WO2024022017A1

WO2024022017A1 - Wireless network card and wireless communication method for host

Info

Publication number: WO2024022017A1
Application number: PCT/CN2023/104356
Authority: WO
Inventors: 陈俊
Original assignee: 恒玄科技(上海)股份有限公司
Priority date: 2022-07-29
Filing date: 2023-06-30
Publication date: 2024-02-01
Also published as: CN115175289A

Abstract

The present application relates to a wireless network card and wireless communication method for a host. A host comprises at least two host systems, each of the at least two host systems having the same or different operating systems. The wireless network card comprises a slave computer module, chip firmware and at least two master computer driving modules; each master computer driving module provides a driver program; the slave computer module provides loading/unloading of driver instances and management of configuration information, synchronizes state information and network information to each host system, creates independent slave computer driver instances, processes issued network access information by means of each slave computer driver instance, and implements transmission of the processed network access information and response information of the network access information between the slave computer module and the chip firmware; the chip firmware sends the network access information to a wireless access point, and sends the response information of the network access information to the slave computer module. Thus, the plurality of operating systems separately or simultaneously execute network access procedures by means of the wireless network card.

Description

A wireless network card and wireless communication method for a host

Technical field

The present application relates to the field of mobile electronic devices, and more specifically, to a wireless network card and a wireless communication method for a host.

Background technique

In order to improve battery life, many mobile electronic devices such as smartphones and smart watches will design different operating systems according to different application scenarios. For example, when users watch movies or play games on smart devices, they need to start the standard Android/Linux system. To meet the functional and performance requirements, in normal standby mode, the RTOS system only needs to be started to meet a small amount of information updates, message notifications, and wake-up functions of the standard system.

At present, in order to solve the problem of multiple systems accessing the network at the same time, multiple network card solutions or virtual network card solutions are often used. Among them, the multi-network card solution equips each operating system of the host with an independent network card to meet the needs of network access. However, the hardware design of such a solution is complex. Degree, power consumption and cost are all higher. Another solution that uses a virtual network card is that a main operating system is responsible for loading the actual network card driver, and other operating systems create virtual network card drivers. The virtual network card forwards network access data to the host through the IPC (Inter-Process Communication) function of the operating system. The actual network card acts as an agent for sending and receiving data on the operating system, but the virtual network card solution relies on the operating system's own IPC capabilities and device virtualization capabilities, and the main operating system needs to stay awake to meet the data forwarding needs of other operating systems, so the system implements , software and hardware costs and overall power consumption are high.

Contents of the invention

The present application is provided to address the above-mentioned deficiencies existing in the prior art. What is needed is a wireless network card and a wireless communication method for a host. The wireless network card can enable at least two host systems of the host to share the same set of wireless network cards. Each host system can access the network independently or simultaneously through the wireless network card. , and when one host system accesses the network, there is no need to wake up other host systems. Therefore, while having lower hardware costs, it also has lower multi-host system network access power consumption.

According to a first aspect of the present application, a wireless network card for a host is provided. The host includes at least two host systems. Each of the at least two host systems has the same or different operating systems. The wireless network card The network card includes a lower computer module, a chip firmware and at least two upper computer drive modules, wherein the at least two upper computer drive modules correspond to each host system in a one-to-one manner. Each host computer driver module is configured to provide the corresponding host system with a driver that matches the type of the host interface of the host system. The lower computer module is configured to create an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and allocate an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance. The lower computer module may also be configured to provide loading/unloading of driver instances and management of configuration information for each host system via the host interface of each host system, and synchronize status information and network information to each host system. The lower computer module may also be configured to use each lower computer driver instance to process the network access information issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicate with the chip through the allocated wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. The processed network access information and the response information of the network access information are transmitted between the firmwares. The chip firmware is configured to: create a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface; and transmit the network access information to the wireless access point. The response information is sent to the lower computer module via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.

According to the second aspect of the present application, a wireless communication method for a host is provided, which is suitable for wireless network cards. The host includes at least two host systems, each of the at least two host systems having the same or different Operating system, the wireless network card includes a lower computer module, chip firmware and at least two host computer drive modules, wherein the at least two host computer drive modules correspond to each host system one-to-one. Each host computer driver module may provide a driver program matching the type of the host interface of the host system for the corresponding host system. The lower computer module can create an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and assign an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance. The lower computer module can also provide loading/unloading of driver instances and management of configuration information for each host system through the host interface of each host system, and synchronize status information and network information to each host system. Each lower computer driver instance can also process the network access information issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicate with the chip firmware through the allocated wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. Transmission of access information and response information to the network access information. The chip firmware can create corresponding wireless network interfaces for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent through the corresponding network interface. Send the response information to the wireless access point; and send the response information of the network access information to the lower computer module via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.

The wireless network card and wireless communication method for the host provided by various embodiments of the present application provide independent host computer driver modules for each host system of the host, and are used for program drivers of each host system, so that the wireless network can be applied to each host system. The host system has the same or different operating system. The lower computer module in the wireless network card has a host interface corresponding to each host system. Each host interface corresponds to an independent lower computer driver instance. The lower computer driver instance uses an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to enable each host. The system's network access information interacts with the wireless access point via the chip firmware in the wireless network card. In this way, each host system can use the software and hardware on the same wireless network card to access the network independently or simultaneously without conflict. Moreover, since the host computer module and the slave computer module can independently handle the network access of each host system, they can access the network in a single or simultaneous manner. When some host systems access the network, other host systems do not need to wake up if they are in a dormant state. Therefore, on the basis of low hardware costs, the power consumption of multi-host systems accessing the network can be further reduced.

Description of drawings

Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the processing process of the lower computer module according to the embodiment of the present application;

Figure 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to another embodiment of the present application;

Figure 4 shows a functional schematic diagram of the driver instance management submodule according to an embodiment of the present application;

Figure 5 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to yet another embodiment of the present application; and

Figure 6 shows a schematic workflow diagram of a wireless communication method for a host according to an embodiment of the present application.

Detailed ways

In order to enable those skilled in the art to better understand the technical solutions of the present application, the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the drawings and specific implementation modes. The embodiments of the present application will be further described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings and specific examples, but this is not intended to limit the present application.

"First", "second" and similar words used in this application do not indicate any order, quantity or importance, but are only used for distinction. Similar words such as "include" or "include" mean that the elements before the word include the elements listed after the word, and do not exclude the possibility of also covering other elements.

Figure 1 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to an embodiment of the present application. The host may include, for example, a computer (including a laptop, a tablet, etc.), a mobile electronic device such as a smart phone or a smart watch. As shown in Figure 1, the host 100 may include at least two host systems, for example, it may include a first host system 110a, a second host system 110b, ..., an nth host system 110n, wherein, for example, the first host system 110a has a first The operating system 111a, the second host system 110b has the second operating system 111b,..., the nth host system 110n has the nth operating system 111n, each of the above operating systems can be an Android operating system, a Linux operating system, an RTOS operating system, etc., and They may be the same or different from each other. For example, the first operating system 111a may be an IOS operating system, and the second host system 110b may be a Windows operating system, etc., which are not listed here. Specifically, the host can set the usage modes of multiple host systems according to different requirements in terms of power consumption index requirements, programs to be run, differences in running performance, etc. For example, the host 100 can use systems with different operating systems in a switching manner. Host system to meet the various needs as mentioned above, or multiple host systems can be run simultaneously as needed to execute different programs and tasks in parallel.

As shown in Figure 1, the wireless network card 200 communicates with each host system through one-to-one corresponding host interfaces. The host interface includes a first host interface 210a that is correspondingly connected to the first host system 110a, and a second host system 110b. The second host interfaces 210b, . . . corresponding to the communication connection correspond to the n-th host interface 210n corresponding to the communication connection to the n-th host system 110n. In some embodiments, the host interface may be of different types, for example, it may be one of USB, SDIO, SPI, UART, and PCIE, and the host interface types of each host system may be the same or different.

In some embodiments, the wireless network card 200 may include a lower computer module 230, a chip firmware 250, and at least two upper computer drive modules, where the at least two upper computer drive modules correspond to each host system one-to-one. The first host system 110a corresponds to the first host computer drive module 220a, the second host system 110b corresponds to the second host computer drive module 220b, ..., and the nth host system 110n corresponds to the nth host computer drive module 220n. Each host computer driver module is configured to provide the corresponding host system with a driver that matches the type of the host interface of the host system. When a certain host system issues a network access request, the corresponding host computer driver module can provide a driver that matches the type of its host interface, so that different host systems can drive wireless network cards for network access. In some embodiments, when a certain host system issues a network access request, only the corresponding host computer driver module in the wireless network card works, while the host computer driver modules corresponding to other host systems that have not issued a network access request can remain state of rest, therefore, The wireless network card according to the embodiment of the present application can not only support independent or simultaneous network access of multiple host systems, but can also maintain low overall power consumption.

Figure 2 shows a schematic diagram of the processing process of the lower computer module according to the embodiment of the present application.

First, in step 2301, for example, if the host system has network access requirements, the slave computer module can create an independent slave computer driver instance for each host interface, and assign an exclusive wireless link layer to each slave computer driver instance. Management interface. Referring to Figure 5, for example, the first host interface 210a corresponds to the first lower computer driver instance 232a and the first wireless link layer management interface 240a, and the second host interface 210b corresponds to the second lower computer driver instance 232b and the second wireless link The layer management interface 240b and the n-th host interface 210n correspond to the n-th lower computer driver instance 232n and the n-th wireless link layer management interface 240n. In this way, each lower computer driver instance can transfer network data from each host system through the corresponding host interface. Access information is sent to the wireless link layer through the exclusively used wireless link layer management interface. In some embodiments, for example, according to the instructions of the host user, when a specific host system ends network access or turns off the network access function, the corresponding slave computer driver instance can be unregistered from the slave computer module. When the host system needs to be reconnected When connected to the network, you can create a new lower computer driver instance. In this way, independent driver instances are used to handle the network access requirements of the corresponding host systems, and each driver instance has an exclusive wireless link layer management interface, so that the network access requirements of each host system can be responded to in a more timely and independent manner, and Multi-host systems that use virtual machines to access the network have better flexibility and do not have to wake up the entire host because one or part of the host system accesses the network. Therefore, it has lower overall power consumption and can be used in the host system (for example, for a long time). ) stops accessing the network, the lower computer driver instance can also be logged out, thus further reducing power consumption and software and hardware complexity.

Next, in step 2302, loading/unloading of driver instances and management of configuration information can be provided for each host system through the host interface of each host system, and status information and network information can be synchronized to each host system. Referring to Figure 1, when each host system has a need to access the network, the lower computer module 230 can provide loading driver instances for each host system to complete the process of network access, and can uninstall the driver instance when the need for network access is completed. The driver instances of each host system can be loaded and unloaded independently, thereby realizing the requirement of independent network access for each host system. In some embodiments, the lower computer module 230 provides management of configuration information, so that each host system can perform network access according to its respective configuration information. In some embodiments, in response to the network access requirements of each host system, the lower computer module 230 can also synchronize status information and network information to each host system, where the status information can include hardware status, wireless channel status Status, etc., network information may include, for example, download process information, network notification messages, etc., so that each host system can update various information based on the above information, or adjust system configuration, switch access networks, etc.

Next, in step 2303, each lower computer driver instance can process the network access information issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicate with the chip firmware through the allocated wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. The processed network access information and the response information of the network access information are transmitted between. The slave computer module is a slave computer driver instance created for each host. It is responsible for processing the network access information issued by the host interface of each host system, and then transmits it to the chip firmware through the exclusive wireless link layer management interface. The chip firmware receives The response information of the received network access information is transmitted to the lower computer driver instance through the exclusive wireless link layer management interface. In this way, the lower computer module part can complete the information processing process in the network access process of each host system.

Referring to Figure 1, in some embodiments, the chip firmware 250 is configured to: create a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface. 300; and sending the response information of the network access information to the lower computer module 230 via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface. The first wireless link layer management interface 240a corresponds to the first wireless network interface 251a in the chip firmware 250, the second wireless link layer management interface 240b corresponds to the second wireless network interface 251b in the chip firmware 250, and the nth wireless link layer The management interface 240n corresponds to the nth wireless network interface 251n in the chip firmware 250. The chip firmware 250 receives the network access information transmitted by the wireless link layer management interface and sends it to the wireless access point 300 through the corresponding wireless network interface. The response information of the network access information returned by the wireless access point 300 is transmitted through the wireless network interface. to the chip firmware 250, and then the chip firmware 250 is sent to the lower computer module 230 through the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.

In some embodiments, there may be multiple wireless access points 300, and each wireless network interface may access the same wireless access point 300 or different wireless access points 300.

Each of the above host systems communicates with the same wireless network card through corresponding host interfaces, and the host computer driver module provides matching drivers according to different types of host interfaces. The processing process of the above-mentioned lower computer module can realize independent network access processing processes from each host system on the host side, so the network access processes of each host system are independent of each other, meeting the needs of multiple host systems for network access at the same time or at different times, such as There are three host systems on the host side. The three host systems or any two of them can have network access at the same time, or the three host systems No separate network access at the same time. For example, you can start the Linux operating system when the operating performance requirements are high, and choose to switch to start the RTOS operating system in standby mode. The RTOS operating system can provide network access through the wireless network card to meet the timely update of network information in standby mode. . Therefore, one wireless network card can be used to cooperate with multiple host systems for network access. The network access processes of each host system are not affected by each other, which can reduce the cost and power consumption of the host side. Since the hardware part only needs to set up the corresponding host interface, data link layer management interface, and chip firmware to realize the transmission of corresponding data, it can also reduce the complexity of the hardware design of the wireless network card. In addition, the network access requirements of each host system are centrally processed through the host computer module and the slave computer module. There is no need to set up separate processing modules for network access requirements for each host system. Therefore, the hardware and software design of the wireless network card can reduce costs and power consumption. .

Figure 3 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to another embodiment of the present application. The host 100 includes a first host system 110a, a second host system 110b, and an nth host system 110n. The first host system 110a includes a first operating system 111a, the second host system 110b includes a second operating system 111b, and the nth host system 110n includes an nth operating system 111n. The first host system 110a corresponds to the first host interface 210a of the wireless network card 200, the first host computer driver module 220a, the first wireless link layer management interface 240a, and the first wireless network interface 251a of the chip firmware 250; the second host system 110b Corresponds to the second host interface 210b of the wireless network card 200, the second host computer driver module 220b, the second wireless link layer management interface 240b, and the second wireless network interface 251b of the chip firmware 250; the nth host system 110n corresponds to the wireless network card 200. The nth host interface 210n, the nth host computer driver module 220n, the nth wireless link layer management interface 240n, and the nth wireless network interface 251n of the chip firmware 250. The wireless network card includes a lower computer module 230. The lower computer module 230 includes a driver instance management sub-module 231. The lower computer module 230 creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface. The first host system 110a corresponds to the first lower computer driver instance 232a, the second host system 110b corresponds to the second lower computer driver instance 232b, and the nth host system 110n Corresponds to the nth slave computer driver instance 232n. When the host system issues a network access request, the slave computer module 230 creates an independent slave computer driver instance for each host interface. After the host system's network access request ends, the corresponding slave computer driver instance is logged out from the slave computer module. Each wireless network interface in the chip firmware 250 is respectively connected to the wireless access point 300 for communication.

The driver instance management submodule is set up in the lower computer module of the wireless network card shown in Figure 3, which can facilitate the loading/unloading of the lower computer driver instances of each host system and the interaction of information with each host system. The driver The functions of the instance management submodule are shown in Figure 4.

Figure 4 shows a functional schematic diagram of the driver instance management submodule according to an embodiment of the present application. The lower computer module is further configured as a management function 401 implemented by the driver instance management sub-module 400. The driver instance management sub-module provides loading/unloading of driver instances for each host system through the host interface of each host system. . Through the management function 401, the loading and unloading process of the driver instance is provided during the network access processing. Management function 402 manages network configuration information and sleep/wake request information of each host system. Through the management function 402, the network configuration information for network access requests of each host system is managed respectively, so that each host system can connect to the wireless connection point through the network configuration information; the sleep/wakeup information requested by each host system is also managed, so that The relevant software part on the wireless network card side reacts to sleep/wake up, so that the wireless network card can perform network access needs at any time according to the needs of each host system. Management function 403 is to synchronize common hardware status information to the host computer driver module. Through the management function 403, the host computer driver module is fed back the hardware status used for network connection, such as the status of the hardware and the status of the wireless channel. The hardware status includes information such as the hardware initialization status. The hardware can include the host interface and wireless link management. interface, etc., so that the host computer driver module can drive normally. The management function 404 synchronizes the currently connected network information to each host system. Through the management function 404, relevant information of the currently connected network is synchronized, such as the currently connected network transmission process and other information, and each host system on the host side makes a choice of which network to connect to or further processes the network connection hardware. The separate management process of each system through a separate driver instance management sub-module can meet the network access requests of each system. The time of network access in part or all of each system is the same or not at the same time, or part of each system in each system Or all connected wireless access points are the same or different at the same time, etc., which can facilitate independent network access for each system.

In some embodiments, the lower computer module is further configured to: monitor the sleep state/awake state of the operating system of each host system by the driver instance management sub-module. When the operating system of each host system is When entering the sleep state, the lower computer module enters the sleep mode; when the operating system of at least one of the host systems enters the wake-up state, the lower computer module enters the wake-up mode. When the operating system of one or part of the host systems enters the sleep state, network access will not be performed. However, one or part of the operating systems that have not entered the sleep state can also perform network access. At this time, the lower computer module remains awake to meet the requirements. Network access requirements. Only when the operating systems of all host systems enter the sleep state, and all operating systems do not need network access at this time, can the slave computer module enter the sleep state. In this way, the slave computer module can maintain network access to any host system. Need prompt response and quick processing.

Figure 5 shows a schematic structural diagram of a wireless network card for a host according to yet another embodiment of the present application. The host computer 100, the slave computer module 230, and the chip firmware 250 have similar structural settings and connection conditions to those in Figure 1. In addition, as shown in Figure 5, the lower computer module also includes a driving instance sub-module 232. The network access information at least includes commands and/or data. The lower computer module is further configured to: use the driving instance sub-module 232. Module 232 creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and allocates an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance. The first slave computer driver instance 232a corresponding to the first host interface 210a, the second slave computer driver instance 232b corresponding to the second host interface 210b, ..., the nth slave computer driver instance 232n corresponding to the nth host interface 210n. Moreover, through the allocation of driver instance sub-modules, the first slave computer driver instance 232a corresponds to the first wireless link layer management interface 240a, the second slave computer driver instance 232b corresponds to the second wireless link layer management interface 240b,... The n lower computer driver instance 232n corresponds to the nth wireless link layer management interface 240n. Furthermore, each lower computer driver instance can be pre-created by the driver instance management sub-module and then stored in the lower computer module. When the host system issues a network access request, it is loaded according to the host interface type through the driver instance management sub-module. On the network After the access request is completed, it is uninstalled through the driver instance management sub-module; or each driver instance of the lower computer can be created through the driver instance management sub-module when each host system issues a network access request, and then loaded and used by the driver instance management sub-module. , after the network access requirement is completed, uninstall through the driver instance management sub-module. Furthermore, each driver instance pre-created by the lower computer module can be matched and bound to each host system in advance, or the driver instances of the lower computer can also be allocated based on the matching and occupancy of the host interface type. Each host system is assigned an exclusive driver instance of the lower computer for each network access. Through pre-matching and binding, during the host system network access process, different driver instances can be directly loaded according to different host systems in the host. Setting up the driver instance management submodule in the lower computer module can facilitate the creation of independent lower computer driver instances based on the host interfaces of each host system, making it easier for each host system to access the network independently or simultaneously.

On the basis of the lower computer module shown in Figure 5, in some embodiments, the lower computer module is further configured to: use the lower computer driver instance to process commands issued via the corresponding host interface and/or or data is processed, and the processed commands and/or data, as well as the response information of the commands and/or data are transmitted between the chip firmware and the assigned exclusive use wireless link layer management interface. . Each host system has the same or different requirements for network access. Each lower computer driver instance independently processes commands/or data so that the commands/data of each host system can be processed independently. Or the data can be processed separately to avoid mutual interference between processing processes. When one lower computer driver instance is working, other lower computer driver instances may be in a working state or in an unloaded state. Therefore, the wireless network card of this application can not only complete the independent network access requirements of multiple host systems, but also has Lower power consumption.

In some embodiments, each wireless network interface is connected to the same or different wireless access point, and the chip firmware is further configured to: create a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network Access information is sent to the same or different wireless access points via corresponding network interfaces. When there is more than one wireless access point, the wireless network interface can choose to connect to the same or different wireless access points for network access. When there is only one wireless access point, each host system can connect to the wireless access point based on the same configuration information. In the case of multiple wireless access points, each host system can connect to different wireless access points based on different network configuration information. For example, there are two wireless access points, and the host has two host systems. The two host systems can choose to connect to different wireless access points respectively, or the signal transmission status of one wireless access point is relatively good, then the two host systems can choose to connect to different wireless access points. Each host system can connect to this wireless access point with better signal transmission status.

In some embodiments, each wireless network interface is connected to the wireless access point in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner, and the chip firmware is further configured to: create a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that after processing The network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner. When each wireless network interface communicates with different wireless access points respectively, each wireless network interface can communicate with different wireless access points at the same time; when each wireless network access port is connected to the same wireless access point, Each wireless network interface can transmit network information in a time-sharing manner, which can avoid conflicts in the transmission of multiple network information.

In some embodiments, the wireless network interface at least includes a WiFi STA network interface (WiFi Station network interface). The wireless network interface is set on the wireless network card of mobile electronic devices such as smartphones and smart watches and is used for the transmission of network information.

The lower computer module, chip firmware, and upper computer module in the wireless network card run through different processors respectively, or are integrated and run on the same processor to realize the operation of the wireless network card. The upper computer module and the lower computer module can, for example, use various RISC (reduced instruction set computer) processor IP purchased from ARM, etc. as the processor of the SOC to perform corresponding functions, and can be implemented as an embedded system. Users can implement various communication modules by building ASICs (Application Specific Integrated Circuits) based on purchased IP or self-developed modules to reduce power consumption and costs.

The following is a detailed description of the wireless communication method for the host according to the embodiment of the present application.

Figure 6 shows a schematic workflow diagram of a wireless communication method for a host according to an embodiment of the present application. Suitable for wireless network cards, the host includes at least two host systems, each of the at least two host systems has the same or different operating systems, the wireless network card includes a lower computer module, chip firmware and at least two upper computers Driving module, wherein the at least two host computer driving modules correspond to each host system in a one-to-one manner. Step 601: Each host computer driver module provides a driver program that matches the type of the host interface of the host system for the corresponding host system. Step 602: The lower computer module creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and allocates an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance. Step 603: The lower computer module provides loading/unloading of driver instances and management of configuration information for each host system through the host interface of each host system, and synchronizes status information and network information to each host system. Step 604: Each lower computer driver instance processes the network access information delivered through the corresponding host interface, and communicates with the chip firmware through the assigned wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. Transmission of network access information and response information to the network access information. Step 605: The chip firmware creates a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface. Step 606: The chip firmware sends the response information of the network access information to the lower computer module via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.

A wireless network card can be used to cooperate with multiple host systems for network access. The network access processes of each host system are not affected by each other, which can reduce the cost and power consumption of the host side; the hardware part only needs to set the corresponding host interface and data link The road layer management interface and chip firmware realize the transmission of corresponding data, and can also reduce the hardware design complexity of the wireless network card; through the host computer module and the slave computer module, the network access requirements of each host system are centrally processed, without having to deal with each host system separately. Sets the processing module for network access requirements; therefore, the hardware and software design of the wireless network card can reduce costs and power consumption.

In some embodiments, the lower computer module includes a driver instance management sub-module. The driver instance management sub-module: provides loading/unloading of driver instances for each host system through the host interface of each host system; manages each host The system's network configuration information and sleep/wakeup request information; synchronize public hardware status information to the host computer driver module; synchronize currently connected network information to each host system. When the host system starts a network access request, the driver instance management submodule loads the driver instance. When the network access request ends, the driver instance management submodule unloads the driver instance. point Network configuration information used for network access requests of each host system is managed separately, so that each host system can connect to the wireless connection point through the network configuration information. It also manages the information requested by each host system to sleep/wake up, so that the relevant software part on the wireless network card side can respond to sleep/wake up, so that the wireless network card can perform network access needs at any time according to the needs of each host system. Feedback the hardware status used for network connection to the host computer driver module, such as the status of the hardware and the status of the wireless channel. The hardware status includes information such as hardware initialization status. The hardware can include the host interface, wireless link management interface, etc., so that the host computer can The machine driver module performs normal driving. Synchronize information related to the currently connected network, such as the current network transmission process and other information. Each host system on the host side makes a choice which network to connect to or further processes the network connection hardware. The separate management process of each system through a separate driver instance management sub-module can meet the network access requests of each system. The time of network access in part or all of each system is the same or not at the same time, or part of each system in each system Or all connected wireless access points are the same or different at the same time, etc., which can facilitate independent network access for each system.

In some embodiments, the driver instance management sub-module monitors the sleep state/wake-up state of the operating system of each host system; when the operating system of each host system enters the sleep state, the lower computer module Enter the sleep mode; when the operating system of at least one of the host systems enters the wake-up state, the lower computer module enters the wake-up mode. When one or part of the operating systems enter the dormant state, network access will not be performed. However, one or part of the operating systems that have not entered the dormant state can also perform network access. At this time, the lower computer module remains awake to meet the needs of network access. need. Only when all operating systems enter the hibernation state, and all operating systems do not need network access at this time, can the lower computer module enter the hibernation state.

In some embodiments, the lower computer module also includes a driver instance sub-module, and the network access information at least includes commands and/or data; the driver instance sub-module creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface. , and assign an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance; the lower computer driver instance processes the commands and/or data issued through the corresponding host interface, and uses the assigned exclusive use Processed commands and/or data, and response information of the commands and/or data are transmitted between the wireless link layer management interface and the chip firmware. Each host system has the same or different requirements for network access. Each lower computer driver instance independently processes commands/or data, so that the commands/or data of each host system can be processed separately to avoid mutual influence of the processing processes. When a lower computer driver instance is working, other lower computer driver instances may be in a working state or in an unloaded state, so this The applied wireless network card can not only complete the independent network access requirements of multiple host systems, but also has lower power consumption.

In some embodiments, each wireless network interface is connected to the same or different wireless access point, and the chip firmware creates a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information passes through the corresponding network interface to the same or different wireless access points. When there is more than one wireless access point, the wireless network interface can choose to connect to the same or different wireless access points for network access.

In some embodiments, each wireless network interface is connected to the wireless access point in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner, and the chip firmware creates a corresponding wireless network interface for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information Sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner. When each wireless network interface communicates with different wireless access points respectively, each wireless network interface can communicate with different wireless access points at the same time; when each wireless network access port is connected to the same wireless access point, Each wireless network interface can transmit network information in a time-sharing manner, which can avoid conflicts in the transmission of multiple network information.

Furthermore, although exemplary embodiments have been described herein, the scope thereof includes any and all implementations based on the present application with equivalent elements, modifications, omissions, combinations (e.g., cross-cutting arrangements of various embodiments), adaptations, or changes example. Elements in the claims are to be construed broadly based on the language employed in the claims and are not limited to the examples described in this specification or during the practice of this application, which examples are to be construed as non-exclusive. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as examples only, with a true scope and spirit being indicated by the following claims, along with their full scope of equivalents.

The above description is intended to be illustrative rather than restrictive. For example, the above examples (or one or more versions thereof) may be used in combination with each other. For example, other embodiments may be used by those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the above description. Additionally, in the above detailed description, various features may be grouped together to simplify the present application. This should not be interpreted as an intention that an unclaimed disclosed feature is essential to any claim. Rather, the subject matter of this application may lie in less than all features of a particular disclosed embodiment. Thus, the following claims are hereby incorporated into the Detailed Description as examples or embodiments, with each claim standing on its own as a separate embodiment, and with it being contemplated that these embodiments may be combined with one another in various combinations or permutations. The scope of the invention should be determined with reference to the appended claims, along with the full scope of equivalents to which such claims are entitled.

The above embodiments are only exemplary embodiments of the present application and are not used to limit the present invention. The protection scope of the present invention is defined by the claims. Those skilled in the art can understand the essence and protection scope of this application. Various modifications or equivalent substitutions may be made to the present invention within the scope of the present invention, and such modifications or equivalent substitutions shall also be deemed to fall within the protection scope of the present invention.

Claims

A wireless network card for a host, characterized in that the host includes at least two host systems, each of the at least two host systems has the same or different operating systems, and the wireless network card includes a lower computer module, Chip firmware and at least two host computer drive modules, wherein the at least two host computer drive modules correspond to each host system one-to-one,

Each host computer driver module is configured to provide the corresponding host system with a driver that matches the type of the host interface of the host system;

The lower computer module is configured as:

Create an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and assign an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance;

Through the host interface of each host system, it provides loading/unloading of driver instances, management of configuration information for each host system, and synchronizes status information and network information to each host system;

Each lower computer driver instance processes the network access information issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicates with the chip firmware through the assigned wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. and the transmission of response information of the network access information;

The chip firmware is configured as:

Create corresponding wireless network interfaces for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface; and

The response information of the network access information is sent to the lower computer module via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.
The wireless network card according to claim 1, characterized in that the lower computer module includes a driver instance management sub-module, and the lower computer module is further configured to be driven by the driver instance management sub-module:

Provide loading/unloading of driver instances for each host system through the host interface of each host system; manage the network configuration information and sleep/wakeup request information of each host system; synchronize common hardware status information to the host computer driver module; The system synchronizes the currently connected network information.
The wireless network card according to claim 2, characterized in that the lower computer module is further configured to:

The driver instance management sub-module monitors the sleep state/wake-up state of the operating system of each host system,

When the operating system of each host system enters the sleep state, the slave computer module enters the sleep mode;

When the operating system of at least one of the host systems enters the wake-up state, the lower computer module switches to the wake-up mode.
The wireless network card according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the lower computer module further includes a driver instance sub-module, the network access information at least includes commands and/or data, and the lower computer module is further configured as:

The driver instance sub-module creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and allocates an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance;

The lower computer driver instance processes the commands and/or data issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicates with the chip firmware through the assigned wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. Transmission of commands and/or data, and response information to said commands and/or data.
The wireless network card according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that each wireless network interface is connected to the same or different wireless access points, and the chip firmware is further configured to:

A corresponding wireless network interface is created for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the same or different wireless access points via the corresponding network interface.
The wireless network card according to any one of claims 1-3, characterized in that each wireless network interface is connected to the wireless access point in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner, and the chip firmware is further configured to:

A corresponding wireless network interface is created for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner.
According to the wireless network card according to any one of claims 1-3, the host interface includes at least one of USB, SDIO, SPI, UART, and PCIE.
According to the wireless network card according to any one of claims 1-3, the wireless network interface at least includes a WiFi STA network interface.
A wireless communication method for a host, suitable for wireless network cards. The host includes at least two host systems, each of the at least two host systems has the same or different operating systems. The wireless network card includes a lower computer. module, chip firmware and at least two host computer drive modules, wherein the at least two host computer drive modules correspond to each host system one-to-one, characterized by:

Each host computer driver module provides the corresponding host system with a driver that matches the type of the host interface of the host system;

From the lower computer module:

Create an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and assign an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance;

Through the host interface of each host system, it provides loading/unloading of driver instances, management of configuration information for each host system, and synchronizes status information and network information to each host system;

Each lower computer driver instance processes the network access information issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicates with the chip firmware through the assigned wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. and the transmission of response information of the network access information;

By chip firmware:

Create corresponding wireless network interfaces for each wireless link layer management interface, so that the processed network access information is sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface; and

The response information of the network access information is sent to the lower computer module via the corresponding wireless link layer management interface.
The wireless communication method according to claim 9, characterized in that the lower computer module includes a driving instance management sub-module, and the driving instance management sub-module:

Provide loading/unloading of driver instances for each host system through the host interface of each host system; manage the network configuration information and sleep/wakeup request information of each host system; synchronize common hardware status information to the host computer driver module; The system synchronizes the currently connected network information.
The wireless communication method according to claim 10, characterized in that the driver instance management sub-module monitors the sleep state/wake-up state of the operating system of each host system;

When the operating system of each host system enters the sleep state, the slave computer module enters the sleep mode;

When the operating system of at least one of the host systems enters the wake-up state, the lower computer module switches to the wake-up mode.
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that the lower computer module further includes a driver instance sub-module, and the network access information at least includes commands and/or data;

The driver instance sub-module creates an independent lower computer driver instance for each host interface, and assigns an exclusive wireless link layer management interface to each lower computer driver instance;

The lower computer driver instance processes the commands and/or data issued through the corresponding host interface, and communicates with the chip firmware through the assigned wireless link layer management interface for exclusive use. Transmission of commands and/or data, and response information to said commands and/or data.
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that each wireless network interface is connected to the same or different wireless access point, and the chip firmware creates a corresponding wireless link layer management interface for each wireless link layer management interface. The wireless network interface enables the processed network access information to be sent to the same or different wireless access points via the corresponding network interface.
The wireless communication method according to any one of claims 9-11, characterized in that each wireless network interface is connected to the wireless access point in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner, and the chip firmware creates a connection for each wireless link layer management interface. The corresponding wireless network interface enables the processed network access information to be sent to the wireless access point via the corresponding network interface in a time-sharing or simultaneous manner.