CN103178943A - Method, device and system for link adaptation - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention discloses a method, a device and a system for link adaption. The method includes the following steps: an access point AP receives data frames from a terminal STA; the access point AP records confirmation message ACK which is sent by each terminal and received by the data frames; the access point AP sends a cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA; and the cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK, after being received by the terminal STA, is used to guarantee whether the data frames sent can be successfully received by the access point AP, wherein the cluster confirmation frame consists of the confirmation message ACK and terminal identification corresponding to the confirmation frame. The method adopts a response control frame-Cluster ACK which enables the access point AP to use a Cluster ACK to response data sent by a plurality of STAs. Therefore, the network cost brought by ACK can be lowered and the capability of the system can be improved. The device and the system for achieving the above method are also provided.

Description

Translated fromChinese

用于链路自适应的方法、装置和系统Method, device and system for link adaptation

技术领域technical field

本发明涉及通信领域，特别涉及通信领域中用于链路自适应的方法、装置和系统。The present invention relates to the communication field, in particular to a method, device and system for link adaptation in the communication field.

背景技术Background technique

在现在的无线局域网的标准中中，传统的应答机制为DATA/ACK模式，即发送方每发送一个分组或数据之后都需要收到一个确认帧ACK来确认分组或数据是否发送成功。DATA/ACK交换具有固定的系统开销。这个开销包括竞争周期，与发送该帧本身相关的系统开销，接收端的射频转换时长(SIFS)以及ACK帧的传输时间。尽管系统开销基本上是固定的，但发送数据帧的时间并不固定。发送数据帧的时间越长，固定开销相对于整个传输时长的比例就越小，发送数据帧的时间越短，固定开销相对于整个传输时长的比例就越大。In the current wireless local area network standard, the traditional response mechanism is DATA/ACK mode, that is, the sender needs to receive a confirmation frame ACK after sending each packet or data to confirm whether the packet or data is sent successfully. DATA/ACK exchange has fixed overhead. This overhead includes the contention period, the overhead associated with sending the frame itself, the receiver's RF transition time (SIFS), and the transmission time of the ACK frame. Although the system overhead is basically fixed, the time to send a data frame is not fixed. The longer the time to send a data frame, the smaller the ratio of the fixed overhead to the entire transmission duration, and the shorter the time to send a data frame, the larger the ratio of the fixed overhead to the entire transmission duration.

在传感器网络，智能电网等景下，终端STAs发送的分组通常较短，因此，传统的DATA/ACK模式会带来很大的系统开销。因此，减小传统ACK带来的系统开销就会提升网络性能。In scenarios such as sensor networks and smart grids, the packets sent by terminal STAs are usually short, so the traditional DATA/ACK mode will bring a lot of system overhead. Therefore, reducing the system overhead brought by the traditional ACK will improve network performance.

发明内容Contents of the invention

本发明实施例提供了一种无线局域网中发送数据的方法和接入点AP，减少ACK带来的系统开销以提升网络性能。Embodiments of the present invention provide a method for sending data in a wireless local area network and an access point AP, which reduce system overhead brought by ACK to improve network performance.

一方面，本发明实施例提供了一种无线局域网中发送数据的方法，包括：On the one hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides a method for sending data in a wireless local area network, including:

接入点AP接收终端STA发送的数据帧；The access point AP receives the data frame sent by the terminal STA;

所述接入点AP记录每个终端发送的所述数据帧是否成功接收的确认信息ACK；The access point AP records the acknowledgment information ACK of whether the data frame sent by each terminal is successfully received;

所述接入点AP向所述终端STA发送集群确认帧Cluster ACK，所述确认帧Cluster ACK用于被所述终端STA接收后每一个终端以确定发送的所述数据帧是否被所述接入点AP成功接收；其中所述集群确认帧包括所述确认信息ACK及所述确认帧对应的终端标识。The access point AP sends a cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA, and the confirmation frame Cluster ACK is used by each terminal after being received by the terminal STA to determine whether the sent data frame is received by the terminal STA. The point AP successfully receives; wherein the group confirmation frame includes the confirmation information ACK and the terminal identifier corresponding to the confirmation frame.

另一方面，本发明实施例提供了一种接入点设备AP，包括：On the other hand, an embodiment of the present invention provides an access point device AP, including:

接收单元，用于接收终端STA发送的数据帧；a receiving unit, configured to receive a data frame sent by the terminal STA;

集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元，用于根据每个终端发送的所述数据帧是否成功接收的确认信息ACK生成集群确认帧Cluster ACK，所述所述确认帧Cluster ACK用于被所述终端STA接收后每一个终端以确定发送的所述数据帧是否被所述接入点AP成功接收，其中所述集群确认帧包括所述确认信息ACK及所述确认帧对应的终端标识；A cluster acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK generating unit, configured to generate a cluster acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK according to the acknowledgment information ACK sent by each terminal whether the data frame is successfully received, and the acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK is used to be received by the terminal STA Afterwards, each terminal determines whether the sent data frame is successfully received by the access point AP, wherein the cluster confirmation frame includes the confirmation information ACK and the terminal identification corresponding to the confirmation frame;

发送单元，用于向所述终端STA发送所述集群确认帧Cluster ACK。A sending unit, configured to send the cluster acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA.

基于上述技术方案，本发明实施例的方法和设备采用新的应答控制帧——Cluster ACK，使AP可以使用一个Cluster ACK帧同时应答多个STAs向它发送的数据。从而减小ACK带来的网络开销，提高系统的性能。Based on the above technical solution, the method and device of the embodiment of the present invention adopt a new response control frame - Cluster ACK, so that the AP can use a Cluster ACK frame to simultaneously respond to the data sent to it by multiple STAs. Therefore, the network overhead brought by the ACK is reduced, and the performance of the system is improved.

附图说明Description of drawings

为了更清楚地说明本发明实施例的技术方案，下面将对本发明实施例中所需要使用的附图作简单地介绍，显而易见地，下面所描述的附图仅仅是本发明的一些实施例，对于本领域普通技术人员来讲，在不付出创造性劳动的前提下，还可以根据这些附图获得其他的附图。In order to more clearly illustrate the technical solutions of the embodiments of the present invention, the following will briefly introduce the accompanying drawings required in the embodiments of the present invention. Obviously, the accompanying drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For Those of ordinary skill in the art can also obtain other drawings based on these drawings without making creative efforts.

图1是本发明实施例的Cluster ACK帧的一般格式示意图。FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of a general format of a Cluster ACK frame according to an embodiment of the present invention.

图2是本发明实施例发送数据的方法流程图。Fig. 2 is a flowchart of a method for sending data according to an embodiment of the present invention.

图3是Cluster ACK帧一具体实例的结构示意图。Fig. 3 is a schematic structural diagram of a specific example of a Cluster ACK frame.

图4是Cluster ACK帧又一实例的结构示意图。Fig. 4 is a schematic structural diagram of another example of a Cluster ACK frame.

图5是Cluster ACK帧再一实例的结构示意图。Fig. 5 is a schematic structural diagram of another example of a Cluster ACK frame.

图6是Cluster-added ACK帧一具体实例的结构示意图。Fig. 6 is a schematic structural diagram of a specific example of a Cluster-added ACK frame.

图7是本发明实施例接入点设备的结构示意图。Fig. 7 is a schematic structural diagram of an access point device according to an embodiment of the present invention.

具体实施方式Detailed ways

下面将结合本发明实施例中的附图，对本发明实施例中的技术方案进行清楚、完整地描述。The following will clearly and completely describe the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present invention with reference to the drawings in the embodiments of the present invention.

下面将描述根据本发明实施例的用于无线局域网中发送数据的方法。A method for sending data in a wireless local area network according to an embodiment of the present invention will be described below.

本发明实施例可以是WLAN中站点(STA)和接入点(AP，Access Point)之间正在进行数据传输。有些时候可以认为AP是一个特殊的站点。可以认为站点(STA)和接入点互为发送端和接收端。所以在下面的实施例中装置可以为一个STA或AP，系统可以是站点(STA)和接入点(AP，Access Point)组成的WLAN.In this embodiment of the present invention, data transmission is in progress between a station (STA) and an access point (AP, Access Point) in a WLAN. Sometimes an AP can be considered as a special station. It can be considered that the station (STA) and the access point are the sending end and the receiving end of each other. Therefore, in the following embodiments, the device can be a STA or AP, and the system can be a WLAN composed of a station (STA) and an access point (AP, Access Point).

参阅图1，本发明实施例采用一个新的帧集群确认帧Cluster ACK，该Cluster ACK帧包括2Byte长的帧控制信息Frame Control字段，2Byte长的持续时间Duration/ID字段，帧体body和4Byte长的帧校验序列FCS。其中，Cluster ACK帧的Frame Control字段与现有的ACK帧相比不同，ACK帧的子类型指示值Subtype value为1101，而Cluster ACK帧的Subtype value可以为0000-0110中的某一值以此来指示新的帧类型。当然在实际操作中，所述Subtype value取值可以在系统中规定，在AP与STA之间协商好或者规定好，达到同步即可，前述为一实施例。Cluster ACK帧的Duration/ID字段表示以us为单位的时长。帧体用以应答数据帧的接收情况。FCS字段包括一个32bit的CRC，用以校验分组的完整性。Referring to Fig. 1, the embodiment of the present invention adopts a new frame cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK, the Cluster ACK frame includes 2Byte long frame control information Frame Control field, 2Byte long duration Duration/ID field, frame body and 4Byte long The frame check sequence FCS. Among them, the Frame Control field of the Cluster ACK frame is different from the existing ACK frame. The subtype value of the ACK frame is 1101, and the Subtype value of the Cluster ACK frame can be a certain value in 0000-0110. to indicate a new frame type. Of course, in actual operation, the value of the Subtype value can be specified in the system, negotiated or specified between the AP and the STA, and only need to achieve synchronization. The foregoing is an embodiment. The Duration/ID field of the Cluster ACK frame indicates the duration in us. The frame body is used to respond to the reception of the data frame. The FCS field includes a 32-bit CRC to check the integrity of the packet.

采用上述。Cluster ACK帧，AP不对每一个数据帧一一应答，而是在一个特定时间发送一个Cluster ACK帧对一段时间内接收到的一个或多个STAs发送的若干数据帧进行统一回复。AP维护一张信息列表，在成功接收到一个数据帧之后，在列表内记录下该数据帧的发送节点的ID及该数据帧的编号。在发送Cluster ACK帧之前，AP将信息列表内的信息按一定规则写入帧体。STAs在收到Cluster ACK帧之后，按一定的规则解读帧体内的信息，确定自己所发送的数据帧是否被正确接收。Use the above. Cluster ACK frame, AP does not respond to each data frame one by one, but sends a Cluster ACK frame at a specific time to reply to several data frames sent by one or more STAs received within a period of time. The AP maintains an information list, and after successfully receiving a data frame, records the ID of the sending node of the data frame and the serial number of the data frame in the list. Before sending the Cluster ACK frame, the AP writes the information in the information list into the frame body according to certain rules. After receiving the Cluster ACK frame, STAs interpret the information in the frame body according to certain rules to determine whether the data frame sent by them is received correctly.

参阅图2，本发明实施例发送数据的方法流程图，所述方法包括：Referring to Fig. 2, a flowchart of a method for sending data according to an embodiment of the present invention, the method includes:

S101，接入点AP接收终端STA发送的数据帧；S101. The access point AP receives the data frame sent by the terminal STA;

S103，所述接入点AP记录每个终端发送的所述数据帧是否成功接收的确认信息ACK；S103, the access point AP records the acknowledgment information ACK of whether the data frame sent by each terminal is successfully received;

S105，所述接入点AP向所述终端STA发送集群确认帧Cluster ACK，所述确认帧Cluster ACK用于被所述终端STA接收后每一个终端以确定发送的所述数据帧是否被所述接入点AP成功接收；其中所述集群确认帧包括至少两个所述确认信息ACK，还包括与所述确认帧ACK对应的终端标识。S105, the access point AP sends a cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA, and the confirmation frame Cluster ACK is used by each terminal after being received by the terminal STA to determine whether the sent data frame is received by the terminal STA The access point AP receives it successfully; wherein the group confirmation frame includes at least two confirmation information ACKs, and also includes a terminal identifier corresponding to the confirmation frame ACK.

基于上述技术方案，本发明实施例的方法采用新的应答控制帧——Cluster ACK，使AP可以使用一个Cluster ACK帧同时应答多个STAs向它发送的数据。从而减小ACK带来的网络开销，提高系统的性能。Based on the above technical solution, the method of the embodiment of the present invention adopts a new response control frame——Cluster ACK, so that the AP can use one Cluster ACK frame to simultaneously respond to the data sent to it by multiple STAs. Therefore, the network overhead brought by the ACK is reduced, and the performance of the system is improved.

下面结合不同场景的不同实施对方法进行介绍。The method is introduced below in combination with different implementations in different scenarios.

接入点设备AP与STA通信，接收STA发送的数据帧后AP回复ClusterACK帧。如果与AP通信的为n个终端，Cluster ACK帧的帧体由1Byte长的Cluster-ID字段和“n”Byte长的“确认”字段组成，“n”为一个Cluster ACK帧可以确认的节点的数量。这里建议n最为8或者16。在具体实施中，如果系统支持，可以不对集群ACK的发送支持的终端数限制，本实施例及后续的实施例均以8个终端为例，但是可以简单通过增加帧的持续时间何长度增加到16或者其他需要的长度。每个终端可以支持8个帧的ack，每对应一个终端的确认信息ACK(确认字段)为1 byte，其中8个比特指示8个应确认信息ACK，依次对应终端发送的8个数据帧的接收情况。各实施例也是用同时反馈8个数据帧的情况进行介绍的。但是通过增加帧长度，可以简单的增加到同时发送一个终端16个数据帧的接收情况，或者其它数量的数据帧接收情况。The access point device AP communicates with the STA, and after receiving the data frame sent by the STA, the AP replies with a ClusterACK frame. If there are n terminals communicating with the AP, the frame body of the Cluster ACK frame consists of a 1 Byte long Cluster-ID field and an "n" Byte long "acknowledgment" field, "n" is the number of nodes that can be confirmed by a Cluster ACK frame quantity. Here it is recommended that n be the most 8 or 16. In the specific implementation, if the system supports it, there is no need to limit the number of terminals supported by the transmission of the cluster ACK. This embodiment and subsequent embodiments all take 8 terminals as an example, but it can be simply increased by increasing the duration and length of the frame to 16 or other required lengths. Each terminal can support 8 frames of ack, and the confirmation information ACK (confirmation field) corresponding to each terminal is 1 byte, and 8 bits indicate 8 acknowledgment information ACKs, which in turn correspond to the reception of 8 data frames sent by the terminal Condition. Each embodiment is also introduced using the situation of feeding back 8 data frames at the same time. However, by increasing the frame length, it can be easily increased to the receiving situation of sending 16 data frames of a terminal at the same time, or the receiving situation of other numbers of data frames.

在本实施例中，Cluster ACK帧的结构如图3所示，Cluster ACK帧包括2Byte长的Frame Control字段，2Byte长的Duration/ID字段，帧体和4Byte长的FCS字段。In this embodiment, the structure of the Cluster ACK frame is shown in Figure 3. The Cluster ACK frame includes a 2Byte long Frame Control field, a 2Byte long Duration/ID field, a frame body and a 4Byte long FCS field.

帧体由1Byte长的Cluster-ID字段和“n”Byte长的“确认”字段组成，“n”为一个Cluster ACK帧可以确认的节点的数量。其中Cluster-ID用于表示发送所述数据帧中的所述确认信息ACK对应的终端所属组的组标识。“确认”字段中的每一个Byte表示一个STA所发送数据的接收情况。确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧主体body部分，第k个确认信息ACK为所述所述组内第k个终端的确认信息ACK；其中1≤k≤n。如：第一个Byte表示组第1个的STA所发送数据的接收情况，第二个Byte表示组内第2个的STA所发送数据的接收情况，第k个Byte表示组内第k个的STA所发送数据的接收情况。Byte内的每一个bit表示该STA所发送的一个数据帧的确认信息ACK，“0”表示AP接收该数据帧失败，“1”表示AP接收该数据帧成功。如：一个Byte内第1个bit为“0”，表示该STA发送的第一个数据帧被AP接受失败，一个Byte内第8个bit为“1”，表示该STA发送的第八个数据帧被AP接受成功。当然表示接收成功或失败对应的值可以互换。FCS字段包括一个32bit的CRC，用以校验分组的完整性。The frame body consists of a 1Byte long Cluster-ID field and an "n" Byte long "acknowledgment" field, where "n" is the number of nodes that can be confirmed by a Cluster ACK frame. The Cluster-ID is used to indicate the group identifier of the group to which the terminal corresponding to the acknowledgment information ACK sent in the data frame belongs. Each Byte in the "acknowledgment" field indicates the reception of the data sent by a STA. The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame, and the kth acknowledgment information ACK is the acknowledgment information ACK of the kth terminal in the group; where 1≤k≤n. For example: the first Byte indicates the reception status of the data sent by the first STA in the group, the second Byte indicates the reception status of the data sent by the second STA in the group, and the kth Byte indicates the reception status of the kth STA in the group The reception status of the data sent by the STA. Each bit in the Byte represents the acknowledgment information ACK of a data frame sent by the STA, "0" indicates that the AP failed to receive the data frame, and "1" indicates that the AP received the data frame successfully. For example: the first bit in a Byte is "0", indicating that the first data frame sent by the STA failed to be accepted by the AP, and the eighth bit in a Byte is "1", indicating that the eighth data frame sent by the STA The frame is successfully accepted by the AP. Of course, the values corresponding to success or failure of reception can be interchanged. The FCS field includes a 32-bit CRC to check the integrity of the packet.

在AP与STA的通信过程中，AP维护一张信息列表，在成功接收到一个数据帧之后，在列表内记录下该数据帧的发送节点的ID及该数据帧的编号。During the communication process between the AP and the STA, the AP maintains an information list, and after successfully receiving a data frame, records the ID of the sending node of the data frame and the serial number of the data frame in the list.

在发送Cluster ACK帧之前，AP将列表内的信息按写入帧体，将k个STA发送的第m(m＜＝8)个数据帧的接收情况写入第k个byte的第m个bit，“0”表示AP接受失败，“1”表示AP接收成功。如：AP成功接收到index＝1的STA发送的第8个数据帧，则在第1个“应答”字段的第8个bit写入“1”。Before sending the Cluster ACK frame, the AP writes the information in the list into the frame body, and writes the reception status of the mth (m<=8) data frame sent by k STAs into the mth bit of the kth byte , "0" indicates that the AP fails to receive, and "1" indicates that the AP receives successfully. For example, if the AP successfully receives the 8th data frame sent by the STA with index=1, it will write "1" in the 8th bit of the first "Response" field.

STAs在收到Cluster ACK帧之后，解读帧体内的信息确定自己所发送的数据帧是否被正确接收。如：index＝1的STA接收到Cluster ACK帧之后，读取第1个Byte，其中第8个bit为“1”，表示它所发送的第8个数据帧已经被AP成功接收。After receiving the Cluster ACK frame, STAs interpret the information in the frame body to determine whether the data frame sent by them is received correctly. For example: after receiving the Cluster ACK frame, the STA with index=1 reads the first Byte, and the eighth bit is "1", indicating that the eighth data frame it sent has been successfully received by the AP.

参阅图4，又一种实现方式。Cluster ACK帧包括2Byte长的FrameControl字段，2Byte长的Duration/ID字段，帧体和4Byte长的FCS字段。帧体由1Byte长的Cluster-ID字段，n个Byte长的索引index字段和“n”个Byte长的“确认”字段交替组成，n为一个Cluster ACK帧可以确认的节点的数量。其中Cluster-ID表示需要确认的数据帧的发送节点所属组的编号。确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧主体body部分，包括n个信息组，每个信息组包括所述终端在所述组的索引号及所述索引对应终端的所述确认信息ACK。索引index字段指示需要确认的数据帧的发送节点的组内编号。“确认”字段中的每一个Byte表示前面“index”所指示的STA发送数据的接收情况(即确认信息ACK)，Byte内的每一个bit表示该STA所发送的一个数据帧的接收情况，“0”表示AP接收该数据帧失败，“1”表示AP接收该数据帧成功。如：一个Byte内第1个bit为“0”，表示该STA发送的第一个数据帧被AP接受失败，一个Byte内第8个bit为“1”，表示该STA发送的第八个数据帧被AP接受成功。Referring to Fig. 4, another implementation manner. Cluster ACK frame includes 2Byte long FrameControl field, 2Byte long Duration/ID field, frame body and 4Byte long FCS field. The frame body is composed of 1 Byte long Cluster-ID field, n Byte long index field and "n" Byte long "acknowledgment" fields, where n is the number of nodes that can be confirmed by a Cluster ACK frame. The Cluster-ID represents the number of the group to which the sending node of the data frame to be acknowledged belongs. The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame, including n information groups, and each information group includes the index number of the terminal in the group and the acknowledgment information ACK of the terminal corresponding to the index. The index index field indicates the group number of the sending node of the data frame that needs to be acknowledged. Each Byte in the "acknowledgment" field indicates the reception of the data sent by the STA indicated by the previous "index" (that is, the confirmation information ACK), and each bit in the Byte indicates the reception of a data frame sent by the STA, " 0" indicates that the AP failed to receive the data frame, and "1" indicates that the AP received the data frame successfully. For example: the first bit in a Byte is "0", indicating that the first data frame sent by the STA failed to be accepted by the AP, and the eighth bit in a Byte is "1", indicating that the eighth data frame sent by the STA The frame is successfully accepted by the AP.

在AP与STA的通信过程中AP维护一张列表，在成功接收到一个数据帧之后，在列表内记录下该数据帧的发送节点的ID及该数据帧的编号。During the communication process between the AP and the STA, the AP maintains a list. After successfully receiving a data frame, the AP records the ID of the sending node of the data frame and the serial number of the data frame in the list.

在发送Cluster ACK帧之前，AP将列表内的信息按写入帧体，将需要确认数据帧的发送节点的组内编号写入“index”字段内，将序号为m(m＜＝8)的数据帧的接收情况写入后面的“确认”字段中第m个bit，“0”表示AP接受失败，“1”表示AP接收成功。如：AP成功接收到index＝1的STA发送的第8个数据帧，则在一个“index”内写入“1”，在后面的“确认”字段的第8个bit内写入1。Before sending the Cluster ACK frame, the AP writes the information in the list into the frame body, writes the group number of the sending node that needs to confirm the data frame into the "index" field, and writes The reception status of the data frame is written into the mth bit in the following "acknowledgment" field, "0" means that the AP failed to accept it, and "1" means that the AP received it successfully. For example, if the AP successfully receives the 8th data frame sent by the STA with index=1, it will write "1" in an "index", and write 1 in the 8th bit of the following "acknowledgment" field.

STAs在收到Cluster ACK帧之后，解读帧体内的信息，STA需找与自己index值相同的index字段，并在其后面的“确认”字段中读取信息，确定自己所发送的数据帧是否被正确接收。如：index＝1的STA接收到Cluster ACK帧之后，找到index＝1的“index”字段，在后面的“确认”字段中第8个bit为“1”，表示它所发送的第8个数据帧已经被AP成功接收，具体该8个bit的取值，根据数据帧的接收情况决定。After receiving the Cluster ACK frame, STAs interpret the information in the frame body. The STA needs to find the index field with the same index value as itself, and read the information in the "acknowledgment" field behind it to determine whether the data frame sent by itself has been accepted. received correctly. For example: after the STA with index=1 receives the Cluster ACK frame, it finds the "index" field with index=1, and the eighth bit in the following "acknowledgment" field is "1", indicating the eighth data it sent The frame has been successfully received by the AP, and the specific value of the 8 bits is determined according to the receiving situation of the data frame.

参阅图5，再一种实现方式。Cluster ACK帧包括2Byte长的FrameControl字段，2Byte长的Duration/ID字段，帧体和4Byte长的FCS字段。确认信息ACK记载在所述集群确认帧主体body部分，包括n个信息组，每个信息组包括一个所述关联标识符AID及所述AID所指示终端的确认信息ACK。(即帧体由“n”个2Byte长的AID字段和“n”个1Byte长的“确认”字段交替组成，“n”为一个Cluster ACK帧可以确认的节点的数量。)其中AID字段指示需要确认的数据帧的发送节点的AID(关联标识符)，即为该确认信息ACK对应的终端。AID字段后面的“确认”字段内的每一个bit表示该STA所发送的一个数据帧的确认信息ACK，“0”表示AP接收该数据帧失败，“1”表示AP接收该数据帧成功。如：一个“确认”字段内第1个bit为“0”，表示该STA发送的第一个数据帧被AP接受失败，一个“确认”字段内第8个bit为“1”，表示该STA发送的第八个数据帧被AP接受成功。Referring to Fig. 5, another implementation manner. Cluster ACK frame includes 2Byte long FrameControl field, 2Byte long Duration/ID field, frame body and 4Byte long FCS field. The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame, including n information groups, and each information group includes an association identifier AID and the acknowledgment information ACK of the terminal indicated by the AID. (That is, the frame body is composed of "n" 2Byte long AID fields and "n" 1Byte long "acknowledgment" fields alternately, and "n" is the number of nodes that can be confirmed by a Cluster ACK frame.) The AID field indicates the need The AID (Association Identifier) of the sending node of the confirmed data frame is the terminal corresponding to the confirmation information ACK. Each bit in the "acknowledgment" field after the AID field represents the acknowledgment information ACK of a data frame sent by the STA, "0" indicates that the AP failed to receive the data frame, and "1" indicated that the AP received the data frame successfully. For example: the first bit in a "acknowledgment" field is "0", indicating that the first data frame sent by the STA has failed to be accepted by the AP, and the eighth bit in an "acknowledgment" field is "1", indicating that the STA The eighth data frame sent is successfully accepted by the AP.

进一步，还可以是先顺序写入所有AID，然后顺序写入所有确认信息ACK。确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧主体body部分包括两个信息组，顺序记录的n个所述AID和顺序记录的n个所述确认信息ACK，其中第k个确认信息ACK为所述所述组内第k个终端的确认信息ACK。Further, it is also possible to sequentially write all AIDs first, and then sequentially write all confirmation information ACK. The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the main body part of the cluster confirmation frame, including two information groups, n AIDs recorded in sequence and n acknowledgment information ACKs recorded in sequence, wherein the kth acknowledgment information ACK is the group The acknowledgment information ACK of the kth terminal within.

在AP与STA的通信过程中，AP维护一张信息列表，在成功接收到一个数据帧之后，在列表内记录下该数据帧的发送节点的ID及该数据帧的编号。During the communication process between the AP and the STA, the AP maintains an information list, and after successfully receiving a data frame, records the ID of the sending node of the data frame and the serial number of the data frame in the list.

在发送Cluster ACK帧之前，AP将列表内的信息按写入帧体，将需要确认的数据帧的发送节点的AID写入一个AID字段，将序号为m(m＜＝8)的数据帧的接收情况(即确认信息ACK)写入后面的“确认”字段中第m个bit，如：AP成功接收到AID＝000000 111111的STA发送的第8个数据帧，则在一个AID字段中写入“000000 111111”，在这个AID字段后面的“确认”字段中的第8个bit中写入1。STAs在收到Cluster ACK帧之后，解读帧体内的信息，STA需找与自己AID值相同的AID字段，并在其后面的“确认”字段中读取信息，确定自己所发送的数据帧是否被正确接收。如：AID＝00000000 11111111的STA接收到Cluster ACK帧之后，找到AID＝00000000 11111111的AID字段，在后面的“确认”字段中第8个bit为“1”，表示它所发送的第8个数据帧已经被AP成功接收。Before sending the Cluster ACK frame, the AP writes the information in the list into the frame body, writes the AID of the sending node of the data frame to be confirmed into an AID field, and writes the AID of the data frame whose sequence number is m (m<=8) The reception status (that is, the confirmation information ACK) is written into the mth bit in the following "confirmation" field. For example, if the AP successfully receives the 8th data frame sent by the STA with AID=000000 111111, write it in an AID field "000000 111111", write 1 in the 8th bit in the "confirmation" field after the AID field. After receiving the Cluster ACK frame, STAs interpret the information in the frame body. The STA needs to find the AID field with the same AID value as its own, and read the information in the "acknowledgment" field behind it to determine whether the data frame it has sent is accepted. received correctly. For example: after the STA with AID=00000000 11111111 receives the Cluster ACK frame, it finds the AID field with AID=00000000 11111111, and the 8th bit in the following "confirmation" field is "1", indicating the 8th data it sent The frame has been successfully received by the AP.

上述各实施例可以一次向多STA发送ACK，对每一个STA还可以发送对应多个帧的ACK。因为每一个确认信息ACK(确认字段)为1byte，其中有8个比特，依次对应确认信息ACK对应的8个数据帧的接收情况。In each of the above embodiments, ACKs can be sent to multiple STAs at one time, and ACKs corresponding to multiple frames can also be sent to each STA. Because each acknowledgment information ACK (acknowledgment field) is 1 byte, and there are 8 bits in it, which in turn correspond to the receiving conditions of the 8 data frames corresponding to the acknowledgment information ACK.

对上述所有实施例均以最多8个终端为例描述的，并且每个终端在Cluster ACK帧持续时间内一个终端最多发送8个数据帧。如果一个STA在这段时间内发送的数据帧超过8个，则我们用Cluster-added ACK帧回复余下的数据帧。Cluster-added ACK帧的结构如图6所示。All the above embodiments are described by taking a maximum of 8 terminals as an example, and each terminal sends a maximum of 8 data frames within the duration of the Cluster ACK frame. If a STA sends more than 8 data frames during this period, we reply the remaining data frames with a Cluster-added ACK frame. The structure of the Cluster-added ACK frame is shown in Figure 6.

Cluster-added ACK帧包括2Byte长的Frame Control字段，2Byte长的Duration/ID字段，6Byte长的终端的地址RA字段，帧体和4Byte长的FCS字段，集群确认附加帧Cluster-added ACK还包括所述确认帧对应的地址及所述第8个数据帧之后的数据帧的确认信息ACK。其中Frame Control字段，Duration/ID字段，RA字段和FCS字段格式与作用现有ACK帧格式或前述实施例中一样。The Cluster-added ACK frame includes a 2-Byte Frame Control field, a 2-Byte Duration/ID field, a 6-Byte terminal address RA field, a frame body, and a 4-Byte FCS field. The cluster confirmation additional frame Cluster-added ACK also includes all The address corresponding to the acknowledgment frame and the acknowledgment information ACK of the data frame after the eighth data frame. Wherein the Frame Control field, the Duration/ID field, the RA field and the FCS field format are the same as the existing ACK frame format or the foregoing embodiments.

帧体中记录着该STA所发送的第8个以后的数据帧的接收情况。帧体中的第k个bit表示该STA发送的第k+8个数据帧的接收情况，“0”表示AP接受失败，“1”表示AP接收成功。如：第8个bit为“1”表示该STA发送的第16个数据帧已经被AP正确接收。The frame body records the reception status of the 8th and subsequent data frames sent by the STA. The kth bit in the frame body indicates the reception status of the k+8th data frame sent by the STA, "0" indicates that the AP failed to receive it, and "1" indicates that the AP received it successfully. For example, if the 8th bit is "1", it means that the 16th data frame sent by the STA has been correctly received by the AP.

如果一个STA在这段时间内发送的数据帧超过8个，AP将该STA的地址写入RA，将余下数据帧的接收情况写入帧体。If a STA sends more than 8 data frames within this period, the AP writes the address of the STA into RA, and writes the reception status of the remaining data frames into the frame body.

STA接收到Cluster-added ACK之后，首先判断RA是否是自己的地址，如果是则接收，如果不是则丢弃。在接收Cluster-added ACK之后，读取帧体内的信息，确定发送的数据帧的接收情况。After receiving the Cluster-added ACK, the STA first judges whether the RA is its own address, if it is, it accepts it, and if it is not, it discards it. After receiving the Cluster-added ACK, read the information in the frame body to determine the reception of the sent data frame.

进一步，为了采用本实施例的上述方法，在终端发出的数据中可以修改发送的数据帧的结构。在数据帧的帧控制字段选择一个bite，例如第14个bit，设为为“More Data”字段，这个字段在AP向一个处于PS模式的STA所发送的数据或管理帧中可能会被设置为1。用以表示AP为该STA缓存了更多的数据帧。但在STA发送的数据帧中，其值总被设为0。通过用“MoreData”字段来指示STA希望得到的确认方式，当其值被设为0时，表示STA希望等到Cluster ACK的确认方式，当其值被设为1时，表示STA希望等到传统ACK的确认方式。或者为支持与传统ACK兼容，需要使用STAs发送给AP的数据帧帧头中的保留字段作为指示。通过帧头保留字段中任意一个bit的取值来确定STA需要得到的确认方式。在本发明的实施例终端STA发送数据帧中包括帧控制域frame control field中的多数据指示字段more data，终端STA使用所述指示字段more data通知接入点AP终端STA是否支持使用集群确认帧Cluster ACK。可以约定More Data设置为1指示支持使用集群确认帧，当然也可设置0指示支持使用集群确认帧，AP与STA对此的约定或规定一致即可。Further, in order to adopt the above-mentioned method of this embodiment, the structure of the data frame sent may be modified in the data sent by the terminal. Select a bit in the frame control field of the data frame, such as the 14th bit, and set it as the "More Data" field. This field may be set in the data or management frame sent by the AP to a STA inPS mode 1. It is used to indicate that the AP has buffered more data frames for the STA. But in the data frame sent by STA, its value is always set to 0. The "MoreData" field is used to indicate the acknowledgment mode that the STA wants to obtain. When its value is set to 0, it means that the STA wants to wait for the acknowledgment mode of the Cluster ACK. When its value is set to 1, it means that the STA wants to wait for the traditional ACK. Confirmation method. Or in order to support compatibility with the traditional ACK, it is necessary to use the reserved field in the header of the data frame sent by the STAs to the AP as an indication. The acknowledgment mode that the STA needs to obtain is determined by the value of any bit in the reserved field of the frame header. In the embodiment of the present invention, the data frame sent by the terminal STA includes the multi-data indication field more data in the frame control field frame control field, and the terminal STA uses the indication field more data to notify the access point AP whether the terminal STA supports the use of cluster confirmation frames Cluster ACK. It can be stipulated that the More Data is set to 1 to indicate that the cluster confirmation frame is supported, of course, it can also be set to 0 to indicate the support of the cluster confirmation frame, as long as the agreement or regulation of the AP and the STA is the same.

在具体实施中，可以约定系统采用Cluster ACK反馈方式，则不需要上述的more data或指示比特的设置。In a specific implementation, it can be agreed that the system adopts the Cluster ACK feedback mode, and the above-mentioned setting of more data or indication bits is not required.

进一步，完成Cluster ACK帧的封装后，AP在beacon帧之后将该帧广播。STAs不需要被额外唤醒便可接收该帧。是的系统支持节能的选择。或者完成Cluster ACK帧的封装后，AP可以在任意时刻将该帧广播。STAs需要被额外唤醒才能接收该帧。Further, after completing the encapsulation of the Cluster ACK frame, the AP broadcasts the frame after the beacon frame. STAs do not need to be additionally woken up to receive the frame. Yes, the system supports energy saving options. Or after completing the encapsulation of the Cluster ACK frame, the AP can broadcast the frame at any time. STAs need to wake up additionally to receive the frame.

在本发明实施例中的发送端和接收端采用上述方法实施例中的方法进行通讯，发送端和接收端能够完成上述的方法及各流程，所以介绍系统中关于使用发送端和接收端时的方法请参阅方法实施例。在设备中的各功能模块或者单元或者器件比如处理器等，能够分别对应实现上述方法的功能与操作。该AP可以完全执行上述方法，作为上述方法的执行主体。本发明实施例进一步给出一种可以用于无限局域网络中的接入点设备AP。In the embodiment of the present invention, the sending end and the receiving end use the method in the above-mentioned method embodiment to communicate, and the sending end and the receiving end can complete the above-mentioned method and each process, so the introduction of the system when using the sending end and the receiving end Method see method example. Each functional module or unit or device in the device, such as a processor, can respectively implement the functions and operations of the above method. The AP can fully execute the above method and serve as the execution subject of the above method. The embodiment of the present invention further provides an access point device AP that can be used in a wireless local area network.

参阅图7，实施例接入点设备的结构示意图。接入点80包括：Referring to FIG. 7 , it is a schematic structural diagram of an access point device in an embodiment.Access point 80 includes:

接收单元801，用于接收终端STA发送的数据帧；The receivingunit 801 is configured to receive the data frame sent by the terminal STA;

集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803，用于根据每个终端发送的数据帧是否成功接收的确认信息ACK生成集群确认帧Cluster ACK，确认帧Cluster ACK用于被终端STA接收后每一个终端以确定发送的数据帧是否被接入点AP成功接收，其中集群确认帧包括确认信息ACK及确认帧对应的终端标识；The cluster confirmation frame ClusterACK generation unit 803 is used to generate a cluster confirmation frame Cluster ACK according to the confirmation information ACK of whether the data frame sent by each terminal is successfully received, and the confirmation frame Cluster ACK is used for each terminal to determine the transmission after being received by the terminal STA. Whether the data frame is successfully received by the access point AP, wherein the cluster confirmation frame includes the confirmation information ACK and the terminal identification corresponding to the confirmation frame;

发送单元805，用于向终端STA发送集群确认帧Cluster ACK。The sendingunit 805 is configured to send a cluster acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA.

进一步，集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧还包括：帧控制信息Frame control，帧控制信息包括子类型指示值subtype value用以标识该帧为集群确认帧，subtype value的取值从0000-0110。Further, the cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the cluster acknowledgment frame ClusterACK generation unit 803 also includes: frame control information Frame control, the frame control information includes a subtype indication value subtype value to identify the frame as a cluster acknowledgment frame, and the value of the subtype value is from 0000-0110.

实际用于中，系统中有n个终端，则集群确认帧中包括n个确认信息ACK；In actual use, if there are n terminals in the system, the cluster confirmation frame includes n confirmation information ACK;

集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧还包括集群标识Cluster ID用于表示发送数据帧中的确认信息ACK对应的终端所属组的组标识；The cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the cluster acknowledgment frame ClusterACK generation unit 803 also includes a cluster identifier Cluster ID for indicating the group identifier of the group to which the terminal corresponding to the acknowledgment information ACK in the sent data frame belongs;

确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧主体body部分，第k个确认信息ACK为组内第k个终端的确认信息ACK；其中1≤k≤n，1≤n≤8。The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame, and the kth acknowledgment information ACK is the acknowledgment information ACK of the kth terminal in the group; where 1≤k≤n, 1≤n≤8.

集群确认帧中还包括终端的关联标识符AID用于作为终端的终端标识；The cluster confirmation frame also includes the association identifier AID of the terminal, which is used as the terminal identification of the terminal;

确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧主体body部分包括两个信息组，顺序记录的n个AID和顺序记录的n个确认信息ACK，其中第k个确认信息ACK为组内第k个终端的确认信息ACK，1≤k≤n，1≤n≤8。The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the cluster acknowledgment frame. The main body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the clusterACK generating unit 803 includes two information groups, n AIDs recorded in sequence and n acknowledgment information ACKs recorded in sequence, wherein the kth acknowledgment information ACK is the acknowledgment information ACK of the kth terminal in the group, 1≤k≤n, 1≤n≤8.

集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧还包括集群标识Cluster ID用于表示发送数据帧中的确认信息ACK对应的终端所属组的组标识；The cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the cluster acknowledgment frame ClusterACK generation unit 803 also includes a cluster identifier Cluster ID for indicating the group identifier of the group to which the terminal corresponding to the acknowledgment information ACK in the sent data frame belongs;

确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧主体body部分，包括n个信息组，每个信息组包括终端在组的索引号及索引对应终端的确认信息ACK；其中1≤n≤8。或者，The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the main body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the cluster acknowledgment frame ClusterACK generation unit 803, including n information groups, each information group includes the index number of the terminal in the group and the acknowledgment information ACK of the terminal corresponding to the index; wherein 1 ≤n≤8. or,

确认信息ACK记载在集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803生成的集群确认帧主体body部分包括两个信息组，顺序记录的n个AID和顺序记录的n个确认信息ACK，其中第k个确认信息ACK为组内第k个终端的确认信息ACK，1≤k≤n，1≤n≤8。The acknowledgment information ACK is recorded in the cluster acknowledgment frame. The main body part of the cluster acknowledgment frame generated by the clusterACK generating unit 803 includes two information groups, n AIDs recorded in sequence and n acknowledgment information ACKs recorded in sequence, wherein the kth acknowledgment information ACK is the acknowledgment information ACK of the kth terminal in the group, 1≤k≤n, 1≤n≤8.

进一步，接入点设备还包括信息记录单元807，用于将确认信息ACK记录在信息列表中。则集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803读取信息列表中的信息以生成集群确认帧Cluster ACK。Further, the access point device further includes aninformation recording unit 807, configured to record the acknowledgment information ACK in the information list. Then the cluster acknowledgment frame ClusterACK generating unit 803 reads the information in the information list to generate the cluster acknowledgment frame Cluster ACK.

进一步集群确认帧Cluster ACK生成单元803还用于如果终端在集群确认帧的持续时间内发送的数据帧的数量大于8，生成集群确认附加帧Cluster-added ACK，集群确认附加帧Cluster-added ACK包括确认帧对应的地址及第8个数据帧之后的数据帧的确认信息ACK；Further, the cluster confirmation frame ClusterACK generation unit 803 is also used to generate a cluster confirmation additional frame Cluster-added ACK if the number of data frames sent by the terminal within the duration of the cluster confirmation frame is greater than 8, and the cluster confirmation additional frame Cluster-added ACK includes Confirm the address corresponding to the frame and the confirmation information ACK of the data frame after the 8th data frame;

发送单元805还用于发送集群确认附加帧Cluster-added ACK。The sendingunit 805 is also configured to send a cluster acknowledgment additional frame Cluster-added ACK.

本发明的接入点设备，采用应答控制帧——Cluster ACK，使AP可以使用一个Cluster ACK帧同时应答多个STAs向它发送的数据。从而减小ACK带来的网络开销，提高系统的性能。The access point device of the present invention adopts the response control frame——Cluster ACK, so that the AP can use one Cluster ACK frame to simultaneously respond to the data sent to it by multiple STAs. Therefore, the network overhead brought by the ACK is reduced, and the performance of the system is improved.

本领域普通技术人员可以理解实现上述实施例方法中的全部或部分流程，是可以通过计算机程序来指令相关的硬件来完成，所述的程序可存储于一计算机可读取存储介质中，该程序在执行时，可包括如上述各方法的实施例的流程。其中，所述的存储介质可为磁碟、光盘、只读存储记忆体(Read-Only Memory，ROM)或随机存储记忆体(Random Access Memory，RAM)等。Those of ordinary skill in the art can understand that all or part of the processes in the methods of the above embodiments can be implemented through computer programs to instruct related hardware, and the programs can be stored in a computer-readable storage medium. During execution, it may include the processes of the embodiments of the above-mentioned methods. Wherein, the storage medium may be a magnetic disk, an optical disk, a read-only memory (Read-Only Memory, ROM) or a random access memory (Random Access Memory, RAM), etc.

Claims (21)

1. A method for transmitting data in a wireless local area network, the method comprising:

an Access Point (AP) receives a data frame sent by a terminal (STA);

the access point AP records whether the data frame sent by each terminal is successfully received as acknowledgement information ACK;

the access point AP sends a Cluster acknowledgement frame (Cluster ACK) to the terminal STA, wherein the Cluster ACK is used for each terminal after being received by the terminal STA to determine whether the sent data frame is successfully received by the access point AP or not; the cluster acknowledgement frame comprises at least two acknowledgement information ACKs and terminal identifications corresponding to the acknowledgement frame ACKs.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the cluster acknowledgement frame further comprises: the Frame control information Frame control comprises a subtype indicated value used for identifying the Frame as a cluster confirmation Frame, and the value of the subtype indicated value is 0000-0110.

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, wherein if the terminals are n terminals, then the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of the acknowledgement information ACK;

the Cluster acknowledgement frame also comprises a Cluster identifier Cluster ID used for indicating a group identifier of a terminal group corresponding to the acknowledgement information ACK in the data frame;

the acknowledgement information ACK is recorded in a body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame body, and the kth acknowledgement information ACK is the acknowledgement information ACK of the kth terminal in the group;

wherein k is more than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.

4. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

the terminals are n terminals, the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of the acknowledgement information ACK,

the Cluster acknowledgement frame also comprises a Cluster identifier Cluster ID used for indicating a group identifier of a terminal group corresponding to the acknowledgement information ACK in the data frame;

the acknowledgement information ACK is recorded in the body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame and comprises n information groups, and each information group comprises the index number of the terminal in the group and the acknowledgement information ACK of the terminal corresponding to the index.

5. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

if the terminals are n terminals, the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of acknowledgement information ACK, and the cluster acknowledgement frame further includes an association identifier AID of the terminal, which is used as a terminal identifier of the terminal;

the acknowledgement information ACK is recorded in the body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame and includes n information groups, and each information group includes one association identifier AID and an acknowledgement information ACK of a terminal indicated by the AID.

6. The method according to claim 1 or 2,

if the terminals are n terminals, the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of acknowledgement information ACK, and the cluster acknowledgement frame further includes an association identifier AID of the terminal, which is used as a terminal identifier of the terminal;

the acknowledgement information ACK recorded in the body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame includes two information groups, n sequentially recorded AIDs and n sequentially recorded acknowledgement information ACKs, where the kth acknowledgement information ACK is an acknowledgement information ACK of the kth terminal in the group.

7. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein each of said acknowledgement information ACKs in said cluster acknowledgement frame comprises reception status information for a plurality of data frames, and wherein the reception status information for each of said data frames occupies 1 bit.

8. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the cluster acknowledgement frame further comprises: FCS information, including a check field for checking the integrity of the Cluster ACK.

9. The method according to any of claims 1-6, wherein the access point AP recording the acknowledgement information ACK of whether the data frame sent by each terminal was successfully received comprises the access point AP recording the acknowledgement information ACK in an information list; then

And the access point AP sequentially writes the information in the information list into the Cluster acknowledgement frame before the access point AP sends the Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA.

10. The method according to any of claims 3-6, wherein if the number of data frames sent by the terminal within the duration of the cluster acknowledgement frame is greater than 8, the method further comprises: the access point AP sends a Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster-added ACK to the terminal STA after sending the Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK to the terminal STA; the Cluster-added ACK includes an address corresponding to the ACK frame and ACK information of a data frame following the 8 th data frame.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the Cluster acknowledgement additional frame, Cluster-added ACK, comprises:

frame control information Frame control, where the Frame control information includes a subtype indication value subtype value used to identify the Frame as a cluster acknowledgement Frame, and the value of subtype value is 0000-0110.

12. The method according to any of claims 1-11, wherein the access point AP sends the Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK by means of broadcast.

13. The method as claimed in any of claims 1-12, wherein said terminal STA sends a data frame including a multiple data indication field more data in a frame control field, said terminal STA uses said indication field more data to inform said access point AP whether said terminal STA supports using Cluster ACK.

14. An access point device (AP), the AP comprising:

a receiving unit, configured to receive a data frame sent by a terminal STA;

a Cluster acknowledgement frame (ACK) generating unit, configured to generate a Cluster acknowledgement frame (ACK) according to an acknowledgement information (ACK) indicating whether the data frame sent by each terminal is successfully received, where the Cluster acknowledgement frame (ACK) is used by each terminal after being received by the terminal STA to determine whether the sent data frame is successfully received by the Access Point (AP), and the Cluster acknowledgement frame includes the ACK and a terminal identifier corresponding to the ACK;

and the sending unit is used for sending the Cluster acknowledgement frame (Cluster ACK) to the terminal STA.

15. The access point device of claim 14, wherein the Cluster acknowledgement frame generated by the Cluster acknowledgement frame ACK generating unit further comprises: frame control information Framecontrol, where the frame control information includes a subtype indication value subtype value for identifying the frame as a cluster acknowledgement frame, and the value of subtype value is 0000-0110.

16. The ap apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein if the terminals are n terminals, then the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of the acknowledgement information ACK;

the Cluster acknowledgement frame generated by the Cluster acknowledgement frame ACK generation unit also comprises a Cluster identification Cluster ID which is used for indicating a group identification of a terminal corresponding to the acknowledgement information ACK in the data frame;

the acknowledgement information ACK is recorded in a body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame body, and the kth acknowledgement information ACK is the acknowledgement information ACK of the kth terminal in the group; wherein k is more than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.

17. The ap apparatus according to claim 14 or 15, wherein if the terminals are n terminals, the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of the acknowledgement information ACK, and the cluster acknowledgement frame further includes an association identifier AID of the terminal, which is used as a terminal identifier of the terminal;

the part of the body of the trunking acknowledgement frame, which is recorded in the trunking acknowledgement frame ACK generating unit of the acknowledgement information ACK, includes two information groups, n sequentially recorded AIDs and n sequentially recorded acknowledgement information ACKs, wherein the kth acknowledgement information ACK is the acknowledgement information ACK of the kth terminal in the group, and k is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.

18. An access point according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the terminals are n terminals, then n said acknowledgement information ACKs are included in the cluster acknowledgement frame,

the Cluster acknowledgement frame generated by the Cluster acknowledgement frame ACK generating unit further includes a Cluster identifier Cluster ID for indicating a group identifier of a group to which the terminal corresponding to the acknowledgement information ACK in the data frame is sent;

the acknowledgement information ACK is recorded in the body part of the trunking acknowledgement frame and comprises n information groups, and each information group comprises the index number of the terminal in the group and the acknowledgement information ACK of the terminal corresponding to the index.

19. The access point according to claim 14 or 15, wherein if the terminals are n terminals, then the cluster acknowledgement frame includes n pieces of the acknowledgement information ACK, and the cluster acknowledgement frame further includes an association identifier AID of the terminal for serving as a terminal identifier of the terminal;

the part of the body of the trunking acknowledgement frame, which is recorded in the trunking acknowledgement frame ACK generating unit of the acknowledgement information ACK, includes two information groups, n sequentially recorded AIDs and n sequentially recorded acknowledgement information ACKs, wherein the kth acknowledgement information ACK is the acknowledgement information ACK of the kth terminal in the group, and k is greater than or equal to 1 and less than or equal to n.

20. The access point according to any of claims 14-19, wherein the access point further comprises:

and the information recording unit is used for recording the acknowledgement information ACK in an information list. The Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK generating unit reads the information in the information list to generate the Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK.

21. The access point according to any of claims 14 to 20, wherein the Cluster acknowledgement frame Cluster ACK generating unit is further configured to generate a Cluster acknowledgement additional frame Cluster-added ACK if the number of data frames sent by the terminal within the duration of the Cluster acknowledgement frame is greater than 8, where the Cluster acknowledgement additional frame Cluster-added ACK includes the address corresponding to the acknowledgement frame and the acknowledgement information ACK of the data frame following the 8 th data frame;

the sending unit is further configured to send the Cluster-acknowledged-appended ACK.

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