Opportunistic off-channel sounding for multi-link devices

Abstract

Out-of-link sounding using an out-of-band channel sounding link for a multi-link device (MLD) in a wireless network can be provided. An access point (AP) can establish a first wireless communication link (WCL) with a multi-link device (MLD). The AP can also establish a second WCL with the MLD. After establishing the first WCL, the AP can transmit a sounding trigger to the MLD on the first WCL. After transmitting the sounding trigger to the MLD on the first WCL, the AP can transmit a channel state information (CSI) query to the MLD on the second WCL. In response to the CSI query, the AP can receive channel state quantization from the MLD on the second WCL.

Description

[0001] This application is being filed on December 6, 2021 as a PCT International Patent Application and claims priority to U.S. Non-Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 17 / 116,975 filed December 6, 2020, the entire disclosure of which is entirely incorporated by reference. TECHNICAL FIELD

[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to wireless networking with multi-link wireless devices. BACKGROUND

[0003] The Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 is part of the IEEE 802 Local Area Network (LAN) protocol. Channel sounding is an integral part of IEEE 802.11 operation, which is performed prior to various types of wireless transmissions. Channel sounding is required for Multi-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (MU-MIMO) applications and Single-User Multiple Input Multiple Output (SU-MIMO) applications. During channel sounding, channel measurements need to be performed frequently to determine channel conditions and provide quality of service. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this disclosure, illustrate various embodiments of the present disclosure. In the drawings:

[0005] Figure 1 is a block diagram of a wireless network;

[0006] Figure 2 is a flow diagram of a method of channel sounding in a multi-link wireless environment;

[0007] Figure 3 illustrates a transmission sequence of an exemplary channel sounding procedure in a multi-link wireless network;

[0008] Figure 4 is a flow diagram of a multi-access point (AP) channel sounding method in a multi-link wireless environment;

[0009] Figure 5 is a transmission sequence of an exemplary multi-AP channel sounding procedure in a wireless network; and

[0010] Figure 6 is a block diagram of a computing device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0011] SUMMARY

[0012] Out-of-link channel sounding for multi-link devices (MLDs) using secondary or alternative channel sounding links can be provided. An access point (AP) can establish a first wireless communication link (WCL) with a MLD. The AP can also establish a second WCL with the MLD. After establishing the first WCL, the AP can transmit a sounding trigger to the MLD on the first WCL. After transmitting the sounding trigger to the MLD on the first WCL, the AP can transmit a channel state information (CSI) query to the MLD on the second WCL. In response to the CSI query, the AP can receive channel state quantization from the MLD on the second WCL.

[0013] The foregoing summary and the following detailed description are merely exemplary and illustrative, and are not to be considered limiting the scope of the disclosure described and claimed. Additional features and / or variations can be provided in addition to those described. For example, embodiments of the present disclosure can be directed to various feature combinations and sub-combinations described in the examples.

[0014] Example Embodiments

[0015] The following detailed description references the drawings, wherein: While embodiments of the present disclosure can be described, modifications, adaptations, and other implementations are possible. For example, substitutions, additions, or modifications can be made to elements illustrated in the drawings, and the methods described herein can be modified by substituting, reordering, or adding stages to the disclosed methods. Therefore, the following detailed description is not limiting of the present disclosure. Instead, the proper scope of the present disclosure is defined by the appended claims.

[0016] Channel sounding is typically performed in Wi-Fi networks to determine wireless communication channel state prior to various types of transmissions between an access point (AP) and wireless client devices of the network, including multi-user multiple-input multiple-output (MU-MIMO) and single-user multiple-input multiple-output (SU-MIMO). As one example, for distributed MEMO used as part of multi-AP coordination or MEMO with 16 spatial streams (SS) proposed in Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11be, frequent channel sounding is needed to gain knowledge of channel state. However, performing channel measurements frequently at channel sounding introduces additional channel traffic and increases latency in the wireless network, which can lead to wireless performance degradation and quality of service (QoS) degradation, especially for time-sensitive applications executing on the client devices. As one example, in MU-MIMO operation, the time allocated for channel sounding for 8 stations can be as high as 7 milliseconds (ms), which is detrimental for time-sensitive applications, such as virtual reality applications, where latency is to be within about 5 to 9 ms. This additional overhead introduced to the wireless communication link (WCL) by the channel sounding procedure is a technical problem that, if not addressed, can lead to increased latency and reduced application responsiveness in the wireless network, which can result in QoS degradation.

[0017] IEEE 802.11be discloses Wi-Fi standards that further enhance the capabilities of wireless devices currently in the market, such as IEEE 802.11ax devices. For example, multi-link devices (MLDs) can include multiple radio stations and antennas that can provide the capability to operate on multiple channels simultaneously. To take advantage of multi-radio devices, multi-link operation (MLO) provides a framework to implement packet-level aggregation at the media access control (MAC) layer so that frames, such as video frames, from a single traffic session can be transmitted on multiple links. IEEE 802.11 uses the term “link” to refer to a distinct wireless channel.

[0018] As described below, the technical problem associated with latency introduced by single channel sounding methods can be addressed using the multi-link protocol provided by IEEE 802.11be. The present disclosure provides technical solutions that can be used in multi-link systems to reduce the amount of latency introduced by channel sounding on a single WCL, thereby improving or maintaining the QoS of the wireless network.

[0019] Embodiments of the present disclosure utilize an out-of-band channel link (also referred to as a dedicated channel sounding link) to perform channel sounding between an AP and one or more MLDs in a multi-link communication environment. For example, a single AP can establish multiple links with a single MLD and use one of the established links as a dedicated link for channel sounding operations. By using a dedicated channel sounding link between the AP and the MLD for channel sounding operations, latency associated with the communication links used for uplink and downlink data communications can be reduced. Thus, a technical solution can enable improved throughput and quality of service for MLDs by reducing latency associated with at least one communication link in a wireless network.

[0020] Figure 1 A block diagram of a wireless network 100 providing channel sounding for MLDs is shown. As Figure 1 shown, the wireless network 100 includes at least one AP 102 and at least one MLD 104. However, the wireless network 100 is not so limited and can include multiple APs and multiple MLDs (e.g., as shown in Figure 4 and Figure 5 The AP 102 can be currently associated with one or more MLDs, including the MLD 104. The exemplary AP 102 includes an integrated radio communication system 103 that includes multiple radios and antennas. Likewise, the MLD 104 includes an integrated radio communication system 105 having multiple radios and antennas. Each of the radio communication systems 103, 105 is operable to communicate over multiple wireless links or channels. The AP 102 and the MLD 104 can establish communication over the wireless network 100 (e.g., a Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN)) using the respective integrated radio communication systems 103, 105.

[0021] As Figure 1As shown, a first WCL 106 and a second WCL 108 are established between the AP 102 and the MLD 104 according to an 802.11 wireless protocol, as an example. In some cases, depending on the capabilities of the AP 102 and the MLD 104, multiple spatial streams (e.g., 4, 8, 16, etc.) can be utilized for communication within the wireless network 100. The AP 102 can be a networking device that enables other devices (e.g., the MLD 104) to connect to the network 100. As an example, the AP 102 can be configured with a multi-radio software controller for Long Term Evolution (LTE), Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi), Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access (WiMAX), Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA), Wideband Code Division Multiple Access (WCDMA), etc., including N (e.g., 2, 4, 8, 16, etc.) independent 2x2 transceivers, N independent dual-channel receivers or sniffers, radio frequency bands from about 70 megahertz (MHz) to about 6 gigahertz (GHz), and tunable channel bandwidths.

[0022] In other embodiments of the present disclosure, devices that can connect to a cellular network that can wirelessly communicate directly with user devices (e.g., the MLD 104) can be used instead of APs to provide access (e.g., Internet access) to the wireless network 100. For example, these devices can include, but are not limited to, eNodeBs (eNBs) or gNodeBs (gNBs). The cellular network can include, but is not limited to, an LTE broadband cellular network, a fourth generation (4G) broadband cellular network, or a fifth generation (5G) broadband cellular network operated by a service provider. Nonetheless, embodiments of the present disclosure can use wireless communication protocols using, for example, Wi-Fi technology, a cellular network, or any other type of wireless communication.

[0023] MLD 104 can include, but is not limited to, an AP, a telephone, a smart phone, a digital still camera, a tablet, a laptop computer, a personal computer, a mobile device, a sensor, an Internet-of-Things (IoT) device, a cellular base station, a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a cable modem, a web appliance, a mainframe computer, a router, or any other similar microcomputer-based device that is capable of accessing and using a Wi-Fi network.

[0024] The components of wireless network 100 can be implemented in hardware and / or software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.) or any other circuit or system that can accomplish the functions described. The elements of wireless network 100 can be implemented in circuitry that includes discrete electronic elements, a packaging or integrated electronic chip that includes logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or on a single chip that includes electronic elements, radio elements, or microprocessors. Furthermore, the components of wireless network 100 can also be implemented using other technologies capable of performing logic operations such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to, mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In the following description, for the purposes of explanation, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present application. It will be appreciated, however, that Figure 6 In more detail, aspects of wireless network 100 can be implemented in computing device 600.

[0025] Figure 2 The flowchart of FIG. 6 sets forth the general stages involved in a method 200 involved in channel sounding in a multi-link wireless environment such as the multi-link wireless environment described in FIG. 1. Figure 1 Method 200 begins at block 205 and proceeds to stage 210, where AP 102 establishes a first WCL 106 with MLD 104 using its radio communication system 103. At stage 220, AP 102 establishes a second WCL 108 with MLD 104 using radio communication system 103. For example, AP 102 can operate in accordance with IEEE 802.11be protocols to establish multiple wireless links with MLD 104 as part of utilizing the second WCL 108 as a dedicated channel sounding link at the time of channel sounding. For this example, AP 102 wins contention in the second WCL 108 according to IEEE 802.11 channel contention protocols, which is available for downlink transmissions and channel sounding with MLD 104.

[0026] At stage 230, the AP 102 transmits a sounding trigger to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106. For example, the AP 102 can transmit a Null Data Packet Announcement (NDPA) and a Null Data Packet (NDP) frame (e.g., an NDPA / NDP frame) to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106 to alert the MLD 104 about the initiation of channel sounding. At stage 240, the AP 102 transmits a Channel State Information (CSI) query to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. For example, at stage 240, the AP 102 can transmit a Compressed Beam Forming Report (CBFR) poll frame to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108.

[0027] At stage 250, in response to the CSI query, the AP 102 receives channel state quantization from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. For example, at stage 250, in response to the CBFR poll frame transmitted on the second WCL 108, the AP 102 can receive a CBFR frame with beamforming parameters from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. At stage 260, after receiving the channel state quantization from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108, the AP 102 transmits a data frame to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106. For example, at stage 260, the AP 102 can transmit a beamformed data frame to the MLD 104 customized according to the channel state quantization received from the MLD 104. The method 200 ends at stage 270.

[0028] The method 200 can perform channel sounding by using the second WCL 108 as a dedicated channel sounding link, thereby reducing traffic and latency on the first WCL 106, thereby reducing the amount of latency associated with the wireless network 100. Furthermore, the AP 102 can engage in multi-link communication with more than one MLD, and can communicate with different MLDs over the same link (e.g., the first WCL 106), thereby adding additional traffic on the first WCL 106. Accordingly, by using an alternative wireless link for channel sounding, the AP 102 can transmit data frames to one or more different MLDs on the first WCL 106 using the first WCL 106 without incurring additional channel sounding overhead on the first WCL 106.

[0029] Figure 3A transmission sequence 300 illustrating an exemplary channel sounding procedure in the multi-link wireless network 100 is shown. As shown for this example, the AP 102 communicates with the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106 and the second WCL 108. The AP 102 also communicates with a second MLD (MLD2) on the first WCL 106. As shown, at tO, the AP 102 sends a sounding trigger to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106. For example, at tO, the AP 102 can send an NDPA / NDP frame 302 to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106 to initiate channel sounding. Figure 3

[0030] At tl, the AP 102 sends a CSI query to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. For example, at tl, the AP 102 can send a CBFR poll frame 304 to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. At t2, in response to the CBFR poll frame 304, the AP 102 receives channel state quantification from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. For example, at t2, in response to the CBFR poll frame 304 sent by the AP 102 on the second WCL 108, the AP 102 can receive a CBFR frame 306 from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108.

[0031] As shown in the example transmission sequence 300, while performing channel sounding with the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108, the AP 102 can also send data frames 308 to MLD2 using the first WCL 106. That is, since the AP 102 is performing channel sounding with the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108, the AP 102 is able to send data frames on the first WCL 106 to MLD2 using the first WCL 106. The data frames 308 can be tailored based on similar CSI querying / quantification performed for MLD 104 prior to the CSI querying / quantification for MLD 104. In response to the sent data frames 308, the AP 102 receives an acknowledgement 310 (e.g., block ACK) from MLD2 on the first WCL 106. Figure 3

[0032] After receiving the channel state quantification from the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108 and / or the acknowledgement from MLD2, at t3, the AP 102 sends data frames 312 to the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106. At t4, in response to the sent data frames 312, the AP 102 receives an acknowledgement 314 (e.g., block ACK) from the MLD 104 on the first WCL 106. As shown, at t5, the AP 102 sends a sounding trigger to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108. For example, at t5, the AP 102 can send an NDPA / NDP frame 316 to the MLD 104 on the second WCL 108 to initiate channel sounding. Figure 3 ​​As shown, performing channel sounding on the second WCL 108 can cause a reduction in channel traffic on the first WCL 106, in addition to causing a reduction in latency by the first WCL 106.

[0033] Figure 3 The transmission sequence of FIG. 1 can be utilized in various exemplary use cases. A first example use case assumes that downlink (DL) traffic is limited to transmissions in the first WCL 106. For example, although the MLD 104 can operate on both WCLs 106 and 108, the MLD 104 traffic belongs to a traffic identifier (TID) that is mapped to only the first WCL 106. In this case, the MLD 104 can have more spatial streams available in the first WCL 106 compared to the second WCL 108, providing an advantage for using the first WCL 106 for DL transmissions.

[0034] Another example use case requires the presence of time-sensitive traffic for the MLD 104 in the first WCL 106, and the presence of time-sensitive traffic for MLD2 in the first WCL 106. For example, two scenarios can arise when the MLD2 traffic is available only on the first WCL 106 and is sensitive to latency. A first scenario requires that the MLD2 traffic can wait for the duration of the NDPA / NDP frame of the MLD 104, but cannot be delayed beyond the DL transmission sequence (e.g., frames 312 / 314) of the MLD 104. A second scenario requires that the MLD2 expects to wake up soon (e.g., for a Target Wake Time (TWT)), however the AP 102 has won contention on the first WCL 106 slightly earlier in time for the NDPA / NDP frame 302 to the MLD 104. Figure 3

[0035] Figure 4 The flowchart of FIG. 4 sets forth the general stages involved in a method 400 for multi-AP channel sounding. For example, multi-AP channel sounding can be used in a multi-link wireless environment that includes a first AP (AP1) and a different communication source (e.g., a second AP (AP2)) that form a wireless network with a first multi-link device (MLD1) and a second multi-link device (MLD2). The AP1 and AP2 can be devices similar to the AP 102 described with reference to FIG. 1. The MLD1 and MLD2 can be devices similar to the MLD 104 described with reference to FIG. 1. Figure 1 Figure 1

[0036] ​​​Method 400 dedicates at least one wireless communication link to channel sounding as part of reducing latency in a multi-link wireless environment. Method 400 begins at 405 and proceeds to stage 410, where API sends a sounding trigger on a wireless link that is not dedicated to channel sounding (e.g., a non-dedicated sounding link). For example, API can send an NDPA / NDP frame as a channel sounding reminder to one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the non-dedicated sounding link. At stage 415, API sends a CSI query on another wireless link that is dedicated to channel sounding link (e.g., a dedicated sounding link). For example, API can send a CBFR request to one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the dedicated sounding link.

[0037] At stage 420, AP2 sends a sounding trigger on the non-dedicated sounding link. For example, AP2 can send an NDPA / NDP frame as a channel sounding reminder to one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the non-dedicated link. At stage 425, in response to its CSI query, API receives channel state quantization from one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the dedicated sounding link. For example, API can receive a CBFR frame with beamforming parameters from one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the dedicated sounding link.

[0038] At stage 430, AP2 sends a CSI query on the dedicated sounding link. For example, AP2 can send a CBFR request on the dedicated sounding link. At stage 435, API sends data to one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the non-dedicated sounding link. At stage 440, in response to its CSI query, AP2 receives channel state quantization from one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the dedicated sounding link. At stage 445, AP2 sends data (e.g., beamformed) to one or more of MLD1 and MLD2 on the non-dedicated sounding link, and method 400 ends at 450. In addition to reducing the amount of latency associated with the non-dedicated sounding link by using an alternative dedicated link for channel sounding, method 400 can also be used to reduce the amount of time attributed to channel sounding by sending CSI reports to coordinating APs simultaneously in the dedicated sounding link.

[0039] Figure 5 is an example transmission sequence 500 for an exemplary multi-AP channel sounding procedure in a multi-link wireless environment. For this example, link 1 is a non-dedicated sounding link, and link 2 is a dedicated sounding link for API. Likewise, AP2 also establishes its own link 1 as a non-dedicated sounding link, and link 2 as a dedicated sounding link. As Figure 5As shown, the transmission sequence 500 includes AP1 sending an NDPA to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 1 at 502, AP1 sending an NDP to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 1 at 504, AP1 sending a BFRP trigger / poll (e.g., CBFR poll) to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 2 at 506, and AP1 receiving CSI report(s) from MLD1 and MLD2 in link 2 at 508.

[0040] As Figure 5 shown, from the NDP transmission by AP1, AP2 sends an NDPA to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 1 at 510, AP2 sends an NDP to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 1 at 512, AP2 sends a BFRP trigger / poll (e.g., CBFR poll) to MLD1 and MLD2 in link 2 at 514, and AP2 receives CSI report(s) from MLD1 and MLD2 in link 2 at 516 simultaneously. The exemplary transmission sequence 500 can also reduce the amount of time a coordinating AP spends in channel sounding, in part, by enabling the simultaneous transmission of CSI reports 508, 516 in link 2, while reducing latency in the non-dedicated channel sounding link (link 1) by performing channel sounding in the dedicated channel sounding link (link 2).

[0041] Figure 6 A computing device 600 is shown. As Figure 6 shown, the computing device 600 can include a processing unit 610 and a memory unit 615. The memory unit 615 can include software modules 620, a database 625, and additional logic. The software modules 620 can, for example, execute processes as described herein to provide channel sounding with a dedicated sounding link when executed on the processing unit 610. For example, the computing device 600 can provide an operating environment for an AP 102, an MLD 104, an AP1, an AP2, an MLD1, an MLD2, and so forth. Other operating environments can be utilized, and the present disclosure is not limited to the computing device 600.

[0042] The computing device 600 can be implemented using a Wi-Fi access point, a cellular base station, a tablet device, a mobile device, a smart phone, a telephone, a remote control device, a set-top box, a digital video recorder, a cable modem, a personal computer, a network computer, a mainframe, a router, a switch, a server cluster, a smart television-like device, a network storage device, a network relay device, or other similar microcomputer-based device. The computing device 600 can include any computer operating environment, such as a handheld device, a multi-processor system, a microprocessor- or programmable- sender electronic device, a minicomputer, a mainframe computer, etc. The computing device 600 can also be implemented in a distributed computing environment, where tasks are performed by remote processing devices. The above systems and devices are examples, and the computing device 600 can include other systems or devices.

[0043] Embodiments of the disclosure, for example, can be implemented as a computer process (method), a computing system, or as an article of manufacture such as a computer program product or computer readable media. The computer program product can be a computer storage medium readable by a computer system and encoding a computer program of instructions for executing computer process. The computer program product can also be a propagated signal on a carrier, which carries computer readable code for executing computer process. Accordingly, the present disclosure can be embodied in hardware and / or in software (including firmware, resident software, micro-code, etc.). In other words, embodiments of the present disclosure can take the form of a computer program product on a computer-usable or computer-readable storage medium having computer-usable or computer-readable program code embodied in the medium for use by or in connection with an instruction execution system. The computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be any medium that can contain, store, communicate, propagate, or transport the program for use by or in connection with the instruction execution system, apparatus, or device.

[0044] A computer-usable or computer-readable medium can be, for example but not limited to, an electronic, magnetic, optical, electromagnetic, infrared, or semiconductor system, apparatus, device, or propagation medium. More specific computer-readable medium examples (a non-exhaustive list), the computer-readable medium can include the following: an electrical connection having one or more wires, a portable computer diskette, a random access memory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmable read-only memory (EPROM or Flash memory), an optical fiber, and a portable compact disc read-only memory (CD-ROM). Note that the computer-usable or computer-readable medium could even be paper or another suitable medium upon which the program is printed, as the program can be electronically captured, for example via an optical scanner, from the paper or other suitable medium, then compiled, interpreted, or otherwise processed in a suitable manner, and then stored in a computer memory.

[0045] While certain embodiments of the disclosure have been described, other embodiments can exist. Moreover, although embodiments of the disclosure have been described with respect to data being stored in a storage medium and other storage media, the data can be stored on or read from other types of computer-readable media, for example, secondary storage devices, like hard disks, floppy disks, or CD-ROMs, carrier waves from the Internet, or other forms of RAM or ROM. Further, the stages of the disclosed methods can be modified in any manner, including by reordering stages and / or inserting or deleting stages, without departing from the disclosure.

[0046] In addition, embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced in an electrical circuit comprising discrete electronic elements, packaged or integrated electronic chips containing logic gates, a circuit utilizing a microprocessor, or by implementing the embodiments of the disclosure on a single chip. Embodiments of the disclosure can also be practiced using other technologies capable of performing logical operations, such as, for example, AND, OR, and NOT, including but not limited to mechanical, optical, fluidic, and quantum technologies. In addition, embodiments of the disclosure can be practiced within a general computer system or any other circuit or system.

[0047] Embodiments of the present disclosure can be implemented via a system-on-a-chip (SOC), in which elements can be integrated onto a single integrated circuit. Such a SOC device can include one or more processing units, graphics units, communications units, system virtualization units, and various application functionality all of which can be integrated as a single integrated circuit (chip). When operating via a SOC, the functionality described herein for embodiments of the present disclosure can be executed via specialized logic integrated with other components of the computing device 600 on a single integrated circuit (chip).

[0048] For example, embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein with reference to block and / or operational diagram illustrations of methods, systems, and computer program products according to embodiments of the present disclosure. The functions / acts noted in the blocks can occur out of the order as shown in any flowchart. For example, two blocks shown in succession can in fact be executed substantially concurrently or the blocks can sometimes be executed in the reverse order, depending upon the functionality / acts involved.

[0049] While the specification includes examples, the scope of the present disclosure is indicated by the following claims. Furthermore, while the specification has been described in language specific to structural features and / or methodological acts, the claims are not limited to the features or acts described above. Rather, the specific features and acts described above are disclosed as examples for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure.

Claims

1. A system for communication, comprising: a memory storage device; and a processing unit coupled with the memory storage device, wherein the processing unit is operative to: establish a first wireless communication link with a multi-link device (MLD); establish a second wireless communication link with the MLD; send a sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; after sending the sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link, send a channel state information (CSI) query to the MLD via the second wireless communication link; in response to the CSI query sent to the MLD via the second wireless communication link, receive channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link; after receiving the channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link, send a data frame customized from the channel state quantization from the MLD to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; and in response to the data frame sent, receive an acknowledgement from the MLD via the first wireless communication link, wherein the second wireless communication link is a dedicated sounding link dedicated for channel sounding including sending the CSI query and receiving the channel state quantization, and wherein the first wireless communication link is a non-dedicated sounding link for sending the sounding trigger, sending the data frame, and receiving the acknowledgement. the sounding trigger comprises a null data packet announcement (NDPA) and a null data packet (NDP) frame; the CSI query comprises a compressed beamforming report (CBFR) poll frame; and the channel state quantization comprises a CBFR frame. the processing unit is further operative to send one or more data frames to one or more different MLDs via the first wireless communication link.

2. The system of claim 1, wherein, the processing unit is further operative to receive channel state quantization from a different MLD via the second wireless communication link.

3. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, the processing unit is further operative to send a data frame to a different MLD via the first wireless communication link while channel sounding with the MLD via the second wireless communication link.

4. The system of claim 3, wherein, 6. The system of claim 1 or 2, further comprising a multi-link access point (AP) capable of supporting multiple MLDs.

5. The system of claim 3, wherein, the multi-link AP is further capable of coordinating with different access points (APs) in a wireless network. the processing unit is further operative to communicate the CSI query and the channel state quantization over the second wireless communication link to reduce an amount of latency associated with communication over the first wireless communication link.

7. The system of claim 6, wherein, 9. A method for communication, comprising:

8. The system of claim 1 or 2, wherein, establishing a first wireless communication link with a multi-link device (MLD); establishing a second wireless communication link with the MLD; sending a sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; after sending the sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link, sending a channel state information (CSI) query to the MLD via the second wireless communication link; ​ ​ receiving channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link in response to the CSI query sent to the MLD via the second wireless communication link; after receiving the channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link, sending a data frame customized from the channel state quantization from the MLD to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; and in response to the sent data frame, receiving an acknowledgement from the MLD via the first wireless communication link, wherein the second wireless communication link is a dedicated sounding link dedicated for channel sounding including sending the CSI query and receiving the channel state quantization, and wherein the first wireless communication link is a non-dedicated sounding link for sending the sounding trigger, sending the data frame, and receiving the acknowledgement.

10. The method of claim 9, wherein, the sounding trigger includes a null data packet announcement (NDPA) and a null data packet (NDP) frame; the CSI query includes a compressed beamforming report (CBFR) poll frame; and the channel state quantization includes a CBFR frame.

11. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising sending one or more data frames to one or more different MLDs via the first wireless communication link while performing channel sounding operations with the MLD on the second wireless communication link.

12. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising performing channel sounding in a multi-access point (AP) environment.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein, a first AP of the multi-AP environment establishes the first and second wireless communication links, the method further comprising: sending a sounding trigger from a second AP to the MLD via a third wireless communication link; after sending the sounding trigger from the second AP, sending a CSI query from the second AP to the MLD via a fourth wireless communication link; and receiving channel state quantization from the MLD via the fourth wireless communication link in response to the CSI query sent from the second AP.

14. The method of claim 9 or 10, further comprising communicating the CSI query and the channel state quantization on the second wireless communication link to reduce an amount of latency associated with communications on the first wireless communication link.

15. A non-transitory computer-readable medium storing a set of instructions which, when executed, perform a method comprising: establishing a first wireless communication link with a multi-link device (MLD); establishing a second wireless communication link with the MLD; sending a sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; after sending the sounding trigger to the MLD via the first wireless communication link, sending a channel state information (CSI) query to the MLD via the second wireless communication link; receiving channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link in response to the CSI query sent to the MLD via the second wireless communication link; after receiving the channel state quantization from the MLD via the second wireless communication link, sending a data frame customized from the channel state quantization from the MLD to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; after receiving the channel state quantification from the MLD via the second wireless communication link, sending a data frame customized according to the channel state quantification from the MLD to the MLD via the first wireless communication link; and in response to the sent data frame, receiving an acknowledgement from the MLD via the first wireless communication link, wherein the second wireless communication link is a dedicated sounding link dedicated for channel sounding including sending a CSI query and receiving channel state quantification, and wherein the first wireless communication link is a non-dedicated sounding link for sending a sounding trigger, sending a data frame, and receiving an acknowledgement.

16. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15, wherein, the sounding trigger includes a null data packet announcement (NDPA) and a null data packet (NDP) frame; the CSI query includes a compressed beamforming report (CBFR) poll frame; and the channel state quantification includes a CBFR frame.

17. The non-transitory computer readable medium of claim 15 or 16, wherein, a first AP of a multi-AP environment establishes the first and second wireless communication links, the method further comprising: sending a sounding trigger from the second AP to the MLD via a third wireless communication link; after sending the sounding trigger from the second AP, sending a CSI query from the second AP to the MLD via a fourth wireless communication link; and in response to the CSI query sent from the second AP, receiving channel state quantification from the MLD via the fourth wireless communication link.

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