Patent Description:
In order to improve the access rate and throughput of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) technologies such as Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), IEEE802. <NUM> established the SG (study group) IEEE802.11be to study the next-generation mainstream Wi-Fi technology.

In the next-generation mainstream Wi-Fi technology, in order to improve the throughput of the overall system and improve the success rate of data transmission/reception, data frames can be transmitted under multiple links. Under multiple links, the transmission of the data frame may be switched from one link to another.

However, in the related art, no corresponding implementation is given for how to count the number of times of data frame retransmission in the case of switching links for data frame transmission.

<NPL> discloses that Option <NUM>: dynamic band switch (band switch without negotiation) -The frames for single TID can be transmitted in any band. *The BA can transmitted in any band. -Power save (mode change, state change), security (key negotiation, PN), Sequence Number, BAnegotiation etc. in one band apply to all bands.

<CIT> discloses methods, systems, and devices for wireless communication. Wireless devices may support parallel communications over multiple wireless links, which may benefit a wireless system in terms of throughput and latency (among other benefits). However, such systems may experience increased system complexity, which may in some cases mitigate some of the benefits provided by the parallel communication links. The described techniques provide for aggregation architectures that address various such complexities. For example, devices communicating in accordance with the described techniques may format data to be transmitted into a set of data units that are allocated to a communication link based on various factors described herein. Correspondingly, a device that receives the data packets may reorder the packets in accordance with the described techniques.

In order to overcome the problems existing in the related art, the present disclosure provides a method and an apparatus for data frame transmission and a storage medium.

When the transmission of the data frame is switched from the first link to the second link, the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link, so as to realize counting of data frame retransmission when switching of data frame transmission occurs.

It is to be understood that the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the present disclosure.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments consistent with the present disclosure, and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the present disclosure and do not unduly limit the present disclosure.

Exemplary embodiments will be described in detail herein, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Where the following description refers to the drawings, the same numerals in different drawings refer to the same or similar elements unless otherwise indicated. The implementations described in the exemplary embodiments below are not intended to represent all implementations consistent with this disclosure. Rather, they are merely examples of apparatus and methods consistent with some aspects of the present disclosure as recited in the appended claims.

The method for data frame transmission provided by embodiments of the present disclosure is applied to a wireless local area network communication system including a data sending device and a data receiving device. The data sending device and the data receiving device may be a station (STA) or an access point (AP). The forward transmission and backhaul of data are performed between the data sending device and the data receiving device through the wireless local area network.

The STA involved in the present disclosure may be understood as a user terminal in the wireless local area network, and the user terminal may be referred to as user equipment (UE), mobile station (MS), mobile terminal (MT), etc., which is a device that provides voice and/or data connectivity to a user. For example, the terminal may be a handheld device with a wireless connection function, a vehicle-mounted device, and the like. At present, some examples of terminals are: Smart Phone (Mobile Phone), Pocket Personal Computer (PPC), Handheld Computer, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), Notebook Computer, Tablet Computer, Wearable Device, Internet of Things (IoT) client or in-vehicle device, etc..

The AP involved in the present disclosure refers to a device, a router, and the like that the user terminal in the wireless local area network accesses the network.

In the related art, the IEEE802. <NUM> standard is used for data frame transmission between the STA and the AP. At present, IEEE802. <NUM> has established the SG (study group) IEEE802.11be to study the next-generation mainstream Wi-Fi technology. The research scope is: <NUM> bandwidth transmission, aggregation and coordination of multiple frequency bands, etc. The proposed vision is: compared with the existing IEEE802.11ax, the speed and throughput are increased by at least four times. Its main application scenarios are video transmission, AR, VR, etc..

The aggregation and coordination of multiple frequency bands refers to simultaneous communication in multiple frequency bands or multiple bandwidths in the same frequency band, for example, simultaneous communication in three frequency bands of <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>. Simultaneous communication in multiple frequency bands or multiple bandwidths in the same frequency can be understood as multi-link communication, or called multi-link aggregation (MLA).

Data frames are transmitted under multiple links. Data frames with the same Quality of Service (QoS) requirement are assigned the same Traffic Identify (TID), or data frames having the same content and assigned the same Sequence Number (SN) are also assigned the same TID. When the data frame is retransmitted, the data frame retransmission counting is performed. For example, a STA short retry count (SSRC) and a STA long retry count (SLRC) are performed.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, when a data frame is transmitted under multiple links, a timer for data frame transmission is set, and for different links, data frame retransmission counts (counts of SSRC and/or SLRC) are independent of each other. For a newly transmitted data frame, an initial value of the data frame retransmission count (the count of SSRC and/or SLRC) under each link is set to <NUM>. When retransmission occurs, the retransmission count value increases one by one, and the contention window (CW) also increases accordingly. The retransmission count value increases until the CW window reaches the maximum value and does not increase and remains unchanged. It can be understood that if the CW window is at the maximum value, but the timer used for data frame transmission does not reach the maximum value, the data frame retransmission count (the count of SSRC and/or SLRC) does not increase and remains unchanged.

During the transmission of the data frame, if the transmission of the data frame is switched from one link to another link, how to count the retransmission of the data frame needs to be further studied.

Embodiment of the present disclosure provides a method for data frame transmission. When transmission of the data frame is switched from a first link to a second link, the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link, so as to realize counting of data frame retransmission when switching of data frame transmission occurs.

<FIG> is a flowchart of a method for data frame transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. As shown in <FIG>, the method for data frame transmission is applied in a station or an AP, and includes the following steps.

In step S11, it is determined that transmission of a data frame is switched from a first link to a second link.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, the data frame is transmitted under multiple links, and can be switched between links. For convenience of description, the link where the data frame is before switching is called the first link, and the link where the data frame is after switching is called the second link.

In step S12, in response to the transmission of the data frame being switched from the first link to the second link, retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link.

In this embodiment of the present disclosure, the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link may be performed in the following manner <NUM> or manner <NUM>.

Manner <NUM>: On the second link, a retransmission count value of the data frame is set to zero, and then the retransmission counting is performed, and TID and/or SN are reassigned to the data frame.

In an implementation, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link is set to zero, and the TID and/or SN are reassigned to the data frame, so that the retransmission counting of the data frame is accordingly performed on the second link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, on the second link, the retransmission counting is performed after the retransmission count value of the data frame is set to zero, which can be understood as the retransmission counting performed on the data frame as a newly transmitted data frame on the second link. For example, the SSRC and/or SLRC are initialized, and the count value of the SSRC and/or SLRC is set to zero, so as to perform the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when retransmission of the data frame is recounted on the second link, the retransmission count value of the data frame is set to zero and then the retransmission counting is performed, and the TID and/or SN are reassigned to the data frame.

Further, in an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the retransmission of the data frame is recounted on the second link, the retransmission counting of the data frame on the first link may be terminated.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, assigning TID and/or SN to the data frame refers to:.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, TID and/or SN may be reassigned to the data frame. That is: when the reassignment reassigns TID and/or SN for the data frame, the TID and SN are reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link; or, when the reassignment reassigns TID and/or SN for the data frame, TID is reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link, and the manner of determining the SN of the second link is not limited; or, when the reassignment reassigns the TID and/or SN for the data frame, the SN is reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link, and the manner for determining the TID of the second link is not limited.

Of course, the above-mentioned embodiments are all examples to illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure, and do not limit the protection scope of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the timer used for data frame transmission fails, or when the timer used for data frame transmission fails and the CW window is at the maximum value, re-counting of data frame retransmission is performed on the second link. It can be understood that, when the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link in the first manner, it can be performed in response to determining that the timer used for data frame transmission is invalid or determining that the timer used for data frame transmission is invalid and the CW window is at the maximum value.

In step S21, it is determined that a timer used for data frame transmission is invalid, or it is determined that a timer used for data frame transmission is invalid and a CW window has a maximum value.

In step S22, retransmission counting of a data frame on a first link is terminated, and a timer for transmitting the data frame is activated.

In step S23, a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link is set to zero, and a TID and/or a SN are reassigned to the data frame, so that the retransmission counting of the data frame is correspondingly performed on the second link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the transmission of the data frame is switched from the first link to the second link, the retransmission counting of the data frame is re-counted on the second link, so as to realize counting of the data frame retransmission when switching of the data frame transmission occurs. In addition, in the case that the timer of the first link fails, the retransmission of the data frame is counted.

Manner <NUM>: On the second link, the retransmission counting is performed by taking the retransmission count value of the data frame on the first link as the initial value, perform, and the TID and/or SN assigned in the first link continues to be used.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, in an implementation, when the retransmission count value of the data frame on the first link continues to be used for the retransmission counting on the second link, the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link may be used as the initial value of the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link, so that the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link. Further, in the second manner in embodiments of the present disclosure, the TID and/or SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link is continued to be used as the corresponding TID and/or SN of the second link.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the timer used for data frame transmission is valid, or when the CW window for the retransmission counting of the data frame on the first link has the maximum value, the second may be adopted to continue to use the retransmission count value on the first link for the retransmission counting of the data frame. For example, if the transmission of the data frame is switched, when it is determined that the timer used for the transmission of the data frame is valid, or when it is determined that the CW window for retransmission counting of the data frame on the first link has the maximum value, on the second link, the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link is used as the initial value of the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link, so that the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link, and the assigned TID and/or SN in the first link continues to be used.

In embodiments of the present disclosure, TID and/or SN may be reassigned to the data frame. That is: When the TID and SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the TID and SN of the first link continue to be used as the TID and SN of the second link. Or, when the TID of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the TID of the first link is used as the initial value of the TID of the second link, and the method of determining the SN of the second link is not limited. Or, when the SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the SN of the first link is used as the initial value of the SN of the second link, and the method of determining the TID of the second link is not limited.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, the TID assigned in the first link is used as the identifier of the retransmitted data frame. For further identification, the SN number (single data frame and continuous data frames) can also be carried. If it is continuous data frames, the identifier assigned to the continuous data frames can be carried, for example, the identifier assigned to the continuous data frames can be carried at the position in the SN.

In step S31, it is determined that a timer used for data frame transmission is valid, or a CW window for retransmission counting of a data frame on a first link has a maximum value.

In step S32, the retransmission count of the data frame is performed on the second link by using a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link as an initial value of a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to a second link, and TID and/or SN already assigned in the first link continues to be used.

In an embodiment of the present disclosure, when the transmission of the data frame is switched from the first link to the second link, the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link is continued to be used on the second link to count the retransmission of the data frame, which can realize counting of data frame retransmission when switching occurs for data frame transmission.

It can be understood that, in the above-mentioned embodiments of the present disclosure, when the transmission of the data frame under the multi-link is switched from the first link to the second link, and the retransmission counting of the data frame is performed on the second link, if the CW window reaches the maximum value, but the timer for transmitting the data frame continues to be valid and does not reach the maximum value, the CW window can be initialized on the second link, and when the data frame is retransmitted, the retransmission count value is increased one by one until the CW window reaches the maximum value.

It can be further understood that the retransmission counting process involved in the embodiments of the present disclosure may be a retransmission counting process for SSRC and/or SLRC, and the retransmission count value may be a SSRC count value or a SLRC count value. It can be understood that, under multiple links, if the data frame is retransmitted, the SSRC count value and/or the SLRC count value increase one by one.

It can be further understood that, in embodiments of the present disclosure, if the timer used for transmitting the data frame fails, when the transmission of the data frame is switched, manner <NUM> is adopted to initialize the SSRC count value and/or the SLRC count value, and initialize the CW window, and reactivate the timer used to transmit the data frame, so as to count data frame retransmissions on the second link. If the timer used to transmit the data frame is valid, manner <NUM> is adopted to initialize the CW window, and use the SRC count value and/or SLRC count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link as the initial value of the retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link, and continue to use the timer used to transmit the data frame, so as to count the retransmission of the data frame on the second link.

It can be further understood that, in embodiments of the present disclosure, assigning TID and/or SN to the data frame refers to:.

In all embodiments of the present disclosure, the TID and/or SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link may continue to be used as the corresponding TID and/or SN of the second link. That is, when the TID and SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the TID and SN of the first link continue to be used as the TID and SN of the second link. Or, when the TID of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the TID of the first link is used as the initial value of the TID of the second link, and the method of determining the SN of the second link is not limited. Or, when the SN of the data frame corresponding to the first link continues to be used, the SN of the first link is used as the initial value of the SN of the second link, and the method of determining the TID of the second link is not limited.

In all embodiments of the present disclosure, TID and/or SN may be reassigned to the data frame. That is: when the reassignment reassigns TID and/or SN for the data frame, the TID and SN are reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link; or, when the reassignment reassigns TID and/or SN for the data frame, TID is reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link, and the manner of determining the SN of the second link is not limited; or, when the reassignment reassigns the TID and/or SN for the data frame, the SN is reassigned for the data frame transmitted on the second link, and the manner for determining the TID of the second link is not limited.

In an implementation provided by the embodiments of the present disclosure, if the data frame transmission is successful, the retransmission count value is initialized to zero. In embodiments of the present disclosure, if the data frame transmission is successful, the timer of the data frame transmission may be reset to zero.

Based on the same concept, embodiments of the present disclosure also provide an apparatus for data frame transmission.

It can be understood that, in order to implement the above-mentioned functions, the apparatus for data frame transmission provided by embodiments of the present disclosure includes corresponding hardware structures and/or software modules for executing respective functions. Combining with the units and algorithm steps of each example disclosed in the embodiments of the present disclosure, the embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented in hardware or a combination of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed by hardware or computer software driving hardware depends on the specific application and design constraints of the technical solution. Those skilled in the art may use different methods to implement the described functions for each specific application, but such implementation should not be considered beyond the scope of the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present disclosure.

<FIG> is a block diagram of an apparatus for data frame transmission according to an exemplary embodiment. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> for data frame transmission includes a switching unit <NUM> and a retransmission counting unit <NUM>.

The switching unit <NUM> is configured to determine that transmission of a data frame is switched from a first link to a second link. The retransmission counting unit <NUM> is configured to, in response to the transmission of the data frame being switched from the first link to the second link, perform retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link.

In an implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is configured to perform the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link by setting a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link to zero and reassigning a transmission identifier and/or a sequence number for the data frame.

In another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is further configured to:
terminate retransmission counting of the data frame on the first link.

In another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is further configured to:
determine that a timer for transmitting the data frame is invalid; or determine that the timer for transmitting the data frame is invalid and a contention window for retransmitting the data frame on the first link has a maximum value; activating the timer for transmitting the data frame.

In yet another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is configured to:
perform the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link by taking a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link as an initial value of a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link; continue to use a transmission identifier and/or a sequence number of the data frame corresponding to the first link as a transmission identifier and/or a sequence number of the data frame corresponding to the second link.

In another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is further configured to:
determine that a timer for performing the retransmission counting of the data frame is valid; or determine that a contention window for performing the retransmission counting of the data frame on the first link has a maximum value.

In another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> performs the retransmission counting by:
initializing a contention window, and increasing a retransmission count value in response to retransmission of the data frame until the contention window reaches a maximum value.

In another implementation, the retransmission counting unit <NUM> is further configured to:
in response to the successful transmission of the data frame, initialize the retransmission count value to zero.

Regarding the apparatus in the above embodiments, the specific manner in which each module performs the operation has been described in detail in the embodiments of the method, and will not be described in detail here.

<FIG> is a block diagram illustrating an apparatus <NUM> for data frame transmission according to an example embodiment. The apparatus <NUM> may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcasting terminal, a messaging transceiver, a game console, a tablet device, a medical equipment, a fitness equipment, a personal digital assistant, etc..

Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus <NUM> may include one or more of the following components: a processing component <NUM>, a memory <NUM>, a power component <NUM>, a multimedia component <NUM>, an audio component <NUM>, an input/ output (I/O) interface <NUM>, a sensor component <NUM> and a communication component <NUM>.

The processing component <NUM> typically controls overall operations of the apparatus <NUM>, such as the operations associated with display, data communications, telephone call, camera operations, and recording operations. The processing component <NUM> may include one or more processors <NUM> to execute instructions so as to perform all or part of the steps in the above described methods.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store various types of data to support the operation of the apparatus <NUM>. Examples of such data include instructions for any applications or methods operated on the apparatus <NUM>, contact data, phonebook data, messages, pictures, videos, etc. The memory <NUM> may be implemented using any type of volatile or nonvolatile memory device, or a combination thereof, such as a static random access memory (SRAM), an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM), a programmable read-only memory (PROM), a read-only memory (ROM), a magnetic memory, a flash memory, a magnetic or optical disk.

The multimedia component <NUM> includes a screen providing an output interface between the apparatus <NUM> and the user. The touch sensors may not only sense a boundary of a touch or swipe action, but also sense a duration and a pressure associated with the touch or swipe action. The front camera and/or the rear camera may receive an external multimedia datum while the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a photographing mode or a video mode.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input an audio signal. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone ("MIC") configured to receive an external audio signal when the apparatus <NUM> is in an operation mode, such as a call mode, a recording mode, and a voice recognition mode. The received audio signal may be further stored in the memory <NUM> or transmitted via the communication component <NUM>. In some embodiments, the audio component <NUM> further includes a speaker to output audio signals.

The sensor component <NUM> includes one or more sensors to provide status assessments of various aspects of the apparatus <NUM>. For instance, the sensor component <NUM> may detect an opened/closed status of the apparatus <NUM>, relative positioning of components (e.g., the display and the keypad) of the apparatus <NUM>, a change in position of the apparatus <NUM> or a component of the apparatus <NUM>, a presence or absence of user contact with the apparatus <NUM>, an orientation or an acceleration/deceleration of the apparatus <NUM>, and a change in temperature of the apparatus <NUM>.

The communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication between the apparatus <NUM> and other apparatus. The apparatus <NUM> can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as Wi-Fi, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one exemplary embodiment, the communication component <NUM> further includes a near field communication (NFC) module to facilitate short-range communications. For example, the NFC module may be implemented based on a radio frequency identification (RFID) technology, an infrared data association (IrDA) technology, an ultra-wideband (UWB) technology, a Bluetooth (BT) technology, and other technologies.

In exemplary embodiments, the apparatus <NUM> may be implemented with one or more application specific integrated circuits (ASICs), digital signal processors (DSPs), digital signal processing devices (DSPDs), programmable logic devices (PLDs), field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), controllers, micro-controllers, microprocessors, or other electronic components, for performing the above described methods.

In an exemplary embodiment, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as a memory <NUM> including instructions, executable by the processor <NUM> of the apparatus <NUM> to perform the method described above. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be ROM, random access memory (RAM), CD-ROM, magnetic tape, floppy disk, optical data storage device, and the like.

It should be further understood that in the present disclosure, "multiple" refers to two or more, and other quantifiers are similar. "And/or", which describes the association relationship of the associated objects, means that there can be three kinds of relationships, for example, A and/or B, which can mean that A exists alone, A and B exist at the same time, and B exists alone. The character "/" generally indicates that the associated objects are an "or" relationship. The singular forms "a," "the," and "said" are intended to include the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly dictates otherwise.

It is further understood that the terms "first", "second", etc. are used to describe various information, but the information should not be limited to these terms. These terms are only used to distinguish the same type of information from one another, and do not imply a particular order or level of importance. In fact, the expressions "first", "second" etc. are used completely interchangeably. For example, the first information may also be referred to as the second information, and similarly, the second information may also be referred to as the first information, without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

It is further to be understood that although the operations in the embodiments of the present disclosure are described in a specific order in the drawings, it should not be construed as requiring that the operations are performed in the specific order shown or in the serial order, or requiring that all operations shown are performed to obtain the desired result.

Other embodiments of the present disclosure will readily occur to those skilled in the art upon consideration of the specification and practice of the invention disclosed herein. This application is intended to cover any variations, uses, or adaptations of the present disclosure that fall within the scope of protection defined by the appended claims.

Claim 1:
A method for data frame transmission, comprising:
determining that transmission of a data frame is switched from a first link to a second link (S11);
in response to determining that the transmission of the data frame is switched from the first link to the second link, performing retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link (S12),
wherein performing the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link (S12) comprises:
determining that a timer used for performing data frame transmission is valid (S31);
performing the retransmission counting of the data frame on the second link by taking a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the first link as an initial value of a retransmission count value of the data frame corresponding to the second link; continuing to use a transmission identifier and/or a sequence number of the data frame corresponding to the first link as a transmission identifier and/or a sequence number of the data frame corresponding to the second link (S32).