WO2025231744A1 - Multi-link communication establishment method, access point device, station device, and communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a multi-link communication establishment method, an access point device (AP), a station device (STA), and a communication system. The multi-link communication establishment method is applied to an AP multi-link device (AP MLD), and comprises: determining a first radio frame, wherein the first radio frame is used for establishing at least two links between the AP MLD and a non-AP MLD, the first radio frame comprises first identification information, and the first identification information identifies that in a first link among the at least two links, a subordinate AP of the AP MLD is always in an activated state; and in one link among the at least two links, sending the first radio frame. The AP MLD controls at least one subordinate AP to remain in the activated state all the time, to enable the AP MLD and the STA (or non-AP MLD) to maintain an associated state continuously, achieving a periodic power saving mechanism of the AP MLD while meeting transmission requirements.

Description

Multi-link communication establishment methods, access point equipment, site equipment and communication systems Technical Field

This disclosure relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a method for establishing multi-link communication, an access point device, a site device, and a communication system.

Background Technology

Currently, research on Wi-Fi technology focuses on areas such as Ultra High Reliability (UHR), with the vision of improving the reliability of Wireless Local Area Networks (WLAN) connections, reducing latency, improving manageability, increasing throughput at different signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) levels, and reducing device-level power consumption.

In UHR, the power-saving mechanism will be further enhanced to ensure the power-saving needs of devices, especially the power-saving mechanism of APs.

Summary of the Invention

This disclosure provides a multi-link communication establishment method, access point device, site device, and communication system to further enhance power saving mechanisms.

On one hand, this disclosure provides a multi-link communication establishment method, applied to a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the method comprising:

A first radio frame is determined; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always being active in the first link under the at least two links;

The first radio frame is transmitted on one of the at least two links.

On the other hand, this disclosure also provides a multi-link communication establishment method, applied to a site device (STA), the method comprising:

Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always active in the first link under the at least two links.

On the other hand, this disclosure also provides an access point device, which is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the AP MLD comprising:

A determining module is used to determine a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state;

The transmitting module is configured to transmit the first wireless frame in one of the at least two links.

On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device (STA), the STA comprising:

The receiving module is used to receive the first wireless frame;

The first radio frame is used to establish at least two links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always active in the first link under the at least two links.

On the other hand, this disclosure also provides an access point device, which is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), comprising:

One or more processors;

The AP MLD is used to execute the multi-link communication establishment method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

On the other hand, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device (STA), including:

One or more processors;

The STA is used to execute the multi-link communication establishment method described in the embodiments of this disclosure.

This disclosure also provides a communication system, including an AP MLD and a STA; wherein the AP MLD determines a first wireless... The first wireless frame is used by the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first wireless frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state.

In one of the at least two links, the first radio frame is sent to the STA.

This disclosure also provides a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the multi-link communication establishment method as described in this disclosure.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device (non-AP MLD); the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies that in the first link under the at least two links, the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state; in one of the links under the at least two links, the first radio frame is sent, and the AP MLD controls at least one affiliated AP to always be in an active state, so that the AP MLD and the aforementioned STA (or non-AP MLD) can always maintain an association state, realizing the AP MLD's periodic power-saving mechanism while meeting transmission requirements.

Additional aspects and advantages of embodiments of this disclosure will be set forth in part in the description which follows, and will become apparent from the description or may be learned by practice of this disclosure.

Attached Figure Description

To more clearly illustrate the technical solutions in the embodiments of this disclosure, the accompanying drawings required for the description of the embodiments are introduced below. The following drawings are only some embodiments of this disclosure and do not impose specific limitations on the protection scope of this disclosure.

Figure 1 is an exemplary schematic diagram of the architecture of a communication system provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 2 is one of the exemplary interactive diagrams of the method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 3 is a second exemplary interactive schematic diagram of the method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 4 is a third exemplary interactive schematic diagram of the method provided according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one of the multi-link communication establishment methods provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 6 is a second schematic flowchart of the multi-link communication establishment method provided in this embodiment of the present disclosure;

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the AP MLD proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the STA structure proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure;

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the terminal proposed in the embodiment of this disclosure;

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the chip structure proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure.

Detailed Implementation

This disclosure presents a method for establishing multi-link communication, an access point device, a site device, and a communication system.

In a first aspect, embodiments of this disclosure propose a multi-link communication establishment method, applied to a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), the method comprising:

A first radio frame is determined; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the link, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state;

The first wireless frame is transmitted on one of the links under the aforementioned link.

In the above embodiments, the AP MLD controls at least one auxiliary AP to always be in an active state so that the AP MLD and the above-mentioned STA (or non-AP MLD) can always maintain an associated state, realize the periodic power saving mechanism of the AP MLD, and at the same time meet the transmission requirements.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame;

or

The first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame.

In the above embodiments, the existence form of the first identification information is provided so that it is applicable to STAs of various Wi-Fi protocols.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, which identifies whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability.

In the above embodiments, the second identification information is used to determine whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method Also includes:

Receive a probe request frame sent by a site device (STA); wherein the STA does not support the periodic power-saving capability of the AP;

Send a disassociation frame to the STA, or switch to the first link via the BTM mechanism.

In the above embodiments, a solution is provided for UHR STAs that do not support the periodic power-saving capability of APs, without disconnecting the association.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Receive probe request frames sent by the site device STA;

The STA supports multi-link communication and sends a probe response frame to the STA, which carries the first identification information.

or

The STA does not support multi-link communication and ignores the probe request frame.

In the above embodiments, a solution is provided for legacy STAs that do not support the periodic power-saving capability of the AP, without disconnecting the association.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the first aspect, in some embodiments, the first radio frame includes at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

In the above embodiments, a specific form of the first wireless frame is provided.

Secondly, this disclosure provides a multi-link communication establishment method applied to a site device (STA), the method comprising:

Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the link, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame;

or

The first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information that identifies whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD; wherein the STA does not support periodic power saving capability;

Receive the disassociation frame sent by the AP MLD, or switch to the first link via the BTM mechanism.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD;

The STA supports multi-link communication and receives probe response frames sent by the AP MLD, the probe response frames carrying the first identification information.

In conjunction with some embodiments of the second aspect, in some embodiments, the first wireless frame includes at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

Thirdly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an access point device, which is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD). The AP MLD includes at least one of a determination module and a transmission module; wherein the AP MLD is used to execute the optional implementation of the first aspect.

Fourthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device (STA), including: a receiving module; wherein the STA is used to perform an optional implementation of the second aspect.

Fifthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide an access point device, which is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), comprising:

One or more processors;

The AP MLD is used to implement the optional implementation of the first aspect.

Sixthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a site device (STA), including:

One or more processors;

The STA is used to execute an optional implementation of the second aspect.

In a seventh aspect, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a communication system, including an AP MLD and a STA; wherein the AP MLD is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the first aspect, and the STA is configured to perform the optional implementation as described in the second aspect.

Eighthly, embodiments of this disclosure also provide a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a communication device, cause the communication device to perform the optional implementations described in the first and second aspects.

Ninthly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a program product that, when executed by a communication device, causes the communication device to perform the method as described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

In a tenth aspect, embodiments of this disclosure provide a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform the methods described in the optional implementations of the first and second aspects.

Eleventhly, embodiments of this disclosure provide a chip or chip system. The chip or chip system includes processing circuitry configured to perform the methods described according to optional implementations of the first and second aspects above.

It is understood that the aforementioned AP MLD, STA, communication system, storage medium, program product, computer program, chip, or chip system are all used to perform the methods proposed in the embodiments of this disclosure. Therefore, the beneficial effects that can be achieved can be referred to the beneficial effects in the corresponding methods, and will not be repeated here.

This disclosure provides a multi-link communication establishment method, an access point device, a site device, and a communication system. In some embodiments, the terms "multi-link communication establishment method" and "signal transmission method," "wireless frame transmission method," etc., can be used interchangeably, as can the terms "information processing system," "communication system," etc.

This disclosure is not exhaustive, but merely illustrative of some embodiments, and is not intended to limit the scope of protection of this disclosure. Unless otherwise specified, each step in a particular embodiment can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the steps can be arbitrarily combined. For example, a solution after removing some steps in a particular embodiment can also be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the order of the steps in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily interchanged. Furthermore, the optional implementation methods in a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined; moreover, the embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, for example, some or all steps of different embodiments can be arbitrarily combined, and a particular embodiment can be arbitrarily combined with the optional implementation methods of other embodiments.

In each of the disclosed embodiments, unless otherwise specified or in case of logical conflict, the terminology and/or descriptions of the embodiments are consistent and can be referenced by each other. Technical features in different embodiments can be combined to form new embodiments based on their inherent logical relationships.

The terminology used in the embodiments of this disclosure is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments only and is not intended to limit the scope of this disclosure.

In the embodiments of this disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more.

In some embodiments, the terms “at least one of”, “one or more”, “a plurality of”, “multiple”, etc., may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the notation "at least one of A and B", "A and/or B", "A in one case, B in another", "in response to one case A, in response to another case B", etc., may include the following technical solutions depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execute A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execute B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed); in some embodiments, A and B (both A and B are executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

In some embodiments, the notation "A or B" may include the following technical solutions, depending on the situation: in some embodiments, A (execution of A regardless of B); in some embodiments, B (execution of B regardless of A); in some embodiments, execution is selected from A and B (A and B are selectively executed). The same applies when there are more branches such as A, B, C, etc.

The prefixes "first,""second," etc., used in the embodiments of this disclosure are merely for distinguishing different descriptive objects and do not impose restrictions on the position, order, priority, quantity, or content of the descriptive objects. The description of the descriptive objects should be found in the claims or the context of the embodiments, and the use of prefixes should not constitute unnecessary restrictions. For example, if the descriptive object is a "field," then the ordinal numbers preceding "field" in "first field" and "second field" do not restrict the position or order of the "fields," and "first" and "second" do not restrict the "words" they modify. Whether the "segments" are in the same message or not, the order of the "first field" and the "second field" is not restricted. For example, if the described object is "level," the ordinal number preceding "level" in "first level" and "second level" does not restrict the priority between "levels." Furthermore, the number of described objects is not limited by ordinal numbers; there can be one or more. For instance, in "first device," the number of "devices" can be one or more. In addition, objects modified by different prefixes can be the same or different. For example, if the described object is "device," then "first device" and "second device" can be the same device or different devices, and their types can be the same or different. Similarly, if the described object is "information," then "first information" and "second information" can be the same information or different information, and their content can be the same or different.

In some embodiments, “including A,” “containing A,” “for indicating A,” and “carrying A” can be interpreted as directly carrying A or indirectly indicating A.

In some embodiments, the terms “in response to…”, “in response to determining…”, “in the case of…”, “when…”, “if…”, “if…”, etc., can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, the terms “greater than,” “greater than or equal to,” “not less than,” “more than,” “more than or equal to,” “not less than,” “higher than,” “higher than or equal to,” “not lower than,” and “above” can be used interchangeably, as can the terms “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not greater than,” “less than,” “less than or equal to,” “not more than,” “lower than,” “lower than or equal to,” “not higher than,” and “below”.

In some embodiments, the apparatus and device may be interpreted as physical or virtual, and their names are not limited to the names recorded in the embodiments. In some cases, they may also be understood as "equipment", "device", "circuit", "network element", "node", "function", "unit", "section", "system", "network", "chip", "chip system", "entity", "body", etc.

In some embodiments, the acquisition of data, information, etc., may comply with the laws and regulations of the country where the location is situated.

In some embodiments, data, information, etc., may be obtained with the user's consent.

Furthermore, each element, each row, or each column in the table of this disclosure can be implemented as an independent embodiment, and any combination of any element, any row, or any column can also be implemented as an independent embodiment.

As shown in Figure 1, the communication system 100 includes an Access Point Multi-Link Device (AP MLD) 101 and a Non-Access Point Multi-Link Device (Non-AP MLD) 102.

Typically, a physical device can include multiple logical devices. A multi-link device (or multi-connection device) contains multiple logical entities, each transmitting data through a separate link. Each logical entity contains an independent data transceiver module. A single-link device (or single-connection device) has only one logical entity and only one MAC address, while a multi-link device has one MAC address. Each logical entity belonging to the multi-link device has its own MAC address. For example, if a multi-link device operates with three logical entities, then there are four MAC addresses on this physical device: one for the multi-link device and one for each of the three logical entities. As an example, AP MLD101 may include three auxiliary APs, as shown in Figure 1, AP1, AP2 and AP3; each AP may operate on Link 1, Link 2 and Link 3 respectively; non-AP MLD102 may also include three auxiliary STAs, as shown in Figure 1, non-AP STA1, non-AP STA2 and non-AP STA3; non-AP STA1 operates on Link 1, non-AP STA2 operates on Link 2 and non-AP STA3 operates on Link 3.

For ease of description, the following primarily describes an example of one AP communicating with one non-AP STA under multiple connections; however, the exemplary embodiments of this disclosure are not limited thereto. In the example of Figure 1, it is assumed that AP1 communicates with non-AP STA1 through a corresponding first connection Link 1, similarly, AP2 communicates with non-AP STA2 through a corresponding second connection Link 2, and the AP communicates with non-AP STA3 through a third connection Link 3. Furthermore, Links 1 to 3 can be multiple connections at different frequencies, for example, connections at 2.4 GHz, 5 GHz, and 6 GHz, or several connections with the same or different bandwidths at 2.4 GHz. Additionally, multiple channels can exist under each connection. It is understood that the communication scenario shown in Figure 1 is merely exemplary, and the concepts of this disclosure are not limited thereto. For example, an AP MLD can connect to multiple (three) non-AP MLDs, or under each connection, the AP can communicate with multiple other types of stations.

In some embodiments, the Non-AP MLD includes, for example, a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal that supports WiFi communication. Optionally, the wireless communication terminal may be at least one of, but is not limited to, a mobile phone, a wearable device, an IoT device that supports WiFi communication, a car with WiFi communication capabilities, a smart car, a tablet computer, a computer with wireless transceiver capabilities, a virtual reality (VR) terminal device, an augmented reality (AR) terminal device, a wireless terminal device in industrial control, a wireless terminal device in self-driving, a wireless terminal device in remote medical surgery, a wireless terminal device in a smart grid, a wireless terminal device in transportation safety, a wireless terminal device in a smart city, or a wireless terminal device in a smart home.

Specifically, the Non-AP MLD can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, the STA can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

In some embodiments, an AP can be an access point for a mobile terminal to access a wired network. An AP is essentially a connector between a wired network and a wireless network. An AP acts as a bridge in a wired network, its main function being to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to the Ethernet. Specifically, an AP can be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. Optionally, an AP can support various WLAN standards such as 802.11ax, 802.11be, 802.11ac, 802.11n, 802.11g, 802.11b, 802.11a, 802.11bf, and 802.11bn, as well as the next-generation 802.11 protocol, but is not limited to these.

It is understood that the communication system described in this disclosure is for the purpose of more clearly illustrating the technical solutions of this disclosure, and does not constitute a limitation on the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure. As those skilled in the art will know, with the evolution of system architecture and the emergence of new business scenarios, the technical solutions proposed in this disclosure are also applicable to similar technical problems.

The following embodiments of this disclosure can be applied to the communication system 100 shown in FIG1, or to some of the main bodies, but are not limited thereto. The main bodies shown in FIG1 are illustrative. The communication system may include all or some of the main bodies in FIG1, or may include other main bodies outside of FIG1. The number and form of each main body are arbitrary. Each main body may be physical or virtual. The connection relationship between the main bodies is illustrative. The main bodies may not be connected or may be connected. The connection can be in any way, it can be a direct connection or an indirect connection, it can be a wired connection or a wireless connection.

The embodiments disclosed herein can be applied to Wireless Local Area Networks (WLANs), such as LANs using the 802.11 series of protocols. In a WLAN, a Basic Service Set (BSS) is a fundamental component. An BSS network consists of site devices with some association within a specific coverage area. One type of association is where sites communicate directly with each other in a self-organizing network; this is called an Independent Basic Service Set (IBSS). Another more common scenario is that in a BSS network, there is only one central site dedicated to managing the BSS, called the Access Point (AP) device, and all other STAs in the network are associated with it. Other sites in the BSS network that are not the central site are called terminals, also known as non-AP STAs; terminals and non-AP STAs are collectively referred to as STAs. When describing STAs, it is not necessary to distinguish between terminals and non-AP STAs. Within the same BSS network, due to distance, transmission power, etc., a STA cannot detect other STAs that are far away; they are each other's hidden nodes.

Figure 2 is an interactive schematic diagram of a multi-link communication establishment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 2, the method includes:

Step 201, AP MLD101 determines a first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state.

In UHR (Unified Response System), power saving (PS) is a key research focus, but power saving for access points (APs) is still under development. Typically, APs can be categorized into three types: soft APs (or soft AP MLDs), non-simultaneous transmitting and receiving (NSTR) mobile APs (or NSTR mobile AP MLDs), and regular APs (or regular AP MLDs). Regular APs, such as routers, support both simultaneous transmitting and receiving (STR) and NSTR communication. Taking soft APs and NSTR mobile APs as examples, they are usually battery-powered, resulting in high power consumption, and their communication with STAs (Stations) is typically not continuous for extended periods. Therefore, a mechanism to support AP power saving is needed.

In a UHR, the AP may still support multi-link communication, and the STA may also be attached to a non-AP MLD, supporting multi-link communication as well. Following the existing 802.11be architecture, multi-link communication will be established between the two. On each link, the AP or AP MLD may enter a power-saving (PS) mode, and on each link, the AP will wake up at certain intervals to perform uplink and downlink transmissions. Typically, PS mode mainly includes wake-up mode and doze mode. When the device enters doze mode, it cannot transmit or receive data, and its power consumption is very low.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, AP MLD101 determines a first radio frame; the first radio frame is used for AP MLD101 to establish at least two links with multi-link site device non-AP MLD102; wherein, the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifies the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state. For ease of description, the affiliated AP that is always in an active state is referred to as the first AP.

Among the STAs (or non-AP MLDs) that establish an initial association with AP MLD101 (e.g., AP MLD101 is a UHR AP), there may be legacy STAs (e.g., STAs supporting Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6), or STAs that do not support AP entering periodic power-saving mode. In order to ensure that these STAs do not lose association with AP MLD101 during AP MLD101's sleep cycle, AP MLD101 controls at least one affiliated AP to always be in an active state so that AP MLD101 can always maintain an association with the above-mentioned STAs (or non-AP MLDs), realize the periodic power-saving mechanism of AP MLD, and meet transmission requirements at the same time.

Step 202, AP MLD101 transmits the first radio frame on one of the at least two links.

The link that sends the first wireless frame may or may not be the link through which the first AP operates; this embodiment of the present disclosure does not impose any restrictions.

Optionally, the first radio frame includes at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame; the AP MLD101 carries first identification information in the first radio frame, indicating that the identifier is always in an active state. The link allows the STA (or non-AP MLD) to maintain a connection with the AP MLD101.

Step 203, the STA (or non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame.

The STA (or non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame, parses the first radio frame to obtain the first identification information, and maintains an association with the active link (or the first AP operating on the link) indicated by the first identification information.

In some embodiments, the identification format of the first identification information may include Case 1 or Case 2:

Case 1: The first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame;

Case 2, the first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame.

In Case 1, the first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element in the first radio frame; as an example, the format of the Multi-Link information element is shown in Table 1 below:

Table 1:

The first identification information is carried in the Link info field; the Link info field includes the configuration information of each STA (Per-STA Profile x), and the first identification information can be specifically carried in the site control (STA Control) field of the Per-STA Profile x. As an example, the format of the STA Control field is shown in Table 2 below:

Table 2:

For example, the first identification information is carried in the reserved field, which occupies one bit. If the bit is "1", it indicates that the link is always active; if the bit is "0", it indicates that the link will not always be active.

In scenario 2, the first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) of the first radio frame, that is, reusing the Disabled Link Indication bit. For example, for legacy STAs (such as STAs supporting Wi-Fi 7 or Wi-Fi 6), the Disabled Link Indication bit can be used for identification. If the Disabled Link Indication bit is set to "1", it indicates that the link is always active; if the bit is set to "0", it indicates that the link will not always be active.

As an example, the first identification information is carried in the MLD parameter subfield of the RNR information element. The format of the MLD parameter subfield is shown in Table 3 below:

Table 3:

The Disabled Link Indication bit is used for identification. When the Disabled Link Indication bit is set to "1", it indicates that the link is always active; when the bit is set to "0", it indicates that the link is not always active.

In some embodiments, the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, which identifies whether the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities; wherein, in the Extended MLD Capabilities and Operations subfield of the Multi-Link information element, as an example, the format of the Extended MLD Capabilities and Operations subfield is shown in Table 4 below:

Table 4:

For example, the second identification information is carried in the reserved field, which occupies one bit. If the bit is set to "1", it indicates that the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability; if the bit is set to "0", it indicates that the AP MLD does not support periodic power saving capability.

Referring to Figure 3, Figure 3 is a second interactive schematic diagram of a multi-link communication establishment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 3, the above method includes:

Step 301: Determine the first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state;

The AP MLD supports periodic power saving capabilities.

Step 302: In one of the at least two links, transmit the first radio frame.

Step 303: The STA (or non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame.

Step 304: Receive a probe request frame sent by the site device STA; wherein the STA does not support the periodic power saving capability of the AP; that is, the STA does not support the periodic sleep mode of the AP with which it communicates.

Step 305: Send a disassociation frame to the STA, or switch to the first link through the Basic Service Set Transition Management (BTM) mechanism.

Among them, the AP (or AP MLD) in periodic sleep mode receives a probe Request frame sent by the STA after waking up. The probe Request frame indicates that the STA does not support the AP's periodic power saving capability (e.g., UHR STA).

Furthermore, since the AP MLD has already established an initial association with the STA that does not support periodic AP sleep mode, these APs can send disassociation frames to these STAs to disassociate them; or they can switch to the first link through the BTM mechanism, enabling these STAs to switch to the BSS established by the AP that is always in an active state, so that the AP MLD101 and the aforementioned STAs (or non-AP MLDs) can always maintain an association state, realizing the periodic power saving mechanism of the AP MLD while meeting the transmission requirements.

Referring to Figure 4, Figure 4 is a third interactive schematic diagram of a multi-link communication establishment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. As shown in Figure 4, the above method includes:

Step 401, determine the first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifies the first link under the at least two links, and the AP associated with the AP MLD is always in an active state;

The AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities.

Step 402: In one of the at least two links, the first radio frame is transmitted.

Step 403, the STA (or non-AP MLD) receives the first radio frame.

Step 404: Receive the probe request frame sent by the site device STA;

Subsequently, depending on whether the STA supports multi-link communication, steps 405 and 406 are executed respectively.

If the STA supports multi-link communication, such as a legacy STA supporting the Wi-Fi 7 protocol, then the AP MLD executes step 405 to... The STA sends a probe response frame, which carries the first identification information.

If the STA does not support multi-link communication, such as a legacy STA that supports the Wi-Fi 6 protocol, then the AP MLD executes step 406 and ignores the probe request frame.

When an AP (or AP MLD) in periodic sleep mode wakes up and receives a probe Request frame from a legacy STA, if the legacy STA supports multi-link communication, it can execute step 405 to respond to the probe Request frame by sending a probe Response frame to the STA to establish a multi-link. The probe Response frame carries the first identification information to indicate whether the AP under the corresponding link may enter periodic sleep mode. For example, if the AP is always in an active state, it will not enter periodic sleep mode.

If the legacy STA does not support multi-link communication, such as a legacy STA that supports the Wi-Fi 6 protocol, the AP MLD can perform step 406, ignoring the probe request frame.

In this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device (non-AP MLD); the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies that in the first link under the at least two links, the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state; in one of the links under the at least two links, the first radio frame is sent, and the AP MLD controls at least one affiliated AP to always be in an active state, so that the AP MLD and the aforementioned STA (or non-AP MLD) can always maintain an association state, realizing the AP MLD's periodic power-saving mechanism while meeting transmission requirements.

In some embodiments, the names of information, etc., are not limited to the names described in the embodiments. Terms such as "information", "message", "signal", "signaling", "report", "configuration", "indication", "instruction", "command", "channel", "parameter", "domain", "field", "symbol", "codepoint", "bit", "data", "program", and "chip" can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as “moment,” “point in time,” “time,” and “time location” can be used interchangeably, as can terms such as “duration,” “segment,” “time window,” “window,” and “time.”

In some embodiments, terms such as wireless access scheme and waveform can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terms such as "certain," "preset," "default," "set," "indicated," "a certain," "any," and "first" can be used interchangeably. "Certain A," "preset A," "default A," "set A," "indicated A," "a certain A," "any A," and "first A" can be interpreted as A pre-defined in a protocol or the like, or as A obtained through setting, configuration, or instruction, or as specific A, a certain A, any A, or first A, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, the determination or judgment can be made by a value represented by 1 bit (0 or 1), or by a true or false value (boolean), or by a comparison of numerical values (e.g., a comparison with a predetermined value), but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, "not expecting to receive" can be interpreted as not receiving on time domain resources and/or frequency domain resources, or as not performing subsequent processing on the data after receiving it; "not expecting to send" can be interpreted as not sending, or as sending but not expecting the receiver to respond to the sent content.

The multi-link communication establishment method disclosed in this embodiment may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, step 201 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, step 202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and step 203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of step 201 and step 202 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 202 and step 203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 201, step 202 and step 203 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 301, step 302, step 303, step 304 and step 305 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of step 401, step 402, step 403, step 404 and step 405 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of step 401, step 402, step 403, step 404 and step 406 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, other optional implementations may be described before or after the specification corresponding to Figures 2 to 4.

Figure 5 is a flowchart illustrating one of the multi-link communication establishment methods according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in Figure 5, the above method can be applied to AP MLD101, and the method includes:

Step 501, determine the first radio frame; wherein, the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifies the first link under the link, and the AP affiliated AP of the AP MLD is always in an active state;

Step 502: In one of the links under the aforementioned link, the first wireless frame is transmitted.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first identification information is carried in the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame. In the Link Info field;

or

The first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, which identifies whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Step 503: Receive a probe request frame sent by the site device STA; wherein the STA does not support the AP's periodic power-saving capability;

Step 504: Send a disassociation frame to the STA, or switch to the first link via the BTM mechanism.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Step 505: Receive the probe request frame sent by the site device STA;

Step 506: The STA supports multi-link communication and sends a probe response frame to the STA, carrying the first identification information in the probe response frame;

or

Step 507: The STA does not support multi-link communication, so the probe request frame is ignored.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the first wireless frame includes at least one of a beacon frame, a probe response frame, an association response frame, or a reassociation response frame.

The multi-link communication establishment method disclosed in this embodiment may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, the combination of steps 501 and 502 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 503 and 504 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 501, 502, 503 and 504 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, the combination of steps 501, 502, 505 and 506 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps 501, 502, 505 and 507 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, but is not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, other optional implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to Figure 5 may be referred to.

Figure 6 is a second schematic flowchart illustrating a multi-link communication establishment method according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As shown in Figure 6, the method is applied to a site device (STA), and the method includes:

Step 601: Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's associated AP as always being active in the first link under the at least two links.

Optionally, in embodiments of this disclosure,

The first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element in the first radio frame;

or

The first identification information includes: the Disabled Link Indication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, which identifies whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Step 602: Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD; wherein the STA does not support periodic power saving capability.

Step 603: Receive the disassociation frame sent by the AP MLD, or switch to the first link via the BTM mechanism.

Optionally, in this embodiment of the disclosure, the AP MLD supports periodic power-saving capabilities, and the method further includes:

Step 604: Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD;

Step 605: The STA supports multi-link communication and receives a probe response frame sent by the AP MLD, the probe response frame carrying the first identification information.

The multi-link communication establishment method disclosed herein may include the foregoing steps and at least one of the embodiments. For example, the combination of steps 601 and 602 may be implemented as an independent embodiment, and the combination of steps 604 and 605 may be implemented as an independent embodiment. The embodiments are implemented as follows: the combination of steps 601, 602 and 603 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 601 and 604 can be implemented as an independent embodiment; the combination of steps 601, 604 and 605 can be implemented as an independent embodiment, but are not limited thereto.

In some embodiments, other alternative implementations described before or after the specification corresponding to FIG6 may be referred to.

This disclosure also provides an apparatus for implementing any of the above methods. For example, an apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by the terminal in any of the above methods. Alternatively, another apparatus is provided that includes units or modules for implementing the steps performed by a network device (e.g., an access network device, a core network functional node, a core network device, etc.) in any of the above methods.

It should be understood that the division of units or modules in the above device is only a logical functional division. In actual implementation, they can be fully or partially integrated into a single physical entity, or they can be physically separated. Furthermore, the units or modules in the device can be implemented by a processor calling software: for example, the device includes a processor connected to a memory containing instructions. The processor calls the instructions stored in the memory to implement any of the above methods or to implement the functions of the units or modules in the above device. The processor can be, for example, a general-purpose processor, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU) or a microprocessor, and the memory can be internal or external to the device. Alternatively, the units or modules in the device can be implemented in the form of hardware circuits. The functionality of some or all of the units or modules can be achieved through the design of these hardware circuits, which can be understood as one or more processors. For example, in one implementation, the hardware circuit is an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC). The functionality of some or all of the units or modules is achieved through the design of the logical relationships between the components within the circuit. In another implementation, the hardware circuit can be implemented using a programmable logic device (PLD). Taking a field-programmable gate array (FPGA) as an example, it can include a large number of logic gates. The connection relationships between the logic gates are configured through configuration files, thereby achieving the functionality of some or all of the units or modules. All units or modules of the above device can be implemented entirely through processor-called software, entirely through hardware circuits, or partially through processor-called software with the remaining parts implemented through hardware circuits.

In this embodiment, the processor is a circuit with signal processing capabilities. In one implementation, the processor can be a circuit with instruction read and execute capabilities, such as a Central Processing Unit (CPU), a microprocessor, a graphics processing unit (GPU) (which can be understood as a microprocessor), or a digital signal processor (DSP). In another implementation, the processor can implement certain functions through the logical relationships of hardware circuits. The logical relationships of the aforementioned hardware circuits are fixed or reconfigurable. For example, the processor is a hardware circuit implemented using an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC) or a programmable logic device (PLD), such as an FPGA. In a reconfigurable hardware circuit, the process of the processor loading a configuration document and configuring the hardware circuit can be understood as the process of the processor loading instructions to implement the functions of some or all of the above units or modules. In addition, it can also be hardware circuits designed for artificial intelligence, which can be understood as ASICs, such as Neural Network Processing Unit (NPU), Tensor Processing Unit (TPU), Deep Learning Processing Unit (DPU), etc.

Figure 7 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the AP MLD proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 7, the AP MLD 700 may include at least one of a determination module 701, a transmission module 702, etc.

In some embodiments, the determining module 701 is configured to determine a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first wireless frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying that in the first link under the at least two links, the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state; the sending module 702 is configured to send the first wireless frame in one of the links under the at least two links.

Optionally, the determining module 701 is used to execute at least one of the communication steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 401, 501, but not limited thereto) performed by AP MLD 101 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here. The sending module 702 is used to execute steps (e.g., steps 202, 302, 402, 502, but not limited thereto).

Figure 8 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the STA proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. As shown in Figure 8, the STA 800 may include a receiving module 801.

In some embodiments, the receiving module 801 is configured to receive a first wireless frame; wherein the first wireless frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the non-AP MLD; the first wireless frame includes first identification information, which identifies that in the first link under the at least two links, the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state.

Optionally, the receiving module 801 is used to perform at least one of the communication steps (such as steps 203, 303, 403, and 601, but not limited thereto) performed by STA102 in any of the above methods, which will not be described in detail here.

Figure 9 is a schematic diagram of the structure of a terminal 900 (e.g., a user equipment) proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. The terminal 900 can be a network-enabled device. The network device may be a chip, chip system, or processor that implements any of the above methods, or it may be a chip, chip system, or processor that supports the implementation of any of the above methods in the terminal. The terminal 900 may be used to implement the methods described in the above method embodiments, and for details, please refer to the description in the above method embodiments.

As shown in Figure 9, terminal 900 includes one or more processors 901. Processor 901 can be a general-purpose processor or a dedicated processor, such as a baseband processor or a central processing unit (CPU). The baseband processor can be used to process communication protocols and communication data, while the CPU can be used to control communication devices (e.g., base stations, baseband chips, terminal devices, terminal device chips, DUs or CUs, etc.), execute programs, and process program data. Terminal 900 is used to execute any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more memories 902 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 902 may be located outside the terminal 900.

In some embodiments, the terminal 900 further includes one or more transceivers 904. When the terminal 900 includes one or more transceivers 904, the transceivers 904 perform at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 203, 302, 303, 304, 305, 402, 403, 404, 405, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 601, 602, 603, 604, 606, but not limited thereto), and the processor 901 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 401, 406, 501, 507, but not limited thereto).

In some embodiments, a transceiver may include a receiver and/or a transmitter, which may be separate or integrated. Optionally, the terms transceiver, transceiver unit, transceiver, transceiver circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; the terms transmitter, transmitting unit, transmitter, transmitting circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably; and the terms receiver, receiving unit, receiver, receiving circuit, etc., may be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, terminal 900 may include one or more interface circuits 903. Optionally, interface circuit 903 is connected to memory 902, and interface circuit 903 can be used to receive signals from memory 902 or other devices, and can be used to send signals to memory 902 or other devices. For example, interface circuit 903 can read instructions stored in memory 902 and send the instructions to processor 901.

The terminal 900 described in the above embodiments may be a user equipment or other communication device, but the scope of the terminal 900 described in this disclosure is not limited thereto, and the structure of the terminal 900 may not be limited by FIG. 9. The communication device may be an independent device or a part of a larger device. For example, the communication device may be: (1) an independent integrated circuit IC, or chip, or chip system or subsystem; (2) a set of one or more ICs, optionally, the IC set may also include storage components for storing data and programs; (3) an ASIC, such as a modem; (4) a module that can be embedded in other devices; (5) a receiver, terminal device, smart terminal device, cellular phone, wireless device, handheld device, mobile unit, vehicle device, network device, cloud device, artificial intelligence device, etc.; (6) others, etc.

Figure 10 is a schematic diagram of the structure of the chip 1000 proposed in an embodiment of this disclosure. For cases where the terminal 900 can be a chip or a chip system, the schematic diagram of the chip 1000 shown in Figure 10 can be referenced, but is not limited thereto.

Chip 1000 includes one or more processors 1001, which are used to perform any of the above methods.

In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more 1003s. Optionally, interface circuitry 1003 is connected to memory 1002. Interface circuitry 1003 can be used to receive signals from memory 1002 or other devices, and interface circuitry 1003 can be used to send signals to memory 1002 or other devices. For example, interface circuitry 1003 can read instructions stored in memory 1002 and send the instructions to processor 1001.

In some embodiments, the interface circuit 1003 performs at least one of the communication steps such as sending and/or receiving in the above method (e.g., steps 202, 203, 302, 303, 304, 305, 402, 403, 404, 405, 502, 503, 504, 505, 506, 601, 602, 603, 604, 606, but not limited thereto), and the processor 1001 performs at least one of other steps (e.g., steps 201, 301, 401, 406, 501, 507, but not limited thereto).

In some embodiments, the terms interface circuit, interface, transceiver pin, transceiver, etc., can be used interchangeably.

In some embodiments, chip 1000 further includes one or more memories 1002 for storing instructions. Optionally, all or part of the memories 1002 may be located outside of chip 1000.

This disclosure also proposes a storage medium storing instructions that, when executed on a terminal 900, cause the terminal 900 to perform any of the methods described above. Optionally, the storage medium is an electronic storage medium. Optionally, the storage medium is a computer-readable storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a storage medium readable by other devices. Optionally, the storage medium may be a non-transitory storage medium, but not limited thereto; it may also be a temporary storage medium.

This disclosure also proposes a program product that, when executed by terminal 900, causes terminal 900 to perform any of the above methods. Optionally, the program product is a computer program product.

This disclosure also proposes a computer program that, when run on a computer, causes the computer to perform any of the above methods.

Claims (16)

A multi-link communication establishment method, applied to a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), characterized in that the method includes: A first radio frame is determined; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always being active in the first link under the at least two links; The first radio frame is transmitted on one of the at least two links. The multi-link communication establishment method according to claim 1 is characterized in that the first identification information is carried in the LinkInfo field of the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame; or The first identification information includes: Disabled LinkIndication information in the Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) information element of the first radio frame. The multi-link communication establishment method according to claim 2 is characterized in that the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, the second identification information identifying whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability. The multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability, and the method further includes: The system receives a probe request frame sent by a station device (STA); wherein the STA does not support the periodic power-saving capability of the AP. Send a disassociation frame to the STA, or switch to the first link via the Basic Service Set Switching Management (BTM) mechanism. The multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 1 to 3 is characterized in that the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability, and the method further includes: Receive probe request frames sent by the site device STA; The STA supports multi-link communication and sends a probe response frame to the STA, which carries the first identification information. or The STA does not support multi-link communication and ignores the probe request frame. A multi-link communication establishment method, applied to a site device (STA), characterized in that the method includes: Receive a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always active in the first link under the at least two links. The multi-link communication establishment method according to claim 6 is characterized in that the first identification information is carried in the Link Info field of the Multi-Link information element of the first radio frame; or The first identification information includes: the Disabled LinkIndication information in the RNR information element of the first radio frame. The multi-link communication establishment method according to claim 7 is characterized in that the Multi-Link information element includes second identification information, the second identification information identifying whether the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability. The multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 6 to 8 is characterized in that the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability, and the method further includes: Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD; wherein the STA does not support periodic power saving capability; Receive the disassociation frame sent by the AP MLD, or switch to the first link via the BTM mechanism. The multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 6 to 9 is characterized in that the AP MLD supports periodic power saving capability, and the method further includes: Send a probe request frame to the AP MLD; The STA supports multi-link communication and receives probe response frames sent by the AP MLD. The frame carries the first identification information. An access point device, wherein the access point device is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), characterized in that the AP MLD comprises: A determining module is used to determine a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with the multi-link site device non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP in the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state; The transmitting module is configured to transmit the first wireless frame in one of the at least two links. A site equipment STA, characterized in that the STA comprises: The receiving module is used to receive the first wireless frame; The first radio frame is used to establish at least two links between the AP MLD and the non-AP MLD; the first radio frame includes first identification information, which identifies the AP MLD's affiliated AP as always active in the first link under the at least two links. An access point device, wherein the access point device is a multi-link access point device (AP MLD), characterized in that it comprises: One or more processors; The AP MLD is used to perform the multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 1 to 5. A site device (STA), characterized in that it comprises: One or more processors; The STA is used to perform the multi-link communication establishment method according to any one of claims 6 to 10. A communication system, characterized in that it includes an AP MLD and a STA; wherein the AP MLD determines a first radio frame; wherein the first radio frame is used for the AP MLD to establish at least two links with a multi-link site device (non-AP MLD); the first radio frame includes first identification information, the first identification information identifying the first link under the at least two links, and the AP MLD's affiliated AP is always in an active state; In one of the at least two links, the first radio frame is sent to the STA. A storage medium storing instructions, characterized in that, when the instructions are executed on a communication device, the communication device performs a multi-link communication establishment method as described in any one of claims 1 to 5, or performs a multi-link communication establishment method as described in any one of claims 6 to 10.