Patent Description:
Sometimes, the wireless network standard (IEEE802. <NUM>) has established a study group (SG) to study a next-generation wireless local area network (WLAN) standard (IEEE802.11be). The study scope is <NUM> bandwidth transmission/reception, aggregation and cooperation of multiple frequency bands/links and the like. The aggregation and cooperation of multiple frequency bands/links means that devices simultaneously communicate under frequency bands/links such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>.

It is particularly important to ensure the low latency as a large number of high-throughput and low-latency applications appear. However, sometimes, there is no solution that supports low-latency requirements under multiple links. <CIT> describes systems, methods, and apparatus related to wireless time sensitive networking. A device may determine one or more communication channels. The device may assign a first communication channel of the one or more communication channels, for time sensitive networking. The device may cause to send a frame including an indication of the first communication channel to one or more devices. The device may identify a time sensitive networking channel access request from a first device. The device may determine the first device is authorized to access the first communication channel. <CIT> discloses a system and method for determining a network path through a network that is managed by a software defined network (Ts SDN) controller incorporating time management. In some embodiments, the SDN controller can determine that a data packet originating from a transmitting device and directed to a receiving device is associated with one of: time-sensitive, time-aware or best effort characteristic. The controller can then determine a network path for transport of the data packet from the transmitting device to the receiving device with a guaranteed end to end delay to satisfy the characteristic. The end to end delay considers latency through each layer the data packet transitions through after being conjured at an application layer of the transmitting device. The data packet is then transmitted from the transmitting device via the network path to the receiving device.

The invention is defined by the attached set of claims.

The invention provides methods and a device for transmitting/receiving data, and a computer storage medium.

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

Reference will now be made in detail to some embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. The implementations set forth in the following description of some embodiments do not represent all implementations consistent with the invention. Instead, they are merely examples of apparatuses and methods consistent with aspects related to the invention as recited in the appended claims.

Terms used in the invention are merely for describing specific examples and are not intended to limit the invention. The singular forms "one", "the", and "this" used in the invention and the appended claims are also intended to include a multiple form, unless other meanings are clearly represented in the context. It should also be understood that the term "and/or" used in the invention refers to any or all of possible combinations including one or more associated listed items.

It should be understood that although terms "first", "second", "third", and the like are used in the invention to describe various information, the information is not limited to the terms. These terms are merely used to differentiate information of a same type. For example, without departing from the scope of the invention, first information is also referred to as second information, and similarly the second information is also referred to as the first information. Depending on the context, for example, the term "if" used herein may be explained as "when" or "while", or "in response to. , it is determined that".

Sometimes, IEEE802. <NUM> has established a SG to study a next-generation WLAN standard (IEEE802.11be). The study scope is <NUM> bandwidth transmission/reception, aggregation and cooperation of multiple frequency bands/links and the like. The aggregation and cooperation of multiple frequency bands/links means that devices simultaneously communicate under frequency bands/links such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>-<NUM>.

In the scope of IEEE802.11be, <NUM>. 11be should support transmission/reception of time-sensitive data.

In the existing standards, in order to ensure that the station (STA) device can quickly access the network, a BSS load element, a BSS access delay element and a BSS AC access delay element are introduced.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS load element. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the BSS load element includes the following information: element ID, length, station count, channel utilization and available admission capacity. Element ID, length and channel utilization each occupies <NUM> byte (octet) and station count and available admission capacity each occupies <NUM> bytes.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS average access delay element. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the BSS average access delay element includes the following information: element ID, length and access point (AP) average access delay. Each of the above information occupies <NUM> byte.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS AC access delay element. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the BSS AC access delay element includes the following information: element ID, length and AC access delay. AC access delay occupies <NUM> bytes, and element ID and length each occupies <NUM> byte.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of AC access delay subfields. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the AC access delay subfields includes the following information: average access delay for best effort (AC_BE), average access delay for background (AC_BK), average access delay for video (AC_VI) and average access delay for voice (AC_VO). AC_BE, AC_BK, AC_VI and AC_VO each occupies <NUM> byte.

The above-mentioned BSS load element is applicable when the STA device roams from one BSS to another BSS, but it also serves as a reference for the STA device accessing the BSS.

The above-mentioned information elements are all applied to one link, but devices in IEEE802.11be support communication under a plurality of links. With the combination of IEEE802. <NUM> The definition that should support low latency, similar existing mechanisms are also required in <NUM>. 11be to reduce the transmission/reception delay.

Based on the above-mentioned wireless communication system, various embodiments of the method of the invention are proposed to reduce the data transmission/reception delay under the plurality of links.

<FIG> is a first flow chart illustrating a method for receiving data according to some embodiments. The method for receiving data is applicable to an AP device. The AP device includes but is not limited to a router device. Referring to <FIG>, the method for receiving data includes the following steps.

In S12, delay parameter information of a plurality of communication links is broadcasted, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent an AC access delay condition of a TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links.

In S14, TSN data that are transmitted based on the delay parameter information are received on a first communication link of the plurality of communication links.

The plurality of communication links includes a plurality of communication links in a same communication frequency band; and/or, a plurality of communication links in different communication frequency bands.

For example, under <NUM>, there are <NUM> bandwidths and <NUM> communication links are established, which are recorded as link1, link2, and link3; and under <NUM>, there are <NUM> bandwidths and <NUM> communication links are established, which are recorded as link4, link5, link6, link7, and link8.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information and BSS load information.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information and BSS access delay information.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information, BSS load information and BSS access delay information.

In some embodiments, broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links includes broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links through a beacon frame.

In this way, the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links is broadcasted through the beacon frame, which does not need to define a new message frame or signaling, and can save the signaling overhead.

In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes a plurality of link identification fields, and different link identification fields are configured to indicate different communication links among the plurality of communication links.

In some embodiments, different link identification fields are further configured to indicate communication frequency bands to which different communication links belong.

In some embodiments, the link identification field includes a first field configured to indicate a communication link identifier; and a second field configured to indicate a communication frequency band identifier of the communication link identifier.

For example, three bits are used to identify the communication frequency band, "<NUM>" means <NUM>, "<NUM>" means <NUM>, "<NUM>" means <NUM> and <NUM>, "<NUM>" means <NUM>-<NUM>, "<NUM>" means <NUM> and the like.

In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes an AC access delay field, and the AC access delay field includes a third field configured to indicate an AC access delay of the TSN data type.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS load element under a plurality of communication links. Referring to <FIG>, the format of the BSS load element under the plurality of communication links includes element ID, length and a plurality of link identification fields. It also includes station count, channel utilization and available admission capacity of each communication link.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS access delay element under a plurality of communication links. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the BSS access delay element includes element ID, length and a plurality of link identification fields, and also includes AP average access delay for each communication link.

<FIG> illustrates a schematic diagram of a format of a BSS AC access delay element under a plurality of communication links. As can be seen from <FIG>, the format of the BSS AC access delay element includes element ID, length and a plurality of link identification fields, and also includes AC access delay of each communication link. AC access delay of each communication link includes AC access delay of the TSN data type.

In order to ensure fairness, parameters used in AC access delay and BSS access delay can be consistent with those defined in existing standards, such as:.

If the AC access delay field is <NUM> bits, and when it is set to "<NUM>", the flag n=<NUM>; when it is set to "<NUM>", the flag n=<NUM>.

In some embodiments, broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links includes broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links in each communication link established with an STA.

In this way, by broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links to each communication link, the probability that the STA learns the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links can be improved.

In some embodiments, broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links includes: in response to establishing at least one communication link with an STA, broadcasting the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links in one communication link that is established with the STA.

In this way, transmission/reception resources can be saved.

In the technical solutions described in embodiments of the invention, the AP device broadcasts the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent the AC access delay condition of the TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links; and receives the TSN data that are transmitted based on the delay parameter information on the first communication link in the plurality of communication links. In this way, it is convenient for the STA to transmit the TSN data to be transmitted on the first communication link in the plurality of communication links which satisfies the TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement. Therefore, the transmission/reception delay of the TSN data can be reduced as much as possible and the low-latency requirement of the TSN data transmission/reception can be satisfied.

<FIG> is a second flow chart illustrating a method for transmitting data according to some embodiments. The method for transmitting data is applicable to an STA. The STA includes but is not limited to a laptop computer, a tablet computer and other user equipment that can be networked. As illustrated in <FIG>, the method for transmitting data includes the following steps.

In S22, delay parameter information of a plurality of communication links is received, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent an AC access delay condition of a TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links.

In S24, TSN data to be transmitted are transmitted based on the delay parameter information on a first communication link in the plurality of communication links, in which the first communication link satisfies a TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement.

For example, the STA supports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>, and the AP supports <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>. The STA currently only works at <NUM>. According to the delay parameter information received under <NUM>, it is determined that the delay is the lowest at <NUM>, and the TSN data are transmitted at <NUM>.

In this way, the STA selects the first communication link that satisfies the TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement from the plurality of communication links according to the received delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links, and transmits the TSN data to be transmitted on the first communication link. Compared with blindly selecting any communication link as the first communication link, it can reduce the transmission/reception delay of the TSN data as much as possible and ensure the transmission/reception of the TSN data.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information of the TSN data type, and the method include the following.

In step S23a, a communication link with a smallest AC access delay value of the TSN data type is selected from the plurality of communication links as the first communication link.

For example, the communication links include AC access delay d1 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, AC access delay d2 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, and AC access delay d3 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>. If d1>d2>d3, communication link <NUM> is determined as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes BSS load information and AC access delay information of the TSN data type, and the method include the following.

In step 23b, a communication link with an AC access delay value of the TSN data type lower than a preset delay threshold and a BSS load value lower than a preset load threshold is selected from the plurality of communication links as the first communication link.

For example, the delay parameter information includes: AC access delay d1 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, AC access delay d2 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, and AC access delay d3 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, where d1>d2>d3; BSS load value r1 of communication link <NUM>, BSS load value r2 of communication link <NUM>, and BSS load value r3 of communication link <NUM>, where r1<r2< r3; if the access delay of communication link <NUM> and communication link <NUM> satisfy the delay requirement of TSN data type <NUM>, that is, it is lower than the preset delay threshold, load value r2 of communication link <NUM> is lower than the preset load threshold, and load value r3 of communication link <NUM> is higher than the preset load threshold, communication link <NUM> is selected as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, step S23b includes step S23b1.

In step S23b1, in response to the BSS load value of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset load threshold and the AC access delay value of the TSN data type of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset delay threshold, a communication link with a smallest AC access delay value of the TSN data type is selected from the at least two communication links as the first communication link.

For example, the delay parameter information includes: AC access delay d1 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, AC access delay d2 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, and AC access delay d3 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, where d1>d2>d3; BSS load value r1 of communication link <NUM>, BSS load value r2 of communication link <NUM>, and BSS load value r3 of communication link <NUM>, where r1<r2< r3; if the access delay of communication link <NUM> and communication link <NUM> satisfy the delay requirement of TSN data type <NUM>, that is, it is lower than the preset delay threshold, and load value r2 of communication link <NUM> and load value r3 of communication link <NUM> are lower than the load preset threshold, communication link <NUM> with the smallest AC access delay value of TSN data type <NUM> is selected from communication link <NUM> and communication link <NUM> as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, step S23b includes step S23b2.

In step S23b2, in response to the BSS load value of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset load threshold and the AC access delay value of the TSN data type of each of the at least two communication links being lower than the preset delay threshold, a communication link with a smallest BSS load value is selected from the at least two communication links as the first communication link.

For example, the delay parameter information includes: AC access delay d1 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, AC access delay d2 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, and AC access delay d3 of TSN data type <NUM> of communication link <NUM>, where d1>d2>d3; BSS load value r1 of communication link <NUM>, BSS load value r2 of communication link <NUM>, and BSS load value r3 of communication link <NUM>, where r1<r2< r3; if the access delay of communication link <NUM> and communication link <NUM> satisfy the delay requirement of TSN data type <NUM>, that is, it is lower than the preset delay threshold, and load value r2 of communication link <NUM> and load value r3 of communication link <NUM> are lower than the preset load threshold, communication link <NUM> with the smallest BSS load value is selected from communication link <NUM> and communication link <NUM> as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, step S22 includes step S22a.

In step S22a, the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links broadcasted through a beacon frame is received.

In some embodiments, the link identification field includes: a first field configured to indicate a communication link identifier; and a second field configured to indicate a communication frequency band identifier of the communication link identifier.

In some embodiments, the beacon frame includes an AC access delay field, and the AC access delay field includes: a third field configured to indicate an AC access delay of the TSN data type.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information further includes BSS access delay information configured to indicate to monitor a next beacon frame that arrives.

In this way, since the delay parameter information also carries the BSS access delay information, the STA can clearly understand the time to monitor the next arriving beacon frame after learning the BSS access delay information.

In the technical solutions described in embodiments of the invention, the STA receives the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent the AC access delay condition of the TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links; and transmits the TSN data to be transmitted based on the delay parameter information on the first communication link that satisfies the TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement in the plurality of communication links. In this way, the transmission/reception delay of the TSN data can be reduced as much as possible and the low-latency requirement of the TSN data transmission/reception can be satisfied.

<FIG> is a first block diagram illustrating an apparatus for transmitting data according to some embodiments. The apparatus for transmitting data is applicable to an STA. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus includes a first receiving unit <NUM> and a first transmitting unit <NUM>.

The first receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive delay parameter information of a plurality of communication links, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent an AC access delay condition of a TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links.

The first transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to transmit, based on the delay parameter information, TSN data to be transmitted on a first communication link that satisfies a TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement in the plurality of communication links.

In some embodiments, the apparatus further a determining unit <NUM>.

The determining unit <NUM> is configured to select the first communication link from the plurality of communication links.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes AC access delay information of the TSN data type, and the determining unit <NUM> is configured to select a communication link with a smallest AC access delay value of the TSN data type from the plurality of communication links as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, the delay parameter information includes BSS load information and AC access delay information of the TSN data type, and the determining unit <NUM> is configured to select a communication link with an AC access delay value of the TSN data type lower than a preset delay threshold and a BSS load value lower than a preset load threshold from the plurality of communication links as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, the determining unit <NUM> is configured to, in response to the BSS load value of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset load threshold and the AC access delay value of the TSN data type of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset delay threshold, select a communication link with a smallest AC access delay value of the TSN data type from the at least two communication links as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, the determining unit <NUM> is configured to, in response to the BSS load value of each of at least two communication links being lower than the preset load threshold and the AC access delay value of the TSN data type of each of the at least two communication links being lower than the preset delay threshold, select a communication link with a smallest BSS load value from the at least two communication links as the first communication link.

In some embodiments, the first receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive, the delay parameter information of the plurality of communication links, that is broadcasted through a beacon frame.

The beacon frame includes a plurality of link identification fields, and different link identification fields are configured to indicate different communication links among the plurality of communication links.

With respect to the apparatuses in the above embodiments, the specific manners for performing operations for individual modules therein have been described in detail in the embodiments regarding the methods, which will not be elaborated herein.

In practical applications, the specific structures of the first receiving unit <NUM>, the first transmitting unit <NUM> and the determining unit <NUM> can be realized by a central processing unit (CPU), a micro controller unit (MCU), a digital signal processor (DSP) or a programmable logic controller (PLC) in the apparatus for transmitting data or in the STA device to which the apparatus for transmitting data belongs.

The apparatus for transmitting data described in embodiments may be installed on the STA device side.

Those skilled in the art should understand that functions of various processing modules in the apparatus for transmitting data described in embodiments of the invention can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the method for transmitting data applied to the STA device side. Various processing modules in embodiments of the invention may be implemented by analog circuit(s) that implements functions described in embodiments of the invention or may be implemented by running software that implements functions described in embodiments of the invention on a device.

With the apparatus for transmitting data described in embodiments of the invention, the transmission/reception delay of the TSN data can be reduced as much as possible and the low-latency requirement of the TSN data transmission/reception can be satisfied.

<FIG> is a second block diagram illustrating an apparatus for receiving data according to some embodiments. The apparatus for receiving data is applicable to an AP. Referring to <FIG>, the apparatus includes a second transmitting unit <NUM> and a second receiving unit <NUM>.

The second transmitting unit <NUM> is configured to broadcast delay parameter information of a plurality of communication links, in which the delay parameter information is configured to represent an AC access delay condition of a TSN data type under each of the plurality of communication links.

The second receiving unit <NUM> is configured to receive, on a first communication link of the plurality of communication links, TSN data that are transmitted based on the delay parameter information.

In practical applications, the specific structures of the second transmitting unit <NUM> and the second receiving unit <NUM> can be implemented by a CPU, MCU, DSP, or PLC in the apparatus for receiving data or the AP device to which the apparatus for receiving data belongs.

The apparatus for receiving data described in embodiments may be installed on the AP device side.

Those skilled in the art should understand that functions of various processing modules in the apparatus for receiving data described in embodiments of the invention can be understood by referring to the relevant description of the method for receiving data applied to the AP device side. Various processing modules in embodiments of the invention may be implemented by analog circuit(s) that implements functions described in embodiments of the invention or may be implemented by running software that implements functions described in embodiments of the invention on a device.

With the apparatus for receiving data described in embodiments of the invention, the transmission/reception delay of the TSN data can be reduced as much as possible and the low-latency requirement of the TSN data transmission/reception can be satisfied.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device <NUM> for implementing information processing, according to some embodiments. For example, the device <NUM> may be a mobile phone, a computer, a digital broadcast terminal, a messaging device, a gaming console, a tablet, a medical device, exercise equipment, a personal digital assistant, and the like.

The audio component <NUM> is configured to output and/or input audio signals. For example, the audio component <NUM> includes a microphone ("MIC") configured to receive an external audio signal when the device <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 communication component <NUM> is configured to facilitate communication, wired or wirelessly, between the device <NUM> and other devices. The device <NUM> can access a wireless network based on a communication standard, such as WiFi, <NUM>, or <NUM>, or a combination thereof. In one some embodiments, the communication component <NUM> receives a broadcast signal or broadcast associated information from an external broadcast management system via a broadcast channel. In one some embodiments, 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 some embodimentss, the device <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 some embodiments, there is also provided a non-transitory computer-readable storage medium including instructions, such as included in the memory <NUM>, executable by the processor <NUM> in the device <NUM>, for performing the above-described methods. For example, the non-transitory computer-readable storage medium may be a ROM, a RAM, a CD-ROM, a magnetic tape, a floppy disc, an optical data storage device, and the like.

<FIG> is a block diagram of a device <NUM> for implementing information processing, according to some embodiments. For example, the device <NUM> may be a server. Referring to <FIG>, the device <NUM> includes a processing component <NUM> that further includes one or more processors, and a memory resource represented by a memory <NUM> for storing instructions that can be executed by the processing component <NUM> such as application programs. The application program stored in the memory <NUM> may include one or more modules each corresponding to a set of instructions. In addition, the processing component <NUM> is configured to execute instructions to perform the above-mentioned methods.

The device <NUM> may also include a power component <NUM> configured to perform power management of the device <NUM>, a wired or wireless network interface <NUM> configured to connect the device <NUM> to a network, and an input output (I/O) interface <NUM>. The device <NUM> can operate based on an operating system stored in the memory <NUM>, such as Windows Server™, Mac OS X™, Unix™, Linux™, FreeBSD™ or the like.

The technical solutions described in embodiments of the invention can be combined arbitrarily without conflict.

Claim 1:
A method for transmitting data, performed by a station, comprising:
receiving (S22) delay parameter information of a plurality of communication links, wherein the delay parameter information indicates an access category, AC, access delay information of a time sensitive network, TSN, data type under each communication link;
characterized in:
selecting a first communication link that satisfies a TSN data transmission/reception delay requirement from the plurality of communication links according to the AC access delay information; and
transmitting (S24), based on the delay parameter information, TSN data to be transmitted on the first communication link.