Patent Description:
The <NUM> family standards for wireless local area networks are defined by the Institute of Electrical and Electrical Engineers (IEEE). Among them, the <NUM> series mainstream standards currently have <NUM>. 11a, <NUM>. 11b, <NUM>. 11n, <NUM>. 11ac and <NUM>. 11ax standards.

The next-generation <NUM> standard, which requires forward compatibility, will also support the <NUM>. 11ax's operating spectrum, including <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> bands. According to the latest free <NUM> frequency band, channel division based on this frequency band can support more than <NUM> maximum bandwidth supported at <NUM>, such as <NUM>, <NUM> or <NUM>. In addition to the extremely large bandwidth, the next-generation <NUM> series standard can increase peak throughput by increasing the number of streams, such as increasing the number of streams to <NUM> streams, and cooperating among multiple bands (such as <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM>). How to quickly find or conveniently access the <NUM> band or other bands different from <NUM> and <NUM> is a technical problem to be solved.

Document <CIT>, disclosed a method for establishing a wireless LAN (WLAN) communication connection and an electronic device therefore. The method for establishing a WLAN communication connection in a device may comprise the steps of: receiving a probe request message from another device; and selectively transmitting a response signal in response to the probe request on the basis of at least one of information included in the received probe request message and internal information of the device.

Document <CIT>, disclosed systems, methods, and apparatuses for operating a wireless station in a multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) set including a transmitted BSSID (Tx BSSID) and a number of non-transmitted BSSIDs (non-Tx BSSIDs). In some implementations, the wireless station may receive a trigger frame containing a number of association identifier (AID) values based on a group AID mapping contained in a partial virtual bitmap of a traffic indication map (TIM) element, and may determine whether the trigger frame allocates one or more random resource units (RUs) for use by the station based on one or more of the AID values contained in the trigger frame.

Document <CIT>, disclosed a method, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium for wireless communication are provided. The apparatus may be configured to transmit a request message to a plurality of access points. The request message may include an address reserved for at least one of an access point feature, an access point service, or an access point vendor. The apparatus may be configured to receive a response message from at least one access point of the plurality of access points. The response message may indicate that the at least one access point has the access point feature, is associated with the access point service, or is associated with the access point vendor.

The embodiments of the present application provide a communication method, and a communication device, which are used to solve the problem of accessing different frequency bands efficiently in the prior art.

Examples, aspects, and technical descriptions of methods and/or apparatuses in the description and/or drawings, which are not covered by the claims, are presented not as embodiments of the invention but as background art or examples useful for understanding the invention.

The following examples/aspects/embodiments are not according to the invention and are present for illustration purposes only.

In one aspect, an information indication method is provided, including: generating a first frame, the first frame includes address information of a station operating on a <NUM> band; and transmitting the first frame on a <NUM> and/or <NUM> frequency band.

In another aspect, an information indicating method includes:
receiving, by a station, a first frame on a <NUM> and/or <NUM> band, the first frame containing address information of one or more reported APs on a <NUM> band sent by a reporting AP; transmitting, by the station, a second frame on the <NUM> band, and the received address of the second frame is the address information of one of the reported APs on the <NUM> band, or, transmitting, by the station, an OCT MMPDU on the <NUM> and/or <NUM> band, and the received address of the OCT MMPDU is a MAC address of the reporting AP.

Of course, the <NUM> band in the above embodiment can be replaced with other bands, such as <NUM> to <NUM>, except for <NUM> and <NUM>.

In specific examples, the address information is located in a RNR element or a NR element, or, a RNR element of the first frame may include indication information for indicating whether the address information is present. Specifically, the address information is a MAC address of the AP on the <NUM> band or a BSSID of the reported AP on the <NUM> band.

In an example, if the reported AP on the <NUM> band is a member of a multiple BSSID set, the BSSID of the reported AP on the <NUM> band is a transmitted BSSID of the multiple BSSID set. In another example, if the reported AP on the <NUM> band is a member of a multiple BSSID set, a short SSID in the RNR element is calculated based on the SSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID. In another example, if the reported AP on the <NUM> band is a member of a multiple BSSID set, the RNR or NR element includes signal to indicate that if the BSSID of the reported AP in the RNR or NR element is a transmitted BSSID of a multiple BSSID set.

Specifically, the RNR element or the NR element of the first frame may further comprise at least one of the three parameters:
an operating class main channel, whether OCT is supported, and a Co-located AP.

Optionally, the RNR element or the NR element may include signal to indicate that if the reported AP on the <NUM> band is co-located with the reporting AP which transmits the first frame. Or, the RNR element or the NR element may include signal to indicate that if the reported AP on the <NUM> band and the reporting AP which transmits the first frame are in multiple bands supported device.

Accordingly, an apparatus capable of performing any of the aforementioned methods is provided.

In another aspect, a communication apparatus is provided, comprising: a processor, a memory, and a communication interface; the processor controls a communication action of the communication interface; the memory stores a program; the processor invokes a program stored in the memory, the method of any of the preceding solutions.

In another aspect, a storage medium is provided having stored thereon a computer program, wherein the computer program is executed by a processor to implement the method of any of the preceding methods.

According to the above embodiments, the efficiency of communication can be improved, and congestion on the communication band can be reduced.

<FIG> is a schematic diagram of an application architecture of an embodiment of the present application. As shown in <FIG>, the number of access points (APs) is <NUM>, and the number of stations (station, STAs) is <NUM>. The application architecture of the example may include: AP, STA1, and STA2. Among them, AP1 is connected to STA1 and STA2, STA1 is connected to STA2, and AP can also communicate with other APs. It should be noted that the communication method provided by the embodiment of the present application may be applicable to communication between an AP and an AP, communication between a STA and an STA, and communication between an AP and an STA. The AP can serve as the receiving end or the transmitting end. The STA can serve as the receiving end or the transmitting end.

The AP includes but is not limited to a communication server, a router, a switch, a bridge, etc., and the STA includes, but is not limited to, a computer, a mobile phone, and the like.

As shown in <FIG>, the internal structure of the AP and the STA may include, for example, an antenna, a radio module, a physical (PHY) layer baseband module, a media access control (MAC) layer module, and a logical chain. Log link control (LLC) module, internet protocol (IP) processing module, transmission control protocol/user datagram protocol (transmission control protocol/user datagram protocol, TCP/UDP) processing module and application The layer module, the IP module and the LLC module can communicate through the upper layer interface. The number of antennas may be one or more, and the number of antennas of the STA and the AP may be the same or different.

It should be noted that the above APs and STAs may support or be compatible with one or more standards of the <NUM> series, such as but not limited to <NUM>\<NUM>. 11b\<NUM>\<NUM>. 11ac\<NUM>. 11ax\<NUM>. 11ax next generation or other sub-criteria are not described in this application.

11ax task group voted to extend the scope of the project to operation up to <NUM>, in order to enable <NUM> ax operation in the <NUM> band, which spans from <NUM> to <NUM>.

It is expected that all APs on(in) <NUM> band, except soft APs, is a multi-band collocated device operating on <NUM> band and on <NUM> and/or <NUM> band. Scanning more than <NUM> of spectrum is very demanding time-wise and energy-wise. In order to reduce this impact on resource overhead at <NUM> and energy and time consumption on STA side, in one of our embodiments the <NUM> APs (that are collocated with another AP in a lower band) can be discovered by scanning the lower bands (<NUM> and <NUM>).

For example, it is mandated that the APs collocated in the lower bands (<NUM> or <NUM> band) include a reduced neighbor report or neighbor report element describing the <NUM> collocated AP.

Based on the above embodiment, a STA that scans <NUM> and <NUM> band will have(or obtain) information it requires to decide if it wants to associate with one of the <NUM> APs. The embodiment may further includes that the STA further obtains as much information as it would get by sending a probe request to the <NUM> AP. When it wants to associate with the <NUM> AP, the STA only needs to send one frame: an association request. In this way, the complexity of the STA accessing the <NUM> AP can be greatly reduced, and the communication efficiency is improved.

In an embodiment, a discovery mechanism for <NUM>, <NUM> and <NUM> is described:.

The above mentioned mechanisms reduce scanning, authentication and association signaling overhead on <NUM> band, but they do not intend to replace the direct scanning, authentication and association on <NUM> band. That is, based on capability of a station, the station may process direct scanning, authentication and association on <NUM> band.

The procedure of OCT can be referred to the subclause <NUM>. <NUM> On-channel Tunneling (OCT) operation and <NUM>. <NUM> On-channel Tunneling operation in <NUM>-<NUM> standard. OCT allows a STA of a multi-band capable device to transmit an MMPDU that was constructed by a different STA of the same device.

In an embodiment, at the transmitting side, use Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) or Neighbor Report (NR) element in Beacons or Probe Responses, for example, in <NUM> and\or <NUM> band, to broadcast the info of <NUM> AP(address information), such as to help the STA to discover the AP in <NUM>. In another aspect, at the receiving side, in <NUM> and\or <NUM> band, receiving a first frame, the first frame comprises address information of the STA work on\in the <NUM> band; sending by the receiving side, a second frame in the <NUM> band, the receiver address of the second frame is the received address information of the STA work in the <NUM> band.

Specifically, if the reported AP, i.e., a <NUM> AP, is a member of a multiple basic service set identifier (BSSID) set with two or more members, a simple scheme is provided such that the STA can get the whole profile of the Multiple BSSID set quickly. A RNR element or NR element does not need to provide all the profiles for each BSSID in the Multiple BSSID set, but just provide the info related to transmitted BSSID such that to save air time, make it clean, and no ambiguous to the receiver. According to Draft P802.11ax_D1. <NUM> and Draft P802.11REVmd_D1. <NUM>, now only the AP with transmitted BSSID can provide the whole picture\entire information to the STA through a beacon frame or probe response such that the STA can find a proper AP in multiple BSSID set to do association.

The above mentioned BSS Transition Management signaling may have different frame structure, for example, a management frame carrying a Reduced Neighbor Report (RNR) element or a Neighbor Report (NR) element. The following are embodiments of the structure of the elements.

The Reduced Neighbor Report element contains channel and other information related to neighbor APs. The format of the Reduced Neighbor Report element is shown in <FIG> (Reduced Neighbor Report element format). It can carry the information related to more than one reported AP by having more than one Neighbor AP Information Fields.

The Element ID and Length fields are defined in <NUM>. <NUM> in Draft P802.11REVmd_D1.

The Neighbor AP Information Fields field contains one or more of the Neighbor AP Information field described in <NUM>. <NUM> (Neighbor AP Information field) in Draft P802.11REVmd_D1. Please refer to P802.11REVmd_D1. <NUM> or <NUM>-<NUM> for the sub-clause mentioned in this disclosure.

The Neighbor AP Information field specifies target beacon transmission time (TBTT) and other information related to a group of neighbor APs on one channel.

The format of TBTT Information Header subfield is defined in <FIG>.

The TBTT Information Field Type subfield is <NUM> bits in length and identifies, together with the TBTT Information Length subfield, the format of the TBTT Information field. It is set to <NUM>. (11ai)Values <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are reserved.

The Filtered Neighbor AP subfield is <NUM> bit in length. (11ai)When included in a Probe Response frame, it is set to <NUM> if the service set identifier (SSID) corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID in the (11ai)corresponding Probe Request frame. (11ai)When included in a Beacon or FILS Discovery frame transmitted by a non- television very high throughput (TVHT) AP, it is set to <NUM> if the SSID corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID of the transmitting AP's BSS. It is set to <NUM> otherwise. (11ai) The TBTT Information Count subfield is <NUM> bits in length and contains the number of TBTT Information fields included in the TBTT Information Set field of the Neighbor AP Information field, minus one. For example, a value of <NUM> indicates that one TBTT Information field is included.

The TBTT Information Length subfield is <NUM> octet in length and indicates the length of each TBTT Information field included in the TBTT Information Set field of the Neighbor AP Information field. When the TBTT Information Field Type subfield is set to <NUM>, the TBTT Information Length subfield:.

A TVHT AP sets the TBTT Information Length subfield to <NUM>.

(11ai)The TBTT Information Length subfield is interpreted as shown in Table <NUM>. That is TBTT Information field(11ai) contents (<NUM>-<NUM> in standard as reference).

The Operating Class field is <NUM> octet in length and indicates a channel starting frequency that, together with the Channel Number field, indicates the primary channel of the BSSs of the APs in this Neighbor AP Information field. Values of Operating Class are shown in Table E-<NUM> (Global operating classes), of which operating classes that, together with the channel number, indicate the primary channel is valid (see <NUM> (Reduced neighbor report)).

NOTE-The Operating Class field and Channel Number tuple indicate the primary channel in order to assist with passive scanning.

The Channel Number field is <NUM> octet in length and indicates the last known primary channel of the APs in this Neighbor AP Information field. Channel Number is defined within an Operating Class as shown in Table E-<NUM> (Global operating classes).

The TBTT Information Set field contains one or more TBTT Information fields. The TBTT Information field is defined in <FIG>.

The Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is <NUM> octet in length and indicates the offset in TUs, rounded down to nearest TU, to the next TBTT of an AP from the immediately prior TBTT of the AP that transmits this element. The value <NUM> indicates an offset of <NUM> TUs or higher. The value <NUM> indicates an unknown offset value.

The BSSID is defined in <NUM>. <NUM> (BSSID field). If the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, the BSSID field is set to the transmitted BSSID.

The Short-SSID subfield is calculated as given in <NUM>. <NUM> (Calculating the Short-SSID (11ai). If the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, Short SSID is computed based on the SSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID.

Where a Multiple BSSID set as defined in Draft P802.11ax_D3. <NUM> and Draft P802.11REVmd_D1. <NUM> is characterized as follows:.

In this option, the RNR is only allowed to carry the information of the AP that has transmitted BSSID if the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, and does not carry the information of the AP that has non-transmitted BSSID if the reported AP indicated in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, that is to say. All the information carried in RNR are about the AP that has transmitted BSSID in this case. Moreover, the fields or bits in RNR element can be further modified or added for other functions, i.e., changing "reserved" in TBTT Information Header subfield to "Co-located AP", and/or adding BSS parameters field in TBTT Information field as those in option <NUM>.

Scheme <NUM>: Note that Co-located AP is defined to the APs which share the same antenna connector with the reporting STA as defined in P802. <NUM>-<NUM>.

Scheme <NUM>: Note that Co-located AP here is not limited to the APs which share the same antenna connector with the reporting STA, but also refers to the APs which does not share the same antenna connector with the reporting STA but in the same physical device. Rename it as Co-device AP to differentiate the terminology "Co-located" in P802.11REVmd_D2.

The Neighbor AP Information field specifies TBTT and other information related to a group of neighbor APs on one channel.

The TBTT Information Field Type subfield is <NUM> bits in length and identifies, together with the TBTT Information Length subfield, the format of the TBTT Information field. It is set to <NUM>. (11ai)Values <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are reserved.

The Filtered Neighbor AP subfield is <NUM> bit in length. (11ai)When included in a Probe Response frame, it is set to <NUM> if the SSID corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID in the (11ai) corresponding Probe Request frame. (11ai)When included in a Beacon or FILS Discovery frame transmitted by a non-TVHT AP, it is set to <NUM> if the SSID corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID of the transmitting AP's BSS. It is set to <NUM> otherwise. (11ai) The TBTT Information Count subfield is <NUM> bits in length and contains the number of TBTT Information fields included in the TBTT Information Set field of the Neighbor AP Information field, minus one. For example, a value of <NUM> indicates that one TBTT Information field is included.

(11ai)The TBTT Information Length subfield is interpreted as shown in Table <NUM> TBTT Information field. That is, TBTT Information field(11ai) contents (<NUM>-<NUM>).

The TBTT Information Set field contains one or more TBTT Information fields. The TBTT Information field is defined in <FIG> (TBTT Information field (11ai) format).

The BSSID is defined in <NUM>. <NUM> (BSSID field). (Calculating the Short-SSID) (11ai).

The Short-SSID subfield is calculated as given in <NUM>. <NUM> (11ai).

11ai, BSSID is optionally present in TBTT Information field in RNR element, however, BSSID is necessity for <NUM> AP or other band AP discovery. Hence, to ensure to help the STA to find the <NUM> AP or other band AP, the following rules should be made.

BSSID is not present in TBTT Information field in RNR element if the reported AP carried in Neighbor AP Information field of the RNR element has the same MAC address or BSSID as the reporting AP which transmits the RNR element; BSSID is present in TBTT Information field in RNR element if the reported AP carried in Neighbor AP Information field of the RNR element does not have the same MAC address or BSSID as the reporting AP which transmits the RNR element.

Or BSSID is always presented in in TBTT Information field in RNR element.

In BSS Parameters subfield, there is one bit or field to indicate if the reported AP carried in Neighbor AP Information field of the RNR element has the same BSSID as the reporting AP which transmits the RNR element, call it Same BSSID subfield. Set to <NUM> or the first value to indicate the reported AP carried in Neighbor AP Information field of the RNR element has the same BSSID as the reporting AP which transmits the RNR element; Set to <NUM> or the second value to indicate the reported AP carried in Neighbor AP Information field of the RNR element does not have the same BSSID as the reporting AP which transmits the RNR element.

The format of BSS Parameters subfield is defined in <FIG> (<NUM>-<NUM> as reference)(BSS Parameters subfield). The Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> or the first value (more than <NUM> bit in the Transmitted subfield) to indicate the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members and has transmitted BSSID (the BSSID field in TBTT Information field is set to transmitted BSSID), or the reported AP operating on the channel indicated/carried by Channel Number field and Operating Class field in the Neighbor AP Information field is not a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, and set to <NUM> or the second value (more than <NUM> bit in the Transmitted subfield) otherwise (to indicate the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members and has non-transmitted BSSID (the BSSID field in TBTT Information field is set to non-transmitted BSSID). More general, there is one bit or one field in RNR element instead of Transmitted BSSID subfield to indicate if the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members and has transmitted BSSID.

Moreover, in the BSS Parameters subfield format, it also can have another bit or field to indicate if the reported AP is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members. Set it to the first value to indicate the reported AP is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, and set it to the second value to indicate the reported AP is not a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members.

The format of BSS Parameters subfield is defined in <FIG> (<NUM>-<NUM> as reference)(BSS Parameters subfield). The Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> or the first value (more than <NUM> bit in the Transmitted subfield) to indicate the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field has transmitted BSSID of the Multiple BSSID set (the BSSID field in TBTT Information field is set to transmitted BSSID), and set to <NUM> or the second value (more than <NUM> bit in the Transmitted subfield) otherwise (to indicate the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field has non-transmitted BSSID of the Multiple BSSID set or is not a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members). More general, there is one bit or one field in RNR element instead of Transmitted BSSID subfield to indicate if the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members and has transmitted BSSID.

The format of BSS Parameters subfield is defined in <FIG>.

Multiple BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate the AP reported in the Neighbour AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, and set to <NUM> to indicate the AP reported in the Neighbour AP Information field is not a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members.

If Multiple BSSID subfield is <NUM>, the Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate the AP reported in the Neighbour AP Information field has transmitted BSSID, and set to <NUM> to indicate the AP reported in the Neighbour AP Information field has non-transmitted BSSID.

If Multiple BSSID subfield is <NUM>, the Transmitted BSSID subfield is reserved.

Generally speaking, the TBTT information field as shown in <FIG> contains the parameters of one reported AP. So in the case of the reported AP in a Multiple BSSID set, the Neighbor AP TBTT Offset, BSSID, Short-SSID, BSS Parameters are the parameters for the AP that has transmitted BSSID if the reported AP has transmitted BSSID, or, are the parameters for the AP that has non-transmitted BSSID if the reported AP has non-transmitted BSSID. However, Neighbor AP TBTT Offset in TBTT information field is not very useful if the TBTT information field carries the information of a reported AP of Non-transmitted BSSID because either AP of Non-transmitted BSSID would not transmit a beacon or a beacon transmitted by the AP of Non-transmitted BSSID would not contain a Multiple BSSID element (do not provide the whole information of all the APs in the Multiple BSSID set). But in this disclosure, Neighbor AP TBTT Offset in TBTT information field is reused as for other function if the TBTT information field carry the information of a reported AP of Non-transmitted BSSID.

In order to help a receiver to know when a beacon is transmitted by an AP that has transmitted BSSID, if a received TBTT information field in RNR element is for one neighbor AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, set Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield to be the value of TBTT offset of an AP that has transmitted BSSID, wherein the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID are in a same Multiple BSSID. Note that only the beacon transmitted by the AP that has transmitted BSSID can contain Multiple BSSID set element such that it can provide the whole profile, including the information of other one or more APs that have non-transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID set. That is to say, if the Multiple BSSID subfield is <NUM> and the Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>, and the Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is set to be TBTT offset of the AP that has transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSIDas that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID.

Note that TBTT offset of the AP that has transmitted BSSID have the same definition as defined in TBTT Information field,.

Other setting are as follows:
BSSID subfield is set to BSSID of that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, Short SSID subfield is computed based on the SSID of that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, BSS parameters subfield carries some important parameters for that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, such as OCT Supported, Transmitted BSSID, Multiple BSSID.

In order to help a receiver to know what is the transmitted BSSID when the received TBTT information field in RNR element is for one neighbor AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, reuse Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield to carry a value of BSSID of an AP that has transmitted BSSID, wherein the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID are in the same Multiple BSSID. The value of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID can be Partial BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, i.e., <NUM> or <NUM> least significant bits of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, or MaxBSSID Indicator (i.e., <NUM> or <NUM> bits) as defined in Multiple BSSID element which can be used to derive the value of transmitted BSSID.

Note that only the beacon, Probe Response frame transmitted by the AP that has transmitted BSSID can contain Multiple BSSID set element such that it can provide the whole profile, including the information of other one or more AP that have non-transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID set. That is to say, if Multiple BSSID subfield is <NUM> and Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>, some bits of Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is reused to carry the value of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID as that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID.

In order to help a receiver to know what is the transmitted BSSID and when the beacon are transmitted by the AP that has transmitted BSSID if the received TBTT information field in RNR element is for one neighbor AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, reuse Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield to carry the value of BSSID and TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, wherein the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID are in the same Multiple BSSID. The value of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID can be Partial BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, i.e., <NUM> or <NUM> least significant bits of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, or MaxBSSID Indicator (i.e., <NUM> or <NUM> bits) as defined in Multiple BSSID element which can be used to derive the value of transmitted BSSID. The value of TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID can be partial TBTT offset of TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID compared with TBTT of the reporting AP, or partial TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID.

Note that only the beacon, Probe Response frame transmitted by the AP that has transmitted BSSID can contain Multiple BSSID set element such that it can provide the whole profile, including the information of other AP(s) that have non-transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID set. That is to say, if Multiple BSSID subfield is <NUM> and Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>, some bits (i.e., <NUM> bits) of Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is reused to carry the value of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, wherin the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID are in the same Multiple BSSID. Some bits (i.e., <NUM> bits) of Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is reused to carry the value of TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID as that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, i.e., partial TBTT offset of TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID compared with TBTT of the reporting AP.

Note that partial TBTT offset of the AP that has transmitted can be n least significant bits of TBTT offset as defined in TBTT information field, and also can be have the following definition.

The Neighbor AP TBTT Offset subfield is n bits in length, n=<NUM>, <NUM>,. or <NUM> and indicates the offset in m TUs, m=<NUM>, <NUM>,. or <NUM>, rounded down to nearest TU, to the next TBTT of an AP from the immediately prior TBTT of the AP that transmits this element. The value <NUM>^n-<NUM> indicates an unknown offset value or higher than (<NUM>^n-<NUM>)*m TUs. Another method is, the value <NUM>^n-<NUM> indicates an offset of (<NUM>^n-<NUM>)*m TUs or higher. The value <NUM>^n-<NUM> indicates an unknown offset value.

Other setting are as follows
BSSID subfield is set to BSSID of that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, Short SSID subfield is computed based on the SSID of that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, BSS parameters subfield carries some important parameters for that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID, such as OCT Supported, Transmitted BSSID, Multiple BSSID.

Other <NUM> reserved bits can be used for other function, i.e., using one bit to indicate that if the OCT procedure described in <NUM>. <NUM> (On-channel Tunnelling (OCT) operation) defined in <NUM>-<NUM> can be used to exchange management frames with the AP described in this TBTT Information field through over-the-air transmissions with the AP sending the Reduced Neighbour Report.

More general, there is one bit or one field in RNR element instead of Multiple BSSID subfield to indicate the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members, i.e., The TBTT Information Field Type subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate the AP reported in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set (i.e., operated by an AP with dot11MultiBSSIDActivated set to true), in this case, the setting Transmitted BSSID subfield is the same as Multiple BSSID subfield of <NUM> value.

In this option, the RNR is allowed to carry the information of both the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the AP that has Non-transmitted BSSID if the reported AP indicated/carried in the Neighbor AP Information field is a member of a multiple BSSID set with two or more members. But this option needs an extra indication to tell the receiver which reported AP has transmitted BSSID or not.

In the BSS Parameters subfield, it also can have another bit or field to indicate if the reported AP is in multiband capable device (support multiband).

Moreover, the fields or bits in RNR element can be further modified or added for other functions, i.e., changing "reserved" in TBTT Information Header subfield to "Co-located AP" as that in option <NUM>.

Another embodiment for BSS Parameters subfield is as shown in <FIG>.

The OCT Recommended subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate that OCT is recommended to be used to exchange MGMT MMPDUs with the AP indicated in the TBTT Information field , through over-the-air transmissions with the AP sending the Reduced Neighbor Report. It is set to <NUM> otherwise.

The Same SSID subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate that the reported AP has the same SSID as the reporting AP. It is set to <NUM> otherwise.

The Multiple BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate that the reported AP is part of a multiple BSSID set. It is set to <NUM> otherwise.

The Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate that the reported AP is a transmitted BSSID. It is set to <NUM> it the reported AP is a non-transmitted BSSID. It is reserved if the Multiple BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>.

The Member of Co-located ESS subfield is set to <NUM> if the reported AP is part of an ESS where all the APs operating in the same band as the reported AP (irrespective of the operating channel) in the local coverage area have a co-located AP operating at <NUM> or <NUM>. It is set to <NUM> otherwise or if it does not have that information.

The <NUM> TU Probe Response Active subfield is set to <NUM> if the reported AP is part of an ESS where all the APs that operate in the corresponding channel in the local coverage area are transmitting unsolicited Probe Response frames every <NUM> TUs (see <NUM>. It is set to <NUM> otherwise or if it does not have that information.

The AP that has transmitted BSSID is recommended not to transmit Probe Response every <NUM> TU. So the following setting is as follows
If the Multiple BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> and the Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>, the <NUM> TU Probe Response Active subfield is reserved.

If the Multiple BSSID subfield is set to <NUM> and Transmitted BSSID subfield is set to <NUM>, some bits of BSS Parameters subfield are used carry the value of BSSID and TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, wherein the AP that has transmitted BSSID and the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID are in the same Multiple BSSID to carry the value of BSSID and TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID in the same Multiple BSSID as that reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID. The value of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID can be Partial BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, i.e., <NUM> least significant bits of BSSID of the AP that has transmitted BSSID, or MaxBSSID Indicator (i.e., <NUM> bits) as defined in Multiple BSSID element which can be used to derive the value of transmitted BSSID. It can reuse <NUM> TU Probe Response Active subfield, the remaining <NUM> bits the value of BSSID and TBTT of the AP that has transmitted BSSID and other bits.

The TBTT Information Field Type subfield is <NUM> bits in length and identifies, together with the TBTT Information Length subfield, the format of the TBTT Information field. It is set to <NUM>. (11ai)Values <NUM>, <NUM>, and <NUM> are reserved.

The Filtered Neighbor AP subfield is <NUM> bit in length. (11ai)When included in a Probe Response frame, it is set to <NUM> if the SSID corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID in the (11ai) corresponding Probe Request frame. (11ai)When included in a Beacon or FILS Discovery frame transmitted by a non-TVHT AP, it is set to <NUM> if the SSID corresponding to every AP in this Neighbor AP Information field matches the SSID of the transmitting AP's BSS. It is set to <NUM> otherwise.

The Co-Located AP subfield is <NUM> bit in length and is set to <NUM> if the reported AP that operates on the channel indicated by Channel Number field and Operating Class field in the Neighbor AP Information field is co-located with the reporting AP, and is set to <NUM> otherwise.

The TBTT Information Count subfield is <NUM> bits in length and contains the number of TBTT Information fields included in the TBTT Information Set field of the Neighbor AP Information field, minus one. For example, a value of <NUM> indicates that one TBTT Information field is included.

(11ai)The TBTT Information Length subfield is interpreted as shown in Table <NUM>. That is, TBTT Information field(11ai) contents.

The BSSID is defined in <NUM>. <NUM> (BSSID field). The Short-SSID subfield is calculated as given in (<NUM>. <NUM> (Calculating the Short-SSID 11ai). Please refer to Option <NUM> and Option <NUM> for the case of the reported AP in Multiple BSSID set which is carried in RNR element. Moreover, the reporting AP which transmitting RNR element shall include the Neighbor AP Information field for the reported AP that has transmitted BSSID of Multiple BSSID set. The reporting AP which transmitting RNR element may include the Neighbor AP Information field for the reported AP that has non-transmitted BSSID of Multiple BSSID set for the case of the reported AP in Multiple BSSID set which is carried in RNR element.

The OCT Supported subfield is set to <NUM> to indicate that the OCT procedure described in <NUM>. <NUM> (On-channel Tunneling (OCT) operation) can be used to exchange management frames with the AP described in this Neighbor AP Information field through over-the-air transmissions with the AP sending the Reduced Neighbor Report.

Neighbor report element which is defined in <NUM>-<NUM> can also be used to broadcast the information of one or more neighbor APs. One option, using the original neighbor report element which is defined in <NUM>-<NUM>; another option is rename one reserved bit in BSSID information field in the neighbor report element to "Co-located AP" which has the same meaning as in option <NUM>.

Any combination of the above three option can be used together.

An AP in the device which contains <NUM> AP that operates in the <NUM> or <NUM> band, can include in Beacon and Probe Response frames that it transmits a Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to provide at least the channel(s) and operating class(es) of the AP(s) in the <NUM> band.

An AP in the device which does not contain <NUM> AP hat operates in the <NUM> or <NUM> band, may include in Beacon and Probe Response frames that it transmits a Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to provide at least the channel(s) and operating class(es) of the AP(s) in the <NUM> band.

After receiving the information of <NUM> AP through Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element, the STA can choose OCT (on-channel tunneling) in <NUM>/<NUM> or go to <NUM> to do association with the said AP indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element. Note Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element can be carried in a Management frame, such as Beacon frame, Probe Response frame or Neighbor report frame. There are two methods to do association with <NUM> AP.

Note that: the information of <NUM> AP in RNR or NR can be used for both passive scanning or active scanning
Option <NUM>: An AP in the device which contains <NUM> AP that operates in the <NUM> or <NUM> band is transparent to the STAs, there is no indication to tell the STA whether an AP in the device which contains <NUM> AP that operates in the <NUM> or <NUM> band or not. In this case, the STA cannot use OCT to transmit some management frames on association in <NUM>/<NUM> to the AP in <NUM> because the STA does not know whether the reported AP in <NUM> is co-located with the reporting AP in <NUM>/<NUM> or not.

Option <NUM>: There are some indications , including at least of Co-located AP, Operating Class, Channel Number in the RNR element or the NR element, to tell the STA whether an AP in the device which contains <NUM> AP that operates in the <NUM> or <NUM> band or not. In this case, the STA may use OCT to transmit some management frames on association in <NUM>/<NUM> to the AP in <NUM> because the STA knows whether the reported AP in <NUM> is co-located with the reporting AP in <NUM>/<NUM> or not.

The procedure of Out of band discovery of <NUM> BSS is described as <FIG>.

An AP generates a first frame, for example, a Beacon frame including a RNR or a NR element, the frame contains information of a <NUM> AP; the information may be a MAC address or BSSID of the <NUM> AP.

The AP transmit the frame in a <NUM> and\or <NUM> band. The "in" or "on" are used without any difference.

A station (STA) receives the first frame, which contains information of the <NUM> AP, in the <NUM> and\or <NUM> band.

The STA transmit a second frame, such as a management frame to request to access the <NUM> AP indicated by the first frame. In one example, by using the OCT technique, the management frame is sent in the <NUM> and\or <NUM> band. In another example, the management frame is sent in the <NUM> band. The management frame may be an Probe request, an Authentication request, an Association request, etc..

The above schemes also can be used to discover AP in other band, i.e. <NUM>-<NUM>.

An AP in the device which contains another <NUM> AP that operates in the <NUM> band, can include in Beacon and Probe Response frames that it transmits a Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to provide at least the channel(s) and operating class(es) of another AP(s) in the <NUM> band. An AP in the device which does not contain another <NUM> AP hat operates in the <NUM> band, may include in Beacon and Probe Response frames that it transmits a Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to provide at least the channel(s) and operating class(es) of another AP(s) in the <NUM> band.

After receiving the information of <NUM> AP through Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element in <NUM>, the STA can choose OCT (on-channel tunneling) in <NUM> or go to the channel in <NUM> indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to do association with the said AP indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element. Note Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element can be carried in a Management frame, such as Beacon frame, Probe Response frame or Neighbor report frame.

In another aspect, association can categorized by in channel or out-channel. For in-channel association, after receiving the information of <NUM> AP through Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element in <NUM>. the STA can go to the channel in <NUM> indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to do association with the said AP indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element. For out-channel association, the STA can choose OCT (on-channel tunneling) in <NUM> indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element to do association with the said AP indicated in Reduced Neighbor Report element or Neighbor Report element, but in this case, the STA may need to go to the corresponding channel to get received signal strength indication from the corresponding AP.

This embodiment is not limited in a Multiple BSSID which includes <NUM> band, that is, any Multiple BSSID may use the solution described in the following:
In <NUM>. 11a/g/n/ac, the existing rule of sending Probe Response are as follows:
Rule b : A STA that receives a Probe Request frame shall not respond Probe Request Frame if the Address <NUM> field (RA field) of the Probe Request frame contains an individual address that is not the MAC address of the STA.

However, for the case of Multiple BSSID, if the Address <NUM> field (RA field) of the Probe Request frame contains an individual address that is not the MAC address of STA <NUM> (AP1), but is the MAC address of STA2 (AP2) that has non-transmitted BSSID, wherein the STA <NUM> (AP1) and STA2 (AP2) are in the same Multiple BSSID, the STA1 (AP1) can be allowed to respond the Probe Response frame. In this way, the STA which transmits the Probe Request frame containing an individual address that is the MAC address of AP of non-transmitted BSSID can get the Probe Response frame (contain Multiple BSSID set element) transmitted by the AP of transmitted BSSID such that it can obtain the whole profile of all the APs in Multiple BSSID set.

If the Multiple BSSID bit is set to <NUM> (indicating the STA which transmits this Probe Request frame supports Multiple BSSID) in the Extended Capabilities element in the Probe Request frame, the STA (AP) of Non-transmitted BSSID shall not respond to the Probe Request frame.

If the Multiple BSSID bit is set to <NUM> (indicating the STA which transmits this Probe Request frame supports Multiple BSSID) in the Extended Capabilities element in the Probe Request frame and the Probe request frame contains an individual address that is not the MAC address of STA <NUM> (AP1) of transmitted BSSID, but is the MAC address of STA2 (AP2) of non-transmitted BSSID, wherein the STA <NUM> (AP1) and STA2 (AP2) are in the same Multiple BSSID, the STA1 (AP1) of transmitted BSSID can respond Probe Request frame if other exceptions as described in sub clause <NUM>. <NUM> Criteria for sending a response in P802.11REVmd_D2. <NUM> except for Rule b are not met.

The exceptions in P802.11REVmd_D2. <NUM> are as following:
A STA that receives a Probe Request frame shall not respond if any of the following apply:.

The foregoing various embodiments may be recombined or partially replaced without logical contradiction, and the manner of extension thereof will not be described again. The communication device provided in this embodiment may be used to perform the technical solution on the transmitting side or the receiving end side of the foregoing embodiment, and the implementation principle and the technical effect are similar, and details are not described herein again.

It should be noted that the division of each unit of the above communication device is only a division of a logical function, and may be integrated into one physical entity or physically separated in whole or in part. Moreover, these units may all be implemented in the form of software by means of processing component calls; they may all be implemented in the form of hardware; some units may be implemented by software in the form of processing component calls, and some units are implemented in the form of hardware. For example, the sending unit may be a separately set processing element, or may be integrated in one of the chips of the communication device, or may be stored in the memory of the communication device in the form of a program, which is called by a processing element of the communication device. And the function of the transmitting unit is executed. The implementation of other units is similar. In addition, all or part of these units can be integrated or implemented independently. The processing elements described herein can be an integrated circuit that has signal processing capabilities. In the implementation process, each step of the above method or each of the above units may be completed by an integrated logic circuit of hardware in the processor element or an instruction in a form of software. Further, the above transmitting unit is a unit for controlling transmission, and information can be received by a transmitting device of the communication device, such as an antenna and a radio frequency device.

The above units may be one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the above method, such as one or more Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), or one or more microprocessors (digital signals processor) , DSP), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). As another example, when one of the above units is implemented in the form of a processing component scheduler, the processing element can be a general purpose processor, such as a central processing unit (CPU) or other processor that can invoke the program. As another example, these units can be integrated and implemented in the form of a system-on-a-chip (SOC).

<FIG> is a block diagram of communication apparatus, such as an access point or a station, according to another embodiment of the present invention. The communication apparatus in <FIG> comprises an interface <NUM>, a processor <NUM>, a bus <NUM> a memory <NUM> and at least a communication interface <NUM>.

The processor <NUM> can be a central processing unit (CPU), a microprocessor, an application-specific integrated circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuit for controlling the execution of the embodiment of the present application.

Communication bus <NUM> can include a path for communicating information between the components described above.

The communication interface <NUM> uses a device such as any transceiver for communicating with other devices or communication networks, such as Ethernet, radio access network (RAN), wireless local area networks (WLAN), etc..

The memory <NUM> can be a read-only memory (ROM) or other type of static storage device that can store static information and instructions, a random access memory (RAM) or other type that can store information and instructions. The dynamic storage device can also be an electrically erasable programmable read-only memory (EEPROM), a compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM) or other optical disc storage, and a disc storage device. (including compact discs, laser discs, optical discs, digital versatile discs, Blu-ray discs, etc.), magnetic disk storage media or other magnetic storage devices, or can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of instructions or data structures and can be Any other media accessed, but not limited to this. The memory can exist independently and be connected to the processor via a bus. The memory can also be integrated with the processor.

The memory <NUM> is configured to store application code for executing the solution of the present application, and is controlled by the processor <NUM> to execute. The processor <NUM> is configured to execute the application code stored in the memory <NUM>, thereby implementing the communication method provided by the above embodiment of the present application.

Alternatively, in the embodiment of the present application, the processor <NUM> may perform the processing related functions in the communication method provided by the foregoing embodiment of the present application, and the communication interface <NUM> is responsible for communicating with other devices or the communication network. This example does not specifically limit this.

In a specific embodiment, the processor <NUM> may include one or more CPUs.

In a particular embodiment, communication apparatus <NUM> may include multiple processors. Each of these processors can be a single-CPU processor or a multi-core processor. A processor herein may refer to one or more devices, circuits, and/or processing cores for processing data, such as computer program instructions.

In a specific embodiment, the communication apparatus <NUM> may further include an output device and an input device. The output device is in communication with the processor <NUM> and can display information in a variety of ways. For example, the output device may be a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display device, a cathode ray tube (CRT) display device, or a projector. The input device is in communication with the processor <NUM> and can accept user input in a variety of ways. For example, the input device can be a mouse, a keyboard, a touch screen device, or a sensing device.

In addition, as described above, the communication apparatus <NUM> provided by the embodiment of the present application may be a chip, or a transmitting end, or a receiving end, or a device having a similar structure in FIG. The embodiment of the present application does not limit the type of the communication apparatus <NUM>.

In the present embodiment, the communication apparatus <NUM> is presented in a form that divides the various functional modules in an integrated manner. A "module" herein may refer to an Application-Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), a circuit, a processor and memory that executes one or more software or firmware programs, integrated logic circuits, and/or other functions that provide the above functionality. In a simple embodiment, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the communication device <NUM> can take the form shown in FIG. For example, the function/implementation process of the unit mentioned in each embodiment can be implemented by the processor <NUM> and the memory <NUM> of FIG. Specifically, the generating unit may be executed by calling the application code stored in the memory <NUM> by the processor <NUM>, which is not limited in this embodiment. Alternatively, the sending unit may be implemented by the communication interface <NUM> of <FIG>, which is not limited in this embodiment.

It should be noted that the communication device provided in the embodiment shown in <FIG> may specifically be a transmitting end, such as an AP, in the embodiment shown in <FIG>. When the processor <NUM> calls a program stored in the memory <NUM>, the implementation shown in <FIG> may be performed. The method on the transmitting side provided in the example.

It should be noted that the communication device provided in the embodiment shown in <FIG> may specifically be the receiving end in the embodiment shown in <FIG>, for example, a general site. When the processor <NUM> calls the program stored in the memory <NUM>, the device shown in <FIG> may be executed. The method of the receiving end side provided by the embodiment.

Optionally, the embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, which may include the communication device or the communication device described in any of the foregoing embodiments.

Claim 1:
A communication method in a wireless local area network, the method comprising:
receiving, by a first station, STA, a probe request frame including a receiving address, RA, field, wherein the first STA and a second STA are in a multiple basic service set identifier, BSSID, set; and
in response to the RA field of the probe request frame including an individual address that is a media access control, MAC, address of the second STA, determining, by the first STA, that the first STA is allowed to respond to the probe request frame for that the first STA and the second STA are in the multiple BSSID set; wherein the first STA is a first access point, AP, of a transmitted BSSID in the multiple BSSID set, and the second STA is a second AP of a non-transmitted BSSID in the multiple BSSID set.