WO2025167546A1 - Communication method, apparatus and system - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to the technical field of communications. Provided are a communication method, apparatus and system. The method comprises: receiving first information, which is from a second AP, wherein the first information is used for indicating a first RU and a second RU, the first RU is a discrete RU comprising N subcarriers, and the second RU is a conventional RU comprising M subcarriers, N being a positive integer, and M being a positive integer; and sending second information to an STA, wherein the second information is used for indicating that P subcarriers among the N subcarriers in the first RU are used for transmission from the STA to a first AP, P being a positive integer less than or equal to N. A first AP can share the same frequency band resource with other APs, and the first AP and the other APs can cross-use subcarriers in the frequency band resource for data transmission, so that the sending power of each subcarrier is increased in the case of a limited power spectral density. Thus, the embodiments can improve the sending power in a multi-AP scenario.

Description

Communication method, device and system

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the China Patent Office on February 8, 2024, with application number 202410177391.8 and application name “Communication Methods, Devices and Systems”, the entire contents of which are incorporated by reference into this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and more particularly, to a communication method, device, and system.

Background Art

A wireless local area network (WLAN) can include multiple basic service sets (BSSs). Typically, a BSS consists of an access point (AP) and multiple stations (STAs) associated with the AP. With the increase in high-density deployment scenarios of WLAN networks, multi-AP collaborative technology has emerged. Among them, the AP that seizes the transmission opportunity (TXOP) and allows other APs to cooperate in transmission is called a sharing AP or master AP, and the AP participating in collaborative transmission is called a shared AP or slave AP. In order to avoid the inability to effectively transmit data from some BSSs in the above-mentioned multi-AP scenario, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) technology can be applied.

However, how to improve the transmission power in multi-AP scenarios is an urgent problem to be solved.

Summary of the Invention

The present application provides a communication method that can improve the transmission power in a multi-AP scenario.

In a first aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by a first access point (AP) or by a component (e.g., a chip, circuit, or module, etc.) configured in the first AP, and this application does not limit this.

The method includes: receiving first information from a second AP, the first information being used to indicate a first resource unit (RU) and a second RU, the first RU being a discrete RU including N subcarriers, the second RU being a regular RU including M subcarriers, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer; and sending second information to a STA, the second information being used to indicate that P subcarriers out of the N subcarriers in the first RU are used for transmission by the STA to the first AP, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N.

Through the above embodiment, the first information can indicate the DRU and the RRU. That is, the second AP can allocate the DRU and the RRU to the first AP. The second AP can instruct the STA to use some or all of the subcarriers in the DRU to transmit data to the first AP. That is, the first AP can select the DRU from the DRU and the RRU allocated by the second AP, and instruct the STA to use the DRU to transmit data to the first AP. In the above embodiment, the RU allocated to the first AP can be a DRU, so that the first AP can share the same frequency band resources with other APs and cross-use subcarriers in the frequency band resources for data transmission, thereby increasing the transmission power of each subcarrier transmitted by the DRU when the power spectrum density is limited. Therefore, the above embodiment can improve the transmission power in a multi-AP scenario.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving third information from the second AP, where the third information is used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the third information. The first AP can select the first RU based on the instruction of the third information and instruct the STA to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP). The above solution can support the second AP instructing the first AP to use the first RU at an appropriate time, thereby increasing the transmit power of the STA's transmission to the first AP.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the STA on the second RU.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the second RU to send data to the STA, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: receiving fourth information from the second AP, the fourth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU; or, the fourth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU, and being used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the fourth information, and the first AP can select the second RU according to the instruction of the fourth information, and use the second RU for the first downlink transmission (transmission from the first AP to the STA). The above scheme can support the second AP to instruct the first AP to use the second RU at an appropriate time. The subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the complexity of the system. In addition, the above scheme can also use the fourth information to indicate that the RUs used for the first downlink transmission and the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP) are the second RU and the first RU respectively. Compared with the scheme of using two pieces of information to indicate separately, the above embodiment saves resource overhead.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the STA on the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the first RU to send data to the STA, thereby improving the transmission power.

In combination with the first aspect, in certain implementations of the first aspect, the method also includes: receiving fifth information from the second AP, the fifth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU; or, the fifth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU, and being used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the fifth information, and the first AP can select the first RU according to the instruction of the fifth information and use the first RU for the first downlink transmission (transmission from the first AP to the STA). The above solution can support the second AP to instruct the first AP to use the first RU at an appropriate time, thereby improving the transmission power. In addition, the above solution can also use the fifth information to indicate that both the first downlink transmission and the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP) use the first RU. Compared with the solution of using two pieces of information to indicate separately, the above embodiment saves resource overhead.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, M=N.

Through the above embodiment, the sizes of the first RU and the second RU can be the same, thereby reducing the information used to indicate the first RU and the second RU, saving resource overhead.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the number of the first RU is the same as the number of the second RU.

Through the above embodiment, the numbers of the first RU and the second RU can be the same, thereby reducing the information used to indicate the first RU and the second RU, saving resource overhead.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the second AP on the second RU.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the second RU to send data to the second AP, thereby increasing the transmission power of the first AP to the second AP.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving sixth information from the second AP, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the second AP on the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the first RU to send data to the second AP, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving seventh information from the second AP, where the seventh information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the first RU.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving data from the second AP on the second RU.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP uses the second RU to send data to the first AP, thereby increasing the transmission power of the second AP to the first AP.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving eighth information from the second AP, where the eighth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the second RU.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving data from the second AP on the first RU.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP uses the first RU to send data to the first AP, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

In combination with the first aspect, in some implementations of the first aspect, the method further includes: receiving ninth information from the second AP, where the ninth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

In a second aspect, a communication method is provided. The method can be executed by the second AP or by a component (eg, a chip, a circuit, or a module, etc.) configured in the second AP, and this application does not limit this.

The method includes: sending first information to a first AP, where the first information is used to indicate a first RU and a second RU, where the first RU is a discrete RU including N subcarriers, and the second RU is a regular RU including M subcarriers, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending third information to the first AP, where the third information is used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: sending fourth information to the first AP, the fourth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU; or, the fourth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU, and being used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in certain implementations of the second aspect, the method also includes: sending fifth information to the first AP, the fifth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU; or, the fifth information being used to indicate that the transmission of the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU, and being used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, M=N.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the number of the first RU is the same as the number of the second RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving data from the second AP on the second RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending sixth information to the first AP, where the sixth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: receiving data from the first AP on the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: seventh information to the first AP, where the seventh information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the first AP on the second RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending eighth information to the first AP, where the eighth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the second RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending data to the first AP on the first RU.

In combination with the second aspect, in some implementations of the second aspect, the method further includes: sending ninth information to the first AP, where the ninth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the first RU.

In a third aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processing circuit (or processor) and an input/output interface (also referred to as an interface circuit), the input/output interface being used to input and/or output signals, the processing circuit being used to execute the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or the processing circuit being used to execute the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect.

In certain implementations, the processing circuit is used to communicate with other devices through the interface circuit and execute the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect, or execute the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect.

In a fourth aspect, a communication device is provided, which may include a device or module for performing the functions of the communication device.

In some implementations, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to the method/operation/step/action described in the first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

In some implementations, the communication device may include a module or unit corresponding to the method/operation/step/action described in the second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect. The module or unit may be a hardware circuit, software, or a combination of hardware circuit and software.

In a fifth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, on which a computer program or instruction is stored. When the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect are executed, or the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect are executed.

In a sixth aspect, a computer program product is provided, comprising a computer program or instructions, which, when run on a computer, causes the first aspect and any possible method of the first aspect to be executed, or causes the second aspect and any possible method of the second aspect to be executed.

In a seventh aspect, a communication device is provided, comprising a processor connected to a memory and configured to call a program stored in the memory to execute any possible method of the first aspect, or to execute any possible method of the second aspect. The memory may be located within or outside the communication device. The processor may include one or more processors.

In one implementation, the communication device of the third aspect, fourth aspect or seventh aspect may be a chip or a chip system.

In an eighth aspect, a chip is provided, comprising a processor for calling a computer program or computer instruction in a memory so that the processor executes any one of the implementation methods of the above-mentioned first aspect, or so that the processor executes any one of the implementation methods of the above-mentioned second aspect.

In some implementations, the processor is coupled to the memory through an interface.

In a ninth aspect, a communication system is provided, comprising a first AP and a second AP, wherein the first AP is used to execute the above-mentioned first aspect and any possible implementation of the first aspect, and the second AP is used to execute the above-mentioned second aspect and any possible implementation of the second aspect.

The description of the advantageous effects of any of the second to ninth aspects etc. may refer to the description of the advantageous effects of the first aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario to which an embodiment of the present application is applicable.

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of subcarrier distribution and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 20 MHz.

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of subcarrier distribution and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 40 MHz.

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of subcarrier distribution and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 80 MHz.

FIG5 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG6 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG7 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG8 is a schematic flowchart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a resource allocation method according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of transmission between a first AP and a STA according to an embodiment of the present application.

FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

FIG13 is a schematic diagram of another communication device provided in the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The technical solution in this application will be described below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

The technical solution provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applicable to wireless local area network (WLAN) scenarios, for example, supporting the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 related standards, such as 802.11a/b/g standards, 802.11n standards, 802.11ac standards, 802.11ax standards, 802.11be standards, 802.11bn standards/UHR standards, 802.11ad standards, 802.11ay standards, UWB standards 802.15 series standards, or 802.11bf series standards.

Although the embodiments of the present application are mainly described by taking the deployment of a WLAN network, especially a network using the IEEE 802.11 system standard as an example, those skilled in the art will readily understand that the various aspects involved in the embodiments of the present application can be extended to other networks using various standards or protocols, such as a BLUETOOTH network, a high-performance wireless local area network (HIPERLAN), a wireless wide area network (WWAN), a wireless personal area network (WPAN), or other networks now known or developed later. Therefore, regardless of the coverage range and wireless access protocol used, the various aspects provided in the embodiments of the present application can be applied to any suitable wireless network.

The technical solutions of the embodiments of the present application can also be applied to various communication systems, such as: WLAN communication system, wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) system, long term evolution (LTE) system, LTE frequency division duplex (FDD) system, LTE time division duplex (TDD), universal mobile telecommunication system (UMTS), world-wide interoperability for microwave access (WiMAX) communication system, fifth generation (5G) system or new radio (NR), sixth generation (6G) system, Internet of Things (IoT) network or vehicle to x (V2X), etc.

The above-mentioned communication system applicable to the present application is only an example, and the communication system applicable to the present application is not limited to this. It is described uniformly here and will not be repeated below.

Figure 1 is a schematic diagram of an application scenario applicable to an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 1, the communication method provided by the present application is applicable to communication between stations (STA), wherein the station can be an AP-type station or a non-access point-type station (none access point station, non-AP STA), which is not limited by the present application. Below, the AP-type station is referred to as AP, and the non-AP STA is referred to as STA. Specifically, the solution of the present application is applicable to communication between an AP and one or more stations (for example, communication between AP1 and STA1, STA2), and also to communication between APs (for example, communication between AP1 and AP2), as well as communication between STAs (for example, communication between STA2 and STA3).

For example, an access point is a node that allows a terminal (e.g., a mobile phone) to access a wired (or wireless) network. It is primarily deployed in homes, buildings, and campuses, with a typical coverage radius of tens to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. An access point acts as a bridge between wired and wireless networks, connecting wireless network clients together and then connecting the wireless network to the Ethernet.

Specifically, the access point can be a terminal or network device with a WiFi chip, and the network device can be a server (or communication server), a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, a mobile phone, a relay station, a vehicle-mounted device, a wearable device, a network device in a 5G network, a network device in a 6G network, or a network device in a public land mobile network (PLMN), etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. The access point can be a device that supports the Wi-Fi standard. For example, the access point can also support one or more standards of the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn/UHR, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

A site may be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal, etc., and may also be referred to as a user, user equipment (UE), an access terminal, a user unit, a user station, a mobile station, a mobile station, a remote station, a remote terminal, a mobile device, a user terminal, a terminal, a wireless communication device, a user agent, or a user device. A site may be a cellular phone, a cordless phone, a session initiation protocol (SIP) phone, a wireless local loop (WLL) station, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a handheld device with wireless communication capabilities, a computing device or other processing device connected to a wireless modem, an in-vehicle device, an Internet of Things device, a wearable device, a terminal device in a 5G network, a terminal device in a 6G network, or a terminal device in a PLMN, etc., and the embodiments of the present application are not limited thereto. A site may be a device that supports the WLAN format. For example, the site can support one or more standards in the IEEE 802.11 series, such as 802.11a, 802.11b, 802.11g, 802.11n, 802.11ac, 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11bn/UHR, 802.11ad, and 802.11ay.

For example, the site can be a mobile phone, tablet computer, set-top box, smart TV, smart wearable device, vehicle-mounted communication equipment, computer, Internet of Things (IoT) node, sensor, smart home such as smart camera, smart remote control, smart water meter, smart electricity meter, and sensors in smart city.

The above-mentioned AP or site may include a transmitter, a receiver, a memory, a processor, etc., wherein the transmitter and the receiver are used for sending and receiving packet structures respectively, the memory is used to store signaling information and store pre-agreed preset values, etc., and the processor is used to parse signaling information, process related data, etc.

WLAN has gone through several generations. 802.11n is known as high throughput (HT), 802.11ac is known as very high throughput (VHT), 802.11ax (Wi-Fi 6) is known as high efficiency (HE), 802.11be (Wi-Fi 7) is known as extremely high throughput (EHT), and 802.11bn is known as ultra high reliability (UHR). Standards prior to HT, such as 802.11a/b/g, are collectively referred to as non-HT.

802.11ax supports the following bandwidth configurations: 20MHz, 40MHz, 80MHz, 160MHz, and 80+80MHz. The difference between 160MHz and 80+80MHz is that the former is a continuous band, while the latter can separate the two 80MHz bands. 802.11be added support for 320MHz. The new 802.11bn standard also supports a maximum bandwidth of at least 320MHz.

A WLAN can include multiple basic service sets (BSSs). Typically, a BSS consists of one AP and multiple STAs associated with the AP. With the increase in high-density deployment scenarios for WLAN networks, multi-AP collaboration technology has emerged. An AP that seizes a transmission opportunity (TXOP) and allows other APs to collaborate on transmission is called a sharing AP or master AP, while an AP that participates in collaborative transmission is called a shared AP or slave AP. To prevent data from being unable to be effectively transmitted on some BSSs in the aforementioned multi-AP scenario, orthogonal frequency-division multiple access (OFDMA) technology can be applied. In this way, different BSSs can use different frequency band resources through effective negotiation, thereby simultaneously serving stations within the BSS and avoiding the problem of other BSSs being temporarily unable to transmit due to one BSS occupying the entire bandwidth.

Taking a total bandwidth of 80 MHz as an example, assume that AP#1 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#1) occupy 40 MHz after frequency division, and AP#2 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#2) occupy the other 40 MHz after frequency division. Assuming that there is only one STA in each BSS, AP#1 triggers its corresponding STA to use resource units (RUs) in the 40 MHz, which can be called a 484-tone RU. AP#2 triggers its corresponding STA to use another 484-tone RU. When OFDMA is applied, the two stations are each allocated a 484-tone RU. These 484-tone RUs can be called regular resource units (rRUs or RRUs) or contiguous RUs.

Figure 2 is a schematic diagram of the subcarrier distribution (tone plan) and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 20 MHz.

As shown in Figure 2, when the bandwidth is 20 MHz, the entire bandwidth can be composed of a 242-tone RRU, a 26-tone RRU, a 52-tone RRU, a 106-tone RRU, or a combination of at least two of these. A 26-tone RRU indicates that the RRU contains 26 subcarriers, a 52-tone RRU indicates that the RRU contains 52 subcarriers, a 106-tone RRU indicates that the RRU contains 106 subcarriers, and so on. In addition to the subcarriers used for data transmission, the RRU also includes pilot subcarriers. In addition to the subcarriers that make up the RRU, the bandwidth also includes some guard subcarriers, null subcarriers, or direct current (DC) subcarriers.

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of subcarrier distribution and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 40 MHz.

As shown in Figure 3, when the bandwidth is 40 MHz, the entire bandwidth is roughly equivalent to a replication of the 20 MHz subcarrier distribution. The entire bandwidth can be composed of a whole 484-tone RRU, or any one of 26-tone RRU, 52-tone RRU, 106-tone RRU, 242-tone RRU, or a combination of at least two of them.

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of subcarrier distribution and RRU distribution in a transmission bandwidth of 80 MHz.

As shown in Figure 4, when the bandwidth is 80 MHz, the entire bandwidth can be composed of four 242-tone RRUs, a 996-tone RRU, or various combinations of 26-tone RRUs, 52-tone RRUs, 106-tone RRUs, 242-tone RRUs, and 484-tone RRUs. 484L and 484R are alternative representations of 484+5DC in Figure 4, representing the left and right halves of a 484-tone RRU, respectively. 484L and 484R each contain 242 subcarriers. When the bandwidth is 160MHz or 80+80MHz, the entire bandwidth can be viewed as a replication of two 80MHz subcarriers. The entire bandwidth can be composed of a complete set of 2*996-tone RRUs, or any of 26-tone RRUs, 52-tone RRUs, 106-tone RRUs, 242-tone RRUs, 484-tone RRUs, 996-tone RRUs, or a combination of at least two of these. When the bandwidth is 240MHz or 160+80MHz, the entire bandwidth can be viewed as a replication of three 80MHz subcarriers. When the bandwidth is 320MHz or 160+160MHz, the entire bandwidth can be viewed as a replication of four 80MHz subcarriers. A separate distribution diagram is not provided here.

It should be noted that Figures 2 to 4 are merely examples and do not constitute a limitation to this application.

In Figures 2 through 4, the left side of the diagrams represents the lowest frequency, and the right side represents the highest frequency. The various subcarrier distributions above are based on 242-tone RRUs. From left to right, the 242-tone RRUs can be numbered: 1st, 2nd, …, 16th. It should be noted that in the data field, up to 16 242-tone RRUs correspond to 16 20 MHz channels, in ascending order of frequency.

In addition to the RRUs mentioned above, 11be also introduced a 52-tone RRU and a 26-tone RRU consisting of a 52+26-tone RRU, a 106+26-tone RRU consisting of a 106-tone RRU and a 26-tone RRU, a 484+242-tone RRU consisting of a 484-tone RRU and a 242-tone RRU, and a 996+484-tone RRU consisting of a 996-tone RRU and a 484-tone RRU. RRU; 242+484+996-tone RRU consisting of one 242-tone RRU, one 484-tone RRU, and one 996-tone RRU; 2*996+484-tone RRU consisting of two 996-tone RRUs and one 484-tone RRU; 3*996-tone RRU consisting of three 996-tone RRUs; 3*996+484-tone RRU consisting of three 996-tone RRUs and one 484-tone RRU. The above combinations of resource units can be called multi-RUs (MRUs).

At the bandwidth level, a 26-tone RRU corresponds to approximately 2 MHz, a 52-tone RRU corresponds to approximately 4 MHz, a 106-tone RRU corresponds to approximately 8 MHz, and a 242-tone RRU corresponds to approximately 20 MHz. The sizes of other RRUs can be calculated by addition or multiplication, and are not detailed here.

For example, as shown in Figures 2 to 4, in an RRU, the subcarriers are continuous. This continuous subcarrier formation RU has a smaller bandwidth, and the power corresponding to each subcarrier is lower.

In recent years, regulations for the 6 GHz spectrum have defined a low-power indoor (LPI) communication mode, imposing strict limits on maximum transmit power and maximum frequency spectral density. For access points (APs), the maximum power is 30 decibel-milliwatts (dBm), and the maximum power spectral density is 5 decibel-milliwatts/megahertz (dBm/MHz). For STAs, the maximum power is 24 dBm, and the maximum power spectral density is -1 dBm/MHz. The power transmitted by a device is subject to both maximum power and maximum power spectral density limits. Specifically, the power transmitted by a device cannot exceed either the maximum power value or the maximum power spectral density (the transmit power per MHz cannot exceed a given value).

Therefore, if you want to send more power to a device when the power spectral density is limited, you can achieve this by widening the corresponding transmission bandwidth. From a subcarrier perspective, this can be achieved by making the subcarriers allocated to a device more discrete in the frequency domain. In this case, although no additional subcarriers are allocated to the device, the increased transmission bandwidth can increase the total power (because the number of subcarriers per MHz corresponding to the same device decreases, resulting in greater transmission power from a subcarrier perspective).

Table 1 shows the relationship between the maximum transmit power and bandwidth in the LPI scenario.

Table 1

Taking the 20 MHz bandwidth in Table 1 as an example, 18 dBm - 5 dBm = 13 dB, and 13 dB = 10 ^1.3 = 19.95. In other words, the bandwidth is approximately 20 MHz. Therefore, the maximum power at a certain transmission bandwidth is approximately equal to the value when the maximum transmission power is reached in each MHz.

A discrete RU (DRU or dRU) includes multiple subcarriers that are discrete in the frequency domain, or multiple subcarriers with discrete index values, or multiple subcarriers with non-contiguous index values. These discrete subcarriers can be partially or completely discrete. That is, the discrete subcarriers can include some subcarriers that are continuous in frequency and some that are discontinuous in frequency; or they can be completely discontinuous in frequency. For example, the discrete subcarriers can include some subcarriers that are continuous in frequency and some that are discontinuous in frequency. Another example is that the discrete subcarriers can be completely discontinuous in frequency. The term "continuous in frequency" mentioned above can also mean that the subcarrier index values are continuous, and "discontinuous in frequency" can also mean that the subcarrier index values are discontinuous. In short, a discrete RU can be considered an RRU with a discrete design, which reduces the RRU's subcarrier density and thereby increases the transmit power of a single subcarrier.

For a DRU and a continuous RU (or rRU) containing the same number of subcarriers, the bandwidth spanned by the DRU in the frequency domain from its low-frequency starting position to its high-frequency ending position is greater than the bandwidth occupied by the continuous RU. Thus, under the same maximum power spectral density, the total transmit power of the DRU is greater than that of the continuous RU. In other words, when power spectral density is limited, discretizing a limited number of subcarriers (such as the 26 subcarriers contained in a continuous 26-tone RU) over a wider bandwidth, that is, over more subcarriers (such as the odd-numbered subcarriers of two continuous 26-tone RUs), can increase the transmit power. Therefore, compared to continuous RUs, using discrete RUs for data transmission can increase the transmit power on a single subcarrier and improve the signal-to-noise ratio (SNR).

Taking a total bandwidth of 80 MHz as an example, assume that AP#1 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#1) occupy 40 MHz after frequency division, and AP#2 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#2) occupy the other 40 MHz after frequency division. Assuming there is only one STA in each BSS, AP#1 triggers its corresponding STA to use the RRU in the 40 MHz. The maximum RRU that can be used in the 40 MHz is a 484-tone RRU. AP#2 triggers its corresponding STA to use another 484-tone RRU. Using OFDMA technology, both sites are each allocated a 484-tone RRU.

Taking the 80MHz total bandwidth as an example, AP#1 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#1) can occupy 80MHz, while AP#2 and its corresponding STA (also called BSS#2) can occupy the same 80MHz. Assuming there is only one STA in each BSS, AP#1 triggers its corresponding STA to use a DRU within the 80MHz, for example, 484-tone DRU 1. AP#2 triggers its corresponding STA to use another DRU within the same 80MHz, for example, 484-tone DRU 2. Therefore, compared to using a 484-tone RRU, although the 80MHz bandwidth is the same, the 484-tone DRU has fewer subcarriers per MHz, so it can achieve greater total transmit power and improve transmission performance.

In another description, a DRU includes multiple subcarrier groups discrete in the frequency domain, wherein a subcarrier group includes one subcarrier or multiple consecutive subcarriers. The number of subcarriers included in each of the multiple subcarrier groups can be the same or different. For example, the number of subcarriers in each subcarrier group can be 1. For another example, a 26-tone DRU can include 4 subcarrier groups, and the number of subcarriers in the 4 subcarrier groups can be 7, 7, 6, and 6, respectively.

It should be noted that DRU may also have other names, and this application does not limit the name of DRU.

Table 2 shows an example of a subcarrier distribution mode of a DRU when the transmission bandwidth is 20 MHz. Table 2 is only an example and does not constitute a limitation of the present application.

Table 2

The DRU subcarrier distribution method shown in Table 2 can also be called the uniform allocation method. The bold numbers, from top to bottom and left to right, indicate the numbers of the 256 subcarriers in the 20MHz band, from -128 to +127. The non-bold numbers to the right of the bold numbers indicate the number of the 26-tone DRU in the 20MHz band, indicating the number of the 26-tone DRU to which the subcarrier belongs (there are nine 26-tone RUs in the 20MHz band). The blank spaces in Table 2 correspond to null subcarriers or guard subcarriers. DC represents a DC subcarrier. A 106-tone DRU can consist of four 26-tone DRUs and two additional subcarriers. 106-1 in Table 2 can represent the two additional subcarriers in one 106-tone DRU; 106-2 can represent the two additional subcarriers in another 106-tone DRU. In this way, the uniform distribution method can be understood as the overall appearance of each 26-tone DRU in a certain order. For example, the order of appearance used in the example shown in Table 2 is 1, 6, 3, 8, 2, 7, 4, 9, 5, and then followed by another round of 1, 6, 3, 8, 2, 7, 4, 9, 5.

Based on the 26-tone DRU, you can build a 52-tone DRU, 106-tone DRU, 242-tone DRU, etc., which will not be detailed here.

Table 3 shows the number of subcarriers in DRUs of different sizes obtained according to the uniform allocation method in different bandwidths.

Table 3

Referring to Table 3, the lower the number of subcarriers per MHz, the greater the power that can be allocated to a single subcarrier, thereby increasing the total transmit power to a greater extent.

Table 4 shows how to obtain 52-tone DRU and 106-tone DRU in a 20 MHz bandwidth.

Table 4

Where N/A indicates not applicable. For example, 52-tone DRU 1 may include 26-tone DRU 1 and 26-tone DRU 2. Other 52-tone DRUs are not described in detail. 106-tone DRU 1 may include 52-tone DRU 1, 52-tone DRU 2, and two additional subcarriers (e.g., represented by 106-1). 106-tone DRU 2 may include 52-tone DRU 3, 52-tone DRU 4, and two additional subcarriers (e.g., represented by 106-2). 20 MHz bandwidth is not applicable to 242-tone DRUs. The DRUs in Table 4 may also be replaced by RRUs.

Table 5 shows how to obtain 52-tone DRU, 106-tone DRU, and 242-tone DRU at a bandwidth of 40 MHz.

Table 5

For example, a 52-tone DRU 1 may include a 26-tone DRU 1 and a 26-tone DRU 2. Other 52-tone DRUs are not described in detail. A 106-tone DRU 1 may include a 52-tone DRU 1, a 52-tone DRU 2, and two additional subcarriers (e.g., represented by 106-1). For example, the additional two subcarriers in a 106-tone DRU 2 may be represented by 106-2; the additional two subcarriers in a 106-tone DRU 3 may be represented by 106-3; and the additional two subcarriers in a 106-tone DRU 4 may be represented by 106-4. A 242-tone DRU 1 may include a 106-tone DRU 1, a 106-tone DRU 2, a 26-tone DRU 5, and four additional subcarriers (e.g., represented by 242-1). A 242-tone DRU 2 can include a 106-tone DRU 3, a 106-tone DRU 4, a 26-tone DRU 14, and an additional 4 subcarriers (e.g., represented by 242-2). The DRUs in Table 5 can also be replaced by RRUs.

It should be noted that those skilled in the art will understand that the DRU may also have other ways to distribute subcarriers, which will not be described here.

FIG5 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 500 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 500 can improve the transmission power in a multi-AP scenario. Method 500 is described below with reference to FIG5 .

S510: A first AP receives first information from a second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the first information to the first AP.

Among them, the first AP can be a shared AP (or slave AP), and the second AP can be a shared AP (or master AP). For example, the second AP can be the AP that seizes the TXOP. Optionally, the first information is used to indicate the resources allocated by the second AP to the first AP. For example, the first information can be used to indicate one or more RUs, which are the resources allocated by the second AP to the first AP. Exemplarily, the first AP can use the one or more RUs indicated by the first information to send data to the STA associated with the first AP, or the first AP can instruct the STA associated with the first AP to send data to the first AP on the above-mentioned one or more RUs.

The first information may be sent by the second AP. In some other optional embodiments, the first AP may obtain the first information through negotiation between at least two roles of the first AP, the second AP, or the STA.

Optionally, the first information is used to indicate the first RU and the second RU. Exemplarily, the first information may include the numbers of the first RU and the second RU. For example, if the first RU is numbered #1 and the second RU is numbered #2, the first information may include #1 and #2. As another example, the first information may include the first RU and the second RU, for example, including the subcarrier identifier in the first RU and the subcarrier identifier in the second RU.

Optionally, the first RU is a DRU including N subcarriers, where N can be a positive integer. Optionally, the second RU is an RRU including M subcarriers, where M can be a positive integer. As an optional embodiment, M and N can be equal, that is, the first RU and the second RU have the same size. As another optional embodiment, M and N can be unequal, that is, the first RU and the second RU have different sizes.

It should be noted that the first RU in this application can be replaced by the first MRU, and the second RU can be replaced by the second MRU. MRU can also be regarded as a form of RU. For example, the first RU includes the first MRU, and the second RU includes the second MRU. This application does not limit this.

The first RU and the second RU have the same size, which can reduce the information used to indicate the first RU and the second RU, saving resource overhead. The first RU and the second RU have different sizes, which can improve the flexibility of configuring the first RU and the second RU.

As an optional embodiment, the first information may indicate the first RU and the second RU respectively. Exemplarily, the first information includes first indication information and second indication information, where the first indication information indicates the first RU and the second indication information indicates the second RU. For example, the first indication information indicates 242-tone DRU 1, and the second indication information indicates 242-tone RRU 1. That is, the first information may indicate the first RU and the second RU respectively, and the first RU and the second RU may have the same size and number. Optionally, the first RU and the second RU may have different numbers and/or sizes. For example, the first indication information indicates 242-tone DRU 1, and the second indication information indicates 242-tone RRU 2. That is, the first RU and the second RU have the same size but different numbers. For another example, the first indication information indicates 242-tone DRU 1, and the second indication information indicates 484-tone RRU 1. That is, the first RU and the second RU have different sizes but the same number. For example, the first indication information is used to indicate a 242-tone DRU 1, and the second indication information is used to indicate a 484-tone RRU 2. That is, the first RU and the second RU have different sizes and numbers.

The first RU and the second RU have different numbers, which can improve the flexibility of configuring the first RU and the second RU. The first RU and the second RU have the same number, which can reduce the information used to indicate the first RU and the second RU, saving resource overhead.

As another optional embodiment, the first information may jointly indicate the first RU and the second RU. In other words, the first information may be used to indicate the first RU or the second RU. Exemplarily, the first information is used to indicate the number and size. The number and the size are both the first RU, number and size, and the second RU, number and size. For example, the first information is used to indicate 242-tone RU 1. The 242-tone RU 1 may be 242-tone DRU 1 (i.e., the first RU) or 242-tone RRU 1 (the second RU). It should be noted that the RU number may indicate the position of the RU in the RU set. Optionally, the above-mentioned "number" may also be replaced by "position", "index" or other names.

Furthermore, the first AP may determine, based on the first information, whether to use the first RU or the second RU for transmission between the first AP and the STA, and/or for transmission between the first AP and the second AP. For example, the first AP may determine, based on predefined rules, that the first AP uses the first RU for transmission to the STA (hereinafter referred to as the "first downlink transmission"), such as the first AP determines, based on the provisions of the standard or specific circumstances, that the first downlink transmission uses the first RU. For another example, the first AP may determine, based on the indication of the second AP, that the STA uses the second RU for transmission to the first AP (hereinafter referred to as the "first uplink transmission"), such as the second AP sends indication information to the first AP, where the indication information is used to indicate that the first uplink transmission uses the second RU. For more description, please refer to the following text and will not be elaborated on here.

It should be noted that in the related technical solutions, the master AP only allocates RRUs to the slave AP. Therefore, the master AP does not indicate RRUs or DRUs to the slave AP, but only indicates RRUs to the slave AP. In this application, the RUs allocated by the second AP to the first AP can be either RRUs or DRUs. Therefore, the first information above indicates the first RU and the second RU. Whether the RU is an RRU or a DRU can be indicated by other means, determined by predefined rules, or selected by the first AP.

The first RU and the second RU can be understood as the resource pool of the first AP (e.g., a slave AP). When this resource pool is used for the first uplink transmission, it can also be referred to as the uplink available RU set. That is, the first information can indicate the uplink available RU set. For example, some or all subcarriers in the first RU and/or second RU can be used for the first uplink transmission. For example, the first RU includes a 484-tone DRU, which includes at least one of a 242-tone DRU, a 106-tone DRU, a 52-tone DRU, or a 26-tone DRU. Assume that the 484-tone DRU includes 242-tone DRU 1 and 242-tone DRU 2. The first AP can instruct the STA to use 242-tone DRU 1 for the first uplink transmission, that is, to use some subcarriers in the first RU. The first AP can also instruct the STA to use 242-tone DRU 1 and 242-tone DRU 2 for the first uplink transmission, that is, to use all subcarriers in the first RU. When the resource pool is used for the first downlink transmission, the resource pool may also be referred to as a downlink RU. That is, the first information may indicate a downlink RU. For example, subcarriers in the first RU and/or the second RU may be used for the first downlink transmission. Generally speaking, the first AP may use all resources allocated by the second AP during the first downlink transmission. However, this application is not limited to this, and the first AP may also use a portion of all resources allocated by the second AP during the first downlink transmission.

In some other optional embodiments, the first information is used to indicate the first RU. For example, the RU allocated by the second AP to the first AP is only a DRU, so the first information is only used to indicate the first RU.

In other optional embodiments, the first information is used to indicate a second RU. Optionally, the second AP indicates the first AP through other information, and the first information may indicate the second RU, thereby changing the first information indicating the second RU to the first information indicating the first RU. In other optional embodiments, the first information is used to indicate an RU (which may be the first RU or the second RU). Optionally, the second AP indicates the first AP through other information, and the first information specifically indicates the first RU or the second RU.

The first information may be carried in a trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the first information is sent. For example, the first information may also be carried in various locations, such as a presentation protocol data unit (PPDU) or other frames.

This application does not limit the name of the first information. For example, the first information can also be called a first indication, a first trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

For the sake of convenience, the transmission from the first AP to the second AP (i.e., the transmission from the slave AP to the master AP) may be referred to as the second uplink transmission; and the transmission from the second AP to the first AP (i.e., the transmission from the master AP to the slave AP) may be referred to as the second downlink transmission.

Optionally, the method 500 further includes S550.

S550: The first AP sends second information to the STA.

Optionally, the second information is used to indicate that P subcarriers out of N subcarriers in the first RU are used for transmission from the STA to the first AP, where P may be a positive integer less than or equal to N. In other words, the second information is used to indicate to the STA that some or all of the subcarriers in the first RU are used for the first uplink transmission.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S550. As an example, the first AP can determine to execute S550 on its own. For example, the first AP can choose to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission based on the first information. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S550 based on predefined rules. For example, the first AP determines to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission when receiving the first information according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S550 based on the indication of the second AP or STA. For example, the first AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission. For another example, the first AP receives indication information from the second AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission.

The second information may be carried in the trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the second information is sent. For example, the second information may be carried in various locations, such as the PPDU or other frames.

This application does not limit the name of the second information. For example, the second information can also be called a second indication, a second trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

Optionally, the first AP receives a trigger-based physical layer protocol data unit (TB PPDU) from the STA, where information corresponding to a data field in the TB PPDU is carried on the P subcarriers. Optionally, the first AP sends an acknowledgment message (e.g., an acknowledgment frame) to the STA, confirming that the first AP has received the TB PPDU.

Through the above embodiment, the first information can indicate the DRU and the RRU. That is, the second AP can allocate the DRU and the RRU to the first AP. The second AP can instruct the STA to use some or all of the subcarriers in the DRU to transmit data to the first AP. That is, the first AP can select the DRU from the DRU and the RRU allocated by the second AP, and instruct the STA to use the DRU to transmit data to the first AP. In the above embodiment, the RU allocated to the first AP can be a DRU, so that the first AP can share the same frequency band resources with other APs and cross-use subcarriers in the frequency band resources for data transmission, thereby increasing the transmission power of each subcarrier transmitted by the DRU when the power spectrum density is limited. Therefore, the above embodiment can improve the transmission power in a multi-AP scenario.

Optionally, the method 500 further includes S530.

S530: The first AP receives the third information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the third information to the first AP.

Optionally, the third information is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. In other words, the third information is used to indicate the first AP that the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

The transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. It can be understood that the transmission of the STA to the first AP uses some or all subcarriers in the first RU. Alternatively, it can be understood that some or all subcarriers in the first RU are used for the transmission of the STA to the first AP.

This application does not limit the form of the third information. For example, the third information may be a single bit of information. This single bit of information may indicate that the first uplink transmission is a DRU. Thus, by combining the first RU and the second RU indicated by the first information in S510, the first AP may determine that the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

It should be noted that the above is an example of a bitmap for the third information, but this application does not limit the method of using 1 bit to indicate one or more information. For example, the third information can also use more bits to indicate that the first uplink transmission is a DRU. The following may also use bitmaps to illustrate certain information with indication functions. It should also be noted that the following bitmap examples are merely exemplary and do not constitute a limitation of this application. All bitmap examples can be replaced by using more bits to indicate information. No further details will be given below.

Optionally, S550 includes: in response to the third information, the first AP sends second information to the STA.

The third information may be carried in the trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the third information is transmitted. For example, the third information may be carried in various locations, such as the PPDU or other frames.

This application does not limit the name of the third information. For example, the third information can also be called a third indication, a third trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the third information. The first AP can select the first RU based on the instruction of the third information and instruct the STA to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP). The above solution can support the second AP instructing the first AP to use the first RU at an appropriate time, thereby increasing the transmit power of the STA's transmission to the first AP.

Optionally, the method 500 further includes S590.

S590: The first AP sends tenth information to the STA.

Optionally, the tenth information is used to indicate that Q subcarriers out of the M subcarriers in the second RU are used for transmission from the STA to the first AP, where Q may be a positive integer less than or equal to M. In other words, the tenth information is used to indicate to the STA that some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU are used for the first uplink transmission.

It should be noted that S550 and S590 can be targeted at different STAs or the same STA. For example, the first AP is associated with multiple STAs. The first AP can send second information to a part of the STAs, instructing these STAs to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission. The first AP can send tenth information to another part of the STAs, instructing these STAs to use the second RU for the first uplink transmission. For another example, the first AP can send second information to at least one STA, instructing the at least one STA to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission. The first AP can send tenth information to the at least one STA, instructing the at least one STA to use the second RU for the first uplink transmission. The at least one STA can use either the first RU or the second RU for the first uplink transmission.

For other descriptions of the tenth information, refer to the above description of the second information (eg, S550 ), except that “first RU” in the second information is replaced by “second RU”.

Optionally, the method 500 further includes S570.

S570: The first AP receives the eleventh information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the eleventh information to the first AP.

Optionally, the eleventh information is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the second RU. In other words, the eleventh information is used to indicate to the first AP that the first uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

It should be noted that in the scenario where the second AP is associated with multiple third APs (the second AP is one of the multiple third APs), the second AP can send third information to a part of the third APs (including the second AP), and the third information is used to instruct this part of the third APs (including the second AP) to use the first RU for the first uplink transmission; the second AP can send eleventh information to another part of the third APs, and the eleventh information is used to instruct this part of the third APs to use the second RU for the first uplink transmission. The second AP may also not send the third information or the eleventh information, and multiple third APs may select or determine according to predefined rules whether the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU or the second RU. The second AP may also send the third information or the eleventh information to a part of the third APs, respectively instructing some of the third APs to use the first RU or the second RU for the first uplink transmission; the other part of the third APs may select or determine according to predefined rules whether the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU or the second RU.

For other descriptions of the eleventh information, refer to the above description of the third information (eg, S530 ), except that “first RU” in the third information is replaced by “second RU”.

FIG6 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 600 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The method 600 can be combined with any embodiment of the method 500. The method 600 is described below in conjunction with FIG6.

S610: A first AP receives first information from a second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the first information to the first AP.

The description of the first information can be found in the aforementioned S510 and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes S650.

S650: The first AP sends data to the STA on the second RU.

The above S650 can be understood as the first AP using the second RU to perform the first downlink transmission. For example, the first AP can use the second RU to send a PPDU to the STA.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S650. As an example, the first AP can determine to execute S650 on its own. For example, the first AP can choose to use the second RU for the first downlink transmission based on the first information. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S650 based on predefined rules. For example, the first AP determines to use the second RU for the first downlink transmission when receiving the first information according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S650 based on the indication of the second AP or STA. For example, the first AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the second RU for the first downlink transmission. For another example, the first AP receives indication information from the second AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the second RU for the first downlink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the second RU to send data to the STA, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes S630.

S630: The first AP receives fourth information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends fourth information to the first AP.

Optionally, the fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU. In other words, the fourth information is used to indicate to the first AP that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

The transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU. It can be understood that the transmission from the first AP to the STA uses some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU. Alternatively, it can be understood that some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU are used for the transmission from the first AP to the STA.

Optionally, S650 includes: in response to the fourth information, the first AP sends data to the STA on the second RU.

This application does not limit the form of the fourth information. As an example, the fourth information may be a 1-bit message. This 1-bit message may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU. Thus, based on the first RU and the second RU indicated by the first information in S610, the first AP may determine that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

Optionally, the fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU). In other words, the fourth information can indicate that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU, and has the function of the third information (or the eleventh information), that is, indicating that the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU).

Optionally, S650 includes: in response to the fourth information, the first AP sends data to the STA on the second RU. Optionally, S550 includes: in response to the fourth information, the first AP sends second information to the STA; or S590 includes: in response to the fourth information, the first AP sends tenth information to the STA.

This application does not limit the form of the fourth information. As an example, the fourth information may be 1-bit information. The 1-bit information may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, and has the function of the third information (or the eleventh information), that is, indicating that the first uplink transmission is a DRU (or RRU). In this way, in combination with the first RU and the second RU indicated by the first information in S610, the first AP may determine that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU, and the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU). As another example, the fourth information may be 2-bit information, in which 1-bit information may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, and another 1-bit information may indicate that the first uplink transmission is a DRU (or RRU). Optionally, the fourth information includes the third information or the eleventh information.

The fourth information may be carried in the trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the fourth information is transmitted. For example, the fourth information may be carried in various locations, such as the PPDU or other frames.

This application does not limit the name of the fourth information. For example, the fourth information can also be called a fourth indication, a fourth trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the fourth information, and the first AP can select the second RU according to the instruction of the fourth information, and use the second RU for the first downlink transmission (transmission from the first AP to the STA). The above scheme can support the second AP to instruct the first AP to use the second RU at an appropriate time. The subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the complexity of the system. In addition, the above scheme can also use the fourth information to indicate that the RUs used for the first downlink transmission and the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP) are the second RU and the first RU respectively. Compared with the scheme of using two pieces of information to indicate separately, the above embodiment saves resource overhead.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes S690.

S690: The first AP sends data to the STA on the first RU.

The above S690 can be understood as the first AP using the first RU to perform the first downlink transmission. For example, the first AP can use the first RU to send a PPDU to the STA.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S690. As an example, the first AP can determine to execute S690 on its own. For example, the first AP can choose to use the first RU for the first downlink transmission based on the first information. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S690 based on predefined rules. For example, the first AP determines to use the first RU for the first downlink transmission when receiving the first information according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S690 based on the indication of the second AP or STA. For example, the first AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the first downlink transmission. For another example, the first AP receives indication information from the second AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the first downlink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the first RU to send data to the STA, thereby improving the transmission power.

Optionally, the method 600 further includes S670.

S670: The first AP receives the fifth information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the fifth information to the first AP.

Optionally, the fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU. In other words, the fifth information is used to indicate to the first AP that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

Optionally, the fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. In other words, the fifth information may indicate that the first downlink transmission corresponds to the first RU, and the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

For other descriptions of the fifth information, refer to the previous description of the fourth information (e.g., S630). The difference is that the description of "the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU (or RRU)" in the fourth information is replaced by the description of "the first downlink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or DRU)".

Through the above embodiment, the second AP can instruct the first AP through the fifth information, and the first AP can select the first RU according to the instruction of the fifth information and use the first RU for the first downlink transmission (transmission from the first AP to the STA). The above solution can support the second AP to instruct the first AP to use the first RU at an appropriate time, thereby improving the transmission power. In addition, the above solution can also use the fifth information to indicate that both the first downlink transmission and the first uplink transmission (transmission from the STA to the first AP) use the first RU. Compared with the solution of using two pieces of information to indicate separately, the above embodiment saves resource overhead.

FIG7 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 700 can be combined with any embodiment of method 500 or method 600. Method 700 is described below in conjunction with FIG7.

S710: A first AP receives first information from a second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the first information to the first AP.

The description of the first information can be found in the aforementioned S510 and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, method 700 also includes S750.

S750: The first AP sends data to the second AP on the second RU. Correspondingly, the second AP receives the data from the first AP.

The above S750 can be understood as the first AP using the second RU to perform the second uplink transmission. For example, the first AP can use the second RU to send a PPDU to the second AP.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S750. As an example, the first AP may determine to execute S750 on its own. For example, the first AP may choose to use the second RU for the second uplink transmission based on the first information. As another example, the first AP may determine to execute S750 based on predefined rules. For example, upon receiving the first information, the first AP determines to use the second RU for the second uplink transmission based on the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the first AP may determine to execute S750 based on the indication of the second AP or STA. For example, the first AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the second RU for the second uplink transmission. For another example, the first AP receives indication information from the second AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the second RU for the second uplink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the second RU to send data to the second AP, thereby increasing the transmission power of the first AP to the second AP.

Optionally, method 700 also includes S730.

S730: The first AP receives the sixth information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the sixth information to the first AP.

Optionally, the sixth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU. In other words, the sixth information is used to indicate to the first AP that the second uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

The transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU. It can be understood that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP uses some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU. Alternatively, it can be understood that some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU are used for the transmission from the first AP to the second AP.

Optionally, S750 includes: in response to the sixth information, the first AP sends data to the second AP on the second RU.

This application does not limit the form of the sixth information. As an example, the sixth information may be a 1-bit message. This 1-bit message may indicate that the second uplink transmission is an RRU. Thus, based on the first RU and the second RU indicated by the first information in S710, the first AP may determine that the second uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

Optionally, the sixth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU, and has the functions of the third information (or the eleventh information) and the fourth information (or the fifth information). In other words, the sixth information can indicate that the second uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU, and can also indicate that the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU) and/or the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU (or the first RU).

Optionally, S750 includes: in response to the sixth information, the first AP sending data to the second AP on the second RU. When the sixth information has the functions of the third information (or the eleventh information) and/or the fourth information (or the fifth information), for its combination with other steps of the above-mentioned method embodiment, refer to the relevant description of the third information (or the eleventh information) and the fourth information (or the fifth information), which is not repeated here.

This application does not limit the form of the sixth information. As an example, the sixth information may be 1-bit information. The 1-bit information may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU and has the function of the third information (or the eleventh information) and/or the fourth information (or the fifth information). As another example, the sixth information may be 2-bit information, wherein 1 bit may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, and the other 1 bit has the function of the third information (or the eleventh information) and/or the fourth information (or the fifth information). Alternatively, wherein 1 bit has the function of the third information (or the eleventh information), and the other 1 bit indicates that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, and may also have the function of the fourth information (or the fifth information). Alternatively, wherein 1 bit has the function of the fourth information (or the fifth information), and the other 1 bit indicates that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, and may also have the function of the third information (or the eleventh information). As another example, the sixth information may be 3-bit information, wherein 1 bit may indicate that the first downlink transmission is an RRU, the other 1 bit may have the function of the third information (or the eleventh information), and the remaining 1 bit may have the function of the fourth information (or the fifth information).

The sixth information may be carried in the trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the sixth information is sent. For example, the sixth information may be carried in various locations, such as the PPDU or other frames.

This application does not limit the name of the sixth information. For example, the sixth information can also be called a sixth indication, a sixth trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

Optionally, method 700 also includes S790.

S790: The first AP sends data to the second AP on the first RU. Correspondingly, the second AP receives the data from the first AP.

The above S790 can be understood as the first AP using the first RU to perform the second uplink transmission. For example, the first AP can use the first RU to send a PPDU to the second AP.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S790. As an example, the first AP can determine to execute S790 on its own. For example, the first AP can choose to use the first RU for the second uplink transmission based on the first information. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S790 based on predefined rules. For example, the first AP determines to use the first RU for the second uplink transmission when receiving the first information according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the first AP can determine to execute S790 based on the indication of the second AP or STA. For example, the first AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the second uplink transmission. For another example, the first AP receives indication information from the second AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the first AP to use the first RU for the second uplink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the first AP uses the first RU to send data to the second AP, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

Optionally, method 700 also includes S770.

S770: The first AP receives the seventh information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the seventh information to the first AP.

Optionally, the seventh information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the first RU. In other words, the seventh information is used to indicate to the first AP that the second uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

For other descriptions of the seventh information, refer to the previous description of the sixth information (e.g., S730). The difference is that the relevant description of "the second uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU (or RRU)" in the seventh information is replaced by the relevant description of "the second uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or DRU)".

FIG8 is a schematic flow chart of a communication method 800 provided in an embodiment of the present application. Method 800 can be combined with any embodiment of method 500, method 600, or method 700. Method 800 is described below in conjunction with FIG8.

S810: A first AP receives first information from a second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the first information to the first AP.

The description of the first information can be found in the aforementioned S510 and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, method 800 also includes S850.

S850: The first AP receives data from the second AP on the second RU. Correspondingly, the second AP sends data to the first AP.

The above S850 can be understood as the second AP using the second RU to perform the second downlink transmission. For example, the second AP can use the second RU to send a PPDU to the first AP.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S850. As an example, the second AP can determine to execute S850 on its own. For example, the second AP can choose to use the second RU for the second downlink transmission. As another example, the second AP can determine to execute S850 according to predefined rules. For example, the second AP determines to use the second RU for the second downlink transmission according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the second AP can determine to execute S850 based on the instructions of the first AP or STA. For example, the second AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the second AP to use the second RU for the second downlink transmission. For another example, the second AP receives indication information from the first AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the second AP to use the second RU for the second downlink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP uses the second RU to send data to the first AP, thereby increasing the transmission power of the second AP to the first AP.

Optionally, method 800 also includes S830.

S830: The first AP receives the eighth information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the eighth information to the first AP.

Optionally, the eighth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the second RU. In other words, the eighth information is used to indicate to the first AP that the second downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

The transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the second RU. It can be understood that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP uses some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU. Alternatively, it can be understood that some or all of the subcarriers in the second RU are used for the transmission from the second AP to the first AP.

This application does not limit the form of the eighth information. As an example, the eighth information may be a 1-bit message. This 1-bit message may indicate that the second downlink transmission is an RRU. Thus, based on the first RU and the second RU indicated by the first information in S810, the first AP may determine that the second downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU.

Optionally, the eighth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the second AP corresponds to the second RU, and has the function of at least one of the third information (or the eleventh information), the fourth information (or the fifth information), or the sixth information (or the seventh information). In other words, the fourth information can indicate that the second uplink transmission corresponds to the second RU, and can indicate at least one of the following: the first uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU), the first downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU (or the first RU), or the second uplink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or the second RU).

This application does not limit the form of the eighth information. As an example, the eighth information may be 1-bit information. The 1-bit information may indicate that the second downlink transmission is an RRU and has the functions of at least one of the third information (or the eleventh information), the fourth information (or the fifth information), or the sixth information (or the seventh information).

As another example, the eighth information may be 2-bit information, wherein 1 bit may indicate that the second downlink transmission is an RRU, and the other 1 bit has the function of at least one of the third information (or eleventh information), the fourth information (or fifth information), or the sixth information (or seventh information). Alternatively, wherein 1 bit has the function of the third information (or eleventh information), and the other 1 bit indicates that the second downlink transmission is an RRU, and may also have the function of the fourth information (or fifth information) and/or the sixth information (or seventh information). Alternatively, wherein 1 bit has the function of the fourth information (or fifth information), and the other 1 bit indicates that the second downlink transmission is an RRU, and may also have the function of the third information (or eleventh information) and/or the sixth information (or seventh information). Alternatively, wherein 1 bit has the function of the sixth information (or seventh information), and the other 1 bit indicates that the second downlink transmission is an RRU, and may also have the function of the third information (or eleventh information) and/or the fourth information (or fifth information).

As another example, the eighth information may be 3 bits of information, wherein 1 bit may indicate that the second downlink transmission is an RRU, and the other 2 bits may respectively function as two of the third information (or eleventh information), the fourth information (or fifth information), and the sixth information (or seventh information). Alternatively, 1 bit may indicate that the second downlink transmission is an RRU and indicate the third information (or eleventh information), the fourth information (or fifth information), or the sixth information (or seventh information). The information in the third information (or eleventh information), the fourth information (or fifth information), and the sixth information (or seventh information) not indicated by the above 1 bit is indicated by the remaining 2 bits.

As another example, the eighth information can be 4-bit information, of which 1 bit can indicate that the second downlink transmission is RRU, and the other 3 bits have the functions of the third information (or eleventh information), the fourth information (or fifth information) and the sixth information (or seventh information) respectively.

The eighth information may be carried in the trigger frame. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield, PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields of the trigger frame. However, this application does not limit the form in which the eighth information is transmitted. For example, the eighth information may also be carried in various locations, such as the PPDU or other frames.

The present application does not limit the name of the eighth information. For example, the resource unit allocation subfield of the trigger frame, the PS160 subfield, other fields, or new fields. For example, the eighth information can also be called the eighth indication, the eighth trigger frame, resource allocation information, or have other names.

Optionally, method 800 also includes S890.

S890: The first AP receives data from the second AP on the first RU. Correspondingly, the second AP sends data to the first AP.

The above S890 can be understood as the second AP using the first RU to perform the second downlink transmission. For example, the second AP can use the first RU to send a PPDU to the first AP.

This application does not limit the triggering conditions of S890. As an example, the second AP can determine to execute S890 on its own. For example, the second AP can choose to use the first RU for the second downlink transmission. As another example, the second AP can determine to execute S890 according to predefined rules. For example, the second AP determines to use the first RU for the second downlink transmission according to the provisions of the standard or protocol. As another example, the second AP can determine to execute S890 based on the instructions of the first AP or STA. For example, the second AP receives indication information from the STA, and the indication information is used to instruct the second AP to use the first RU for the second downlink transmission. For another example, the second AP receives indication information from the first AP, and the indication information is used to instruct the second AP to use the first RU for the second downlink transmission.

Through the above embodiment, the second AP uses the first RU to send data to the first AP, and the subcarrier distribution is relatively simple, which reduces the system complexity.

Optionally, method 800 also includes S870.

S870: The first AP receives the ninth information from the second AP. Correspondingly, the second AP sends the ninth information to the first AP.

Optionally, the ninth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the second AP to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. In other words, the ninth information is used to indicate to the first AP that the second downlink transmission corresponds to the first RU.

For other descriptions of the ninth information, refer to the previous description of the eighth information (e.g., S830). The difference is that the description of "the second downlink transmission corresponds to the second RU (or RRU)" in the eighth information is replaced by the description of "the second downlink transmission corresponds to the first RU (or DRU)".

It should be noted that the xth information and the yth information can be sent in the same PPDU. Here, x can range from 1 to 11, and y can range from 1 to 11, as long as the transmitting end of the xth information is the same as the transmitting end of the yth information, and the receiving end of the xth information is the same as the receiving end of the yth information. For example, the first information and the eighth information can be sent in the same PPDU. Those skilled in the art can combine at least two pieces of information into a single PPDU for transmission based on the above embodiments and accompanying drawings. For example, the first information can be sent in the same PPDU as the eighth and seventh information. Further examples are not provided here.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of a resource allocation method according to an embodiment of the present application. It should be noted that Figure 9 is merely an example and does not constitute a limitation on the present application.

As shown in Figure 9 , the second AP can function as the master AP, and the first, third, and fourth APs can function as slave APs of the second AP. The first AP is associated with STAs 911, 912, and 913; the third AP is associated with STAs 921 and 922; and the fourth AP is associated with STAs 931 and 932.

The first AP can obtain an available resource set (242-tone dRU 1). For example, 242-tone dRU 3 can be composed of multiple 26-tone dRUs, 52-tone dRUs, and 106-tone dRUs. That is, the available resource set can be a range of dRUs, and the first AP can allocate dRUs to STAs within a range less than or equal to the range of dRUs. Similarly, the third AP can allocate dRUs within the subcarriers of 242-tone dRU 2.

Note that, in some optional embodiments, the second AP can allocate dRUs to some slave APs and rRUs to other slave APs. The available resource set obtained by the fourth AP is 484-tone rRU 2. Optionally, the fourth AP allocates rRUs to the STAs (as shown in FIG9 ). In other optional embodiments, the fourth AP can allocate dRUs to the STAs.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the transmission between the first AP and the STA in an embodiment of the present application. The arrow pointing from left to right represents time, and the further to the right, the later the time. For example, the execution order shown in Figure 10 is: the second AP sends a trigger frame, the first downlink transmission, and the first uplink transmission. The direction perpendicular to the above-mentioned arrow pointing from left to right can represent the frequency. For example, for the first uplink transmission, the frequency occupied by the common part is the widest. Exemplarily, the resources of the common part can carry the preamble field. The mesh shaded part and the pure black shaded part respectively represent the resources occupied by the data fields received from the two APs. It can be seen that the two slave APs receive the data fields of the PPDU at different frequencies (or subcarriers). The following introduces three examples of the first downlink transmission, taking the mesh shaded part corresponding to the first AP and the pure black shaded part corresponding to the third AP as an example.

Referring to (a) in Figure 10, the data fields of the PPDUs of the first AP and the third AP may occupy a non-overlapping frequency band respectively, that is, in the form of RRUs. For example, the data field of the first AP corresponds to the mesh shaded portion, and the data field of the third AP corresponds to the pure black shaded portion. Optionally, the PPDUs of the first AP and the third AP may have a common part. The common part may carry one or more fields. For example, the common part may carry a preamble field. However, this application is not limited to this. For example, the common part may carry a data field. For another example, the common part may carry a data field and a preamble field. For another example, the common part may not exist.

The common part can be sent jointly by the first AP and the third AP (corresponding to the entire bandwidth), or the first AP and the third AP can send the common part of their corresponding PPDU respectively. The common part can be in the form of replication at a granularity with the same content. For example, the common part can be replicated every 20MHz. The common part can be in the form of a known sequence. For example, the first AP sends the part of the bandwidth corresponding to the mesh shadow, and the third AP sends the part of the bandwidth corresponding to the pure black shadow. It is called a common field because the receiving end (such as STA) can obtain the content of the mesh shadow or the pure black shadow by reading the content in any frequency band. For example, the STA corresponding to the first AP can know the content in the mesh shadow part of the first AP by reading the common part corresponding to the pure black shadow frequency band.

Referring to FIG10(b), the data fields of the first and third APs may be in the form of DRUs. It will be appreciated that the mesh-shaded portion and the solid black shaded portion may be discretely distributed across multiple frequency domains. The common portion may carry one or more fields. These one or more fields may be in the form of DRUs. The remaining description of the common portion is similar to that of FIG10(a) and will not be repeated here.

Optionally, the present application may support mixed RU allocation. That is, among the RUs allocated by the second AP, some are RRUs and the other are DRUs. For example, (a) and (b) in Figure 10 are combined.

Referring to (c) in FIG. 10 , the PPDU may be a public part as a whole, that is, the STA may obtain the corresponding information by reading a certain frequency band (eg, any 20 MHz in 80 MHz).

Optionally, the PPDU of the first downlink transmission includes a trigger frame, which can be used to trigger uplink transmission from the STA associated with the AP. For example, the trigger frame can be present in the data field of the first downlink transmission. Optionally, the trigger frame can be a trigger frame sent by a single AP. For example, referring to (a) in Figure 10, the mesh-shaded area and the solid black-shaded area can each correspond to a different trigger frame. Optionally, the trigger frame is a newly designed trigger frame sent jointly by multiple APs. The trigger frame can be the same trigger frame.

It should be noted that although RU is used to represent resources in some descriptions of this application, RU and frequency domain range can be used interchangeably. For example, the frequency domain range can be used to indicate the RU. For example, 20 MHz can indicate a 242-tone RU in this application. For another example, 40 MHz can indicate a 484-tone RU. For another example, 80 MHz can indicate a 996-tone RU. For another example, 160 MHz can indicate a 2*996-tone RU, and 320 MHz can indicate a 4*996-tone RU. And so on.

The above describes the method embodiment of the present application, and the corresponding device embodiment is briefly introduced below. It should be understood that the description of the device embodiment corresponds to the description of the method embodiment, so the parts not described in detail can be referred to the above method embodiment.

Figure 11 is a schematic diagram of a communication device 1000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in Figure 11, the communication device 1000 includes a processing unit 1002 and a transceiver unit 1001. The communication device 1000 can be a first AP, or a communication device applied to or used with the first AP and capable of implementing the method executed by the first AP, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit. Alternatively, the communication device 1000 can be a second AP, or a communication device applied to or used with the second AP and capable of implementing the method executed by the second AP, such as a chip, a chip system, or a circuit.

The transceiver unit may also be referred to as a communication module, transceiver module, transceiver, transceiver, or transceiver device. The processing unit may also be referred to as a processor, processing board, processing module, or processing device. Optionally, the transceiver unit is configured to perform the transmitting and receiving operations of the first AP or the second AP in the above method. The device in the transceiver unit that implements the receiving function may be considered a receiving unit, and the device in the transceiver unit that implements the transmitting function may be considered a transmitting unit. That is, the transceiver unit includes a receiving unit and a transmitting unit.

When the communication device 1000 is applied to a first AP, the processing unit 1002 may be used to implement the processing function of the first AP in the above embodiments, and the transceiver unit 1001 may be used to implement the transceiver function of the first AP in the above embodiments.

When the communication device 1000 is applied to the second AP, the processing unit 1002 can be used to implement the processing function of the second AP in the above embodiments, and the transceiver unit 1001 can be used to implement the transceiver function of the first AP in the above embodiments.

In addition, it should be noted that the aforementioned transceiver unit and/or processing unit can be implemented by a virtual module, for example, the processing unit can be implemented by a software function unit or a virtual device, and the transceiver unit can be implemented by a software function or a virtual device. Alternatively, the processing unit or the transceiver unit can also be implemented by a physical device, for example, if the device is implemented using a chip/circuit (such as an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc.). The transceiver unit can be an input/output circuit and/or a communication interface, performing input operations (corresponding to the aforementioned receiving operations) and output operations (corresponding to the aforementioned sending operations); the processing unit is an integrated processor or microprocessor or circuit (such as an integrated circuit or a logic circuit, etc.).

The division of units or modules in this application is illustrative and represents only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, other division methods may be used. Furthermore, the functional modules in the examples of this application may be integrated into a single processor, exist physically as separate components, or be integrated into a single module. The integrated modules may be implemented in either hardware or software functional modules.

FIG12 is a schematic diagram of another communication device 2000 provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG12 , the communication device 2000 may optionally be a chip or a chip system. Optionally, in the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

The communication device 2000 can be used to implement the functions of any network element (e.g., the second AP or the first AP) in the communication system described in the above examples. The communication device 2000 may include at least one processor 2010. Optionally, the processor 2010 is coupled to a memory 2030. The memory 2030 may be located within the device, or the memory 2030 may be integrated with the processor 2010, or the memory 2030 may be located outside the device. For example, the communication device 2000 may further include at least one memory 2030. The memory 2030 stores the necessary computer programs, computer programs or instructions and/or data for implementing any of the above examples; the processor 2010 may execute the computer program stored in the memory 2030 to complete the method in any of the above examples.

The communication device 2000 may also include a transceiver 2020 (or a communication interface), and the communication device 2000 may exchange information with other devices through the communication interface. Exemplarily, the communication interface may be a transceiver, a circuit, a bus, a module, a pin, or other types of communication interfaces. When the communication device 2000 is a chip-type device or circuit, the communication interface in the device 2000 may also be an input/output circuit that can input information (or receive information) and output information (or send information). The processor 2010 is an integrated processor, microprocessor, integrated circuit, or logic circuit, etc., and the processor can determine output information based on input information.

Coupling in this application refers to an indirect coupling or communication connection between devices, units, or modules, which can be electrical, mechanical, or other forms, and is used for information exchange between devices, units, or modules. The processor 2010 may operate in conjunction with the memory 2030 and the communication interface. The specific connection medium between the processor 2010, memory 2030, and communication interface is not limited in this application.

Optionally, as shown in FIG12 , the processor 2010, the memory 2030, and the communication interface are interconnected via a bus. Optionally, the bus may include an address bus, a data bus, a control bus, and other types of buses. Furthermore, for ease of illustration, FIG12 shows one bus, but this does not mean that there is only one bus or only one type of bus.

Figure 13 illustrates another communication device provided by the present application. The device shown in Figure 13 can be an AP or a non-AP station. A medium access control (MAC) layer processing module, a physical (PHY) layer processing module, a radio frequency (RF)/antenna, and the like are used to implement the aforementioned transmitter and receiver related functions. As shown in Figure 13 , in addition to the MAC layer processing module, the PHY layer processing module, the RF/antenna, the memory, and the processor, the device may also include a controller and a scheduler.

It should be understood that FIG13 is merely an example of a device provided in the present application and does not constitute a limitation of the present application. For example, the device may not include a controller and/or a scheduler.

It should be understood that the processors mentioned in the embodiments of the present application may be the following devices or the circuitry of the following devices used for processing functions: a central processing unit (CPU), other general-purpose processors, digital signal processors (DSP), application-specific integrated circuits (ASIC), field programmable gate arrays (FPGA) or other programmable logic devices, discrete gate or transistor logic devices, discrete hardware components, etc. The general-purpose processor may be a microprocessor or any conventional processor.

It should also be understood that the memory mentioned in the embodiments of the present application can be a volatile memory and/or a non-volatile memory. Among them, the non-volatile memory can be a read-only memory (ROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), or a flash memory. The volatile memory can be a random access memory (RAM). For example, RAM can be used as an external cache. By way of example and not limitation, RAM includes the following forms: static RAM (SRAM), dynamic RAM (DRAM), synchronous DRAM (SDRAM), double data rate synchronous dynamic random access memory (DDR SDRAM), enhanced synchronous dynamic random access memory (ESDRAM), synchronous link dynamic random access memory (SLDRAM), and direct rambus RAM (DR RAM).

It should be noted that when the processor is a general-purpose processor, DSP, ASIC, FPGA or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic device, discrete hardware component, the memory (storage module) can be integrated into the processor.

It should also be noted that the memory described herein is intended to include, but is not limited to, these and any other suitable types of memory.

In an embodiment of the present application, the method described in the above embodiment can be executed by the first AP and the second AP, or can be executed by the chip, chip system or circuit of the first AP and the second AP, and the chip, chip system or circuit can be installed in the first AP and the second AP.

According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer program product, which includes: computer program code, when the computer program code is run on a computer, the computer executes the method in the above method embodiment.

According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a computer-readable medium, which stores program code. When the program code runs on a computer, the computer executes the method in the above method embodiment.

According to the method provided in the embodiment of the present application, the present application also provides a system, which includes the aforementioned first AP and/or second AP.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the units and algorithm steps of each example described in conjunction with the embodiments disclosed herein can be implemented in electronic hardware, or a combination of computer software and electronic hardware. Whether these functions are performed in hardware or software depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Professional and technical personnel can use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of this application.

Those skilled in the art will clearly understand that, for the convenience and brevity of description, the specific working processes of the systems, devices and units described above can refer to the corresponding processes in the aforementioned method embodiments and will not be repeated here.

In the several embodiments provided in this application, it should be understood that the disclosed systems, devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are merely schematic. For example, the division of the units is merely a logical function division. In actual implementation, there may be other division methods, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another system, or some features can be ignored or not executed. Another point is that the mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection shown or discussed can be through some interfaces, indirect coupling or communication connection of devices or units, which can be electrical, mechanical or other forms.

The units described as separate components may or may not be physically separate, and the components shown as units may or may not be physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed across multiple network units. Some or all of these units may be selected to achieve the purpose of this embodiment according to actual needs.

In addition, each functional unit in each embodiment of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist physically separately, or two or more units may be integrated into one unit.

If the functions are implemented in the form of software functional units and sold or used as independent products, they can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the present application, or the part that contributes to the prior art, or the part of the technical solution, can be embodied in the form of a software product. The computer software product is stored in a storage medium and includes several instructions for enabling a computer device (which can be a personal computer, server, or network device, etc.) to execute all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage media include: U disk, mobile hard disk, read-only memory (ROM), random access memory (RAM), magnetic disk or optical disk, and other media that can store program codes.

The above description is merely a specific embodiment of the present application, but the scope of protection of the present application is not limited thereto. Any changes or substitutions that can be easily conceived by a person skilled in the art within the technical scope disclosed in this application should be included in the scope of protection of this application. Therefore, the scope of protection of this application should be based on the scope of protection of the claims.

Claims (20)

A communication method, characterized in that the method is applied to a first access point AP, wherein the method comprises: receiving first information from a second AP, where the first information is used to indicate a first RU and a second RU, where the first RU is a discrete RU including N subcarriers, and the second RU is a regular RU including M subcarriers, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer; Send second information to the site STA, where the second information is used to indicate that P subcarriers out of N subcarriers in the first RU are used for transmission from the STA to the first AP, where P is a positive integer less than or equal to N. The method according to claim 1, further comprising: Receive third information from the second AP, where the third information is used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises: Data is sent to the STA on the second RU. The method according to claim 3, further comprising: receiving fourth information from the second AP, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU; or, The fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the method further comprises: Data is sent to the STA on the first RU. The method according to claim 5, further comprising: receiving fifth information from the second AP, where the fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU; or, The fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that M=N. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the number of the first RU is the same as the number of the second RU. A communication method, characterized in that the method is applied to a second access point AP, wherein the method comprises: First information is sent to the first AP, where the first information is used to indicate a first RU and a second RU, where the first RU is a discrete RU including N subcarriers, and the second RU is a regular RU including M subcarriers, where N is a positive integer and M is a positive integer. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Send third information to the first AP, where the third information is used to indicate that the transmission of the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Sending fourth information to the first AP, where the fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU; or, The fourth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the second RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to claim 9, further comprising: Sending fifth information to the first AP, where the fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU; or, The fifth information is used to indicate that the transmission from the first AP to the STA corresponds to the first RU, and is used to indicate that the transmission from the STA to the first AP corresponds to the first RU. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 12, characterized in that M=N. The method according to any one of claims 9 to 13, wherein the number of the first RU is the same as the number of the second RU. A communication device, characterized in that it includes a processing circuit and an input/output interface, the input/output interface is used to input and/or output signals, the processing circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or the processing circuit is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14. A communication device, characterized in that it comprises: a processor and a memory, wherein the memory stores a computer program or instructions, and the processor is used to, by executing the computer program or the instructions, enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or enable the communication device to perform the method described in any one of claims 9 to 14. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that a computer program or instruction is stored on the computer-readable storage medium, and when the computer program or the instruction is run on a computer, the method of any one of claims 1 to 8 is executed, or the method of any one of claims 9 to 14 is executed. A computer program product, characterized in that it comprises computer program code, and when the computer program code is executed, it implements the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, or implements the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14. A communication system, characterized by comprising a first access point AP and a second AP, wherein the first AP is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, and the second AP is used to execute the method according to any one of claims 9 to 14. A chip, characterized in that it comprises: a processor, wherein the processor is used to enable the chip to execute the method described in any one of claims 1 to 8, or to enable the chip to execute the method described in any one of claims 9 to 14 by executing a computer program or instruction.