Multi-link-based communication method and apparatus

A multi-link-based communication apparatus comprising:

• a transmitter configured to receive a first physical layer protocol data unit (PPDU) within a first duration, wherein the first PPDU comprises a first frame;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transmitter and configured to switch the multi-link-based communication apparatus to a listening mode when the first frame does not meet all conditions in a condition set,
• wherein at least one condition in the condition set is frame information of a group addressed frame, and
• wherein the group addressed frame is different from a trigger frame, a multi-station block acknowledgment frame, and a no-data PPDU announcement frame.

A multi-link-based communication a station comprising:

• a transceiver configured to;
• receive a first beacon frame;
• receive, during a first time period, a group addressed frame, wherein a first start moment of the first time period is a first receiving time of the first beacon frame;
• and
• receive, during a second time period, an initial control frame, wherein a second start moment of the second time period is a second receiving time of the initial control frame;
• and
• a processor coupled to the transceiver and configured to:
• switch, during the first time period and according to a first rule, to a listening mode;
• and
• switch, during the second time period and according to a second rule, to the listening mode.