WO2024188113A1 - Communication method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular, to a communication method and apparatus. The present application can avoid the waste of channel resources while ensuring the service quality of a low-latency service of a station device. The method comprises: a first communication apparatus determining a preemptive backoff (PBO); if a preset condition is satisfied, the first communication apparatus updating the PBO to give an updated PBO; and if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication apparatus sending a physical protocol data unit (PPDU) in a transmission opportunity (TXOP) of a second communication apparatus, wherein an initial value of the PBO is determined according to a value of a preemptive contention window (PCW).

Description

Communication method and device

This application claims priority to the Chinese patent application filed with the State Intellectual Property Office on March 10, 2023, with application number 202310259877.1 and application name “Communication Method and Device”, all contents of which are incorporated by reference in this application.

Technical Field

The present application relates to the field of communication technology, and in particular to a communication method and device.

Background Art

In the existing wireless local area network (WLAN) communication system, a communication device can obtain a transmission opportunity (TXOP) through a channel backoff mechanism, and a communication device that successfully reserves a TXOP can be called a TXOP holder.

Among them, the access point device can trigger other site devices with low-latency services to complete uplink transmission in the uplink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random competition mode by sending a trigger frame-random (TF-R) for random access within its own or other site devices' TXOP. However, only the site devices themselves know whether there are more urgent low-latency services, and the access point devices are not clear. Therefore, the access point device is very blind when to send TF-R.

For example, if no site device has uplink low-latency services after the access point device sends TF-R, that is, no site device performs preemptive transmission, channel resources will be wasted. For another example, if a site device has uplink low-latency services arriving, but the access point device does not send TF-R, the service quality of the low-latency services of the site device will be significantly affected.

In summary, how to ensure the service quality of low-latency services of site equipment while avoiding the waste of channel resources has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

Summary of the invention

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method and apparatus, which can avoid wasting channel resources while ensuring the service quality of low-latency services of site equipment.

In the first aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a first communication device determines a preemptive backoff value PBO; if a preset condition is met, the first communication device updates the PBO to obtain an updated PBO; if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU in a transmission opportunity TXOP of a second communication device; wherein the initial value of the PBO is determined according to the value of the preemptive contention window PCW.

Based on the first aspect, the first communication device performs preemptive transmission based on the preemptive backoff mechanism. The first communication device can determine the preemptive backoff value according to the preemptive contention window, and perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated preemptive backoff value is less than or equal to the preset threshold. The access point device does not need to trigger the first communication device to perform preemptive transmission by sending a TF-R with a relatively blind timing, and the first communication device does not need to wait for the TF-R of the access point device when there is a low-latency service, thereby ensuring the service quality of the low-latency service of the first communication device and avoiding channel resource waste. At the same time, the use of the preemptive backoff mechanism can also reduce the conflicts that may be caused by preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, before the first communication device determines the PBO, the method also includes: the first communication device receives first indication information from the second communication device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the first communication device receives a management frame from an access point device; wherein the management frame is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the first communication device determines the value of PCW according to the service deadline of the data packet; or, the first communication device sends a first request to the second communication device, and the first communication device receives a first response from the second communication device; wherein the first request is used to request negotiation of the value of PCW, and the first response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW; or, the first communication device receives a second request from the second communication device, and the first communication device sends a second response to the second communication device; wherein the second request is used to request negotiation of the value of PCW, and the second response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can determine the value of PCW according to the received first indication information or management frame, or determine the value of PCW by itself, or determine the value of PCW after consultation with the second communication device, providing multiple feasible solutions for the first communication device to determine the value of PCW.

In one possible design, the first indication information is located in one or more of the following signaling: a preamble code of the PPDU and a media access control frame.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can determine the value of PCW according to the PPDU sent by the second communication device in the TXOP, or can determine the value of PCW in advance according to the media access control frame, without limitation.

In one possible design, the management frame includes first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the management frame includes a maximum value and a minimum value of PCW; wherein the maximum value and the minimum value of PCW are used to determine the value of PCW.

In one possible design, when the management frame includes the minimum value and the maximum value of PCW, the method further includes: the first communication device determines the value of PCW according to the management frame; wherein the initial value of PCW is the minimum value of PCW; if the first communication device fails to preempt transmission according to the value of PCW, the first communication device increases the value of PCW; wherein the increased value of PCW is less than or equal to the maximum value of PCW; if the first communication device successfully preempts transmission according to the value of PCW, the first communication device adjusts the value of PCW to the minimum value of PCW.

Based on the above two possible designs, the first communication device can determine the value of PCW according to the first indication information in the management frame. It can also adaptively adjust the value of PCW according to the conflict state in the communication environment based on the maximum and minimum values of PCW in the management frame, thereby providing a preemptive backoff method in a conflict state.

In one possible design, if the time when the first communication device determines PBO is closer to the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is smaller; if the time when the first communication device determines PBO is farther from the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is larger.

Based on this possible design, a preemptive backoff method based on delay urgency is provided. By combining the value of PCW with the service deadline of the data packet, the closer the service deadline of the data packet is, the smaller the value of PCW is, which is conducive to the priority transmission of more urgent services and improves the service quality of low-latency services.

In one possible design, the initial value of PBO is less than or equal to the value of PCW.

In one possible design, the first communication device determines PBO when there is a low-latency service and plans to preempt transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device; or, the first communication device determines PBO when it determines the value of PCW in the TXOP of the second communication device.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can determine the PBO when there is a low-latency service and plans to preemptively transmit in the TXOP of the second communication device, thereby reducing conflicts between the first communication devices as much as possible. The first communication device can also determine the PBO when determining the value of the PCW in the TXOP of the second communication device, so that when there is a low-latency service later, the preemptive transmission can be performed as soon as possible to reduce the waiting time.

In one possible design, a first communication device receives a PPDU from a second communication device, wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is not allowed.

In one possible design, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, including: the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

Based on the above two possible designs, the first communication device can determine whether the second communication device allows preemptive transmission, or even allows preemptive transmission after the current PPDU, or allows preemptive transmission after the response frame of the current PPDU, according to the second indication information in the PPDU sent by the second communication device. Then, if the second communication device allows, preemptive transmission can be performed in the TXOP of the second communication device, thereby improving the success rate of preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of this PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can update the PBO after receiving the PPDU or receiving the response frame of the PPDU, or it can update the PBO according to the PBO update interval, providing multiple feasible solutions for the design of preset conditions.

In one possible design, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, including: the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the basic service set associated with the first communication device; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives any PPDU.

Based on this possible design, for the preset condition that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, the PPDU can be a PPDU sent by the second communication device, or a PPDU sent by the basic service set associated with the first communication device, or any PPDU, providing multiple feasible solutions for the design of the preset condition.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, including: when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, if after the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU corresponding to the preset condition, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after a first preset time period after successfully receiving the PPDU.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can perform channel detection within a first preset time period after successfully receiving a PPDU that meets the above conditions. When the channel is continuously idle within the first preset time period, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to improve the success rate of preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, including: when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU, if after the first communication device successfully receives the response frame, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after a first preset time period after successfully receiving the response frame; wherein the PPDU of the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after the response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can perform channel detection within a first preset time period after successfully receiving a response frame that meets the above conditions. When the channel is continuously idle within the first preset time period, the first communication device can send PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to improve the success rate of preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, including: when the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval, if the PBO updated by the first communication device according to the preset condition is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the first PPDU, or the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the response frame of the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the second communication device, the reception start time of the first PPDU is equal to or later than the first update time, and the first update time is the update time of the PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold.

In one possible design, the first PPDU includes second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

Based on the above two possible designs, after receiving the first PPDU that meets the above conditions, the first communication device can perform channel detection within a first preset time length after the first PPDU or the response frame of the first PPDU. When the channel is continuously idle within the first preset time length, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to improve the success rate of preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, including: the first communication device sends the PPDU through any one of the one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; or, the first communication device sends the PPDU through at least two of the multiple channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; wherein the at least two channels include the main channel corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device.

Based on this possible design, the first communication device can select one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device for preemptive transmission. If multiple channels are selected for preemptive transmission, each first communication device needs to at least select the main channel for preemptive transmission, so as to avoid the main channel being occupied by other communication devices (such as avoiding being occupied by communication devices in other cells, that is, avoiding the communication devices in other cells from becoming TXOP holders), thereby ensuring the TXOP holder identity of the second communication device.

In a second aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, the method comprising: a second communication device sends a PPDU; wherein the second communication device is a transmission opportunity TXOP holder, the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; the second communication device performs channel detection within a second preset time period after the PPDU; if the second communication device determines that the channel is idle within the second preset time period, the second communication device sends the PPDU after the second preset time period.

Based on the second aspect, the second communication device can indicate whether to allow preemptive transmission through the second indication information, so that the first communication device adopts the preemptive backoff mechanism to perform preemptive transmission when the second communication device allows it. The access point device does not need to trigger the first communication device to perform preemptive transmission by sending a TF-R with a relatively blind timing, and the first communication device does not need to wait for the TF-R of the access point device when there is a low-latency service, thereby ensuring the service quality of the low-latency service of the first communication device and avoiding channel resource waste. At the same time, the use of the preemptive backoff mechanism can also reduce the conflicts that may be caused by preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, including: the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

Based on this possible design, the second communication device can also indicate through the second indication information whether to allow preemptive transmission after this PPDU, or to allow preemptive transmission after the response frame of this PPDU, so that the first communication device can perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device when the second communication device allows, thereby improving the success rate of preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, if the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission, the second communication device The method of performing channel detection within a second preset time period after the PPDU comprises: the second communication device performing channel detection within a second preset time period after the response frame of the PPDU.

Based on this possible design, if the second communication device allows preemptive transmission, the second communication device can perform channel detection within the second preset time after sending the PPDU, or perform channel detection within the second preset time after receiving the response frame of the sent PPDU. If the channel is busy, it indicates that preemptive transmission may be in progress. The second communication device can suspend its own data transmission to improve the service quality of the low-latency service of the preemptive transmission. If the channel is continuously idle, the second communication device can continue its own data transmission to avoid wasting channel resources.

In one possible design, the second preset duration is greater than the first preset duration; wherein the starting time of the first preset duration is the same as the starting time of the second preset duration, and the ending time of the first preset duration is the starting time of the preemptive transmission.

Based on this possible design, since the first communication device performs preemptive transmission after the first preset time length, by setting the second preset time length to be greater than the first preset time length, the transmission conflict between the second communication device and the first communication device can be reduced and the success rate of the preemptive transmission can be improved.

In one possible design, the second communication device sends first indication information to the first communication device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the value of the preemptive contention window PCW.

In one possible design, the first indication information is located in one or more of the following signaling: a preamble code of the PPDU and a media access control frame.

Based on the above two possible designs, the second communication device can indicate the value of PCW to the first communication device through the PPDU sent in the TXOP, or can indicate the value of PCW to the first communication device in advance according to the media access control frame, without restriction.

In one possible design, if the second communication device determines that the channel is busy within a second preset time period, the second communication device stops sending the PPDU.

Based on this possible design, if the second communication device determines that the channel is busy within the second preset time period, it indicates that preemptive transmission may be in progress. The second communication device can suspend its own data transmission to improve the service quality of the low-latency service of the preemptive transmission.

In a third aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to the first communication device in the first aspect or the possible design of the first aspect to implement the function performed by the first communication device. The communication device can be a first communication device, or a chip or system on chip of the first communication device, etc. The communication device can perform the function performed by the first communication device through hardware, or can perform the corresponding software implementation through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The processing module is used to determine the preemptive backoff value PBO, and if the preset conditions are met, the PBO is updated to obtain the updated PBO; the transceiver module is used to send a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU in the transmission opportunity TXOP of the second communication device if the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold; wherein the initial value of the PBO is determined according to the value of the preemptive contention window PCW.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is further used to receive first indication information from a second communication device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the transceiver module is further used to receive a management frame from an access point device; wherein the management frame is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the processing module is further used to determine the value of PCW according to the service expiration date of the data packet; or, the transceiver module is further used to send a first request to the second communication device and receive a first response from the second communication device; wherein the first request is used to request negotiation of the value of PCW, and the first response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW; or, the transceiver module is further used to receive a second request from the second communication device and send a second response to the second communication device; wherein the second request is used to request negotiation of the value of PCW, and the second response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW.

In one possible design, the first indication information is located in one or more of the following signaling: a preamble code of the PPDU and a media access control frame.

In one possible design, the management frame includes first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate the value of PCW; or, the management frame includes a maximum value and a minimum value of PCW; wherein the maximum value and the minimum value of PCW are used to determine the value of PCW.

In one possible design, when the management frame includes the minimum value and the maximum value of PCW, the processing module is further used to determine the value of PCW based on the management frame; wherein the initial value of PCW is the minimum value of PCW; if the first communication device fails to preempt transmission according to the value of PCW, the processing module increases the value of PCW; wherein the increased value of PCW is less than or equal to the maximum value of PCW; if the first communication device successfully preempts transmission according to the value of PCW, the processing module adjusts the value of PCW to the minimum value of PCW.

In one possible design, if the processing module determines that the time when PBO is closer to the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is smaller; if the processing module determines that the time when PBO is farther from the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is larger.

In one possible design, the initial value of PBO is less than or equal to the value of PCW.

In one possible design, the processing module is further configured to determine the PBO when the first communication device has a low-latency service and plans to preemptively transmit in the TXOP of the second communication device; or, the processing module is further configured to determine the PCW in the TXOP of the second communication device. When the value of is taken, PBO is determined.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to receive a PPDU from a second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is not allowed.

In one possible design, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, including: the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

In one possible design, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of this PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval.

In one possible design, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, including: the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the basic service set associated with the first communication device; or, the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives any PPDU.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the transceiver module is specifically used to: when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, if the transceiver module successfully receives the PPDU corresponding to the preset condition, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the transceiver module sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the PPDU.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the transceiver module is specifically used to: when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU, if after the transceiver module successfully receives the response frame, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the transceiver module sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the response frame; wherein the PPDU of the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after the response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

In one possible design, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the transceiver module is specifically used to: when the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval, if the PBO updated by the processing module according to the preset condition is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the transceiver module sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the first PPDU, or the transceiver module sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the response frame of the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the second communication device, the reception start time of the first PPDU is equal to or later than the first update time, and the first update time is the update time of the PBO that is less than or equal to the preset threshold.

In one possible design, the first PPDU includes second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is specifically used to: send the PPDU through any one of the one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; or, send the PPDU through at least two of the multiple channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; wherein the at least two channels include the main channel corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device.

It should be noted that the specific implementation method of the communication device in the third aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the first communication device in the communication method provided by the first aspect or any possible design of the first aspect, and will not be repeated here.

In a fourth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which can be applied to the second communication device in the second aspect or the possible design of the second aspect to implement the function performed by the second communication device. The communication device can be a second communication device, or a chip or system on chip of the second communication device, etc. The communication device can perform the function performed by the second communication device through hardware, or can perform the corresponding software implementation through hardware. The hardware or software includes one or more modules corresponding to the above functions. For example, a transceiver module and a processing module. The transceiver module is used to send PPDU; wherein the second communication device is a transmission opportunity TXOP holder, and the PPDU includes a second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; the processing module is used to perform channel detection within a second preset time after the PPDU; if the processing module determines that the channel is idle within the second preset time, the transceiver module sends the PPDU after the second preset time.

In a possible design, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, including: the second indication information is used to indicate that the current or, the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission.

In one possible design, if the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed after the response frame of the PPDU, the processing module is specifically used to perform channel detection within a second preset time length after the response frame of the PPDU.

In one possible design, the second preset duration is greater than the first preset duration; wherein the starting time of the first preset duration is the same as the starting time of the second preset duration, and the ending time of the first preset duration is the starting time of the preemptive transmission.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to send a first indication message to the first communication device; wherein the first indication message is used to indicate the value of the preemptive contention window PCW.

In one possible design, the first indication information is located in one or more of the following signaling: a preamble code of the PPDU and a media access control frame.

In one possible design, the transceiver module is also used to stop sending the PPDU if the processing module determines that the channel is busy within a second preset time period.

It should be noted that the specific implementation method of the communication device in the fourth aspect can refer to the behavioral function of the second communication device in the communication method provided by the above-mentioned second aspect or any possible design of the second aspect, and will not be repeated here.

In a fifth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, the communication device comprising one or more processors; the one or more processors are used to run a computer program or instruction, and when the one or more processors execute the computer instruction or instruction, the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of the first aspect to the second aspect. The communication device can be a first communication device or a second communication device, or a chip or a system on a chip of the first communication device or the second communication device.

In one possible design, the communication device further includes one or more memories, the one or more memories are coupled to one or more processors, and the one or more memories are used to store the above-mentioned computer programs or instructions. In one possible implementation, the memory is located outside the communication device. In another possible implementation, the memory is located inside the communication device. In an embodiment of the present application, the processor and the memory may also be integrated into one device, that is, the processor and the memory may also be integrated together. In one possible implementation, the communication device further includes a transceiver, and the transceiver is used to receive information and/or send information.

In one possible design, the communication device also includes one or more communication interfaces, the one or more communication interfaces are coupled to the one or more processors, and the one or more communication interfaces are used to communicate with other modules outside the communication device.

In a sixth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication device, which includes an input/output interface and a logic circuit; the input/output interface is used to input and/or output information; the logic circuit is used to execute the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects, and process and/or generate information based on the information.

In the seventh aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer-readable storage medium, which stores computer instructions or programs. When the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects is executed.

In an eighth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program product comprising computer instructions, which, when executed on a computer, enables the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

In a ninth aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a computer program, which, when executed on a computer, enables the communication method described in any one of the first to second aspects to be executed.

Among them, the technical effects brought about by any design method in the fifth to ninth aspects can refer to the technical effects brought about by any design method in the first to second aspects mentioned above.

In a tenth aspect, a communication method is provided, which may include the communication method as described in the first aspect and the communication method as described in the second aspect.

In an eleventh aspect, a communication system is provided, which may include the first communication device as described in the third aspect and the second communication device as described in the second aspect.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG1 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG2 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG3 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG4 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG6 is a schematic diagram of the composition of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG7 is a structural diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG9 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG10 is a schematic diagram of a PPDU frame structure provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG11 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG12 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG13 is a schematic diagram of a preemptive transmission provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG14 is a schematic diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application;

FIG15 is a composition diagram of a communication device provided in an embodiment of the present application.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Before describing the embodiments of the present application, the technical terms involved in the embodiments of the present application are described.

Wireless local area network (WLAN) communication system: Starting from the 802.11a/b/g standard, it has gone through multiple generations, such as the 802.11n standard, 802.11ac standard, 802.11ax standard, 802.11be standard, and the next generation 802.11 standard.

Among them, standards before the 802.11n standard, such as 802.11a/b/g, etc., can be collectively referred to as non-high throughput (non-HT) standards. The 802.11n standard can be referred to as a high throughput (HT) standard. The 802.11ac standard can be referred to as a very high throughput (VHT) standard. The 802.11ax standard can be referred to as a high efficient (HE) standard, or the sixth wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi 6) standard. The 802.11be standard can be referred to as an extremely high throughput (EHT) standard, or the Wi-Fi 7 standard. The next generation 802.11 standard can be referred to as an ultra-high reliability (UHR) standard or a standard named otherwise, or the Wi-Fi 8 standard, without limitation.

With the continuous development of communication technology, more and more wireless network applications and services have put forward more stringent requirements on delay characteristics (i.e. low delay requirements), such as online games, virtual reality, industrial sites, telemedicine, etc. For this reason, both the EHT standard and the UHR standard regard the guarantee of delay and delay jitter characteristics as a key technical goal, which has been widely valued by the industry.

In a WLAN communication system, communication devices can communicate with each other through a physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU), where PPDU is the carrier sent by the physical layer and can also be described as a data packet, a data group or a physical layer data group.

Transmission opportunity (TXOP): The WLAN communication system is deployed on an unlicensed spectrum, and multiple communication devices (such as station equipment, access point equipment, etc.) can use channel resources through competition. In the commonly used enhanced distributed channel access (EDCA) mechanism, a communication device can send the first frame after completing the channel backoff. If the first frame has a response frame, then the successful receipt of the response frame means that the channel competition is successful, otherwise it is necessary to re-perform channel backoff. If the first frame does not require a response frame, then the transmission of the first frame means that the channel competition is successful. After the channel competition is successful, the communication device can reserve a period of time for data transmission. This period of time is called a TXOP, and the communication device that successfully reserves the TXOP is called a TXOP holder.

In this TXOP, only the TXOP holder can actively send data, and other communication devices can only receive data or send corresponding response frames. In the TXOP, short inter-frame space (SIFS) is often used as the interval between frames, so the channel of the TXOP holder during the TXOP duration is not easily interrupted by other communication devices.

Preemption: The ongoing transmission of a non-low-latency service is interrupted and the transmission of a low-latency service of another communication device is temporarily inserted.

Among them, the access point device can trigger other site devices with low-latency services to complete uplink transmission in an uplink orthogonal frequency division multiple access (OFDMA) random competition manner by sending a trigger frame (trigger frame-random, TF-R) for random access within its own TXOP or the TXOP of other site devices.

In the first example, the access point device can send TF-R at any time when it can send a packet in its own TXOP (that is, the access point device is the TXOP holder) to trigger other site devices with low-latency services to complete uplink transmission in a random uplink OFDMA competition manner.

For example, as shown in Figure 1, after the access point device completes a frame interaction with site device 1, if the service transmitted by the access point device to site device 1 is a non-low-latency service, the access point device may not continue to send data to site device 1, and the access point device may send a TF-R. If site device 2 and site device 3 happen to have low-latency services at this time, site device 2 and site device 3 can follow the uplink OFDMA random competition rules and send uplink low-latency services on the corresponding resource unit (RU). During this transmission process, since the access point device suspends the original planned transmission of non-low-latency (i.e., the transmission to site device 1), it instead transmits the uplink low-latency service to site device 1. TF-R gives low-latency services of other site devices a transmission opportunity, and this transmission process is called preemptive transmission.

In the second example, the access point device is in the TXOP of a site device (that is, the site device is the TXOP holder). After sending a response frame, it can send a TF-R to trigger other site devices with low-latency services to complete uplink transmission in a random competition manner using uplink OFDMA.

For example, as shown in Figure 2, taking site device 1 as the TXOP holder, if the service of site device 1 is not a low-latency service, the access point device can send a TF-R after sending a response frame to site device 1. If site device 2 and site device 3 happen to have low-latency services at this time, site device 2 and site device 3 can follow the uplink OFDMA random competition rules and send uplink low-latency services on the corresponding RU.

However, during the communication process, only the site device knows whether there is an urgent low-latency service, and the access point device is not clear. Therefore, the access point device is very blind in when to send TF-R.

For example, as shown in Figure 3, if no site device has uplink low-latency services after the access point device sends TF-R, that is, no site device performs preemptive transmission, channel resources will be wasted. For another example, as shown in Figure 4, if a site device has uplink low-latency services arriving, but the access point device does not send TF-R, the service quality of the low-latency services of the site device will be significantly affected.

In summary, how to ensure the service quality of low-latency services of site equipment while avoiding the waste of channel resources has become a technical problem that needs to be solved urgently.

In order to solve the above problems, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication method, in which a first communication device determines a preemption backoff (PBO). If a preset condition is met, the first communication device updates the PBO to obtain an updated PBO. If the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device; wherein the initial value of the PBO is determined according to the value of the preemption contention window (PCW).

In the embodiment of the present application, the first communication device performs preemptive transmission based on the preemptive backoff mechanism. The first communication device can determine the preemptive backoff value according to the preemptive contention window, and perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated preemptive backoff value is less than or equal to the preset threshold. The access point device does not need to trigger the first communication device to perform preemptive transmission by sending a TF-R with a relatively blind timing, and the first communication device does not need to wait for the TF-R of the access point device when there is a low-latency service, thereby ensuring the service quality of the low-latency service of the first communication device and avoiding channel resource waste. At the same time, the use of the preemptive backoff mechanism can also reduce the conflicts that may be caused by preemptive transmission.

The implementation of the embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 5 is a schematic diagram of a communication system provided in an embodiment of the present application, and the communication system may be a system using the 802.11 standard. Exemplarily, the 802.11 standard includes but is not limited to: the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, or a next generation 802.11 standard.

As shown in Fig. 5, the communication system may include one or more access point devices and one or more station devices. Optionally, the communication system may also include one or more relay devices.

The access point device may be an access point (AP), or a chip or a processing system installed in an AP. The station device may be a station (STA), or a chip or a processing system installed in a STA.

Optionally, the present application is applicable to communication scenarios between one or more transmitting end communication devices and one or more receiving end communication devices. For example, the communication scenario can be a communication scenario between AP and STA, or it can be a communication scenario between AP and AP, or it can be a communication scenario between STA and STA, or the communication scenario can also be a communication scenario between a relay device and at least two of the AP and STA. Among them, the relay device can be an AP, STA, or other device that can implement relaying, without limitation.

Optionally, the transmitting end communication device and the receiving end communication device may communicate via a PPDU, and the PPDU may be a PPDU corresponding to a certain generation standard in the 802.11 standard. For example, taking the 802.11 standard as the next generation standard of the 802.11be standard (such as the UHR standard) as an example, the PPDU may be a UHR PPDU; taking the 802.11 standard as the 802.11be standard as an example, the PDU may be an EHT PPDU, without limitation.

Exemplarily, the AP may be a device that supports multiple WLAN standards, such as the 802.11a/b/g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, the 802.11ax standard, the 802.11be standard, or a next-generation 802.11 standard.

Among them, AP can be a device with wireless communication function, supports communication using WLAN protocol, has the function of communicating with other devices in the WLAN network (such as stations or other access points), and of course, can also have the function of communicating with other devices. In the WLAN communication system, the access point can also be called an access point station (AP STA). The device with wireless communication function can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system. The AP in the embodiment of the present application is a device that provides services for STA and can support the 802.11 series of protocols.

For example, AP can be a communication entity such as a communication server, router, switch, bridge, computer, mobile phone, etc. AP can also be various forms of macro base stations, micro base stations, relay stations, etc. AP can also be a chip and processing system in these various forms of devices. AP can also be a terminal device or network device with a Wi-Fi chip. AP can also be an access point for mobile users to enter the wired network. It is mainly deployed in homes, buildings and parks. The typical coverage radius is tens of meters to hundreds of meters. Of course, it can also be deployed outdoors. AP is equivalent to a bridge connecting wired and wireless networks. Its main function is to connect various wireless network clients together and then connect the wireless network to Ethernet.

Exemplarily, the STA may be a device supporting multiple WLAN standards such as the 802.11a/b/g standard, the 802.11n standard, the 802.11ac standard, the 802.11ax standard, or the 802.11be standard.

Among them, STA can be a device with wireless communication function, supports communication using WLAN protocol, and has the ability to communicate with other stations or access points in the WLAN network. In the WLAN system, the station can be called a non-access point station (non-AP STA). STA can be any user communication device that allows the user to communicate with the AP and then communicate with the WLAN. The device with wireless communication function can be a complete device, or a chip or processing system installed in the complete device. The device installed with these chips or processing systems can implement the methods and functions of the embodiments of the present application under the control of the chip or processing system.

For example, STA can be a user device that can be connected to the Internet, such as a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, a computer, a tablet computer, a desktop, a laptop, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a handheld computer, a netbook, a personal digital assistant (PDA), a mobile phone, a set-top box, a smart TV, a smart wearable device, or an IoT node in the Internet of Things, or an in-vehicle communication device in the Internet of Vehicles, or an entertainment device, a gaming device or system, a global positioning system device, etc. STA can also be a chip and a processing system in the above terminals. STA can also be a wireless communication chip, a wireless sensor, or a wireless communication terminal.

Exemplarily, the access point device or the site device may have the structure shown in FIG6, wherein the access point device or the site device may include a processor, a memory, a signal detector, a user interface, a transmitter, a receiver, and a digital signal processor. The processor may be used to parse signaling information and process related data. The memory may be used to store signaling information and preset values agreed in advance. The signal detector may be used to perform signal detection. The user interface may be used to interact with a user. The transmitter and the receiver may be used to send or receive signals. The digital signal processor may be used to process the signal.

It should be noted that the access point device and the site device of the embodiment of the present application can be one or more chips, or a system on chip (SOC), etc. FIG. 5 is only an exemplary figure, and the number of devices included therein is not limited. In addition, in addition to the devices shown in FIG. 5 , the communication system may also include other devices, such as wireless backhaul devices, etc. The names of the various devices and the names of the various links in FIG. 5 are not limited. In addition to the names shown in FIG. 5 , the various devices and the various links may also be named other names without limitation.

In specific implementation, as shown in FIG5 , each access point device and site device may adopt the composition structure shown in FIG7 , or include the components shown in FIG7 . FIG7 is a composition diagram of a communication device 700 provided in an embodiment of the present application. The communication device 700 may be a terminal device or a chip or a system on chip in a terminal device; it may also be an access network device or a chip or a system on chip in an access network device; it may also be a core network device or a chip or a system on chip in a core network device. As shown in FIG7 , the communication device 700 includes a processor 701, a transceiver 702, and a communication line 703.

Furthermore, the communication device 700 may further include a memory 704. The processor 701, the memory 704 and the transceiver 702 may be connected via a communication line 703.

The processor 701 is a central processing unit (CPU), a general-purpose processor, a network processor (NP), a digital signal processor (DSP), a microprocessor, a microcontroller, a programmable logic device (PLD), or any combination thereof. The processor 701 may also be other devices with processing functions, such as circuits, devices, or software modules, without limitation.

The transceiver 702 is used to communicate with other devices or other communication networks. The other communication networks may be Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc. The transceiver 702 may be a module, a circuit, a transceiver or any device capable of achieving communication.

The communication line 703 is used to transmit information between the components included in the communication device 700.

The memory 704 is used to store instructions, where the instructions may be computer programs.

The memory 704 may be a read-only memory (ROM) or other types of static storage devices that can store static information and/or instructions, or a random access memory (RAM) or other types of static storage devices that can store information and/or instructions. The invention may be other types of dynamic storage devices that can store or store instructions, and may also be electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, optical disc storage (including compressed optical disc, laser disc, optical disc, digital versatile disc, Blu-ray disc, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, etc., without limitation.

It should be noted that the memory 704 can exist independently of the processor 701, or can be integrated with the processor 701. The memory 704 can be used to store instructions or program codes or some data, etc. The memory 704 can be located in the communication device 700, or can be located outside the communication device 700, without limitation. The processor 701 is used to execute the instructions stored in the memory 704 to implement the communication method provided in the following embodiments of the present application.

In one example, the processor 701 may include one or more CPUs, such as CPU0 and CPU1 in FIG. 7 .

As an optional implementation manner, the communication device 700 includes multiple processors. For example, in addition to the processor 701 in FIG. 7 , it may also include a processor 707 .

As an optional implementation, the communication device 700 further includes an output device 705 and an input device 706. Exemplarily, the input device 706 is a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, a joystick, and the like, and the output device 705 is a display screen, a speaker, and the like.

It should be noted that the communication device 700 may be a desktop computer, a portable computer, a network server, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a wireless terminal, an embedded device, a chip system, or a device having a similar structure as shown in FIG7. In addition, the composition structure shown in FIG7 does not constitute a limitation on the communication device. In addition to the components shown in FIG7, the communication device may include more or fewer components than shown in the figure, or combine certain components, or arrange the components differently.

In the embodiment of the present application, the chip system may be composed of a chip, or may include a chip and other discrete devices.

In addition, the actions, terms, etc. involved in the various embodiments of the present application can refer to each other without limitation. The message name or parameter name in the message exchanged between the various devices in the embodiments of the present application is only an example, and other names can also be used in the specific implementation without limitation.

In conjunction with the communication system shown in FIG5 , with reference to FIG8 below, the communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application is described, wherein the first communication device may be any site device in the communication system shown in FIG5 , the second communication device may be any site device or access point device that successfully reserves a TXOP in the communication system shown in FIG5 , and the second communication device may also be referred to as a TXOP holder. The first communication device and the second communication device described in the following embodiments may both have the components shown in FIG7 . The processing performed by a single execution subject (first communication device or second communication device) shown in the embodiment of the present application may also be divided into executions by multiple execution subjects, and these execution subjects may be logically and/or physically separated without restriction.

FIG8 is a flow chart of a communication method provided in an embodiment of the present application. As shown in FIG8 , the method may include:

Step 801: The first communication device determines a PBO.

Among them, the first communication device can determine the initial value of PBO according to the value of PCW.

Optionally, the first communication device may determine the value of PCW in any of the following five ways:

Mode 1: The second communication device may send first indication information to the first communication device, and the first indication information may be used to indicate the value of the PCW. The first indication information may also be referred to as a PCW indication field.

Exemplarily, the first indication information may be located in one or more of the following signaling: PPDU, control frame.

Among them, for the control frame, as shown in FIG. 9 , the second communication device may carry the first indication information in the control frame to indicate the value of PCW in advance.

Exemplarily, the control frame may be a media access control frame.

For the PPDU, the second communication device may carry the first indication information in one or more PPDUs sent within its own TXOP.

For example, as shown in Figure 9, the second communication device may carry the first indication information in the media access control frame to indicate the value of PCW in advance. Alternatively, the second communication device may carry the first indication information in the first PPDU sent in its own TXOP.

Optionally, the second communication device may carry the first indication information in a preamble code of the PPDU.

Exemplarily, taking the PPDU as a UHR PPDU as an example, as shown in Figure 10, the first indication information can be located in the universal information field (U-SIG) in the preamble code of the UHR PPDU, or in the ultra-high reliability field (UHR-SIG), or in other fields of the preamble code, such as the legacy short training sequence field (L-STF), the legacy long training sequence field (L-LTF), the legacy signaling field (L-SIG), the repeated L-SIG field (RL-SIG), the ultra-high reliability short training sequence field (UHR-STF), the ultra-high reliability long training sequence field (UHR-LTF), etc., without limitation.

Optionally, for the media access control frame, if the second communication device carries the first indication information in the media access control frame, the second communication device may carry the first indication information in one or more PPDUs sent within its own TXOP, or may not carry the first indication information in one or more PPDUs sent within its own TXOP, without restriction.

Optionally, the length of the first indication information may be N bits, where N is a positive integer.

For example, taking the length of the first indication information as 2 bits, the value of the 2 bits can be set to 00 to indicate that the value of PCW is 1, the value of the 2 bits can be set to 01 to indicate that the value of PCW is 2, the value of the 2 bits can be set to 10 to indicate that the value of PCW is 4, and the value of the 2 bits can be set to 11 to indicate that the value of PCW is 8.

It should be noted that various designs of the length of the first indication information and the size of the PCW value represented by the value of the first indication information are possible and are not limited.

Method 2: The access point device may send a management frame to the first communication apparatus, and the management frame may be used to indicate a value of PCW.

Among them, for the management frame, as shown in FIG9 , the access point device can indicate the value of PCW in advance through the management frame.

Optionally, the management frame may be a beacon frame.

In one possible design, the management frame may include first indication information, which can be used to indicate the value of PCW.

It should be noted that the embodiment of the present application does not limit in which management frame the first indication information is specifically located, nor does it limit in which element in the management frame the first indication information is specifically located.

In another possible design, the management frame may include the maximum value and the minimum value of the PCW, and the maximum value (PCWmax) and the minimum value (PCWmin) of the PCW may be used to determine the value of the PCW.

The first communication device may set the initial value of PCW to the minimum value of PCW according to the received management frame. When the first communication device obtains a preemptive transmission opportunity according to the value of PCW, if the first communication device fails to preempt the transmission, the first communication device may increase the value of PCW and continue to obtain the preemptive transmission opportunity according to the increased value of PCW, wherein the value of the increased PCW is less than or equal to the maximum value of PCW. If the first communication device successfully preempts the transmission, the first communication device may adjust the value of PCW to the minimum value of PCW, wherein if the value of PCW before the first communication device successfully preempts the transmission is the minimum value of PCW, then the first communication device may keep the value of PCW unchanged after the successful preemptive transmission, and still be the minimum value of PCW; if the value of PCW before the first communication device successfully preempts the transmission is not the minimum value of PCW, then the first communication device may adjust the value of PCW to the minimum value of PCW after the successful preemptive transmission.

Exemplarily, the first communication device can determine the PBO based on the value of PCW. Each time a preset condition is met, the first communication device can update the PBO. When the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, it can be considered that the first communication device has obtained a preemptive transmission opportunity, and the first communication device can perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device.

The description of the preset conditions and the updating process of the PBO can be found in the detailed description of the following step 802, which will not be repeated here.

Exemplarily, when the first communication device obtains a preemptive transmission opportunity, the first communication device can send a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device. If the first communication device successfully receives a response frame (or confirmation frame) of the PPDU, the preemptive transmission is considered to be successful; otherwise, the preemptive transmission is considered to have failed.

For example, taking the case where the first communication device 1 and the first communication device 2 simultaneously obtain the preemptive transmission opportunity, the first communication device 1 and the first communication device 2 may simultaneously perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device, thereby causing the first communication device 1 to conflict with the first communication device 2, resulting in failure of the preemptive transmission of the first communication device 1 and the first communication device 2. At this time, the first communication device 1 and the first communication device 2 may increase the value of PCW to regain the preemptive transmission opportunity.

Optionally, the first communication device may increase the value of PCW according to the PCW sequence.

The PCW sequence may include multiple PCWs, that is, PCW sequence = {PCW ₁ , PCW ₂ , PCW ₃ , ..., PCW _n-1 , PCW _n }, where n is greater than 1. The PCW sequence may be pre-configured by the network or pre-defined by the protocol, without limitation.

Exemplarily, in a PCW sequence, the value of each PCW may be increased according to a certain rule.

For example, PCW _i+1 =2×PCW _i . For another example, PCW _i+1 =PCW _i +Δ.

Wherein, 1≤i≤n, △ is a positive integer, and △ may be pre-configured by the network or pre-defined by the communication protocol without limitation.

Based on the above description of the PCW sequence, when the first communication device obtains a preemptive transmission opportunity according to PCW _i , if the preemptive transmission fails, the first communication device can increase the value of PCW according to PCW _i+1 and PCWmax.

For example, the first communication device may determine the minimum value between PCW _i+1 and PCWmax as the increased PCW, that is, PCW _increased =min{PCW _i+1 , PCWmax}.

Alternatively, unlike the above-mentioned first communication device increasing the value of PCW according to the PCW sequence, the first communication device may also increase the value of PCW based on the following formula (1) or formula (2):
PCW _{after increase} = min{2×PCW _{before increase} , PCWmax}; Formula (1)
PCW _{after increase} = min{PCW _{before increase} + △, PCWmax}; Formula (2)

Among them, △ is a positive integer.

Optionally, △ may be pre-configured by the network or pre-defined by the communication protocol, without limitation.

Based on the above another possible design, the first communication device can adaptively adjust the value of PCW according to the conflict state in the communication environment, and provide a preemptive backoff method in a conflict state.

Optionally, if the access point device indicates the value of PCW to the first communication device through the management frame shown in the above method 2, the second communication device may indicate the value of PCW to the first communication device through the first indication information shown in the above method 1, or may not indicate the value of PCW to the first communication device, without restriction.

Method 3: The first communication device determines the value of PCW according to the service expiration date of the data packet.

Optionally, the data packet may be a low-latency data packet.

Exemplarily, when the first communication device has a low-latency data packet to be transmitted, the first communication device can determine the value of PCW by itself according to the service deadline of the data packet to be transmitted, and then determine PBO according to the value of PCW.

Optionally, if the time when the first communication device determines PBO is closer to the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is smaller. If the time when the first communication device determines PBO is farther from the service deadline of the data packet, the value of PCW is larger.

Exemplarily, the first communication device may determine the value of PCW based on the following formula (3):

Among them, T _remain represents the length of time from the moment when the first communication device determines PBO to the service deadline of the data packet, and D represents the granularity of PCW, which can be predefined by the protocol or preconfigured by the network without limitation. For example, D=5ms.

Based on the above method three, a preemptive backoff method based on delay urgency is provided. By combining the value of PCW with the service deadline of the data packet, the closer the service deadline of the data packet is, the smaller the value of PCW is, which is conducive to the priority transmission of more urgent services and improves the service quality of low-latency services.

Mode 4: The first communication device sends a first request to the second communication device, and the first communication device receives a first response from the second communication device; wherein the first request is used to request negotiation of a value of PCW, and the first response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW.

The first request may include the value of the PCW expected by the first communication device, and the second communication device may send a first response (such as a confirmation frame) to the first communication device to indicate that the second communication device recognizes the value of the PCW. In this case, the negotiated value of the PCW may be the value of the PCW expected by the first communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device may also carry the value of the PCW indicated by the second communication device in the first response. In this case, the negotiated value of the PCW may be the value of the PCW indicated by the second communication device. Alternatively, the second communication device may also send a first response (such as a negative acknowledgement (NACK) frame) to the first communication device to indicate that the second communication device does not recognize the value of the PCW. After receiving the first response, the first communication device may adjust the expected value of the PCW to resend the first request to the second communication device. The first request may include the adjusted expected value of the PCW. According to the first request resent by the first communication device, the second communication device may send a confirmation frame to the first communication device, or indicate the value of the PCW to the first communication device, or send a negative acknowledgement frame to the first communication device, etc., without limitation.

Mode 5: The first communication device receives a second request from the second communication device, and the first communication device sends a second response to the second communication device; wherein the second request is used to request negotiation of a value of PCW, and the second response is used to indicate the negotiated value of PCW.

The second request may include the value of the PCW expected by the second communication device, and the first communication device may send a second response (such as a confirmation frame) to the second communication device to indicate that the first communication device agrees with the value of the PCW. In this case, the negotiated value of the PCW may be the value of the PCW expected by the second communication device. Alternatively, the first communication device may also carry the value of the PCW indicated by the first communication device in the second response. In this case, the negotiated value of the PCW may be the value of the PCW indicated by the first communication device.

Based on the description of the PCW value in the above-mentioned methods 1 to 5, after the first communication device determines the PCW value, it can determine the PBO according to the PCW value, and then implement preemptive transmission according to the PBO.

Optionally, the first communication device may determine the PBO when there is a low-latency service and plans to preemptively transmit in the TXOP of the second communication device. Alternatively, the first communication device may determine the PBO when determining the value of the PCW in the TXOP of the second communication device.

Among them, the initial value of PBO can be less than or equal to the value of PCW.

Optionally, the initial value of the PBO is greater than or equal to 0.

In a first possible design, the value range of the initial value of PBO is: [0, PCW], that is, the first communication device can randomly select an integer from the value range as the initial value of PBO.

In a second possible design, the value range of the initial value of PBO is: [0, PCW-m], that is, the first communication device can randomly select an integer from the value range as the initial value of PBO.

Wherein, m may represent the number of PPDUs for which preemptive transmission is allowed, starting from the first PPDU of the TXOP of the second communication device until the current moment (i.e., the moment when the first communication device determines the PBO). The relevant description of the PPDU for which preemptive transmission is allowed can be found in the following description of the second indication information, which is not repeated here.

It should be noted that, in the second possible design, if m is greater than the value of PCW, the initial value of PBO is 0.

In a third possible design, the value range of the initial value of PBO is: [1, PCW], that is, the first communication device can randomly select an integer from the value range as the initial value of PBO.

Exemplarily, as shown in FIG9 , taking the value of PCW as 3 as an example, the first communication device 4 can randomly generate a PBO according to the value of PCW when a low-latency service demand arrives, for example, the value of the generated PBO is 3. The first communication device 3 can also randomly generate a PBO according to the value of PCW when a low-latency service demand arrives, for example, the value of the generated PBO is 2. The first communication device 2 can also randomly generate a PBO according to the value of PCW when a low-latency service demand arrives, for example, the value of the generated PBO is 1.

Based on the above description of PCW and PBO, optionally, the first communication device may also receive a PPDU from the second communication device; wherein the PPDU may include the second indication information.

The second communication device may carry the second indication information in any PPDU sent in its own TXOP. The second indication information may be used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information may be used to indicate that preemptive transmission is not allowed.

If the second indication information indicates that preemptive transmission is allowed, the first communication device may perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device; if the second indication information indicates that preemptive transmission is not allowed, the first communication device may not perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device.

Optionally, the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, and may include: the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed; or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after the response frame of this PPDU is allowed.

If the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed after this PPDU, the preemptive transmission may occur after this PPDU. If the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed after the response frame of this PPDU, the preemptive transmission may occur after the response frame of this PPDU.

Optionally, the second indication information can be located in a field in physical layer signaling or in a field in a media access control (MAC) frame header, without restriction.

Step 802: If the preset condition is met, the first communication device updates the PBO to obtain an updated PBO.

The first communication device may update the PBO every time a preset condition is met.

Optionally, the first communication device may update the PBO to PBO-1 each time a preset condition is met, that is, each time the preset condition is met, the first communication device performs a subtraction operation on the PBO.

Exemplarily, the preset condition may be any one of the following preset conditions 1 to 3:

Preset condition 1: The first communication device successfully receives the PPDU.

Among them, according to the sender of the PPDU, the preset condition 1 can be divided into the following preset conditions 1-1 to preset conditions 1-5:

Preset condition 1-1: the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU may include second indication information, and the second indication information may be used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed.

When the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU including the second indication information sent by the second communication device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, the first communication device can update the PBO once.

Optionally, for the first communication device that has generated the PBO, if any PPDU indicating permission for preemptive transmission sent by the second communication device is received in the TXOP of the second communication device, the first communication device may update the PBO.

Optionally, if the second indication information in the PPDU of the second communication device received by the first communication device indicates that preemptive transmission is not allowed, the first communication device does not need to update the PBO.

Preset condition 1-2: the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU may include second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the preemptive transmission of the present PPDU is allowed.

Among them, when the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU including the second indication information sent by the second communication device, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed, the first communication device can update the PBO once.

Optionally, for the first communication device that has generated the PBO, if any PPDU sent by the second communication device indicating that the transmission after the present PPDU is allowed is received in the TXOP of the second communication device, the first communication device may update the PBO.

For example, as shown in FIG. 11 , the first communication device 3 and the first communication device 4 may update the PBO once when receiving a PPDU from the second communication device indicating that the transmission after the present PPDU is allowed to be preempted.

Preset condition 1-3: the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device.

The first communication device may update the PBO once when successfully receiving any PPDU from the second communication device.

Preset condition 1-4: the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the basic service set associated with the first communication device.

The first communication device may update the PBO once each time it successfully receives any PPDU of the basic service set (or intra-BSS) associated with the first communication device.

Preset condition 1-5: the first communication device successfully receives any PPDU.

The first communication device may update the PBO every time it successfully receives any PPDU.

Preset condition 2: the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first.

If the PPDU received by the first communication device from the second communication device indicates that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first, the first communication device updates the PBO once after successfully receiving the response frame of the PPDU.

Optionally, for the first communication device that has generated a PBO, if any PPDU that is preempted for transmission after a response frame indicating that the PPDU is allowed is received in the TXOP of the second communication device, the first communication device may update the PBO after successfully receiving the response frame of the PPDU.

Optionally, if the first communication device does not receive a response frame for the PPDU (i.e., a PPDU that is transmitted prior to the response frame indicating that the PPDU is allowed), the first communication device may update the PBO once, or the first communication device may not update the PBO.

For example, as shown in Figure 11, the first communication device 2, the first communication device 3, and the first communication device 4 can update the PBO once when the response frame of the PPDU is successfully received after receiving the response frame of the second communication device indicating that the PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first.

Preset condition 3: The first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval.

The first communication device may periodically update the PBO according to the acquired PBO update interval.

Exemplarily, as shown in FIG. 12 , taking the PBO update interval as T as an example, the first communication device may update the PBO once every time T.

Optionally, the second communication device may indicate the PBO update interval to the first communication device through a PPDU (eg, the first PPDU) sent in its own TXOP, that is, the PPDU sent by the second communication device in its own TXOP may include a PBO update interval field.

Alternatively, the access point device may also indicate the PBO update interval to the first communication apparatus through a management frame, that is, the management frame sent by the access point device may include a PBO update interval field.

Alternatively, the second communication device may also indicate the PBO update interval to the first communication device through a control frame, that is, the control frame sent by the second communication device may include a PBO update interval field.

For example, taking the PBO update interval field occupying 2 bits as an example, the 2 bits can be set to 00 to indicate that the PBO update interval is 250ms; the 2 bits can be set to 01 to indicate that the PBO update interval is 500ms; the 2 bits can be set to 10 to indicate that the PBO update interval is 1000ms; the 2 bits can be set to 11 to indicate that the PBO update interval is 2000ms.

It should be noted that the length of the PBO update interval field and the PBO update interval corresponding to the value can be designed in various ways without limitation.

Based on the above-mentioned preset condition 3, a preemptive backoff method based on a fixed time window (ie, PBO update interval) is provided. PBO is updated at a fixed time interval. The internal implementation is relatively simple, which can reduce the complexity of the preemptive backoff process.

Based on the above description of the preset conditions and the updating process of the PBO, optionally, if the first communication device does not successfully update the PBO to a value less than or equal to the preset threshold value in the current TXOP, the first communication device may retain the PBO and continue to update it according to the preset conditions in the next TXOP. Alternatively, the first communication device may also invalidate the PBO in the current TXOP, and generate a new PBO according to the value of the PCW in the next TXOP, and then update the generated PBO according to the preset conditions.

Step 803: If the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends a Send PPDU.

Optionally, the preset threshold may be 0.

In a first possible design, when the initial value of PBO is in the range of [0, PCW], the first communication device can send PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated PBO is less than a preset threshold to achieve preemptive transmission.

When the updated PBO is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device may continue to update the PBO when a preset condition is met.

For example, when the value of PBO is updated to -1, the first communication device may send a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to achieve preemptive transmission.

In a second possible design, when the initial value of PBO is in the range of [0, PCW-m], the first communication device can send PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated PBO is less than a preset threshold to achieve preemptive transmission.

When the updated PBO is greater than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device may continue to update the PBO when a preset condition is met.

For example, when the value of PBO is updated to -1, the first communication device may send a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to achieve preemptive transmission.

In a third possible design, when the initial value of PBO is in the range of [1, PCW], the first communication device can send PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated PBO is equal to a preset threshold to achieve preemptive transmission.

When the updated PBO is greater than a preset threshold, the first communication device may continue to update the PBO when a preset condition is met.

For example, when the value of PBO is updated to 0, the first communication device may send a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to achieve preemptive transmission.

Based on the description of preset conditions 1 to 3 in the above step 802, for different preset conditions, the first communication device may send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device in different ways:

Method 1: When the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, if the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU corresponding to the preset condition, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the PPDU.

Among them, when the first communication device updates the PBO according to any preset condition from preset condition 1-1 to preset condition 1-5 in the above step 802, if the first communication device triggers the PBO to be updated to a PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold after successfully receiving a PPDU, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the PPDU to achieve preemptive transmission.

The first communication device may perform channel detection within the first preset time period. If the channel remains idle within the first preset time period, the first communication device may perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period.

Optionally, the first preset duration may be SIFS.

For example, as shown in FIG9 , taking “when the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device” as an example, the first communication device 2 can update the value of PBO to 0 when receiving the second PPDU sent by the second communication device, and send the PPDU (such as low-latency data) in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the second PPDU. The first communication device 3 can update the value of PBO to 0 when receiving the third PPDU sent by the second communication device, and send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the third PPDU. The first communication device 4 can update the value of PBO to 0 when receiving the fourth PPDU sent by the second communication device, and send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the fourth PPDU.

For another example, as shown in Figure 11, taking "when the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device" as an example, the first communication device 3 can update the value of PBO to 0 when receiving the third PPDU sent by the second communication device, and send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the third PPDU.

Method 2: When the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU and the response frame of the PPDU of the second communication device, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold after the first communication device successfully receives the response frame, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period after successfully receiving the response frame; wherein the PPDU of the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of this PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission.

Among them, when the first communication device updates the PBO according to the preset condition 2 in the above step 802, if the first communication device triggers the PBO to be updated to a PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold after successfully receiving the response frame of a certain PPDU (the PPDU is a PPDU that allows preemptive transmission after the response frame of this PPDU), then the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the response frame to achieve preemptive transmission.

For example, as shown in Figure 11, taking "when the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device" as an example, the first communication device 2 can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the response frame when receiving the response frame of the second PPDU sent by the second communication device.

Optionally, for a PPDU sent by the second communication device indicating that an indication is allowed to preempt transmission after a response frame of the PPDU, if the first communication device does not receive a response frame of the PPDU within a second preset time period after receiving the PPDU, and the channel continues to be idle during the second preset time period, the first communication device may update the PBO after the second preset time period. If the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device may send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device to achieve preemptive transmission.

The second preset duration is greater than the first preset duration, and the start time of the first preset duration is the same as the start time of the second preset duration.

Optionally, the second preset duration may also be described as xIFS.

For example, as shown in Figure 11, taking "when the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device" as an example, the fourth PPDU sent by the second communication device indicates that the response frame of this PPDU is allowed to preempt transmission. When the first communication device receives the fourth PPDU, it can perform channel detection within the xIFS after the fourth PPDU. If the response frame of the fourth PPDU is not received within the xIFS, and it is determined that the channel is continuously idle within the xIFS, the first communication device can update the PBO. Since the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold 0, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the second preset time length to achieve preemptive transmission.

Method three: when the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval, if the PBO updated by the first communication device according to the preset condition is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period after successfully receiving the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the second communication device, the reception start time of the first PPDU is equal to or later than the first update time, and the first update time is the update time of the PBO that is less than or equal to the preset threshold.

Among them, when the first communication device updates the PBO according to the preset condition 3 in the above step 802, if the first communication device updates the PBO to a PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold at the first update time according to the PBO update interval, the first communication device needs to send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the PPDU received at the first update time or after the first update time.

That is, if the first communication device receives the first PPDU of the second communication device at the first update time, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the first PPDU, thereby realizing preemptive transmission. Alternatively, if the first communication device receives the first PPDU of the second communication device after the first update time, the first communication device can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the first PPDU, thereby realizing preemptive transmission.

Optionally, the first PPDU may include second indication information; the second indication information may be used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed.

For example, as shown in FIG. 12, taking "when the updated PBO is equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device" as an example, for the first communication device 2, the first update moment can be the moment when the value of PBO is updated from 1 to 0, and the first communication device 2 receives the second PPDU (i.e., the first PPDU) sent by the second communication device after the first update moment, then the first communication device 2 can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the second PPDU. For the first communication device 3, the first update moment can be the moment when the value of PBO is updated from 1 to 0, and the first communication device 3 receives the third PPDU (i.e., the first PPDU) sent by the second communication device after the first update moment, then the first communication device 2 can send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after SIFS after the third PPDU.

Method 4: When the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval, if the PBO updated by the first communication device according to the preset condition is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period after successfully receiving the response frame of the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the second communication device, the reception start time of the first PPDU is equal to or later than the first update time, and the first update time is the update time of the PBO that is less than or equal to the preset threshold.

Among them, when the first communication device updates the PBO according to the preset condition 3 in the above step 802, if the first communication device updates the PBO to a PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold at the first update time according to the PBO update interval, the first communication device needs to send the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after the response frame of the PPDU received at the first update time or after the first update time.

That is, if the first communication device receives the first PPDU of the second communication device at the first update time, the first communication device can The first communication device may transmit the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period after the response frame of the first PPDU, thereby realizing preemptive transmission. Alternatively, if the first communication device receives the first PPDU of the second communication device after the first update time, the first communication device may transmit the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time period after the response frame of the first PPDU, thereby realizing preemptive transmission.

Optionally, the first PPDU may include second indication information; the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first.

Based on the above description, when the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, optionally, the first communication device may send the PPDU through one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device.

When the bandwidth occupied by the TXOP of the second communication device is greater than 20 MHz (20 MHz is one channel), the TXOP of the second communication device may correspond to multiple channels.

In one possible design, the first communication device may send the PPDU through any one of the one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device.

The first communication device may randomly select a channel from one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device to send the PPDU.

For example, as shown in FIG13 , taking the bandwidth occupied by the TXOP of the second communication device as 80 MHz, the TXOP of the second communication device may correspond to four 20 MHz channels, and the first communication device 2 , the first communication device 3 , and the first communication device 4 may randomly select a 20 MHz channel for preemptive transmission.

Optionally, if the first communication devices do not select the same channel, the transmission is successful. If at least two first communication devices select the same channel, the at least two first communication devices may regenerate the PBO to regain the preemptive transmission opportunity.

In yet another possible design, the first communication device sends the PPDU through at least two channels among the multiple channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; the at least two channels include a primary channel corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device.

Among them, the first communication device can randomly select one or more channels (or non-primary channels) from one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device on the basis of selecting the primary channel, and send the PPDU in a redundant manner.

For example, as shown in FIG13 , taking the bandwidth occupied by the TXOP of the second communication device as 80MHz as an example, the TXOP of the second communication device can correspond to four 20MHz channels, and the first communication device 2, the first communication device 3, and the first communication device 4 all randomly select an additional channel for preemptive transmission on the basis of selecting the main channel. For the first communication device 3 and the first communication device 4, although a conflict occurs on the main channel, if the first communication device 3 and the first communication device 4 happen to have a non-main channel that does not conflict, then both transmissions are successful. If a conflict also occurs on the non-main channel, the PBO can be regenerated to regain the opportunity for preemptive transmission.

Based on the second possible design, each first communication device selects the main channel for preemptive transmission, which can prevent the main channel from being occupied by other communication devices (such as avoiding being occupied by communication devices in other cells, that is, avoiding the communication devices in other cells from becoming TXOP holders), thereby ensuring the TXOP holder identity of the second communication device.

It should be noted that in the above two possible designs, the length of the PPDU sent by each first communication device for preemptive transmission must be consistent, and the embodiment of the present application does not limit the specific indication method of the length.

Based on the method shown in FIG8 above, the first communication device performs preemptive transmission based on the preemptive backoff mechanism. The first communication device can determine the preemptive backoff value according to the preemptive contention window, and perform preemptive transmission in the TXOP of the second communication device when the updated preemptive backoff value is less than or equal to the preset threshold. The access point device does not need to trigger the first communication device to perform preemptive transmission by sending a TF-R with a relatively blind timing, and the first communication device does not need to wait for the TF-R of the access point device when there is a low-latency service, thereby ensuring the service quality of the low-latency service of the first communication device and avoiding channel resource waste. At the same time, the use of the preemptive backoff mechanism can also reduce the conflicts that may be caused by preemptive transmission.

Based on the above description of the first communication device preemptively transmitting in the TXOP of the second communication device, the second communication device may continue to send PPDU in its own TXOP after the first communication device completes the preemptive transmission.

After the second communication device sends the PPDU in its own TXOP, it can perform channel detection within a second preset time after the PPDU. If the second communication device determines that the channel is idle within the second preset time, the second communication device can send the PPDU after the second preset time. If the second communication device determines that the channel is busy within the second preset time, the second communication device stops sending the PPDU.

In a first possible design, if the PPDU sent by the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information indicates that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed, the second communication device can perform channel detection within a second preset time length after the PPDU. If the channel is idle within the second preset time length, the second communication device can continue to send If the channel is busy within the second preset time period, the second communication device stops sending the PPDU.

In a second possible design, if the PPDU sent by the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information indicates that the response frame of the PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission, the second communication device can perform channel detection within a second preset time period after the response frame of the PPDU, and if the channel is idle within the second preset time period, the second communication device can continue to send the PPDU. If the channel is busy within the second preset time period, the second communication device stops sending the PPDU.

Based on the above two possible designs, optionally, the second preset duration is greater than the first preset duration.

The starting time of the first preset time length is the same as the starting time of the second preset time length, and the ending time of the first preset time length is the starting time of the preemptive transmission.

Optionally, the second preset duration may also be described as xIFS.

Optionally, when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device (i.e., preset condition 1-1, preset condition 1-2, preset condition 1-3), the second communication device needs to wait for a second preset time length after sending each PPDU before deciding whether to continue sending the next PPDU.

Optionally, when the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the basic service set associated with the first communication device (i.e., preset conditions 1-4), or the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives any PPDU (i.e., preset conditions 1-5), all communication devices in the basic service set associated with the first communication device need to wait for a second preset time after sending the PPDU before deciding whether to continue sending the next PPDU.

It should be noted that the various methods provided in the embodiments of the present application can be implemented separately or in combination without limitation.

It is understandable that in the embodiments of the present application, the execution subject may execute some or all of the steps in the embodiments of the present application, and these steps or operations are only examples, and the embodiments of the present application may also execute other operations or variations of various operations. In addition, the various steps may be executed in different orders presented in the embodiments of the present application, and it is possible that not all operations in the embodiments of the present application need to be executed.

The above mainly introduces the solution provided by the embodiment of the present application from the perspective of interaction between devices. It is understandable that, in order to realize the above functions, each device includes a hardware structure and/or software module corresponding to each function. It should be easily appreciated by those skilled in the art that, in combination with the algorithm steps of each example described in the embodiments disclosed herein, the present application can be implemented in the form of hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is executed in the form of hardware or computer software driving hardware 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 to be beyond the scope of the present application.

The embodiment of the present application can divide the functional modules of each device according to the above method example. For example, each functional module can be divided according to each function, or two or more functions can be integrated into one processing module. The above integrated module can be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional modules. It should be noted that the division of modules in the embodiment of the present application is schematic and is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation.

In the case of dividing each functional module according to each function, Figure 14 shows a communication device 140, which can execute the actions executed by the first communication device in Figures 8 to 13, or execute the actions executed by the second communication device in Figures 8 to 13.

Wherein, the communication device 140 may include a transceiver module 1401 and a processing module 1402. Exemplarily, the communication device 140 may be a communication device, or a chip applied to a communication device, or other combined devices, components, etc. having the functions of the above-mentioned communication device. When the communication device 140 is a communication device, the transceiver module 1401 may be a transceiver, and the transceiver may include an antenna and a radio frequency circuit, etc.; the processing module 1402 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor, and the baseband processor may include one or more CPUs. When the communication device 140 is a component having the functions of the above-mentioned communication device, the transceiver module 1401 may be a radio frequency unit; the processing module 1402 may be a processor (or a processing circuit), such as a baseband processor. When the communication device 140 is a chip system, the transceiver module 1401 may be an input and output interface of a chip (such as a baseband chip); the processing module 1402 may be a processor (or a processing circuit) of the chip system, and may include one or more central processing units. It should be understood that the transceiver module 1401 in the embodiment of the present application can be implemented by a transceiver or a transceiver-related circuit component; the processing module 1402 can be implemented by a processor or a processor-related circuit component (or, referred to as a processing circuit).

For example, the transceiver module 1401 can be used to perform all transceiver operations performed by the communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 13, and/or to support other processes of the technology described in this document; the processing module 1402 can be used to perform all operations except the transceiver operations performed by the communication device in the embodiments shown in Figures 8 to 13, and/or to support other processes of the technology described in this document.

As another possible implementation, the transceiver module 1401 in FIG. 14 may be replaced by a transceiver, which may integrate a transceiver module. The processing module 1402 may be replaced by a processor, and the processor may integrate the functions of the processing module 1402. Furthermore, the communication device 140 shown in FIG14 may also include a memory.

Alternatively, when the processing module 1402 is replaced by a processor and the transceiver module 1401 is replaced by a transceiver, the communication device 140 involved in the embodiment of the present application may also be the communication device 150 shown in FIG15 , wherein the processor may be a logic circuit 1501 and the transceiver may be an interface circuit 1502. Further, the communication device 150 shown in FIG15 may also include a memory 1503.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program product, which can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

The embodiments of the present application also provide a computer program, which can implement the functions of any of the above method embodiments when executed by a computer.

The embodiment of the present application also provides a computer-readable storage medium. All or part of the processes in the above method embodiments can be completed by a computer program to instruct the relevant hardware, and the program can be stored in the above computer-readable storage medium. When the program is executed, it can include the processes of the above method embodiments. The computer-readable storage medium can be an internal storage unit of the terminal (including the data sending end and/or the data receiving end) of any of the above embodiments, such as the hard disk or memory of the terminal. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be an external storage device of the above terminal, such as a plug-in hard disk equipped on the above terminal, a smart memory card (smart media card, SMC), a secure digital (secure digital, SD) card, a flash card (flash card), etc. Further, the above computer-readable storage medium can also include both the internal storage unit of the above terminal and an external storage device. The above computer-readable storage medium is used to store the above computer program and other programs and data required by the above terminal. The above computer-readable storage medium can also be used to temporarily store data that has been output or is to be output.

It should be noted that the terms "first" and "second" in the specification, claims and drawings of this application are used to distinguish different objects rather than to describe a specific order. "First" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and cannot be understood as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly indicating the number of technical features indicated. Therefore, the features defined as "first" and "second" may explicitly or implicitly include one or more of the features. In the description of this embodiment, unless otherwise specified, "multiple" means two or more.

In addition, the terms "include" and "have" and any variations thereof are intended to cover non-exclusive inclusions. For example, a process, method, system, product or device comprising a series of steps or units is not limited to the listed steps or units, but may optionally include steps or units not listed, or may optionally include other steps or units inherent to these processes, methods, products or devices.

It should be understood that in this application, "at least one (item)" refers to one or more. "Multiple" refers to two or more. "At least two (items)" refers to two or three and more than three. "And/or" is used to describe the association relationship of associated objects, indicating that three relationships can exist. For example, "A and/or B" can mean: only A exists, only B exists, and A and B exist at the same time, where A and B can be singular or plural. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects before and after are in an "or" relationship. "At least one of the following" or its similar expression refers to any combination of these items, including any combination of single or plural items. For example, at least one of a, b or c, or at least one of a, b and c, can mean: a, b, c, "a and b", "a and c", "b and c" or "a and b and c", where a, b, c can be single or multiple. "When" and "if" both mean that corresponding measures will be taken under certain objective circumstances. It does not limit the time, nor does it require any judgment when it is implemented, nor does it mean that there are other limitations.

In the embodiments of the present application, words such as "exemplary" or "for example" are used to indicate examples, illustrations or descriptions. Any embodiment or design described as "exemplary" or "for example" in the embodiments of the present application should not be interpreted as being more preferred or more advantageous than other embodiments or designs. Specifically, the use of words such as "exemplary" or "for example" is intended to present related concepts in a concrete way for easy understanding.

Through the description of the above implementation methods, technical personnel in the relevant field can clearly understand that for the convenience and simplicity of description, only the division of the above-mentioned functional modules is used as an example. In actual applications, the above-mentioned functions can be assigned to different functional modules as needed, that is, the internal structure of the device can be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the functions described above.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed devices and methods can be implemented in other ways. For example, the device embodiments described above are only schematic. For example, the division of the modules or units is only a logical function division. There may be other division methods in actual implementation, such as multiple units or components can be combined or integrated into another device, 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 separated, and the components shown as units may be one physical unit or multiple physical units, that is, they may be located in one place or distributed in multiple different places. Some or all of the units may be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the present embodiment.

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. The above-mentioned integrated unit may be implemented in the form of hardware or in the form of software functional units.

If the integrated unit is implemented in the form of a software functional unit and sold or used as an independent product, it can be stored in a readable storage medium. Based on this understanding, the technical solution of the embodiment of the present application can essentially or all or part of the technical solution can be embodied in the form of a software product, which is stored in a storage medium, including a number of instructions to enable a device (which can be a single-chip microcomputer, chip, etc.) or a processor (processor) to perform all or part of the steps of the method described in each embodiment of the present application. The aforementioned storage medium includes: various media that can store program codes, such as USB flash drives, mobile hard drives, ROM, RAM, magnetic disks or optical disks.

Claims (25)

A communication method, characterized by comprising: The first communication device determines a preemptive backoff value PBO; wherein the initial value of the PBO is determined according to the value of the preemptive contention window PCW; If the preset condition is met, the first communication device updates the PBO to obtain an updated PBO; If the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a physical layer protocol data unit PPDU in a transmission opportunity TXOP of the second communication device. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that before the first communication device determines the PBO, the method further comprises: The first communication device receives first indication information from the second communication device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a value of the PCW; or The first communication device receives a management frame from an access point device; wherein the management frame is used to indicate a value of the PCW; or The first communication device determines a value of the PCW according to a service expiration date of the data packet; or The first communication device sends a first request to the second communication device, and the first communication device receives a first response from the second communication device; wherein the first request is used to request negotiation of a value of the PCW, and the first response is used to indicate a negotiated value of the PCW; or The first communication device receives a second request from the second communication device, and the first communication device sends a second response to the second communication device; wherein the second request is used to request negotiation of a value of PCW, and the second response is used to indicate a negotiated value of PCW. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The first indication information is located in one or more of the following signalings: a preamble code of a PPDU and a media access control frame. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that The management frame includes first indication information; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a value of the PCW; or The management frame includes a maximum value and a minimum value of the PCW; wherein the maximum value and the minimum value of the PCW are used to determine a value of the PCW. The method according to claim 4, characterized in that when the management frame includes the minimum value and the maximum value of the PCW, the method further comprises: The first communication device determines the value of the PCW according to the management frame; wherein the initial value of the PCW is the minimum value of the PCW; If the first communication device fails to preempt transmission according to the value of the PCW, the first communication device increases the value of the PCW; wherein the value of the increased PCW is less than or equal to the maximum value of the PCW; If the first communication device successfully preempts the transmission according to the value of the PCW, the first communication device adjusts the value of the PCW to the minimum value of the PCW. The method according to claim 2, characterized in that If the first communication device determines that the time when the PBO is closer to the service deadline of the data packet, the value of the PCW is smaller; if the first communication device determines that the time when the PBO is farther from the service deadline of the data packet, the value of the PCW is larger. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that The initial value of the PBO is less than or equal to the value of the PCW. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that the first communication device determines the PBO, comprising: When the first communication device has a low-latency service and plans to preemptively transmit within the TXOP of the second communication device, determining the PBO; or The first communication device determines the PBO when determining the value of the PCW in the TXOP of the second communication device. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the method further comprises: The first communication device receives a PPDU from the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is not allowed. The method according to claim 9, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, and includes: The second indication information is used to indicate that the PPDU is allowed to be preemptively transmitted; or The second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU; or The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission; or The preset condition is that the first communication device determines the arrival of the PBO update time according to the PBO update interval. The method according to claim 11, wherein the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, comprising: The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; or The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; wherein the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that the PPDU is allowed to be preempted for transmission; or The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device; or The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the basic service set associated with the first communication device; or The preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives any PPDU. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 12, characterized in that if the updated PBO is less than or equal to a preset threshold, the first communication device sends a PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, comprising: When the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU, if after the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU corresponding to the preset condition, the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after a first preset time after successfully receiving the PPDU; or When the preset condition is that the first communication device successfully receives the PPDU of the second communication device and the response frame of the PPDU, if the updated PBO is less than or equal to the preset threshold after the first communication device successfully receives the response frame, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after a first preset time period after successfully receiving the response frame; wherein the PPDU of the second communication device includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed; or When the preset condition is that the first communication device determines that the update time of the PBO has arrived according to the PBO update interval, if the PBO updated by the first communication device according to the preset condition is less than or equal to the preset threshold, the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the first PPDU, or the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device after the first preset time after successfully receiving the response frame of the first PPDU; wherein the first PPDU is the PPDU sent by the second communication device, the reception start time of the first PPDU is equal to or later than the first update time, and the first update time is the update time of the PBO less than or equal to the preset threshold. The method according to claim 13, characterized in that The first PPDU includes second indication information; wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after this PPDU is allowed, or the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission after a response frame of this PPDU is allowed. The method according to any one of claims 1 to 14, characterized in that the first communication device sends the PPDU in the TXOP of the second communication device, comprising: The first communication device sends the PPDU through any one of the one or more channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; or The first communication device sends the PPDU through at least two channels among the multiple channels corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device; wherein the at least two channels include a primary channel corresponding to the TXOP of the second communication device. A communication method, comprising: The second communication device sends a PPDU; wherein the second communication device is a transmission opportunity TXOP holder, and the PPDU includes second indication information, and the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed; The second communication device performs channel detection within a second preset time period after the PPDU; If the second communication device determines that the channel is idle within the second preset time period, the second communication device sends the PPDU after the second preset time period. The method according to claim 16, wherein the second indication information is used to indicate that preemptive transmission is allowed, and includes: The second indication information is used to indicate that the PPDU is allowed to be preemptively transmitted; or The second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to be transmitted first. The method according to claim 17, characterized in that if the second indication information is used to indicate that the response frame of the present PPDU is allowed to preempt transmission, the second communication device performs channel detection within a second preset time length after the PPDU, comprising: The second communication device performs channel detection within a second preset time period after the response frame of the PPDU. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 18, characterized in that The second preset duration is greater than the first preset duration; wherein the starting time of the first preset duration is the same as the starting time of the second preset duration, and the ending time of the first preset duration is the starting time of the preemptive transmission. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 19, characterized in that The second communication device sends first indication information to the first communication device; wherein the first indication information is used to indicate a value of a preemptive contention window PCW. The method according to claim 20, characterized in that The first indication information is located in one or more of the following signalings: a preamble code of a PPDU and a media access control frame. The method according to any one of claims 16 to 21, characterized in that the method further comprises: If the second communication device determines that the channel is busy within the second preset time period, the second communication device stops sending the PPDU. A communication device, characterized in that the communication device includes a processor; the processor is used to run a computer program or instruction so that the communication device executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 1-15, or executes the communication method as described in any one of claims 16-22. A computer-readable storage medium, characterized in that the computer-readable storage medium stores computer instructions or programs, and when the computer instructions or programs are run on a computer, the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 is executed, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 16 to 22 is executed. A computer program product, characterized in that the computer program product includes computer instructions; when part or all of the computer instructions are run on a computer, the communication method as described in any one of claims 1 to 15 is executed, or the communication method as described in any one of claims 16 to 22 is executed.