CN111682913B

CN111682913B - Method and device for discovering AP and method and device for sending beacon frame by AP in WLAN

Info

Publication number: CN111682913B
Application number: CN201910174160.0A
Authority: CN
Inventors: 季晨荷; 刘晟; 杨嵘
Original assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Current assignee: Huawei Technologies Co Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-11
Filing date: 2019-03-11
Publication date: 2022-03-29
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-11
Also published as: CN111682913A

Abstract

The application discloses a method and a device for discovering an AP and sending a beacon frame by the AP in a WLAN, which reduce the time delay of the WLAN terminal for discovering the AP in a frequency band with large bandwidth, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal. The specific scheme is as follows: the WLAN terminal takes one channel in the beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive the beacon frame; the WLAN terminal extracts the identification of a data channel of an AP (access point) which sends a first beacon frame from the received first beacon frame; the WLAN terminal switches an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to a data channel of the AP in order to communicate with the AP. Wherein all channels in the set of beacon channels are within a single frequency band; the data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap with the beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located.

Description

Method and device for discovering AP and method and device for sending beacon frame by AP in WLAN

Technical Field

The embodiment of the present application relates to the field of communications technologies, and in particular, to a method and an apparatus for discovering that an Access Point (AP) sends a beacon frame to an AP in a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN).

Background

With the rapid development of WLAN technology, the number and types of WLAN interconnection devices are increasing day by day, the bandwidth requirement is increasing day by day, and the WLAN resources are obviously insufficient. 24/10/2018, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a recommendation rule making notification that a 6 gigahertz (GHz) unlicensed band (5.925 GHz-7.125 GHz) is open for WLAN use.

After entering the coverage area of the AP, the WLAN terminal (newly accessing the network or moving) actively scans the full-band channel through the handover channel to attempt to receive a Beacon (Beacon) frame periodically transmitted by the AP, where the Beacon frame is used to discover the AP and associate with the AP.

The 6GHz band has a large bandwidth, and thus contains many channels. The time consumption for the WLAN terminal to switch channels in the 6GHz band to perform full-band channel scanning is long, which inevitably causes huge association delay and also increases the equipment energy consumption of the WLAN terminal.

Disclosure of Invention

The application provides a method and a device for discovering an AP and sending a beacon frame by the AP in the WLAN, which reduce the time delay of the WLAN terminal for discovering the AP in a frequency band with large bandwidth, thereby reducing the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal.

In order to achieve the above purpose, the embodiment of the present application adopts the following technical solutions:

in a first aspect, a method for discovering an AP is provided, which may include: the WLAN terminal takes one channel in the beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive the beacon frame; then, the WLAN terminal extracts the identifier of the data channel of the AP which sends the first beacon frame from the received first beacon frame; then, the WLAN terminal switches the operating channel of the WLAN terminal to the data channel of the AP in order to communicate with the AP.

Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band. The data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap the beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is only used by the AP to periodically transmit the beacon frame, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frame.

According to the method for discovering the AP, the beacon channel used for sending the beacon frame is separated from the data channel, firstly, due to the fact that the beacon frame is short, a plurality of APs can use the same channel to send the beacon frame, and therefore when the WLAN terminal listens for the beacon frame to discover the APs, the WLAN terminal can discover the APs in the same channel. Second, the WLAN terminal can expect the beacon channel position of the AP, making listening to the beacon frame more accurate. Further, the beacon channel may be configured in a location that is more easily scanned by the WLAN terminal, making it easier for the WLAN terminal to discover the AP. In conclusion, the scheme of the application is applied to a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly to find the AP, the time delay of the WLAN terminal in finding the AP is reduced, and the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is reduced.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the channels in the beacon channel set may be all channels in a frequency band that can be used for the AP to send a beacon frame. The AP selects a channel from the beacon channel set through a certain rule as a beacon channel, and the WLAN terminal switches the channel from the beacon channel set to discover the AP. If the two parties use the same rule, the efficiency of discovering the AP by the WLAN terminal is greatly improved, and the AP can be discovered more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the channel in the beacon channel set may be a beacon channel of an AP with which the WLAN terminal is associated. The associated AP serves as a channel of the beacon channel, and the probability of discovering the AP is high.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the channel in the beacon channel set may be a beacon channel of a neighbor AP of an AP with which the WLAN terminal is originally associated. The neighbor AP refers to an AP adjacent to the AP. The neighbor AP may cover a location to which the WLAN terminal associated with the AP may move. For example, neighbor APs may include, but are not limited to: neighbor APs in geographic location, neighbor APs in topological relation, custom neighbor APs, and the like. The WLAN terminal roams into a new AP coverage area, and the probability that the new AP is the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is high, so that the beacon channel of the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is used as a beacon channel set, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal when the beacon frame is intercepted is improved, and the beacon frame can be intercepted to find the AP more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect, in a possible implementation manner, a WLAN terminal switching an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to a data channel of an AP to communicate with the AP includes: the WLAN terminal sends a Probe Request message to the AP, and judges whether to associate with the AP or not according to a Probe response message sent by the AP. If not, the working channel is switched continuously in the beacon channel set to try to receive the beacon frame. If the association is made with the AP, an association process is performed.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in a possible implementation manner, if the WLAN terminal associates with an AP that transmits a first beacon frame, the method for discovering an AP provided by the present application may further include: the WLAN terminal periodically switches the operating channel of the WLAN terminal temporarily to the beacon channel of the AP at beacon intervals to attempt to receive beacon frames periodically transmitted by the AP to ensure that association with the AP is maintained.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, at least one channel in the beacon channel set is different from a primary channel (primary channel) that may be a channel greater than 20 megahertz (MHz) in a frequency band. That is, the main channel which may be a channel greater than 20MHz is not used as a beacon channel as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference on the main channel and improve the communication reliability.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, at least one channel in the beacon channel set is different from channels that may be N primary channels greater than 20MHz in a frequency band. Wherein N is greater than or equal to 2. It can be understood that various main channels which are more than 20MHz channels are possible to be not used as beacon channels as much as possible, so that the probability of interference of the main channels is reduced, and the communication reliability is improved.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, a WLAN terminal uses one channel in a beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive a beacon frame, which may specifically be implemented as: the WLAN terminal selects the channels in the beacon channel set in sequence to serve as working channels of the WLAN terminal so as to attempt to receive the beacon frame. The content of this sequence may be configured according to actual needs, and is not particularly limited.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, a WLAN terminal uses one channel in a beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive a beacon frame, which may specifically be implemented as: the WLAN terminal selects the channels in the beacon channel set in sequence to serve as working channels of the WLAN terminal so as to attempt to receive the beacon frame. Any channel in the sequence that is different from a channel in the frequency band that may become a primary channel of greater than 20MHz channels is ranked before any channel in the set of beacon channels that is outside of the at least one channel. Since the channel that cannot become the main channel of the channel greater than 20MHz does not cause the entire channel to be unusable even if it is interfered, the probability that the AP selects the channel that cannot become the main channel of the channel greater than 20MHz as the beacon channel is higher, and the WLAN terminal switches the channels in the order in this implementation, and can discover the AP more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, a difference between center frequencies of any two adjacent channels in the foregoing order is greater than 40 MHz. In order to avoid interference, the beacon channel selected by the AP is far away from the beacon channels of other APs, and the WLAN terminal switches the channels according to the order in the implementation manner, so that more APs can be discovered more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, a difference between center frequencies of any two sequentially adjacent channels in the foregoing sequence is greater than a threshold. The value of the threshold can be configured according to actual requirements. In order to avoid interference, the beacon channel selected by the AP is far away from the beacon channels of other APs, and the WLAN terminal switches the channels according to the order in the implementation manner, so that more APs can be discovered more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method for discovering an AP provided by the present application may further include: the WLAN terminal takes the beacon channel of another AP as a channel in the beacon channel set. The another AP may be at least one AP with which the WLAN terminal has associated. For example, the another AP may be an AP with which the WLAN terminal was previously associated. The probability that the beacon frame is sensed by the beacon channel of other APs is higher, and the beacon channel of another AP is used as the channel in the beacon channel set, so that more APs can be discovered more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method for discovering an AP provided by the present application may further include: the WLAN terminal receives the identities of all channels in the beacon channel set from another AP. Wherein, the another AP may be an AP with which the WLAN terminal is originally associated. The WLAN terminal roams into a new AP coverage area, and the probability that the new AP is the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is high, so that the beacon channel of the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is used as a beacon channel set, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal when the beacon frame is intercepted is improved, and the beacon frame can be intercepted to find the AP more quickly.

With reference to the first aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the WLAN terminal may obtain the data channel set in a specific manner, and the WLAN terminal may omit attempting to receive the beacon frame, use one channel in the data channel set as a working channel, and send the probe request message. If the WLAN terminal receives the probe response packet sent by the AP in the first channel, the WLAN terminal maintains the working channel as the first channel so as to facilitate the AP to communicate.

It should be noted that, for the process of selecting the working channel in the data channel set by the WLAN terminal, reference may be made to the process of selecting the working channel in the beacon channel by the WLAN terminal, which is not described in detail again.

In a second aspect, a method for an AP in a WLAN to transmit a beacon frame is provided, which may include: the AP takes the data channel as a working channel to receive and transmit the WLAN frame except the beacon frame; the AP periodically transmits a beacon frame on a beacon channel at a Target Beacon Transmission Time (TBTT) at a beacon interval. Wherein the beacon frame includes an identification of a data channel of the AP, the data channel being different and non-overlapping from the beacon channel.

According to the method for sending the beacon frame by the AP in the WLAN, the beacon channel only used for sending the beacon frame is separated from the data channel, firstly, because the beacon frame is short, a plurality of APs can use the same channel to send the beacon frame, and therefore when the WLAN terminal monitors the beacon frame and discovers the APs, the WLAN terminal can discover the APs in one channel. Second, the WLAN terminal can expect the beacon channel position of the AP, making listening to the beacon frame more accurate. Further, the beacon channel may be configured in a location that is more easily scanned by the WLAN terminal, making it easier for the WLAN terminal to discover the AP. In conclusion, the scheme of the application is applied to a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly to find the AP, the time delay of the WLAN terminal in finding the AP is reduced, and the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is reduced.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the beacon frame periodically transmitted by the AP on the beacon channel may specifically include: the AP temporarily switches its operating channel to a beacon channel to periodically transmit beacon frames.

With reference to the second aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the AP has a dual radio frequency structure, the two radio frequency parts both have respective working channels, the working channel of one radio frequency part is a data channel, and the working channel of the other radio frequency part is a beacon channel. The beacon frame periodically transmitted by the AP on the beacon channel may specifically include: the working channel in the AP is a radio frequency part of a beacon channel, and periodically transmits beacon frames.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method for an AP in a WLAN to transmit a beacon frame may further include: the AP selects available channels in order as beacon channels only in the beacon channel set and selects channels other than the beacon channels as data channels after selecting the beacon channels. Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band. The beacon frame is short, so that the channel is not busy, the beacon channel is selected first, and then the data channel is selected, so that the beacon channel can be determined quickly, the interference caused by the fact that the AP selects the beacon channels of other APs as the data channel can be avoided, and the AP can be found quickly when the WLAN terminal listens for the beacon frame.

The beacon channel set may be a set of all channels in the frequency band, or the beacon channel set may be a set of beacon channels of neighbor APs of the AP. It should be noted that the beacon channel set has been described in detail in the foregoing first aspect, and is not described again here.

The definition of the available channel may be configured according to actual requirements, which is not specifically limited in this application. For example, available channels may be defined as non-high priority channels, such as radar channels, station channels, and the like. As another example, an available channel may be defined as a free channel.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, at least one channel in the beacon channel set may be different from a channel of a main channel that may be a channel greater than 20MHz in a frequency band to which a beacon channel of the AP belongs. That is, the main channel which may be a channel greater than 20MHz is not used as a beacon channel as much as possible, so as to reduce the probability of interference on the main channel and improve the communication reliability.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, any one of the at least one channel that is different from a channel that may become a main channel of a channel greater than 20MHz in the frequency band is ranked before any channel outside the at least one channel in the beacon channel set in the above order. Since the entire channel cannot be used even if the channel that cannot become the main channel of the channel greater than 20MHz is interfered, the AP selects the channel that cannot become the main channel of the channel greater than 20MHz as the beacon channel, and thus communication reliability and efficiency are high.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, a difference between center frequencies of two channels that are the first in the foregoing order is greater than 40 MHz. The AP selects a beacon channel that is far away from the beacon channels of other APs to avoid interference.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, a difference between center frequencies of any two sequentially adjacent channels in the above order is greater than a threshold. The value of the threshold can be configured according to actual requirements. The AP selects a beacon channel that is far away from the beacon channels of other APs to avoid interference.

With reference to the second aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementation manners, in another possible implementation manner, the method for an AP to transmit a beacon frame may further include: the AP acquires a beacon channel of each neighbor AP; the AP sends the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to the WLAN terminals with which it is associated. The WLAN terminal roams into a new AP coverage area, and the probability that the new AP is the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is high, so that the beacon channel of the neighbor AP of the originally associated AP is used as a beacon channel set, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal when the beacon frame is intercepted is improved, and the beacon frame can be intercepted to find the AP more quickly.

In a third aspect, a WLAN terminal is provided, including: a receiving unit, an extracting unit and a transmitting unit. The receiving unit is configured to use one channel in a beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive a beacon frame, where the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, and all channels in the beacon channel set are within a single frequency band. The extracting unit is configured to extract, from the first beacon frame received by the receiving unit, an identifier of a data channel of the AP that transmits the first beacon frame, where the data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap with a beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is used by the AP only to periodically transmit the beacon frame, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frame. The receiving unit and the transmitting unit are used for switching the working channel to the data channel of the AP so as to communicate with the AP.

According to the WLAN terminal, the beacon channel only used for sending the beacon frame is separated from the data channel, firstly, due to the fact that the beacon frame is short, a plurality of APs can use the same channel to send the beacon frame, and therefore the WLAN terminal can find the APs in one channel when listening to the beacon frame and finding the APs. Second, the WLAN terminal can expect the beacon channel position of the AP, making listening to the beacon frame more accurate. Further, the beacon channel may be configured in a location that is more easily scanned by the WLAN terminal, making it easier for the WLAN terminal to discover the AP. In conclusion, the scheme of the application is applied to a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly to find the AP, the time delay of the WLAN terminal in finding the AP is reduced, and the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is reduced.

It should be noted that, the WLAN terminal provided in the third aspect of the present application is configured to implement the method for discovering an AP provided in any one of the foregoing first aspect and possible implementations of the first aspect, and therefore, a specific implementation of the WLAN terminal provided in the third aspect of the present application may refer to a specific implementation of the method for discovering an AP provided in any one of the foregoing first aspect and possible implementations of the first aspect, and details are not repeated here.

In a fourth aspect, there is provided an AP comprising: the device comprises a selection unit, a receiving unit and a sending unit. The selection unit is used for selecting a beacon channel and a data channel of the AP. The receiving unit is used for: the data channel of the AP is used as an operating channel to receive WLAN frames other than beacon frames. And the sending unit is used for taking the data channel of the AP as an operating channel to send the WLAN frame except the beacon frame. The transmitting unit is further configured to periodically transmit a beacon frame on the beacon channel at a beacon interval when the TBTT comes. Wherein the beacon frame includes an identification of a data channel, the data channel being different and non-overlapping from the beacon channel.

Through the AP provided by the application, the beacon channel only used for sending the beacon frame is separated from the data channel, firstly, because the beacon frame is short, a plurality of APs can use the same channel to send the beacon frame, and therefore when the WLAN terminal monitors the beacon frame to discover the APs, the WLAN terminal can discover the APs in one channel. Second, the WLAN terminal can expect the beacon channel position of the AP, making listening to the beacon frame more accurate. Further, the beacon channel may be configured in a location that is more easily scanned by the WLAN terminal, making it easier for the WLAN terminal to discover the AP. In conclusion, the scheme of the application is applied to a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly to find the AP, the time delay of the WLAN terminal in finding the AP is reduced, and the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is reduced.

It should be noted that, the AP provided in the fourth aspect of the present application is configured to implement the method for the AP in the WLAN to transmit the beacon frame provided in any one of the foregoing second aspect and possible implementation manners of the second aspect, and therefore, a specific implementation of the AP provided in the fourth aspect of the present application may refer to a specific implementation of the method for the AP in the WLAN to transmit the beacon frame provided in any one of the foregoing second aspect and possible implementation manners of the second aspect, and details thereof are not repeated here.

In a fifth aspect, the present application provides a WLAN terminal, where the WLAN terminal may implement the functions of the WLAN terminal in the above method examples, where the functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules corresponding to the functions. The WLAN terminal may exist in the product form of a chip.

With reference to the fifth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the structure of the WLAN terminal includes a processor and a transceiver, where the processor is configured to support the WLAN terminal to execute corresponding functions in the foregoing method. The transceiver is used to support communication between the WLAN terminal and other devices. The WLAN terminal may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that stores program instructions and data necessary for the WLAN terminal.

With reference to the fifth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, the processor is configured to instruct the transceiver to operate on one channel in a beacon channel set. Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band. The transceiver is configured to attempt to receive a beacon frame on the operating channel and to transmit a first received beacon frame to the processor. The processor is further configured to extract an identification of a data channel of the AP that transmits the first beacon frame, where the data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap with a beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is used by the AP only to periodically transmit the beacon frame, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frame. The processor is also configured to instruct the transceiver to switch the operating channel to a data channel of the AP for communication with the AP.

In a sixth aspect, the present application provides an AP, where the AP may implement the functions of the AP in the above method examples, where the functions may be implemented by hardware, or may be implemented by hardware executing corresponding software. The hardware or software comprises one or more modules corresponding to the functions. The AP may be present in the product form of a chip.

With reference to the sixth aspect, in a possible implementation manner, the structure of the AP includes a processor and a transceiver, and the processor is configured to support the AP to perform corresponding functions in the foregoing method. The transceiver is configured to support communication between the AP and other devices. The AP may also include a memory, coupled to the processor, that stores program instructions and data necessary for the AP.

With reference to the sixth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, the processor is configured to instruct the transceiver to operate in a data channel or a beacon channel. The transceiver is configured to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frame on the data channel. The transceiver is further configured to periodically transmit a beacon frame on the beacon channel at a beacon interval upon the arrival of the TBTT, wherein the beacon frame includes an identification of a data channel that is different from and non-overlapping with the beacon channel.

With reference to the sixth aspect or any one of the foregoing possible implementations, in another possible implementation, the processor is further configured to select, as a beacon channel, only channels that are available in order in the beacon channel set, and to select, as a data channel, a channel other than the beacon channel after the beacon channel is selected. Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band.

In a seventh aspect, a WLAN system is provided, which includes at least one WLAN terminal described in any one of the above aspects or any one of the possible implementation manners, and an AP described in any one of the above aspects or any one of the possible implementation manners.

In an eighth aspect, a computer-readable storage medium is provided, which comprises instructions that, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided by any one of the above aspects or any one of the possible implementations.

In a ninth aspect, there is provided a computer program product containing instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method provided by any one of the above aspects or any one of the possible implementations.

It should be noted that, all possible implementation manners of any one of the above aspects may be combined without departing from the scope of the claims.

Drawings

Fig. 1 is a schematic flowchart of AP discovery by a WLAN terminal;

fig. 2 is a schematic diagram of an architecture of a WLAN network;

fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a WLAN device according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for discovering an AP and a method for transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 5 is a flowchart illustrating another method for discovering an AP and a method for transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a WLAN terminal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of another WLAN terminal according to an embodiment of the present application;

fig. 8 is a schematic structural diagram of an AP according to an embodiment of the present disclosure;

fig. 9 is a schematic structural diagram of another AP provided in the embodiment of the present application.

Detailed Description

The terms "first," "second," and "third," etc. in the description and claims of this application and the above-described drawings are used for distinguishing between different objects and not for limiting a particular order.

In the embodiments of the present application, "for example" is used to mean serving as an example, illustration or description. Any embodiment or design described herein as "for example" is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous over other embodiments or designs. Rather, use of "for example" is intended to present relevant concepts in a concrete fashion.

For clarity and conciseness of the following descriptions of the various embodiments, a brief introduction to the related art is first given:

WLAN refers to a network providing wireless internet access, in which electronic terminals are connected to each other in a wireless manner, and data, voice, video signals, and the like are transmitted over the air using a wireless technology. Each wireless network has a Service Set Identifier (SSID) as the name of the wireless network. The WLAN mainly includes a WLAN terminal and an AP.

A WLAN terminal, also referred to as a WLAN station sta (station), refers to a terminal device having a wireless communication function and connected to a wireless network. The WLAN terminal described in this application may be a mobile phone, a tablet computer, a notebook computer, an ultra-mobile personal computer (UMPC), a netbook, a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), an electronic book, a mobile television, a wearable device, a Personal Computer (PC), or the like. The embodiment of the present application does not specifically limit the type of the WLAN terminal.

The AP is a device that provides wireless signal access data to the WLAN terminal. The WLAN terminal accesses the network through a wireless signal provided by the AP.

The AP described in this application may be a wireless router, a terminal with a hotspot function, or other AP implementing functions. The type of the AP is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application, and all devices in the wireless network for providing data access to other devices may be understood as the AP described in the embodiment of the present application.

Beacon (Beacon) frames, which are periodically broadcast by the AP at Beacon intervals, are mainly used to inform the network of the presence of the AP. The WLAN terminal may learn about the existence of the AP by scanning the beacon frame, or may actively send a Probe Request (Probe Request) message to search whether the AP exists during scanning. The beacon frame transmitted by the AP may include the SSID of the wireless network provided by the AP. The beacon interval is the interval between the AP transmitting two beacon frames. The time at which the beacon frame is transmitted is referred to as the TBTT.

In the WLAN, the WLAN terminal needs to discover the AP first and then select the AP to associate with the AP, so that the WLAN terminal can access data through the AP. Currently, the process of discovering an AP by a WLAN terminal is shown in fig. 1, and may include the following steps:

s101, the AP periodically broadcasts a beacon frame, which includes the name of the wireless network provided by the AP.

The AP periodically broadcasts a beacon frame to inform WLAN terminals in the coverage area that the AP is in an active state.

S102, the WLAN terminal of the AP to be associated switches channels in the full frequency band and scans to try to receive the beacon frame until the beacon frame is intercepted in a certain channel.

The WLAN terminal to be associated with the AP may be a newly-accessed terminal. Or, the WLAN terminal to be associated with the AP may be a terminal which enters a new AP coverage area after leaving the original associated AP due to location movement.

S103, the WLAN terminal sends a Probe Request message to the AP sending the beacon frame when monitoring the channel of the beacon frame.

The Probe Request message may include a connection requirement of the WLAN terminal. For example, the connection requirements may include, but are not limited to: channel, transmission rate, etc.

S104, the AP sends a Probe response (Probe response) message to the WLAN terminal.

The WLAN terminal to be associated with the AP may discover at least one AP by performing the processes of S101 to S104, and select one AP from the at least one AP to attempt association, where the subsequent association process is not described in detail herein.

In the process of discovering the AP by the WLAN terminal, the WLAN terminal scans through the full band to attempt to discover the AP by receiving the beacon frame. Once the operating frequency band (e.g. 6GHz band) of the WLAN is very wide in bandwidth and there are many channels in the frequency band, the process of switching channels to attempt to receive beacon frames takes a long time, which results in a long time delay for finding APs, and a large amount of energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is inevitably consumed.

Based on this, the embodiments of the present application provide a method for discovering an AP and a method for an AP in a WLAN to transmit a beacon frame, and the basic principle is as follows: the beacon channel is separated in frequency band from the data channel of the WLAN frame outside the transmitted beacon frame. In a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, so that the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly, and an AP can be found more quickly.

The method for discovering an AP and the method for transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN provided by the present application may be applied to the network architecture of the WLAN 20 illustrated in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 2, the network architecture of the WLAN 20 includes an AP 201 and at least one WLAN terminal 202 associated with the AP 201. The WLAN 20 is connected to a core network, and the WLAN terminal 202 accesses the core network to which the WLAN 20 is connected through the AP 201 to access data of a data network.

It should be noted that fig. 2 is only an exemplary description of a network architecture of the WLAN, and the number of network elements and the connection relationship included in the network architecture may be configured according to actual requirements, and are not limited to the content in fig. 2.

Embodiments of the present application will be described in detail below with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In one aspect, the present embodiment provides a WLAN device 30, and the WLAN device 30 may be an AP in a WLAN or a WLAN terminal. For example, the WLAN device 30 may be the AP 201 or the WLAN terminal 202 in fig. 2. As shown in fig. 3, the WLAN device 30 may include a processor 301, a memory 302, and a transceiver 303.

The following describes each component of the WLAN device 30 in detail with reference to fig. 3:

the memory 302 may be a volatile memory (volatile memory), such as a random-access memory (RAM); or a non-volatile memory (non-volatile memory), such as a read-only memory (ROM), a flash memory (flash memory), a Hard Disk Drive (HDD) or a solid-state drive (SSD); or a combination of the above types of memories, for storing program code, configuration files, or other content that may implement the methods of the present application.

The processor 301 is a control center of the WLAN device 30, and may be a Central Processing Unit (CPU), an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), or one or more integrated circuits configured to implement the embodiments of the present application, for example: one or more Digital Signal Processors (DSPs), or one or more Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs).

The transceiver 303 is used for communication with other devices and data transmission.

For example, when the WLAN device 30 is a WLAN terminal, the processor 301 is configured to perform the following functions:

one of the set of beacon channels is used as the operating channel for the WLAN device 30 to attempt to receive the beacon frame. From the received first beacon frame, the identity of the data channel of the AP that transmitted the first beacon frame is extracted. The operating channel of the WLAN device 30 is switched to the data channel of the AP for communication with the AP. Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band. The data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap the beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is only used by the AP to periodically send beacon frames, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to send and receive WLAN frames other than the beacon frames.

For example, when the WLAN device 30 is an AP, the processor 301 is configured to perform the following functions:

using the data channel as a working channel to receive and transmit WLAN frames except the beacon frame; beacon frames are periodically transmitted on the beacon channel at the arrival of the TBTT at the beacon interval. Wherein the beacon frame includes an identification of a data channel of the AP, the data channel being different and non-overlapping from the beacon channel.

In one possible implementation, the processor 301 may perform the functions described above by running or executing software programs and/or modules stored in the memory 302, as well as invoking data stored in the memory 302.

In another possible implementation, the processor 301 may be integrated with a chip for performing the above-described functions. For example, when the processor 301 is an ASIC, a chip or a circuit unit for performing the above functions may be integrated, and the processor 301 may implement the above functions.

In another aspect, embodiments of the present application provide a method for discovering an AP and a method for transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN, where, with reference to the accompanying drawings, when a WLAN terminal is located in a coverage area of a first AP, the solutions provided in the present application are described in detail by describing working processes of the first AP and the WLAN terminal. The WLAN terminal is any terminal in the WLAN, and the first AP is any AP in the WLAN. It should be noted that the WLAN terminal, the first AP, may be the WLAN device 30 illustrated in fig. 3.

As shown in fig. 4, the method for discovering an AP and the method for transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN according to the embodiment of the present application may include:

s401, the first AP selects a beacon channel and a data channel.

Specifically, before the first AP operates, the beacon channel and the data channel need to be determined. The beacon channel of the first AP is used only by the AP to periodically transmit beacon frames and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frames. The data channel is different from and non-overlapping with the beacon channel.

It should be noted that, in S401, the first AP may select the beacon channel and the data channel according to a certain rule, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

S402, the first AP uses the data channel as an operating channel to transceive WLAN frames other than the beacon frame.

In S402, the first AP uses the data channel as a working channel to communicate with the associated WLAN terminal, and receives and transmits WLAN frames other than the beacon frame, so that the WLAN terminal accesses data through the first AP, which is not described herein again.

S403, the first AP periodically transmits a beacon frame on the beacon channel when the TBTT arrives at the beacon interval.

The beacon frame is used for a WLAN terminal located in the coverage area of the first AP to discover the first AP, and the beacon frame sent by the first AP includes an identifier of a data channel of the first AP.

The identifier of the data channel is used to indicate the data channel, and the content of the identifier of the data channel may be configured according to actual requirements, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, different data channels may be assigned different Arabic numbers, or different data channels may be assigned different strings.

Further, the beacon frame transmitted by the first AP may further include an SSID of a wireless network provided by the first AP.

It should be noted that the process of transmitting the beacon frame by the first AP in S403 is similar to the process of transmitting the beacon frame in the description of fig. 1, except that the first AP transmits the beacon frame on a beacon channel different from and not overlapping with the data channel in S403.

For example, S403 may specifically be implemented by, but not limited to, the following three possible implementations:

implementation 1 is that the first AP has a single radio frequency structure, and the first AP temporarily switches the working channel to the beacon channel to periodically transmit the beacon frame.

Implementation 2, the first AP is a dual radio frequency structure, the two radio frequency parts both have their own working channels, the working channel of one radio frequency part is a data channel, and the working channel of the other radio frequency part is a beacon channel. In S403, the working channel may be a radio frequency part of the beacon channel, and the beacon frame may be periodically transmitted.

And 3, the first AP is of a double-radio-frequency structure, and the two radio-frequency parts are provided with respective working channels. In S401, the beacon channel and the data channel of the two radio frequency parts are respectively determined, each radio frequency part respectively executes S402 and S403, receives and transmits WLAN frames in the data channel, and temporarily switches the working channel to the beacon channel to periodically transmit the beacon frame when the TBTT arrives according to the beacon interval.

S404, the WLAN terminal uses one channel in the beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive the beacon frame.

Specifically, the WLAN terminal executing S404 may be a newly-accessed terminal, or may be a terminal associated with the original AP but out of the coverage of the original associated AP due to mobile roaming.

The WLAN terminal associated with the original AP tries to receive a beacon frame periodically transmitted by the original AP when the TBTT arrives according to the beacon interval. When the signal strength of the beacon frame of the original AP received by the WLAN terminal is lower than the predetermined threshold, the WLAN terminal determines that the signal strength is out of the coverage of the original associated AP, and then S404 is executed. For example, the signal strength may be a Received Signal Strength Indication (RSSI) or the like. The value of the predetermined threshold may be determined according to actual requirements, which is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

Wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, all channels in the beacon channel set being within a single frequency band. For example, the single frequency band described in this application may be a 6GHz frequency band, or may also be a 5GHz frequency band, or others, which will not be described one by one.

Specifically, what channels are included in the beacon channel set may be configured according to actual requirements, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

The channels in the beacon channel set are described below by way of example, but are not particularly limited. For example, the channels in the beacon channel set may be one or a combination of several of the following:

in case one, the channels in the beacon channel set are all channels in the frequency band used for WLAN communication.

And in case two, the channel in the beacon channel set is the beacon channel of the neighbor AP originally associated with the AP by the WLAN terminal.

And in the third case, the channel in the beacon channel set is a beacon channel of at least one AP which the WLAN terminal has associated with and is stored inside the WLAN terminal. Correspondingly, the method of the present application may further include: the WLAN terminal takes the beacon channel of another AP as a channel in the beacon channel set.

In the communication band, a channel larger than 20MHz is formed by a plurality of 20MHz channels, for example, a 40MHz channel is formed by two 20MHz channels, and an 80MHz channel is formed by 4 20MHz channels. One 20MHz channel of the channels larger than 20MHz is used as a main channel, and the rest channels are used as auxiliary channels. When a primary channel of a channel greater than 20MHz is interfered, the channel is entirely unusable, and the secondary channel is interfered to continue using the channel by reducing the channel bandwidth.

Based on this, in one possible implementation, to avoid interference to the primary channel, at least one channel in the set of beacon channels is different from a channel in the frequency band that may become a primary channel greater than 20MHz channel, i.e., the primary channel that may become a channel greater than 20MHz is as little as possible as a beacon channel.

In another possible implementation, to avoid interference with the primary channel, at least one channel in the set of beacon channels is different from the channels in the frequency band that may be primary channels of N channels greater than 20 MHz. Wherein N is greater than or equal to 2. It is to be understood that the primary channel, which may be a variety of channels greater than 20MHz, is as little as possible not to be a beacon channel.

Specifically, when two or more channels are included in the beacon channel set, S404 may be specifically implemented as: and the WLAN terminal sequentially selects the channels in the beacon channel set as working channels of the WLAN terminal so as to try to receive the beacon frame. It should be noted that the sequence may be configured according to actual requirements, and this is not specifically limited in the embodiment of the present application.

For example, the embodiment of the present application provides several sequences of the WLAN terminal selecting the working channel in the beacon channel set in S404, but is not limited thereto. The following cases may exist alone or in combination, and are not particularly limited in this application. Specifically, the following conditions may be included:

in the order in which the WLAN terminal selects channels from the beacon channel set, any one of at least one channel different from a channel that may become a primary channel of a channel greater than 20MHz is ranked before any channel in the beacon channel set other than the at least one channel. It is to be understood that channels that are unlikely to become primary channels of channels greater than 20MHz in the beacon channel set are selected in an order that precedes the channels that are likely to become primary channels of channels greater than 20 MHz. Alternatively, it may be understood that a channel that is unlikely to become a main channel of a channel greater than 20MHz is preferentially selected as the operating channel to attempt to receive the beacon frame. Only when all channels that are unlikely to become the main channels of the channels greater than 20MHz have not received the beacon frame, the channel that is likely to become the main channel of the channels greater than 20MHz is reselected as the operating channel to attempt to receive the beacon frame.

Among the channels that may become primary channels of channels greater than 20MHz, some 20MHz channels may become primary channels of more than one channel greater than 20 MHz. Therefore, when selecting a channel that is likely to become a main channel of a channel greater than 20MHz as a beacon channel, the first AP preferentially selects a channel that is likely to become only main channels of 1 channel greater than 20MHz as an operating channel to attempt to receive a beacon frame.

For example, the channel a in the beacon channel set can only be used as a main channel of a 40MHz channel, the channel B in the beacon channel set can be used as a main channel of a 40MHz channel, a main channel of an 80MHz channel, or a main channel of a 160MHz channel, and the channel a can be preferentially selected as an operating channel to attempt to receive a beacon frame.

Case B, the difference of the center frequencies of the first two channels in the order in which the WLAN terminal selects the channels from the beacon channel set may be greater than 40 MHz.

In order to avoid spectrum continuous interference or broadband interference, when the AP selects a beacon channel, a channel far from other AP beacon channels may be selected, so that the difference between the center frequencies of the two first-ranked channels in the order in which the WLAN terminal selects channels from the beacon channel set may be greater than 40MHz, so as to find the AP by receiving the beacon frame more quickly.

One possible implementation of case B is: in the order in which the WLAN terminal selects channels from the beacon channel set, the channel with the lowest center frequency is ranked first, then the channel with the highest center frequency, next to the channel with the next lowest center frequency, next to the channel with the next highest center frequency, and so on.

For example, assuming that the identities of the channels in the beacon channel set are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 with center frequencies from low to high, the order B may be 1, 9, 3, 7, 5.

Another possible implementation of case B is: in the sequence of selecting channels from the beacon channel set by the WLAN terminal, two adjacent channels are not adjacent in the frequency domain.

And in the case C, in the sequence of selecting the channels from the beacon channel set by the WLAN terminal, the difference of the center frequencies of any two channels adjacent in sequence is larger than a threshold value. The specific value of the threshold can be configured according to actual requirements.

The case D, WLAN terminal selects channels from the beacon channel set in order, with center frequencies ranging from low to high.

For example, assuming that the identities of the channels in the beacon channel set are 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 from low to high in the center frequency, the order in which the WLAN terminal selects the channels from the beacon channel set may be 1, 3, 5, 7, 9.

And E, establishing a corresponding channel switching sequence for the frequency bands of the WLANs opened in different countries and distinguishing the frequency bands by country codes because the frequency bands of the WLANs opened in different countries are different. When performing S404, the WLAN terminal matches the country code, and then uses the switching sequence indicated by the matched country code as the sequence for selecting channels from the beacon channel set.

The WLAN terminal, in the process of performing S404, selects a beacon frame when receiving at least one beacon frame, and performs S405 and S406. The selection principle may be based on signal strength or other factors, and this is not specifically limited in this application.

Assuming that the WLAN terminal takes the beacon channel of the first AP as the operating channel in S404, receives the first beacon frame transmitted by the first AP, and then performs S405 and S406.

S405, the WLAN terminal extracts, from the received first beacon frame, an identifier of a data channel of the first AP that transmits the first beacon frame.

S406, the WLAN terminal switches the operating channel of the WLAN terminal to the data channel of the first AP so as to communicate with the first AP.

Specifically, in S406, the WLAN terminal switches the working channel of the WLAN terminal to the data channel of the first AP, sends a Probe Request (Probe Request) message to the first AP, and determines whether to associate with the AP according to a Probe response (Probe response) message sent by the first AP. If the first AP is not associated with the second AP, the process continues to S404 to attempt to receive a beacon frame. If the association is performed with the first AP, the association process is performed, and S407 and S408 are performed.

S407, the WLAN terminal maintains the working channel of the WLAN terminal as the data channel of the first AP, and transmits a WLAN frame.

S408, the WLAN terminal periodically switches the working channel of the WLAN terminal to the beacon channel of the first AP temporarily according to the beacon interval when the TBTT arrives to attempt to receive the beacon frame periodically transmitted by the first AP.

Note that the beacon interval and TBTT in S403 and S408 coincide with each other.

If it is determined to leave the coverage area of the first AP during the WLAN terminal performing S408, the WLAN terminal performs S404 again to discover a new AP.

According to the scheme provided by the application, the beacon channel only used for sending the beacon frame is separated from the data channel, firstly, because the beacon frame is short, a plurality of APs can use the same channel to send the beacon frame, and therefore when the WLAN terminal monitors the beacon frame to discover the APs, the WLAN terminal can discover the APs in one channel. Second, the WLAN terminal can expect the beacon channel position of the AP, making listening to the beacon frame more accurate. Further, the beacon channel may be configured in a location that is more easily scanned by the WLAN terminal, making it easier for the WLAN terminal to discover the AP. In conclusion, the scheme of the application is applied to a frequency band with a large bandwidth, the scanning efficiency of the WLAN terminal in the beacon frame listening process is improved, the WLAN terminal can listen to the beacon frame more quickly to find the AP, the time delay of the WLAN terminal in finding the AP is reduced, and the energy consumption of the WLAN terminal is reduced.

Further, the embodiment of the present application further provides a specific implementation that the first AP selects the beacon channel and the data channel in S401. Specifically, the selection of the beacon channel and the data channel by the first AP in S401 may be implemented by, but is not limited to, any one of the following two schemes:

in the first scheme, the first AP selects available channels in order as beacon channels only in the beacon channel set, and selects channels other than the beacon channels as data channels after selecting the beacon channels.

It should be noted that, the beacon channel set is already described in detail in the above S404, and is not described again here.

It should be further noted that, in the first scheme, the sequence in which the first AP selects an available channel from the beacon channel set is the same as the sequence in which the WLAN terminal selects a channel from the beacon channel set described in S404, and the specific implementation may refer to the description in S404, which is not described herein again.

Specifically, the definition of whether the channel is available may be configured according to actual requirements, and this embodiment of the present application is not specifically limited thereto.

For example, the available channels may have one or more of the following characteristics, but are not specifically limited:

feature 1, non-high priority channel. The high priority channels may include, but are not limited to, radar channels, station channels, and the like.

Feature 2, channel idle. The definition of the channel idle may be configured according to actual requirements, and this is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application.

In a second scheme, an administrator of the first AP assigns a beacon channel and a data channel to the first AP. The administrator may specify the beacon channel and the data channel of the AP by input at the control interface of the first AP. The administrator of the first AP may be a user of the first AP or an administrator of a platform that manages the first AP, which is not specifically limited in the present application.

Of course, the specific implementation of the first AP selecting the beacon channel and the data channel may be implemented by schemes other than the two schemes, which is not described in detail in this application.

In order to avoid increasing the channel utilization rate and avoid interference to the main channel of the channel greater than 20MHz as much as possible, the beacon channel selected by the first AP is different from the channel of the main channel which may become the channel greater than 20MHz in the frequency band to which the beacon channel belongs. Alternatively, a channel that is unlikely to become a main channel of a channel larger than 20MHz is preferentially selected as the beacon channel. Only when all channels that are unlikely to become primary channels of channels greater than 20MHz cannot be selected as beacon channels, channels that are likely to become primary channels of channels greater than 20MHz are re-selected as beacon channels.

Of the channels that may become primary channels greater than 20MHz channels, some 20MHz channels may become primary channels for more than one channel greater than 20 MHz. Therefore, when a channel that can become a main channel of a channel greater than 20MHz is selected as the beacon channel, the first AP preferentially selects a channel that can become only 1 main channel of a channel greater than 20MHz as the beacon channel.

For example, channel a can only be the primary channel for a 40MHz channel, and channel B can be the primary channel for a 40MHz channel, the primary channel for an 80MHz channel, or the primary channel for a 160MHz channel. The first AP may preferentially select channel a as the beacon channel and not channel B as the beacon channel.

Further, as described above, the channels in the beacon channel set may include beacon channels of neighboring APs, and based on this, as shown in fig. 5, the method for discovering an AP and the method for an AP in a WLAN to transmit a beacon frame provided in the embodiment of the present application may further include S409 and S410.

S409, the first AP acquires the beacon channel of each neighbor AP.

Wherein, the neighbor AP refers to an AP adjacent to the first AP. The neighbor APs may cover the locations to which WLAN terminals associated with the first AP may move. For example, whether two APs are adjacent may be determined according to one or more of the following ways: 1) whether the two APs can sense the signals of the other side or not; 2) whether historically there have been any WLAN terminals roaming between the two APs; 3) whether marked as a neighbor in a manually configured neighbor table.

In one possible implementation, the first AP may obtain the beacon channel of each neighbor AP by requesting a response from the neighbor AP.

In another possible implementation, the first AP may obtain the beacon channel of each neighboring AP from the WLAN controller. The WLAN controller is used for uniformly managing the APs in the WLAN. For example, the WLAN controller may be an Access Controller (AC) in the access point control and provisioning protocol (CAPWAP).

S410, the first AP sends the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to its associated WLAN terminal.

Specifically, the first AP transmits the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to the WLAN terminal associated therewith at S410.

In one possible implementation, the first AP may transmit the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to its associated WLAN terminal on a data channel.

In one possible implementation, the first AP may send the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to its associated WLAN terminal in the beacon frame of the beacon channel.

The beacon channel identifier is used to indicate the beacon channel, and the content of the beacon channel identifier may be configured according to actual requirements, which is not specifically limited in this embodiment of the present application. For example, different beacon channels may be assigned different Arabic numbers or different beacon channels may be assigned different strings.

The WLAN terminal associated with the first AP performs S411.

S411, the WLAN terminal receives the beacon channel identification of the neighbor AP sent by the first AP.

It should be noted that the content received by the WLAN terminal in S411 is the content sent by the first AP in S410, and is not described herein again.

It should be noted that, for the execution sequence of each step in the method provided by the present application, the configuration may be configured according to actual requirements, and only one possible execution sequence is illustrated in fig. 4 or fig. 5, which is not specifically limited.

Further, in another possible implementation, the WLAN terminal may obtain the data channel set in a specific manner, and the WLAN terminal may omit the step of attempting to receive the beacon frame, and send the probe request message by using one channel in the data channel set as the working channel. If the WLAN terminal receives the probe response packet sent by the AP in the first channel, the WLAN terminal maintains the working channel as the first channel so as to facilitate the AP to communicate.

It should be noted that, for the process of selecting the working channel in the data channel set by the WLAN terminal, reference may be made to the process of selecting the working channel in the beacon channel by the WLAN terminal in the foregoing S404, which is not described again.

The above-mentioned scheme provided by the embodiment of the present application is introduced mainly from the perspective of interaction between network elements. It is to be understood that the WLAN terminal and the AP include hardware structures and/or software modules for performing the functions to implement the functions. Those of skill in the art would readily appreciate that the various illustrative elements and algorithm steps described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented as hardware or combinations of hardware and computer software. Whether a function is performed as hardware or computer software drives hardware depends upon the particular application and design constraints imposed on the solution. Skilled artisans may implement the described functionality in varying ways for each particular application, but such implementation decisions should not be interpreted as causing a departure from the scope of the present application.

In the embodiment of the present application, the WLAN terminal and the AP may be divided into function modules according to the above method example, for example, each function module may be divided corresponding to each function, or two or more functions may be integrated into one processing module. The integrated module can be realized in a hardware mode, and can also be realized in a software functional module mode. It should be noted that, in the embodiment of the present application, the division of the module is schematic, and is only one logic function division, and there may be another division manner in actual implementation.

Fig. 6 shows a possible structure diagram of the WLAN terminal 60 according to the above embodiment, in the case of dividing each functional module by corresponding functions. As shown in fig. 6, the WLAN terminal 60 may include: receiving section 601, extracting section 602, and transmitting section 603. The receiving unit 601 is configured to perform the processes S404, S408, and S411 in fig. 4 or fig. 5; the extracting unit 602 is configured to perform the process S405 in fig. 4 or fig. 5; the receiving unit 601 and the transmitting unit 603 are configured to execute the processes S406 and S407 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

In case of an integrated unit, fig. 7 shows a possible structural diagram of the WLAN terminal 70 involved in the above embodiment. The WLAN terminal 70 may include: a processing module 701 and a communication module 702. The processing module 701 is configured to control and manage the operation of the WLAN terminal 70. For example, the processing module 701 is used to indicate an operating channel of the communication module 702. The processing module 701 is further configured to execute the process S405 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The communication module 702 is configured to execute the processes S404, S406, S407, S408, S411 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The WLAN terminal 70 may also include a memory module 703 for storing program codes and data of the WLAN terminal 70.

When the processing module 701 is a processor, the communication module 702 is a transceiver, and the storage module 703 is a memory, the WLAN terminal 70 in fig. 7 according to the embodiment of the present application may be the WLAN device 30 shown in fig. 3.

As described above, the WLAN terminal 60 or the WLAN terminal 70 provided in the embodiments of the present application may be used to implement the functions of the WLAN terminal in the methods implemented in the embodiments of the present application, and for convenience of description, only the relevant portions of the embodiments of the present application are shown, and details of the technology are not disclosed, please refer to the embodiments of the present application.

Fig. 8 shows a possible structure diagram of the AP according to the above embodiment, in the case of dividing each functional module according to each function. As shown in fig. 8, the AP 80 may include: selection section 801, reception section 802, and transmission section 803. The selection unit 801 is configured to execute the procedure S401 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The receiving unit 802 and the sending unit 803 are configured to execute the processes S402 and S407 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The sending unit 803 is also configured to send the request message by performing the procedure S403 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. All relevant contents of each step related to the above method embodiment may be referred to the functional description of the corresponding functional module, and are not described herein again.

Further, as shown in fig. 8, the AP 80 may further include an obtaining unit 804, configured to execute the process S409 in fig. 5. Accordingly, the sending unit 803 is also configured to execute the procedure S410 in fig. 5.

Fig. 9 shows a possible schematic structure of the AP involved in the above embodiments, in the case of an integrated unit. As shown in fig. 9, the AP 90 may include: a processing module 901 and a communication module 902. The processing module 901 is used for controlling and managing the actions of the AP 90. For example, the processing module 901 is used to indicate the working channel of the communication module 902. The processing module 901 is also configured to execute the procedure S401 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The communication module 902 is configured to perform the processes S402, S403, and S407 in fig. 4 or fig. 5. The AP 90 may also include a storage module 903 for storing program codes and data for the AP 90.

When the processing module 901 is a processor, the communication module 902 is a transceiver, and the storage module 903 is a memory, the AP 90 according to the embodiment of the present application, shown in fig. 9, may be the WLAN device 30 shown in fig. 3.

As mentioned above, the AP 80 or the AP 90 provided in the embodiments of the present application may be used to implement the functions of the AP in the methods implemented in the embodiments of the present application, and for convenience of description, only the portions related to the embodiments of the present application are shown, and details of the specific technology are not disclosed, please refer to the embodiments of the present application.

In another aspect, an embodiment of the present application provides a communication system, where the communication system may include the WLAN terminal described in any of the above embodiments and the AP described in any of the above embodiments.

As another form of the present embodiment, there is provided a computer-readable storage medium having stored thereon instructions that, when executed, perform the method of discovering an AP or the method of transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN in the above-described method embodiments.

As another form of the present embodiment, there is provided a computer program product containing instructions that, when executed, perform the method of discovering an AP or the method of transmitting a beacon frame by an AP in a WLAN in the above-described method embodiments.

Through the above description of the embodiments, it is clear to those skilled in the art that, for convenience and simplicity of description, the foregoing division of the functional modules is merely used as an example, and in practical applications, the above function distribution may be completed by different functional modules according to needs, that is, the internal structure of the device may be divided into different functional modules to complete all or part of the above described functions.

In the several embodiments provided in the present application, it should be understood that the disclosed apparatus and method may be implemented in other ways. For example, the above-described device embodiments are merely illustrative, and for example, the division of the modules or units is only one logical functional division, and there may be other divisions when actually implemented, for example, a plurality of units or components may be combined or may be integrated into another device, or some features may be omitted, or not executed. In addition, the shown or discussed mutual coupling or direct coupling or communication connection may be an indirect coupling or communication connection through some interfaces, devices or units, and may be in an electrical, mechanical or other form.

The units described as separate parts may or may not be physically separate, and parts displayed as units may be one physical unit or a plurality of physical units, that is, may be located in one place, or may be distributed in a plurality of different places. Some or all of the units can be selected according to actual needs to achieve the purpose of the solution of the embodiment.

In addition, functional units in the embodiments of the present application may be integrated into one processing unit, or each unit may exist alone physically, or two or more units are integrated into one unit. The integrated unit can be realized in a form of hardware, and can also be realized in a form of a software functional unit.

The method provided by the embodiment of the present application may be implemented in whole or in part by software, hardware, firmware, or any combination thereof. When implemented in software, may be implemented in whole or in part in the form of a computer program product. The computer program product includes one or more computer instructions. When loaded and executed on a computer, cause the processes or functions described in accordance with the embodiments of the invention to occur, in whole or in part. The computer may be a general purpose computer, a special purpose computer, a computer network, a network appliance, a terminal, or other programmable apparatus. The computer instructions may be stored on a computer readable storage medium or transmitted from one computer readable storage medium to another, for example, from one website, computer, server, or data center to another website, computer, server, or data center via wire (e.g., coaxial cable, fiber optic, Digital Subscriber Line (DSL)) or wireless (e.g., infrared, wireless, microwave, etc.). The computer-readable storage medium can be any available medium that can be accessed by a computer or a data storage device, such as a server, a data center, etc., that incorporates one or more of the available media. The usable medium may be a magnetic medium (e.g., floppy disk, hard disk, magnetic tape), an optical medium (e.g., Digital Video Disk (DVD)), or a semiconductor medium (e.g., SSD), among others.

While the present application has been described in connection with various embodiments, other variations to the disclosed embodiments can be understood and effected by those skilled in the art in practicing the claimed application, from a review of the drawings, the disclosure, and the appended claims. A single processor or other unit may fulfill the functions of several items recited in the claims. The mere fact that certain measures are recited in mutually different dependent claims does not indicate that a combination of these measures cannot be used to advantage.

Claims

1. A method for discovering an access point, AP, comprising:

a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) terminal uses one channel in a beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive a beacon frame, wherein the beacon channel set comprises one or more channels, and all the channels in the beacon channel set are in a single frequency band;

the WLAN terminal extracts identification of a data channel of an AP (access point) which sends a first beacon frame from the received first beacon frame, wherein the data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap with a beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is only used by the AP for periodically sending beacon frames, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP for transceiving WLAN frames except for the beacon frames;

the WLAN terminal switching an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to the data channel of the AP for communication with the AP;

at least one channel in the set of beacon channels is different from a channel within the frequency band having a likelihood of being a primary channel that is greater than a 20 megahertz (MHz) channel;

and the WLAN terminal sequentially selects the channels in the beacon channel set as the working channels according to the sequence so as to try to receive the beacon frame.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein if the WLAN terminal associates with the AP, the method further comprises:

the WLAN terminal periodically and temporarily switches the working channel of the WLAN terminal to the beacon channel of the AP according to the beacon interval so as to try to receive the beacon frame periodically transmitted by the AP.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the WLAN terminal using one of a beacon channel set as an operating channel of the WLAN terminal to attempt to receive a beacon frame comprises:

the WLAN terminal sequentially selects channels in the beacon channel set as the working channels according to the sequence to try to receive beacon frames;

any of the at least one channel is ranked in the order before any channel in the set of beacon channels that is outside of the at least one channel.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein a difference between center frequencies of any two sequentially adjacent channels in the sequence is greater than a threshold.

5. The method according to any of claims 1-4, further comprising the WLAN terminal treating a beacon channel of another AP as a channel in the set of beacon channels.

6. The method of any of claims 1-5, further comprising the WLAN terminal receiving an identification of all channels in the beacon channel set from another AP.

7. A method for an access point AP to transmit a beacon frame in a wireless local area network WLAN, comprising:

the AP takes the data channel as a working channel to receive and transmit the WLAN frame except the beacon frame;

the AP periodically transmits the beacon frame on a beacon channel when a target beacon transmission time TBTT arrives according to a beacon interval, wherein the beacon frame comprises an identifier of the data channel, and the data channel is different from and not overlapped with the beacon channel;

the AP sequentially selects available channels as the beacon channel only in a beacon channel set, and selects a channel other than the beacon channel as the data channel after selecting the beacon channel, wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, and all channels in the beacon channel set are within a single frequency band.

8. The method of claim 7, further comprising:

the AP acquires a beacon channel of each neighbor AP;

and the AP sends the identification of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP to the WLAN terminal associated with the AP.

9. A wireless local area network, WLAN, terminal, comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to use one channel in a beacon channel set as an operating channel to attempt to receive a beacon frame, where the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, and all channels in the beacon channel set are within a single frequency band;

an extracting unit, configured to extract, from the first beacon frame received by the receiving unit, an identifier of a data channel of an AP that transmits the first beacon frame, where the data channel of the AP is different from and does not overlap a beacon channel of the AP where the first beacon frame is located, the beacon channel of the AP is used by the AP only to periodically transmit beacon frames, and the data channel of the AP is used by the AP to transceive WLAN frames other than beacon frames;

a transmitting unit, configured to switch an operating channel to the data channel of the AP so as to communicate with the AP;

the receiving unit is further configured to switch an operating channel to the data channel of the AP for communicating with the AP;

the receiving unit is specifically configured to:

and sequentially selecting the channels in the beacon channel set as working channels according to the sequence so as to attempt to receive the beacon frame.

10. The WLAN terminal of claim 9, wherein if the WLAN terminal associates with the AP, the receiving unit is further configured to:

temporarily switching an operating channel to the beacon channel of the AP periodically at a beacon interval to attempt to receive a beacon frame periodically transmitted by the AP.

11. The WLAN terminal according to claim 9, wherein the receiving unit is specifically configured to:

sequentially selecting channels in the beacon channel set as the working channels according to the sequence so as to try to receive beacon frames;

12. The WLAN terminal of claim 11, wherein a difference between center frequencies of any two sequentially adjacent channels in the sequence is greater than a threshold.

13. The WLAN terminal according to any of claims 9-12, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to: the beacon channel of another AP is taken as a channel in the set of beacon channels.

14. The WLAN terminal according to any of claims 9-13, wherein the receiving unit is further configured to: receiving, from another AP, an identification of all channels in the set of beacon channels.

15. An access point, AP, in a wireless local area network, WLAN, comprising:

a selecting unit configured to select a beacon channel and a data channel of the AP;

a receiving unit, configured to use a data channel of the AP as a working channel to receive a WLAN frame other than a beacon frame;

a sending unit, configured to use a data channel of the AP as a working channel to send a WLAN frame other than the beacon frame;

the sending unit is further configured to send the beacon frame periodically on a beacon channel when a target beacon transmission time TBTT arrives at a beacon interval, where the beacon frame includes an identifier of the data channel, and the data channel is different from and does not overlap with the beacon channel;

the selection unit is specifically configured to:

selecting available channels as the beacon channels only in a beacon channel set in order, and selecting channels other than the beacon channels as the data channels after selecting the beacon channels, wherein the beacon channel set includes one or more channels, and all channels in the beacon channel set are within a single frequency band.

16. The AP of claim 15,

the AP also comprises an acquisition unit used for acquiring the beacon channel of each neighbor AP;

the sending unit is further configured to send the identifier of the beacon channel of each neighbor AP, acquired by the acquiring unit, to the WLAN terminal associated with the AP.

17. A wireless local area network, WLAN, terminal comprising a memory, a processor and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor when executing the program implements the method of discovering an access point, AP, according to any of claims 1-6.

18. An access point, AP, in a wireless local area network, WLAN, comprising a memory, a processor and a program stored on the memory and executable on the processor, wherein the processor when executing the program implements the method of any of claims 7-8 for the AP to transmit a beacon frame in the WLAN.

19. A wireless local area network WLAN system, comprising a WLAN terminal according to any of claims 9-14 and an access point AP in a WLAN according to any of claims 15-16.

20. A computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method of any one of claims 1-8.

21. A computer program product comprising instructions which, when run on a computer, cause the computer to perform the method according to any one of claims 1-8.