3是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的一示意流程图。如图3所示，本申请实施例提供的通信方法包括但不限于以下步骤：
S301，AP采用波束轮询发送信标Beacon帧。相应地，STA从AP接收至少一个Beacon帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP发送的Beacon帧可以携带波束(beam)相关的指示。具体地，AP发送的每个Beacon帧中可以包括AP发送该Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识(identity，ID)。例如，AP在beam1上发送了一个Beacon帧，则这个Beacon帧包括的波束标识为beam1；AP在beam2上发送了另一个Beacon帧，则这另一个Beacon帧包括的波束标识为beam2。可选的，每个Beacon帧还可以包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量、或当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量。其中，AP波束轮询的所有波束均为窄波束，且轮询的波束总数量大于或等于2。
需要说明的是，本申请实施例中的波束轮询时间周期也称Beacon波束轮询周期T_BM(Beacon beam pattern cycle)，是指AP完成一次波束轮询发送Beacon帧所需要的时间。可理解的，本申请实施例中的Beacon帧可以为周期性发送，即每隔一段时间(这里的一段时间指Beacon周期(Beacon interval))发送一个Beacon帧。例如，AP共有8个窄波束beam1-beam8，AP在beam1-beam8这8个窄波束上按顺序轮询发送Beacon帧。即AP在beam1上发送第1个Beacon帧，间隔1个Beacon周期后再在beam2上发送第2个Beacon帧，再间隔1个Beacon周期后在beam3上发送第3个Beacon帧，以此类推，AP在beam7上发送第7个Beacon帧后，间隔1个Beacon周期再在beam8上发送第8个Beacon帧。由此可知，波束轮询时间周期(即Beacon波束轮询周期T_BM)指从AP在beam1上发送第1个Beacon帧开始，直到AP在beam8上发送第8个Beacon帧后、间隔1个Beacon周期 为止所需的时间。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例可通过Beacon帧携带的字段来指示与波束相关的各种信息。具体地，Beacon帧携带的一个字段可以指示一种与波束相关的信息。比如，AP发送Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识可以由Beacon帧中的一个字段指示；当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量或剩余波束数量可以由Beacon帧中的另一个字段指示；波束轮询时间周期可以由Beacon帧中的又一个字段指示。可理解的，Beacon帧携带的一个字段也可指示与波束相关的各种信息(如波束标识、波束总数量、波束剩余数量或波束轮询时间周期等)。还可理解的，Beacon帧包括的与波束相关的信息的字段可以是新增字段。还可理解的，Beacon帧包括的与波束相关的各种信息的多个字段的字段长度(单位是比特bit)可以相同，也可以不相同。还可理解的，Beacon帧包括的与波束相关的各种信息的多个字段可以是相邻的字段，也可以是不相邻的字段。
参见图4a，图4a是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的一示意图。如图4a所示，Beacon帧携带的CurrentBeamID(当前波束ID)字段指示AP发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，Beacon帧携带的Total Beam Num(波束总数量)字段指示当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量；或Beacon帧携带的Remaining Beam Num(剩余波束数量)字段指示当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量。图4a中CurrentBeamID字段的长度为3bit，Total Beam Num字段或Remaining Beam Num字段的长度也为3bit。参见图4b，图4b是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的另一示意图。如图4b所示，Beacon帧携带的CurrentBeamID字段指示AP发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，Beacon帧携带的Beacon Beam Pattern Cycle(Beacon波束轮询周期)字段指示波束轮询时间周期。图4b中CurrentBeamID字段的长度为3bit，Beacon Beam Pattern Cycle字段的长度为14bit。
可理解的，图4a和图4b仅是示意图，在实际应用中，可以在Beacon帧中增加其他字段来指示与波束相关的各种信息。还可理解的，Beacon帧中新增字段的长度也可根据实际应用场景进行设定。本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP采用波束轮询发送多个Beacon帧，在一个波束轮询时间周期内，AP在一个窄发送波束上发送一个Beacon帧。假设AP有K个不同的窄发送波束，则AP在一个波束轮询时间周期内总共发送K个Beacon帧，该K个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧由AP的不同窄发送波束发送。相应地，STA从AP接收到多个Beacon帧。由于AP采用的是多个不同窄发送波束轮询发送Beacon帧，且窄发送波束的水平波束宽度较窄(如水平波束宽度为10～20度)，覆盖范围有限(即覆盖范围较窄)，所以不同位置(这里的位置指地理位置)或不同距离(这里的距离指STA与AP之间的距离)的STA接收到的Beacon帧的数量可能不相同。其中，每个Beacon帧中包括AP发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识。可选的，每个Beacon帧还可包括波束轮询时间周期、当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量或剩余波束数量中的至少一种。本申请实施例采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，以保证不同地理位置或不同距离的STA可以接收到一个或多个Beacon帧。
例如，K等于8，AP有8个不同的窄发送波束，如beam1-beam8。AP依次在beam1-beam8 这8个窄发送波束上发送Beacon帧，AP在波束轮询时间周期内总共发送了8个Beacon帧。以3个STA为例，这3个STA(如STA1、STA2以及STA3)位于不同的地理位置或与AP之间的距离不相同。STA1从AP接收到beam1、beam2以及beam3上发送的Beacon帧，STA1总共接收到3个Beacon帧；STA2从AP接收到beam3和beam4上发送的Beacon帧，STA2总共接收到2个Beacon帧；STA3从AP接收到beam1-beam8上发送的Beacon帧，STA3总共接收到8个Beacon帧。可以理解的，为便于描述，下面以一个STA为例进行说明。
S302，STA根据接收到的各个Beacon帧确定AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量。
S303，STA根据AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量从AP的各个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束。
在一些可行的实施方式中，由于上述每个Beacon帧中包括AP发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，则STA可以根据接收到的每个Beacon帧测量该每个Beacon帧包括的波束标识所标识的发送波束对应的接收信号质量(如SINR或RSRP)。因为STA根据接收到的一个Beacon帧测量一个发送波束对应的接收信号质量，所以STA可以根据接收到的多个Beacon帧测量得到多个发送波束对应的接收信号质量。STA根据接收到的多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束对应的接收信号质量，从该多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束(即最优发送波束)。可选的，STA可以将该多个发送波束对应的接收信号质量中接收信号质量最大的发送波束确定为第一发送波束。本申请实施例通过在Beacon帧中包括发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束，使得STA接收到不同时刻的Beacon帧时可以知道不同时刻的Beacon帧对应的波束信息，从而根据不同发送波束对应的接收信号质量确定AP与STA通信的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)。
例如，假设STA接收到3个Beacon帧，第1个Beacon帧包括的波束标识为beam1，第2个Beacon帧包括的波束标识为beam2，第3个Beacon帧包括的波束标识为beam3。STA根据接收到的第1个Beacon帧测量beam1对应的SINR，根据接收到的第2个Beacon帧测量beam2对应的SINR，并根据接收到的第3个Beacon帧测量beam3对应的SINR。STA比较beam1、beam2以及beam3对应的SINR之间的大小关系。如果beam2对应的SINR最大，则STA将beam2作为AP与该STA通信的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)。
可选的，STA也可以每接收到一个Beacon帧，就基于这个Beacon帧测量该Beacon帧包括的波束标识所标识的发送波束对应的接收信号质量。例如，STA接收到第1个Beacon帧，就根据该第1个Beacon帧测量该第1个Beacon帧包括的发送波束beam1所对应的接收信号质量；STA接收到第2个Beacon帧，就根据该第2个Beacon帧测量该第2个Beacon帧包括的发送波束beam2所对应的接收信号质量。因此，STA无需等待接收完STA能够接收到的所有Beacon帧后，再根据接收到的每个Beacon帧测量发送波束所对应的接收信号质量。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述每个Beacon帧不仅包括AP发送该每个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，还包括当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量或剩余波束数量。STA可以检测当前接收到的不同波束对应的Beacon帧的数量是否等于任一 Beacon帧指示的波束总数量。如果当前接收到的不同波束对应的Beacon帧的数量等于任一Beacon帧指示的波束总数量，则STA确定AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询。在确定AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询的情况下，STA将AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量中接收信号质量最大的发送波束确定为第一发送波束。如果当前接收到的不同波束对应的Beacon帧的数量小于任一Beacon帧指示的波束总数量，则STA确定AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询。在确定AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询的情况下，STA继续接收AP采用波束轮询发送的Beacon帧，直到STA接收到的不同波束对应的Beacon帧的数量等于波束总数量为止。可选的，STA检测当前接收到的Beacon帧指示的剩余波束数量是否为0。如果当前接收到的Beacon帧指示的剩余波束数量为0，则STA确定AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询。在确定AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询的情况下，STA将AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量中接收信号质量最大的发送波束确定为第一发送波束。如果当前接收到的Beacon帧指示的剩余波束数量大于0，则STA确定AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询。在确定AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询的情况下，STA继续接收AP采用波束轮询发送的Beacon帧，直到STA接收到的Beacon帧指示的剩余波束数量为0为止。
在另一些可行的实施方式中，上述各个Beacon帧不仅指示AP发送该各个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，还指示波束轮询时间周期。因为Beacon帧是周期性发送的，且Beacon帧中包括了Beacon周期(Beacon interval)，所以STA可以根据Beacon帧指示的波束轮询时间周期和Beacon帧包括的Beacon周期(这里指相邻2个Beacon帧的发送时间间隔)，计算当前波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的波束总数量。STA可以根据当前接收到的Beacon帧的数量和该波束总数量，确定AP的所有发送波束是否完成波束轮询。可选的，STA可以从接收到第一个Beacon帧后开始计时，当计时的时长大于或等于任一Beacon帧指示的波束轮询时间周期时，STA可以确定AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询。当计时的时长小于任一Beacon帧指示的波束轮询时间周期时，STA可以确定AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询。如果确定出AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询，则STA将AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量中接收信号质量最大的发送波束确定为第一发送波束。如果确定出AP的所有发送波束未完成波束轮询，则STA继续接收AP采用波束轮询发送的Beacon帧，直到AP的所有发送波束完成波束轮询为止。
其中，波束总数量可以等于波束轮询时间周期与Beacon周期的商值取整后的值。例如，波束轮询时间周期为20ms，Beacon周期为5ms，则波束总数量为[20/5]＝4。又如，波束轮询时间周期为20ms，Beacon周期为3ms，则波束总数量为[20/3]＝6，[x]表示对x进行取整。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA每接收到一个Beacon帧，就根据接收到的这个Beacon帧测量这个Beacon帧指示的发送波束所对应的接收信号质量(如SINR或RSRP)，并比较这个Beacon帧指示的发送波束所对应的接收信号质量与质量门限值之间的大小关系。如果这个Beacon帧指示的发送波束所对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该质量门限值，则STA将这个Beacon帧指示的发送波束确定为第一发送波束。可选的，STA确定出该第一发送波束之后，可以不再从AP接收Beacon帧、或将后续接收到的Beacon帧丢弃。其中，该质量门限值可以根据实际的业务需求设定。该质量门限值还可以携带于Beacon帧中，由AP通知给STA。该质量门限值可以用于反映测量得到的接收信号质量是否满足业务需求，即 如果测量得到的接收信号质量大于或等于该质量门限值，则认为测量得到的接收信号质量满足业务需求；如果测量得到的接收信号质量小于该质量门限值，则认为测量得到的接收信号质量不满足业务需求。
例如，假设AP依次在beam1-beam8这8个波束上发送Beacon帧。STA接收到第1个Beacon帧后，就根据第1个Beacon帧测量第1个Beacon帧指示的发送波束beam1所对应的SINR。假设beam1所对应的SINR小于预设的质量门限值，则STA等待接收第2个Beacon帧。在STA接收到第2个Beacon帧后，STA就根据第2个Beacon帧测量第2个Beacon帧指示的发送波束beam2所对应的SINR。假设beam2所对应的SINR仍小于预设的质量门限值，则STA等待接收第3个Beacon帧。在STA接收到第3个Beacon帧后，STA就根据第3个Beacon帧测量第3个Beacon帧指示的发送波束beam3所对应的SINR。假设beam3所对应的SINR大于或等于预设的质量门限值，则STA将第3个Beacon帧指示的发送波束beam3作为AP与该STA通信的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)，并不再等待接收Beacon帧、或将后续接收到的Beacon帧(如第4个、第5个Beacon帧)丢弃、或不对后续接收到的Beacon帧做处理。
S304，STA向AP发送初始接入信息。相应地，AP从STA接收初始接入信息。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧的物理层结构可以为单用户物理协议数据单元(single user physical protocol data unit，SU PPDU)。该初始接入信息中可以包括上述第一发送波束的波束标识，即该鉴权帧中包括该第一发送波束的波束标识。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例可通过鉴权帧携带的字段来指示上述第一发送波束的波束标识。参见图5，图5是本申请实施例提供的鉴权帧携带的字段的一示意图。如图5所示，鉴权帧携带的BestBeamID(最优波束标识)字段指示第一发送波束的波束标识。图5中BestBeamID字段的长度为3bit。可理解的，图5仅是示意图，在实际应用中，可以在鉴权帧中增加其他字段来指示第一发送波束的波束标识。还可理解的，鉴权帧中新增字段的长度也可根据实际应用场景进行设定。本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA在确定出的上述第一发送波束之后，可以向STA发送鉴权帧(即初始接入信息)。相应地，AP从STA接收鉴权帧。本申请实施例通过鉴权帧将确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)通知给AP，以使AP确定对应该STA的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)，从而可以保证采用该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)与STA通信的接收信号质量，进而实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
在一些可行的实施方式中，由于鉴权帧是单播帧，所以AP接收到鉴权帧之后，可以向STA返回ACK帧，该ACK帧用于确认AP已经收到鉴权帧。可选的，AP可以采用默认小区级波束(如宽发送波束)发送鉴权帧对应的ACK帧。
S305，AP对初始接入信息进行解析，得到初始接入信息中携带的第一发送波束的波束标识。
S306，AP采用第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP接收到上述鉴权帧(即上述初始接入信息)之后，可以对该鉴权帧进行解析，得到该鉴权帧携带的上述第一发送波束的波束标识。可理解的，STA发送的鉴权帧也可称为鉴权请求，所以AP可以采用该第一发送波束向STA返回鉴权响应。可选的，STA接收到鉴权响应之后，可以向STA发送关联请求。AP接收到关联请求之后，可以采用该第一发送波束返回关联响应。此时，AP与STA之间的通信链路建立完成。当STA与AP之间的通信链路建立完成之后，AP可以采用该第一发送波束向STA发送数据报文。
在一些可行的实施方式中，如果某个STA的地理位置发生变化或某个STA与AP之间的距离发生变化，则该STA重新执行上述步骤S302-步骤S304，即该STA重新根据接收到Beacon帧确定最优发送波束，并重新向AP上报最优发送波束。AP将该STA最新上报的最优发送波束作为后续调度该STA的发送波束，即AP采用该STA最新上报的最优发送波束与STA进行通信。
本申请实施例中，AP采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，并在Beacon帧中携带发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束；STA从AP接收到一个或多个Beacon帧，并根据接收到的各个Beacon帧测量AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量，根据AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量从AP的各个发送波束中确定出最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)；STA将该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)的波束标识携带于鉴权帧中发送给AP；AP对从STA接收到的鉴权帧进行解析，确定后续调度该STA的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)。本申请实施例通过在Beacon帧中指示发送当前这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束，并将确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)通过鉴权帧通知AP，可以保证采用该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)与STA通信的接收信号质量，并通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
作为一个可选实施例，本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法也可以适用于基于Trigger帧的接入技术。参见图6，图6是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的另一示意流程图。如图6所示，本申请实施例提供的通信方法包括但不限于以下步骤：
S401，AP采用波束轮询发送信标Beacon帧。相应地，STA从AP接收至少一个Beacon帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中步骤S401的实现方式可参考图3所示实施例的步骤S301的实现方式，在此不再赘述。
S402，AP采用至少2个不同发送波束发送至少一个触发Trigger帧。相应地，STA从AP接收至少一个Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧不仅可以指示AP发送该Beacon帧所使用的发送波束的波束标识，还可以指示Trigger帧的时间信息和Trigger帧对应的波束标识。其中，各个Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息可以包括第一个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)与该各个Beacon帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔(这里指发送开始时间的间隔)。例如，AP发送 的第1个Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息包括：第一个Trigger帧的发送开始时间与该第1个Beacon帧的发送开始时间之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送开始时间之间的间隔；AP发送的第2个Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息包括：第一个Trigger帧的发送开始时间与该第2个Beacon帧的发送开始时间之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送开始时间之间的间隔。各个Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识可以包括Trigger帧对应的起始波束标识和结束波束标识。例如，假设Trigger帧对应的起始波束标识为beam3、结束波束标识为beam8，则第1个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam3，第2个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam4，第3个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam5，以此类推，第6个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam8。
可选的，上述Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息可以直接包括各个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)。可理解的，由于Beacon帧携带完整的广播消息，在时域上的帧长为400us(微秒)左右，所以在Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间偏置和时间间隔，相对于直接指示各个Trigger帧的发送时间，可以减少Beacon帧的帧长度。
可选的，上述Beacon帧可以通过指示接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)对应的波束标识，来等效指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识。由于一个接入时间窗(指UORA时间窗)信息携带于一个Trigger帧中，即接入时间窗与Trigger帧是一一对应的关系，所以Beacon帧指示接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)对应的波束标识等效于指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识。可选的，Beacon帧指示的接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)对应的波束标识可以包括接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)对应的起始波束标识和结束波束标识。例如，假设接入时间窗对应的起始波束标识为beam3、结束波束标识为beam8。则第1个接入时间窗对应的波束标识为beam3，说明第1个Trigger帧对应的波束标识也为beam3；第2个接入时间窗对应的波束标识为beam4，说明第2个Trigger帧对应的波束标识也为beam4；第3个接入时间窗对应的波束标识为beam5，说明第3个Trigger帧对应的波束标识也为beam5，以此类推，第6个接入时间窗对应的波束标识为beam8，说明第6个Trigger帧对应的波束标识也为beam8。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例可通过Beacon帧携带的字段来指示Trigger帧的时间信息和Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)。具体地，Trigger帧的时间信息可通过Beacon帧携带的一个或多个字段来指示，Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)也可通过Beacon帧携带的另外一个或多个字段来指示。可理解的，Beacon帧中用于指示Trigger帧的时间信息和Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)的多个字段的字段长度可以相同，也可以不相同。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间信息、和指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)的一个或多个字段可以是新增字段。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间信息的字段与指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)的字段可以是相邻的字段，也可以是不相邻的字段。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间信息的一个或多个字段、和指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识的一个或多个字段，在Beacon帧中的前后顺序不做限定。
参见图7，图7是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的又一示意图。如图7所 示，Beacon帧携带的TriggerUoraOffset(触发UORA偏移)字段指示第一个Trigger帧的发送时间与Beacon帧的发送时间之间的时间偏置；Beacon帧携带的TriggerUora Interval(触发UORA间隔)字段指示相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔。Beacon帧携带的UORA Start Beam Index(UORA起始波束编号)字段指示UORA时间窗对应的起始波束标识，Beacon帧携带的UORA End Beam Index(UORA结束波束编号)字段指示UORA时间窗对应的结束波束标识。图7中TriggerUora Offset字段和TriggerUora Interval字段的长度均为14bit；UORA Start Beam Index字段和UORA End Beam Index字段的长度均为6bit。
可理解的，图7仅是示意图，在实际应用中，可以在Beacon帧中增加其他字段来指示Trigger帧的时间信息和Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)。还可理解的，Beacon帧中新增字段的长度也可根据实际应用场景进行设定。本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP可以采用自己在Beacon帧中配置的Trigger帧(或UORA时间窗)对应的发送波束发送Trigger帧。AP在Beacon帧中配置的Trigger帧(或UORA时间窗)对应的发送波束包括至少2个不同发送波束，每个发送波束上发送至少一个Trigger帧。具体地，假设AP配置的Trigger帧对应的发送波束为beam3-beam8，则AP采用beam3发送第1个Trigger帧，采用beam4发送第2个Trigger帧，采用beam5发送第3个Trigger帧，采用beam6发送第4个Trigger帧，采用beam7发送第5个Trigger帧，采用beam8发送第6个Trigger帧，AP总共发送6个Trigger帧。可理解的，AP发送Trigger帧时，也可以定期发送，即AP发送完成一个Trigger帧后、间隔一段时间再发送另一个Trigger帧，也即前一个Trigger帧的发送完成时间与后一个Trigger帧的发送开始时间之间可以有时间间隔。其中，该时间间隔可以为前一个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗的大小。
相应地，STA可以从AP接收到至少一个Trigger帧，并可以记录接收到的每个Trigger帧的接收时间。由于一个AP只有一个宽发送波束，且AP采用至少2个不同发送波束发送Trigger帧，所以AP采用的是窄波束发送Trigger帧。又因为窄发送波束的水平波束宽度较窄(如水平波束宽度为10～20度)，覆盖范围有限(即覆盖范围较窄)，所以不同位置(这里的位置指地理位置)或不同距离(这里的距离指STA与AP之间的距离)的STA接收到的Trigger帧的数量可能不相同。其中，每个Trigger帧可以携带该Trigger帧的帧长和接入时间窗(或UORA时间窗)的时长。
S403，STA根据接收到的各个Beacon帧确定AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量。
S404，STA根据AP的各个发送波束对应的接收信号质量从AP的各个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中步骤S403-步骤S404的实现方式可参考图3所示实施例的步骤S302-步骤S303的实现方式，在此不再赘述。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中步骤S402可以在步骤S403-步骤S404之前执行，步骤S402也可以在步骤S403-步骤S404之后执行，步骤S402还可以在步骤S403-步骤S404同时执行等等。本申请实施例对步骤S402和步骤S403-步骤S404之间的执行顺序不做限定。
S405，STA根据Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识，从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定出第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA根据接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息，确定AP发送的各个Trigger帧的期望接收时间。STA根据AP发送的各个Trigger帧的期望接收时间和接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识，从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定出上述第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧。
例如，假设Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam3-beam8，则第1个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam3，第2个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam4，第3个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam5，以此类推，第6个Trigger帧对应的波束标识为beam8。假设Beacon帧i指示的Trigger帧的时间信息包括第1个Trigger帧的发送时间与Beacon帧i的发送时间之间的时间偏置为10ms、相邻2个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔为2ms，STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间为第15ms。因此，AP发送的第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间可以为STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间与时间偏置之和，即15+10＝25ms处。AP发送的第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即25+2＝27ms处。AP发送的第3个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即27+2＝29ms处，以此类推，AP发送的第6个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第5个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即33+2＝35ms处。假设第一发送波束为beam5，则第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧为AP发送的第3个Trigger帧，即第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧为STA在第29ms-31ms之间接收到的Trigger帧。
S406，STA根据Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息、和目标Trigger帧的接收时间，确定目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间。
S407，STA根据目标Trigger帧和目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间，确定出目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA每接收到一个Trigger帧，可以记录这个Trigger帧的接收时间(这里的接收时间是STA实际接收到这个Trigger帧的时间)。STA可以根据上述目标Trigger帧的接收时间和接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息，确定该目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间。
例如，假设Beacon帧i指示的Trigger帧的时间信息包括第1个Trigger帧的发送时间与Beacon帧i的发送时间之间的时间偏置为10ms、相邻2个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔为2ms，STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间为第15ms。因此，AP发送的第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间可以为STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间与时间偏置之和，即15+10＝25ms处。AP发送的第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即25+2＝27ms处。AP发送的第3个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即27+2＝29ms处，以此类推，AP发送的第6个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第5个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即33+2＝35ms处。假设目标Trigger帧的实际接收时间为第30ms，则STA根据目标Trigger帧的实际接收时间在各个Trigger帧的期望接收时间中匹配，找到该目标Trigger帧的发送 开始时间。由于目标Trigger帧的实际接收时间第30ms在期望接收时间第29ms与期望接收时间第31ms之间，所以目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间为第29ms。可选的，如果目标Trigger帧的实际接收时间与某个期望接收时间相同，则目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间就为这个期望接收时间。比如，目标Trigger帧的实际接收时间为第25ms，则目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间就为第25ms。
STA确定出上述目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间之后，可以将该目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间与该目标Trigger帧包括的帧长(这里指时域上的帧长，单位为时间单位，如us、ms等)之和确定为该目标Trigger帧的发送完成时间。STA可以获取预设的短帧间间隔(short interframe space，SIFS)，并可以将该目标Trigger帧的发送完成时间与该预设的SIFS之和作为该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗(或目标UORA时间窗)的起点位置(这里的起点位置指接入时间窗的时间起点)。STA可以根据该目标接入时间窗的起点位置和该目标Trigger帧包括的目标接入时间窗的大小，确定出该目标接入时间窗。该目标接入时间窗的终点位置(这里的终点位置指接入时间窗的时间终点)可以为该目标接入时间窗的起点位置与该目标接入时间窗的大小之和。比如，目标接入时间窗的起点位置为第4ms处，目标接入时间窗的大小为200us，则目标接入时间窗为4ms-4.2ms。
需要说明的是，本申请实施例中Trigger帧所承载的物理层信号的长度(这里Trigger帧所承载的物理层信号的长度等于Trigger帧的帧长)由L-SIG指示。Trigger帧包括的接入时间窗的大小可以由公共信息字段的上行长度子字段(UL Length subfield of the common field)指示。
S408，STA在目标接入时间窗内向AP发送初始接入信息。相应地，AP接收STA在目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述初始接入信息可以为鉴权帧，该鉴权帧的物理层结构可以为基于Trigger的物理协议数据单元(TB PPDU)。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA在确定出上述目标接入时间窗之后，可以在该目标接入时间窗内向AP发送鉴权帧(即初始接入信息)。相应地，AP接收STA在该目标接入时间窗内发送的鉴权帧。本申请实施例通过在目标接入时间窗内向AP返回鉴权帧来隐式通知AP、STA确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)，无需在鉴权帧中新增字段来指示STA确定出的最优发送波束，可以将不同STA适配到不同的随机接入资源(这里指接入时间窗)上，从而提高上行接入消息(如鉴权帧)的接收成功概率，降低STA接入的碰撞概率。
在一些可行的实施方式中，由于鉴权帧是单播帧，所以AP接收到鉴权帧之后，可以向STA返回ACK帧，该ACK帧用于确认AP已经收到鉴权帧。可选的，AP可以采用默认小区级波束(如宽发送波束)发送鉴权帧对应的ACK帧。
S409，AP确定初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的目标接入时间窗。
S410，AP采用目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP可以记录接收到上述鉴权帧(即上述初始接入信息)的 接收时间。由于AP知道自己配置的Trigger帧的时间信息和为每个Trigger帧配置的接入时间窗的大小，所以AP可以确定出自己发送的每个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗。因此，AP可以将各个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗中包含该鉴权帧的接收时间的接入时间窗作为上述目标接入时间窗。因为AP已知发送每个Trigger帧所使用的发送波束，也就知道每个接入时间窗(或UORA时间窗)对应的发送波束，所以AP可以确定出该目标接入时间窗对应的发送波束(即第一发送波束)。AP可以采用该第一发送波束与STA进行通信。本申请实施例直接通过AP接收到鉴权帧的时间来确定AP与STA通信的最优发送波束，可以保证采用该最优发送波束与STA通信的接收信号质量，从而实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
例如，假设AP分别采用beam3-beam5发送Trigger帧，每个beam上发送1个Trigger帧，总共发送了3个Trigger帧。假设AP发送的第1个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗为25ms-26ms，AP发送的第2个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗为27ms-28ms，AP发送的第3个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗为29ms-30ms。假设AP接收到鉴权帧的时间为第25.1ms，则AP确定出包含第25.1ms的接入时间窗为25ms-26ms，即目标接入时间窗为25ms-26ms。由于AP发送第1个Trigger帧所使用的发送波束为beam3，也就说明接入时间窗(即第1个Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗)25ms-26ms对应的发送波束为beam3，所以目标接入时间窗25ms-26ms对应的发送波束(即第一发送波束)为beam3。AP将beam3作为后续调度该STA的发送波束，即AP采用beam3与STA进行通信。
本申请实施例中，AP采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，并采用至少2个不同发送波束连续发送多个Trigger帧，Beacon帧中携带发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束；STA根据接收到的各个Beacon帧测量AP的各个发送波束上的接收信号质量，根据AP的各个发送波束上的接收信号质量从AP的各个发送波束中确定出最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)；STA根据任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识，从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定出第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，并根据目标Trigger帧的接收时间和任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息，确定目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间；STA根据目标Trigger帧、SIFS以及目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间，计算目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；STA在目标接入时间窗内向AP发送鉴权帧；AP直接根据接收到鉴权帧的时间来确定AP与STA通信的最优发送波束。本申请实施例通过在Beacon帧中指示发送这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束和Trigger帧(或UORA时间窗、或随机接入资源)对应的发送波束，STA基于波束选择结果，选择对应的随机接入资源(这里指接入时间窗)进行接入，无需在鉴权帧中新增字段来指示STA的波束选择结果。不仅可以将不同STA适配到不同的随机接入资源上，提高上行接入消息(如鉴权帧)的接收成功概率，降低STA接入的碰撞概率；还可以保证采用波束选择结果中的最优发送波束与STA通信的接收信号质量，并通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，从而实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
作为另一个可选实施例，本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法，不仅可以确定出AP与每个STA通信的最优波束，以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求；还可以将不 同波束方向或不同距离的STA适配到不同的接入资源上，从而减少远距离STA的接入失败次数和接入时延，提高小区内STA的整体接入效率。
参见图8，图8是本申请实施例提供的波束确定方法的又一示意流程图。如图8所示，本申请实施例提供的通信方法包括但不限于以下步骤：
S501，AP采用波束轮询发送信标Beacon帧。相应地，STA从AP接收至少一个Beacon帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧可以携带Trigger帧相关的指示。具体地，上述Beacon帧可以指示Trigger帧的时间信息和Trigger帧的数量信息。其中，Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息可以包括第一个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)与该各个Beacon帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)之间的时间偏置，和相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔(这里指发送开始时间的间隔)。Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，和采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。可选的，上述Beacon帧还可以指示信号质量门限值(即RSRPthres)。该信号质量门限值可以用于区分远距离STA和近距离STA。可理解的，这里的距离是指AP与STA之间的距离，远距离STA和近距离STA是相对概念，比如接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值的STA，认为是近距离STA；反之，认为是远距离STA。
可选的，上述Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息可以直接包括各个Trigger帧的发送时间(这里指发送开始时间)。
可选的，上述Beacon帧可以通过指示接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)的数量信息，来等效指示Trigger帧的数量信息。由于一个接入时间窗(指UORA时间窗)信息携带于一个Trigger帧中，所以Beacon帧指示接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)的数量信息等效于指示Trigger帧的数量信息。可选的，Beacon帧指示的接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)的数量信息可以包括采用宽发送波束发送的接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)数量，和采用窄发送波束发送的接入时间窗(即UORA时间窗)数量。例如，假设采用宽发送波束发送的接入时间窗数量为4，采用窄发送波束发送的接入时间窗数量为5，则说明采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为4，采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为5。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例可通过Beacon帧携带的字段来指示Trigger帧相关的信息和信号质量门限值。具体地，Trigger帧的时间信息可通过Beacon帧携带的一个或多个字段来指示，Trigger帧的数量信息(或UORA时间窗的数量信息)也可通过Beacon帧携带的另外一个或多个字段来指示。信号质量门限值可通过Beacon帧携带的又一个字段来指示。可理解的，Beacon帧中用于指示Trigger帧相关的信息和信号质量门限值的多个字段的字段长度可以相同，也可以不相同。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧相关的信息和信号质量门限值的多个字段可以是新增字段。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间信息的字段、指示Trigger帧的数量信息的字段以及指示信号质量门限值的字段可以是相邻的字段，也可以是不相邻的字段。还可理解的，Beacon帧中指示Trigger帧的时间信息的字段、指示Trigger帧的数量信息的字段、以及指示信号质量门限值的字段，在Beacon帧中的前后顺序不做限定。
参见图9，图9是本申请实施例提供的Beacon帧携带的字段的再又一示意图。如图9 所示，Beacon帧携带的TriggerUora Offset(触发UORA偏移)字段指示第一个Trigger帧的发送时间与Beacon帧的发送时间之间的时间偏置；Beacon帧携带的TriggerUora Interval(触发UORA间隔)字段指示相邻两个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔。Beacon帧携带的WbeamRecvWindowNum(宽波束接收窗口数)字段指示采用宽发送波束发送的UORA时间窗数量；Beacon帧携带的NbeamRecvWindowNum(窄波束接收窗口数)字段指示采用窄发送波束发送的UORA时间窗数量。Beacon帧携带的RSRPthres(RSRP门限)字段指示信号质量门限值。图9中TriggerUora Offset字段和TriggerUora Interval字段的长度均为14bit；WbeamRecvWindowNum字段和NbeamRecvWindowNum字段的长度均为3bit；RSRPthres字段的长度为7bit。
可理解的，图9仅是示意图，在实际应用中，可以在Beacon帧中增加其他字段来指示Trigger帧相关的信息和信号质量门限值。还可理解的，Beacon帧中新增字段的长度也可根据实际应用场景进行设定。本申请实施例对此不作限定。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，在一个波束轮询时间周期(即Beacon波束轮询周期T_BM)内，AP在一个窄发送波束上发送一个Beacon帧。假设AP有K个不同的窄发送波束，则AP在一个波束轮询时间周期内总共发送K个Beacon帧，该K个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧由AP的不同窄发送波束发送。相应地，STA从AP接收到至少一个Beacon帧。由于一个AP只有一个宽发送波束，且AP采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，所以AP采用的是多个不同窄发送波束轮询发送Beacon帧。又因为窄发送波束的水平波束宽度较窄(如水平波束宽度为10～20度)，覆盖范围有限(即覆盖范围较窄)，所以不同位置(这里的位置指地理位置)或不同距离(这里的距离指STA与AP之间的距离)的STA接收到的Beacon帧的数量可能不相同。本申请实施例采用波束轮询发送Beacon帧，以保证不同地理位置或不同距离的STA可以接收到至少一个Beacon帧。
S502，AP采用宽发送波束发送一个或多个触发Trigger帧，并采用波束轮询发送一个或多个Trigger帧。相应地，STA从AP接收至少一个Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，AP在上述波束轮询完成之后，可以采用宽发送波束发送自己在Beacon帧中配置的采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量个Trigger帧，并可以采用波束轮询发送自己在Beacon帧中配置的采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量个Trigger帧。AP波束轮询的波束总数量大于或等于2，每个发送波束上发送一个Trigger帧。例如，假设AP自己在Beacon帧中配置的采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为4、采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为5。假设AP有5个不同的窄发送波束，分别为beam1-beam5。AP重复采用同一个宽发送波束发送4个Trigger帧，AP每次采用宽发送波束发送1个Trigger帧，总共采用同一个宽发送波束4次。AP采用宽发送波束发送完成4个Trigger帧后，接着AP在beam1上发送1个Trigger帧，在beam2上发送1个Trigger帧，在beam3上发送1个Trigger帧，在beam4上发送1个Trigger帧，在beam5上发送1个Trigger帧，采用波束轮询总共发送5个Trigger帧。
相应地，STA可以从AP接收到至少一个Trigger帧，并可以记录接收到的每个Trigger帧的接收时间。由于一个AP只有一个宽发送波束，则AP重复使用这个宽发送波束发送 Trigger帧，AP使用宽发送波束一次发送一个Trigger帧。由于宽发送波束的水平波束宽度较宽(水平波束宽度为45～120度)，覆盖范围较宽，但覆盖距离较近；而窄发送波束的水平波束宽度较窄(如水平波束宽度为10～20度)，覆盖范围较窄，但覆盖距离较远；所以不同位置(这里的位置指地理位置)或不同距离(这里的距离指STA与AP之间的距离)的STA接收到的Trigger帧的数量可能不相同。其中，每个Trigger帧可以携带该Trigger帧的帧长和接入时间窗(或UORA时间窗)的时长。
可选的，AP波束轮询的波束总数量可以等于Beacon帧中指示的采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
S503，STA根据接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中的各个Trigger帧确定各个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量，并根据各个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量从各个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA可以根据接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息，确定AP发送的各个Trigger帧的期望接收时间。STA根据AP发送的各个Trigger帧的期望接收时间和接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的数量信息，确定接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中是否存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧。如果确定出接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧，则STA可以将该至少一个Trigger帧中宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧作为第一Trigger帧，并可以将该至少一个Trigger帧中窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧作为第二Trigger帧。为便于描述，下面以STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中包括M个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧为例进行说明。如果确定出接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中不存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧，则说明STA接收到的该至少一个Trigger帧均由窄发送波束发送。其中，M可以小于或等于Beacon帧指示的采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N可以小于或等于Beacon帧指示的采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
例如，假设Beacon帧指示的采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为2、采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量为3。假设Beacon帧i指示的Trigger帧的时间信息包括第1个Trigger帧的发送时间与Beacon帧i的发送时间之间的时间偏置为10ms、相邻2个Trigger帧的发送时间间隔为2ms，STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间为第15ms。因此，AP发送的第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为STA接收到Beacon帧i的时间与时间偏置之和，即15+10＝25ms处。AP发送的第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即25+2＝27ms处。AP发送的第3个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为第2个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与发送时间间隔之和，即27+2＝29ms处，以此类推，AP发送的第4个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为31ms处，AP发送的第5个Trigger帧的期望接收时间为33ms处。由Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的数量信息可知，AP发送的第1个和第2个Trigger帧是宽发送波束发送，第3-5个Trigger帧是窄发送波束发送。
因此，STA检测接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中是否存在接收时间(这里指STA接收到Trigger帧的实际接收时间)在AP发送的第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间与第1个Trigger帧的期望接收时间即25ms-29ms之间的Trigger帧。如果STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧 中存在接收时间在期望接收时间25ms-29ms之间的Trigger帧，说明STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧，STA将该至少一个Trigger帧中接收时间在期望接收时间25ms-29ms之间的Trigger帧作为第一Trigger帧。由于STA接收到的Trigger帧只有使用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧、和使用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧两种，所以STA将接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中除第一Trigger帧外的其他Trigger帧作为第二Trigger帧。如果STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中不存在接收时间在期望接收时间25ms-29ms之间的Trigger帧，说明STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中不存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧，则STA确定接收到的至少一个Trigger帧均由窄发送波束发送。
在一些可行的实施方式中，在STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧均由窄发送波束发送的情况下，STA可以根据接收到的各个Trigger帧测量该各个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量(如RSRP)。STA可以将接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大(如RSRP最大)的Trigger帧作为目标Trigger帧。可选的，STA可以将接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中接收信号质量(如RSRP)大于或等于预设阈值的任一Trigger帧作为目标Trigger帧。其中，该预设阈值可以根据实际的业务需求设定。该预设阈值还可以携带于Beacon帧中，由AP通知给STA。该预设阈值可以用于反映测量得到的接收信号质量是否满足业务需求，即如果测量得到的接收信号质量大于或等于该预设阈值，则认为测量得到的接收信号质量满足业务需求；如果测量得到的接收信号质量小于该预设阈值，则认为测量得到的接收信号质量不满足业务需求。
在一些可行的实施方式中，在STA接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中存在宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧的情况下，上述至少一个Trigger帧中包括M(M为大于或等于1的自然数)个第一Trigger帧，且该M个第一Trigger帧由AP的宽发送波束发送。STA可以根据各个第一Trigger帧测量该各个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量。STA可以比较该各个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量与接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的信号质量门限值之间的大小关系。如果至少一个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值，说明该STA相对于AP是近距离STA，则STA可以从该M个第一Trigger帧中任选一个第一Trigger帧作为目标Trigger帧。
可选的，STA接收到的上述至少一个Trigger帧还包括N(N为大于或等于1的自然数)个第二Trigger帧，该N个第二Trigger帧由AP的窄发送波束发送。如果各个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于上述信号质量门限值，说明该STA相对于AP是远距离STA，则STA根据各个第二Trigger帧测量该各个第二Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量(如RSRP)。STA可以将该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大(如RSRP最大)的第二Trigger帧作为目标Trigger帧。可选的，STA可以将该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量(如RSRP)大于或等于预设阈值的任一第二Trigger帧作为目标Trigger帧。
S504，STA根据Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息、和目标Trigger帧的接收时间，确定目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间。
S505，STA根据目标Trigger帧和目标Trigger帧的发送开始时间，确定出目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗。
在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中步骤S504-步骤S505的实现方式可参考图6所示实施例的步骤S406-步骤S407的实现方式，在此不再赘述。
S506，若当前时间未超过目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA将目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗确定为目标接入时间窗。
在一些可行的实施方式中，STA确定出上述目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗之后，可以检测当前时间是否超过该目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗。如果当前时间未超过该目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA可以将该目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗作为目标接入时间窗。例如，目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗为25ms-28ms，假设当前时间为第24ms，则当前时间第24ms未超过目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗25ms-28ms。又如，假设当前时间为第27ms，则当前时间第27ms未超过目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗25ms-28ms。再如，假设当前时间为第30ms，则当前时间第30ms已超过目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗25ms-28ms。
在一些可行的实施方式中，如果当前时间已超过该目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA可以重新从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定目标Trigger帧，再可以检测当前时间是否超过重新确定的目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗。如果当前时间未超过重新确定的目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA将该重新确定的目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗作为目标接入时间窗。可选的，STA重新从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定目标Trigger帧，包括：STA从M-1个第一Trigger帧(这里的M-1个第一Trigger帧指从M个第一Trigger帧中除去上述目标Trigger帧)中任选一个第一Trigger帧作为重新确定的目标Trigger帧；或，STA从N-1个第二Trigger帧(这里的N-1个第二Trigger帧指从N个第二Trigger帧中除去上述目标Trigger帧)中选择接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧作为重新确定的目标Trigger帧。可选的，如果当前时间已超过重新确定的目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA可以再次重新从接收到的至少一个Trigger帧中确定目标Trigger帧。
S507，STA在目标接入时间窗内向AP发送初始接入信息。相应地，AP从STA接收初始接入信息。
S508，AP确定初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的目标接入时间窗。
S509，AP采用目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，在一些可行的实施方式中，本申请实施例中步骤S507-步骤S509的实现方式可参考图6所示实施例的步骤S408-步骤S410的实现方式，在此不再赘述。
本申请实施例中，AP分别配置宽波束和窄波束的随机接入资源(这里指接入时间窗或UORA时间窗)，在广播消息(如Beacon帧)中指示随机接入资源的数量以及信号质量门限；STA根据信号质量门限判断该STA相对于AP所处位置的远近，选择对应的一个随机接入资源进行接入。本申请实施例将近距离STA适配到宽波束进行接入，将远距离STA适配到窄波束进行接入，可以降低STA接入的碰撞概率，提高STA接入的效率。本申请实施例还通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，从而可以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求。
作为一个可选实施例，上述Beacon帧中还可以指示Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)。如果当前时间已超过上述目标Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA可以根据接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识(或UORA时间窗对应的波束标识)，确定上述目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束。AP重新采用宽发送波束发送一个或多个Trigger帧，并重新采用波束轮询发送一个或多个Trigger帧。STA从AP重新接收到至少一个Trigger帧。STA根据重新接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧对应的波束标识，将重新接收到至少一个Trigger帧中该第一发送波束发送的Trigger帧作为第三Trigger帧。STA根据重新接收到的任一Beacon帧指示的Trigger帧的时间信息、和该第三Trigger帧的接收时间，确定该第三Trigger帧的发送开始时间。STA根据该第三Trigger帧包括的帧长、接入时间窗的时长、SIFS以及该第三Trigger帧的发送开始时间，确定出该第三Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗。如果当前时间未超过该第三Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗，则STA将该第三Trigger帧对应的接入时间窗确定为目标接入时间窗。STA在该目标接入时间窗内向AP发送鉴权帧(该鉴权帧的物理层结构为TB PPDU)。AP确定该鉴权帧的接收时间所对应的目标接入时间窗，并采用该目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与STA进行通信。
上述内容详细阐述了本申请实施例的波束确定方法，为了便于更好地实施本申请实施例的上述方案，本申请实施例还提供了相应的装置。
参见图10，图10是本申请实施例提供的装置的一结构示意图。该装置可以为STA或者可以设置于STA中的芯片或电路。如图10所示，该装置1可包括：
收发单元11，用于从接入点AP接收多个信标Beacon帧，该多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括该每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识；确定单元12，从该多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；该收发单元11，用于向该AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示该AP采用该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、或该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量。其中，该波束轮询时间周期和/或该剩余波束数量用于确定该STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于该AP在该波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括触发Trigger帧对应的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息。上述收发单元11，还用于从该AP接收多个Trigger帧，该多个Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送，该多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从该多个Trigger帧中确定出该第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，该Trigger帧的时间信息与该目标Trigger帧用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；上述收发单元11，具体用于在该目标接入时间窗内向该AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示该AP采用该目标接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
其中，上述确定单元12可以为处理单元。
具体实现中，各个模块或单元的实现还可以对应参照图3或图6所示的实施例中STA的相应描述，执行上述实施例中STA所执行的方法和功能。
本申请实施例的装置1(STA)通过在Beacon帧中指示发送当前这个Beacon帧所使用的发送波束，并将确定出的最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)通过鉴权帧通知AP，可以保证采用该最优发送波束(即第一发送波束)与STA通信的接收信号质量，并通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，实现远距离覆盖和抑制上行接收干扰。
参见图11，图11是本申请实施例提供的装置的另一结构示意图。该装置可以为AP或者可以设置于AP中的芯片或电路。如图11所示，该装置2可包括：
收发单元21，用于采用波束轮询发送多个Beacon帧，该多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括该每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识，该多个Beacon帧用于从该多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；该收发单元21，还用于AP从STA接收初始接入信息；通信单元22，用于根据接收到的该初始接入信息采用该第一发送波束与该STA通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、或该波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量。其中，该波束轮询时间周期和/或该剩余波束数量用于确定该STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于该AP在该波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述每个Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息。上述收发单元21，还用于采用至少2个不同发送波束发送多个Trigger帧，该多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；其中，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从该多个Trigger帧中确定出该第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，该Trigger帧的时间信息与该目标Trigger帧用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；上述收发单元21，具体用于AP接收该STA在该目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；上述通信单元22，具体用于确定该初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的该目标接入时间窗，采用该目标接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
其中，上述通信单元22可以为处理单元。
具体实现中，各个模块或单元的实现还可以对应参照图3或图6所示的实施例中AP的相应描述，执行上述实施例中AP所执行的方法和功能。
参见图12，图12是本申请实施例提供的装置的又一结构示意图。该装置可以为STA或者可以设置于STA中的芯片或电路。如图12所示，该装置3可包括：
收发单元31，用于从AP接收Beacon帧，该Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；该收发单元31，还用于从该AP接收M个Trigger帧，该M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；确定单元32，用于从该M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，该目标Trigger帧与该Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；该收发单元31，还用于当当前时间未超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗 时，在该目标接入时间窗内向该AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示该AP采用该目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该M个Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送。上述确定单元32，具体用于当该M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值时，从该M个Trigger帧中任选一个Trigger帧确定为目标Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，该M-N个第一Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送，该N个第二Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送。上述确定单元32，还具体用于当该M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于该信号质量门限值时，从该N个第二Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，该目标Trigger帧为该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信息，该Trigger帧的数量信息用于从该M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束。上述收发单元31，还用于当当前时间已超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，接收该AP通过该第一发送波束发送的第三Trigger帧，该第三Trigger帧与该第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；上述收发单元31，还用于在该第一接入时间窗内向该AP发送初始接入信息，该初始接入信息用于指示该AP采用该第一接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
其中，上述确定单元32可以为处理单元。
具体实现中，各个模块或单元的实现还可以对应参照图8所示的实施例中STA的相应描述，执行上述实施例中STA所执行的方法和功能。
本申请实施例的装置3(STA)将近距离STA适配到宽波束进行接入，将远距离STA适配到窄波束进行接入，可以降低STA接入的碰撞概率，提高STA接入的效率。本申请实施例的装置3(STA)还通过窄波束提供3～5dB的接收波束增益，以及13dB的干扰旁瓣抑制，提升远距离STA的接入性能，增强上行覆盖，从而可以满足远距离覆盖需求和上行接收干扰抑制需求。
参见图13，图13是本申请实施例提供的装置的再又一结构示意图。该装置可以为AP或者可以设置于AP中的芯片或电路。如图13所示，该装置4可包括：
收发单元41，用于发送至少一个Beacon帧，所述至少一个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；该收发单元41，还用于发送至少M个Trigger帧，所述至少M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，所述至少M个Trigger帧用 于确定出目标Trigger帧，所述Trigger帧的时间信息与所述目标Trigger帧用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；该收发单元41，还用于当当前时间未超过所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，接收所述STA在所述目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；确定单元42，用于确定所述初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的所述目标接入时间窗；通信单元43，用于采用所述目标接入时间窗对应的所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该至少M个Trigger帧中包括该AP的宽发送波束发送的M个Trigger帧；当该M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于该信号质量门限值时，该目标Trigger帧为该M个Trigger帧中的任一Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，该至少M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，该M-N个第一Trigger帧由该AP的宽发送波束发送，该N个第二Trigger帧由该AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送；当该M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于该信号质量门限值时，该目标Trigger帧为该N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信息，该Trigger帧的数量信息用于从该至少M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于该采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于该采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
在一些可行的实施方式中，上述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，该Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定该目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束。上述收发单元41，还用于当当前时间已超过该目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，在该第一发送波束上发送第三Trigger帧，该第三Trigger帧与该第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定该第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；上述确定单元42，具体用于确定该初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的该第一接入时间窗；上述通信单元43，具体用于采用该第一接入时间窗对应的该第一发送波束与该STA进行通信。
其中，上述确定单元42和上述通信单元43可以为一个单元，如处理单元。
具体实现中，各个模块或单元的实现还可以对应参照图8所示的实施例中AP的相应描述，执行上述实施例中AP所执行的方法和功能。
参见图14，图14是本申请实施例提供的通信装置的结构示意图。如图14所示，本申请实施例提供的通信装置1000包括处理器1001、存储器1002、收发器1003和总线系统1004。本申请实施例提供的通信装置可以为STA或AP。
其中，上述处理器1001、存储器1002和收发器1003通过总线系统1004连接。
上述存储器1002用于存放程序。具体地，程序可以包括程序代码，程序代码包括计算机操作指令。存储器1002包括但不限于是随机存储记忆体(random access memory，RAM)、 只读存储器(read-only memory，ROM)、可擦除可编程只读存储器(erasable programmable read only memory，EPROM)、或便携式只读存储器(compact disc read-only memory，CD-ROM)。图14中仅示出了一个存储器，当然，存储器也可以根据需要，设置为多个。存储器1002也可以是处理器1001中的存储器，在此不做限制。
存储器1002存储了如下的元素，可执行单元或者数据结构，或者它们的子集，或者它们的扩展集：
操作指令：包括各种操作指令，用于实现各种操作。
操作系统：包括各种系统程序，用于实现各种基础业务以及处理基于硬件的任务。
上述处理器1001控制通信装置1000的操作，处理器1001可以是一个或多个中央处理器(central processing unit，CPU)，在处理器1001是一个CPU的情况下，该CPU可以是单核CPU，也可以是多核CPU。
具体的应用中，通信装置1000的各个组件通过总线系统1004耦合在一起，其中总线系统1004除包括数据总线之外，还可以包括电源总线、控制总线和状态信号总线等。但是为了清楚说明起见，在图14中将各种总线都标为总线系统1004。为便于表示，图14中仅是示意性画出。
上述本申请实施例提供的图3、图6或图8任一种，或者上述各个实施例揭示的STA的方法；或者上述本申请实施例提供的图3、图6或图8任一种，或者上述各个实施例的AP的方法可以应用于处理器1001中，或者由处理器1001实现。处理器1001可能是一种集成电路芯片，具有信号的处理能力。在实现过程中，上述方法的各步骤可以通过处理器1001中的硬件的集成逻辑电路或者软件形式的指令完成。上述的处理器1001可以是通用处理器、数字信号处理器(digital signal processing，DSP)、专用集成电路(application specific integrated circuit，ASIC)、现场可编程门阵列(field－programmable gate array，FPGA)或者其他可编程逻辑器件、分立门或者晶体管逻辑器件、分立硬件组件。可以实现或者执行本申请实施例中的公开的各方法、步骤及逻辑框图。通用处理器可以是微处理器或者该处理器也可以是任何常规的处理器等。结合本申请实施例所公开的方法的步骤可以直接体现为硬件译码处理器执行完成，或者用译码处理器中的硬件及软件模块组合执行完成。软件模块可以位于随机存储器，闪存、只读存储器，可编程只读存储器或者电可擦写可编程存储器、寄存器等本领域成熟的存储介质中。该存储介质位于存储器1002，处理器1001读取存储器1002中的信息，结合其硬件执行图3、图6或图8任一种所描述的STA的方法步骤；或者结合其硬件执行图3、图6或图8任一种所描述的AP的方法步骤。
本申请实施例还提供一种计算机程序产品，该计算机程序产品包括计算机程序代码，当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行图3、图6或图8所描述的STA的方法步骤；或者当该计算机程序代码在计算机上运行时，使得该计算机执行图3、图6或图8所描述的AP的方法步骤。
本申请实施例还提供一种装置，该装置可以为芯片。该芯片包括处理器。该处理器用于读取并执行存储器中存储的计算机程序，以执行图3、图6或图8的任意可能的实现方式中的波束确定方法。可选的，该芯片还包括存储器，该存储器与该处理器通过电路或电线连接。进一步可选的，该芯片还包括通信接口，该处理器与该通信接口连接。该通信接 口用于接收需要处理的数据和/或信息，该处理器从该通信接口获取该数据和/或信息，并对该数据和/或信息进行处理，并通过该通信接口输出处理结果。该通信接口可以是输入输出接口。
可选的，上述的处理器与存储器可以是物理上相互独立的单元，或者，存储器也可以和处理器集成在一起。
本申请的另一实施例中，还提供一种通信系统，该通信系统包括STA和AP。示例性的，STA可以为图3、图6或图8所示实施例中的STA，AP可以为图3、图6或图8所示实施例中的AP。
本领域普通技术人员可以理解实现上述实施例方法中的全部或部分流程，该流程可以由计算机程序来指令相关的硬件完成，该程序可存储于计算机可读取存储介质中，该程序在执行时，可包括如上述各方法实施例的流程。而前述的存储介质包括：ROM或随机存储记忆体RAM、磁碟或者光盘等各种可存储程序代码的介质。
以上所述，仅为本申请的具体实施方式，但本申请的保护范围并不局限于此，任何熟悉本技术领域的技术人员在本申请揭露的技术范围内，可轻易想到变化或替换，都应涵盖在本申请的保护范围之内。因此，本申请的保护范围应以所述权利要求的保护范围为准。

Claims (29)

  1. 一种波束确定方法，其特征在于，包括：
    站点STA从接入点AP接收多个信标Beacon帧，所述多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括所述每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识；
    所述STA从所述多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；
    所述STA向所述AP发送初始接入信息，所述初始接入信息用于指示所述AP采用所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  2. 根据权利要求1所述的方法，其特征在于，所述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、或所述波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量；
    其中，所述波束轮询时间周期和/或所述剩余波束数量用于确定所述STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于所述AP在所述波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
  3. 根据权利要求1或2所述的方法，其特征在于，所述每个Beacon帧还包括触发Trigger帧对应的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息；
    所述STA向所述AP发送初始接入信息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述STA从所述AP接收多个Trigger帧，所述多个Trigger帧由所述AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送，所述多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，所述Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从所述多个Trigger帧中确定出所述第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，所述Trigger帧的时间信息与所述目标Trigger帧用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；
    所述STA向所述AP发送初始接入信息，包括：
    所述STA在所述目标接入时间窗内向所述AP发送初始接入信息，所述初始接入信息用于指示所述AP采用所述目标接入时间窗对应的所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  4. 一种波束确定方法，其特征在于，包括：
    STA从AP接收Beacon帧，所述Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；
    所述STA从所述AP接收M个Trigger帧，所述M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；
    所述STA从所述M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，所述目标Trigger帧与所述Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；
    若当前时间未超过所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗，则所述STA在所述目标接入时间窗内向所述AP发送初始接入信息，所述初始接入信息用于指示所述AP采用所述目标接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  5. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值， 所述M个Trigger帧由所述AP的宽发送波束发送；
    所述STA从所述M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，包括：
    若所述M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于所述信号质量门限值，则所述STA从所述M个Trigger帧中任选一个Trigger帧确定为目标Trigger帧。
  6. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，所述M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，所述M-N个第一Trigger帧由所述AP的宽发送波束发送，所述N个第二Trigger帧由所述AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送；
    所述STA从所述M个Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，包括：
    若所述M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于所述信号质量门限值，则所述STA从所述N个第二Trigger帧中确定出目标Trigger帧，所述目标Trigger帧为所述N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
  7. 根据权利要求6所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信息，所述Trigger帧的数量信息用于从所述M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
  8. 根据权利要求7所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于所述采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于所述采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
  9. 根据权利要求4所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，所述Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束；
    所述方法还包括：
    若当前时间已超过所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗，则所述STA接收所述AP通过所述第一发送波束发送的第三Trigger帧，所述第三Trigger帧与所述第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定所述第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；
    所述STA在所述第一接入时间窗内向所述AP发送初始接入信息，所述初始接入信息用于指示所述AP采用所述第一接入时间窗对应的第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  10. 一种波束确定方法，其特征在于，包括：
    AP采用波束轮询发送多个Beacon帧，所述多个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括所述每个Beacon帧的发送波束的波束标识，所述多个Beacon帧用于从所述多个Beacon帧包括的多个波束标识所标识的多个发送波束中确定出第一发送波束；
    所述AP从STA接收初始接入信息；
    所述AP根据接收到的所述初始接入信息采用所述第一发送波束与所述STA通信。
  11. 根据权利要求10所述的方法，其特征在于，所述每个Beacon帧还包括以下至少一种信息：波束轮询时间周期、或所述波束轮询时间周期内波束轮询的剩余波束数量；
    其中，所述波束轮询时间周期和/或所述剩余波束数量用于确定所述STA接收到的Beacon帧数量是否等于所述AP在所述波束轮询时间周期内发送的Beacon帧数量。
  12. 根据权利要求10或11所述的方法，其特征在于，所述每个Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识和Trigger帧的时间信息；
    所述AP从STA接收初始接入信息之前，所述方法还包括：
    所述AP采用至少2个不同发送波束发送多个Trigger帧，所述多个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息；
    其中，所述Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于从所述多个Trigger帧中确定出所述第一发送波束对应的目标Trigger帧，所述Trigger帧的时间信息与所述目标Trigger帧用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；
    所述AP从STA接收初始接入信息，包括：
    所述AP接收所述STA在所述目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；
    所述AP根据接收到的所述初始接入信息采用所述第一发送波束与所述STA通信，包括：
    所述AP确定所述初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的所述目标接入时间窗，采用所述目标接入时间窗对应的所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  13. 一种波束确定方法，其特征在于，包括：
    AP发送至少一个Beacon帧，所述至少一个Beacon帧中的每个Beacon帧包括Trigger帧的时间信息；
    所述AP发送至少M个Trigger帧，所述至少M个Trigger帧中每个Trigger帧包括接入时间窗的大小信息，所述至少M个Trigger帧用于确定出目标Trigger帧，所述Trigger帧的时间信息与所述目标Trigger帧用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗；
    当当前时间未超过所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，所述AP接收所述STA在所述目标接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；
    所述AP确定所述初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的所述目标接入时间窗，采用所述目标接入时间窗对应的所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  14. 根据权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，所述至少M个Trigger帧中包括所述AP的宽发送波束发送的M个Trigger帧；
    当所述M个Trigger帧中存在至少一个Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量大于或等于所述信号质量门限值时，所述目标Trigger帧为所述M个Trigger帧中的任一Trigger帧。
  15. 根据权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括信号质量门限值，所述至少M个Trigger帧中包括M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧，所述M-N个第一Trigger帧由所述AP的宽发送波束发送，所述N个第二Trigger帧由所述AP的至少2个不同发送波束发送；
    当所述M-N个第一Trigger帧中每个第一Trigger帧对应的接收信号质量均小于所述信号质量门限值时，所述目标Trigger帧为所述N个第二Trigger帧中接收信号质量最大的第二Trigger帧。
  16. 根据权利要求15所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧的数量信息，所述Trigger帧的数量信息用于从所述至少M个Trigger帧中确定出M-N个第一Trigger帧和N个第二Trigger帧。
  17. 根据权利要求16所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Trigger帧的数量信息包括采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量以及采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，M-N小于或等于所述采用宽发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量，N小于或等于所述采用窄发送波束发送的Trigger帧数量。
  18. 根据权利要求13所述的方法，其特征在于，所述Beacon帧还包括Trigger帧对应的波束标识，所述Trigger帧对应的波束标识用于确定所述目标Trigger帧对应的第一发送波束；
    所述方法还包括：
    当当前时间已超过所述目标Trigger帧对应的目标接入时间窗时，所述AP在所述第一发送波束上发送第三Trigger帧，所述第三Trigger帧与所述第三Trigger帧的时间信息用于确定所述第三Trigger帧对应的第一接入时间窗；
    所述AP接收所述STA在所述第一接入时间窗内发送的初始接入信息；
    所述AP确定所述初始接入信息的接收时间所对应的所述第一接入时间窗，采用所述第一接入时间窗对应的所述第一发送波束与所述STA进行通信。
  19. 一种装置，所述装置为STA或用于设置于STA中的芯片或电路，所述装置包括用于执行如权利要求1-3任一项所述方法的单元或模块。
  20. 一种装置，所述装置为STA或用于设置于STA中的芯片或电路，所述装置包括用于执行如权利要求4-9任一项所述方法的单元或模块。
  21. 一种装置，所述装置为AP或用于设置于AP中的芯片或电路，所述装置包括用于执行如权利要求10-12任一项所述方法的单元或模块。
  22. 一种装置，所述装置为AP或用于设置于AP中的芯片或电路，所述装置包括用于执行如权利要求13-18任一项所述方法的单元或模块。
  23. 一种STA，其特征在于，包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，所述存储器用于存储计算机程序，所述收发器用于收发信息或消息，所述计算机程序包括程序指令，当所述处理器运行所述程序指令时，使所述终端设备执行如权利要求1-3任一项或权利要求4-9任一项所述的方法。
  24. 一种AP，其特征在于，包括处理器、收发器和存储器，其中，所述存储器用于存储计算机程序，所述收发器用于收发信息或消息，所述计算机程序包括程序指令，当所述处理器运行所述程序指令时，使所述网络设备执行如权利要求10-12任一项或权利要求13-18任一项所述的方法。
  25. 一种通信系统，其特征在于，包括STA和AP，其中：
    所述STA为权利要求19或20所述的装置；
    所述AP为权利要求21或22所述的装置。
  26. 一种可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述可读存储介质中存储程序指令，当所述程序指令运行时，使得如权利要求1-3任一项所述的方法被执行。
  27. 一种可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述可读存储介质中存储程序指令，当所述程序指令运行时，使得如权利要求4-9任一项所述的方法被执行。
  28. 一种可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述可读存储介质中存储程序指令，当所述程序指令运行时，使得如权利要求10-12任一项所述的方法被执行。
  29. 一种可读存储介质，其特征在于，所述可读存储介质中存储程序指令，当所述程序指令运行时，使得如权利要求13-18任一项所述的方法被执行。
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